Natural Science Exploration (3)

About ten minutes had passed since I started drying myself by the bonfire while wearing Ethan’s borrowed clothes.

As I inhaled the rising smoke and the aroma of roasted fish, a sudden thought crossed my mind.

‘I feel like I’m forgetting something important…’

Shelter secured, food secured, and clothes… currently being dried to secure them again.

As I pondered what I might have overlooked, familiar monster cries I’d heard yesterday suddenly echoed from the forest across the river.

‘Kerruk!’

‘Kruk, keeek!’

Ah, right.

In my focus on drying the wet clothes, I’d completely forgotten. Lighting fires in the forest particularly attracts wild monsters.

Given that this forest is literally called ‘Hobgoblin Forest’, constant battles were inevitable – but bonfire smoke and food aromas were especially effective lures.

‘Well, shouldn’t be a problem.’

No named monsters had appeared – just a goblin pack with a couple hobgoblins. Though my mana was low and I was somewhat fatigued, I could easily handle that many alone.

Moreover, we had one of only two Sword Experts in the entire third-year swordsmanship department here. By my standards, he was far more reliable than the Hero himself – a swordsman so dependable it would be an insult to call him second-rate.

“Lilith, stay and rest. I’ll handle this.”

“No. I’ll fight too.”

“…In that outfit?”

“Why would you even ask such an obvious question?”

Just because I was scantily clad didn’t mean I’d pass up this precious EXP event.

Besides, in this forest, combat could erupt at any moment. My current state wasn’t particularly problematic for fighting.

I properly donned Ethan’s borrowed uniform top, slipping my arms through the sleeves and buttoning it up to secure it…

-Squeeze.

“……”

-Squeeeak!

‘Tch, damn.’

…Abandoning the buttons, I wore it as-is and retrieved two daggers from the drying clothes, equipping one in each hand.

The monsters were already approaching Ethan and me – no time to waste on this.

“I’ll handle the trash mobs below goblins. Please deal with the two hobgoblins, Young Master Ethan.”

“…Alright, Lilith.”

Ethan similarly took stance, gripping a sword in each hand.

Thus concluded the second day of our Natural Science Exploration.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Two full days had passed since I used Mana Blast to secure food.

Ethan and I reached day 4 of our survival… no, our Natural Science Exploration class.

Though functionally it wasn’t much different from being stranded, regardless, on the afternoon of our fourth day,

we were collecting ‘hunting trophies’ after what had become our daily goblin hunt.

‘…Some students must have completed the course early by now.’

There were two main ways to complete Luminor Academy’s Natural Science Exploration course.

One was the ‘Early Completion’ method – hunting monsters in Hobgoblin Forest and submitting proof to the professor. The other was the ‘Survival Completion’ method – enduring five nights and six days under harsh conditions.

Incidentally, there was no grade difference between the two methods. The evaluation was simply pass/fail.

As long as you didn’t nearly die and get rescued by the green-haired professor, voluntarily quit by leaving the forest, or get disqualified for prohibited acts (sexual misconduct, arson, violence between students), surviving the full duration wouldn’t affect your grade.

After about 70 hours in the forest, our achievements were roughly:

-Thunk!

“Lilith, I’ve finished off all the ones over here.”

“I’m also done here, Young Master Ethan. Good work.”

We’d already gathered enough points for Early Completion. Enough to spare even combining both our quotas.

‘Our team composition is just too good.’

Ethan the Sword Expert and me the survival specialist. Together, hunting in this forest was child’s play.

Simply maintaining the bonfire ensured a steady stream of forest monsters.

“This concludes our Natural Science Exploration, Lilith.”

“…Yes, it seems so.”

Meaning the official coursework was complete.

Now we just needed to submit these monster materials to the green-haired professor at the forest entrance, and we could leave without enduring the remaining two days.

Though ‘enduring’ was relative – I’d grown accustomed to forest life, and a better idea had already taken root: squeezing maximum EXP from these last days by continuing to hunt and completing via Survival instead.

‘Of course, that’s only good for me – Ethan might feel differently.’

Unlike me with my restricted mobility due to professional position, Ethan could hunt for EXP anywhere, anytime.

Thus he wasn’t as thirsty for monster EXP, and his position didn’t require rapid leveling anyway.

Though reaching Sword Master sooner would have benefits… considering Harold’s age when he achieved it, Ethan still had years ahead.

After all, Sword Master wasn’t a wall you could break through just by leveling – killing more goblins here wouldn’t hasten his enlightenment.

“Lilith?”

“…Ah, yes. Did you call me, Young Master Ethan?”

“What’s wrong? You seem troubled.”

“…It’s nothing. More importantly, since we’ve met Early Completion requirements, let’s submit the materials and finish early.”

“…Hmm.”

Ethan studied my reaction, sighed shallowly with apparent dissatisfaction, then cautiously posed a question.

“You don’t seem to want to complete early, Lilith?”

“…I don’t know what you mean, Young Master Ethan.”

“Your expression shows no joy at the idea. Do you have unfinished business here?”

“…Not particularly…”

“Lying again. Your tells are obvious.”

“……”

“Will you tell me properly now, or must I ‘persuade’ you even here?”

…This arrogant brat.

Bold enough to say that outright – he’d grown quite cocky after a few nighttime victories.

He should know I only indulge him when he defeats Harold and claims his reward.

“……”

But if Ethan truly decided to pounce, I had no means to resist.

I had no choice but to confess why I didn’t want to leave.

“To be honest, I’d prefer not to leave the forest yet.”

“Why?”

“This place offers ‘live combat practice’ unavailable elsewhere. No matter how much I spar with swordsmanship students at the academy or with you and the Master at Blackwood Manor, I’m always constrained by not using killing intent – limiting my movements.

But against these monsters, I can wield killing intent freely, while also learning defense from monsters that use nothing but killing intent. I’d like to stay longer for training.”

“…I see. So leaving early didn’t appeal.”

“A-and also…”

“Hmm?”

“…Opportunities to be alone like this with you are… rare.”

“……”

“……”

Ethan’s face gradually reddened at my careful confession.

The burning sensation flooding my cheeks suggested I was equally flushed.

But well, he asked for honesty. The second reason genuinely mattered too.

Even sharing the academy dorm’s large room with Ethan while Isabella had the small adjacent one, we never had true privacy.

Other exploration courses might offer alone time, but I didn’t want to waste this opportunity with our current stable shelter.

“I-if that’s your reason… I suppose we must stay.”

“……”

“Alright. The course ends in two days – we’ll stay until then.”

“…Are you certain, Young Master Ethan?”

“If it’s what Lilith wants, I don’t mind. …And anywhere is fine, as long as I’m with you.”

“…Thank you for your consideration, Young Master Ethan.”

Two days remained until Natural Science Exploration ended.

Having dramatically agreed to spend the remaining 50 hours together before returning, Ethan and I prepared to continue our stay.