Chapter 92: The Wild Partner

“Unni. I think it’s Oppa’s last exam period.”

Shion, like Clara, was looking at the group message.

Although they were nestled together on Rohan’s dormitory bed, the girls’ expressions were incredibly serious and grave.

“Hmm…”

Shion and Clara weren’t fully prepared to accept Rohan’s absence yet.

So they seriously considered following him in secret.

Even if not as good as Clara, Shion was confident in concealing her presence.

She had professional equipment for observation too.

It was far-fetched, but wasn’t there a justifiable reason?

Rohan has a tendency to get involved in incidents on his own.

With that thought, Shion subtly brought up the idea, but Clara, having encountered Juyeon, already knew.

The reality wasn’t easy to manipulate as they wished.

While Rohan was engrossed in his written exams, the two girls visited the vicinity of Orion Academy for a walk.

And Shion realized why Clara said observation would be difficult.

As expected of Orion Academy.

The level of individuals inside was too high. They were definitely instructors educating the Cadets.

Among them, one person had a particularly prominent presence.

There was someone who was fully aware of Shion and Clara without them even stepping foot inside the Academy.

“…”

The existence of Juyeon that Clara mentioned. Shion felt a huge wall.

The fact that such a being existed by Rohan’s side provided reassurance but also served as a strong stimulus.

A feeling mixed with envy and jealousy.

Grief stemming from a lack of ability.

I need to increase the intensity of my training.

Shion realized.

Clara’s yearning for the top was likely heavily influenced by her encounter with Juyeon.

An alert window appeared before his eyes.

Rohan, awakened by the Quest notification, sat up in the crowded lounge of the ship filled with male Cadets.

He cast his gaze outside.

I see it.

Despite the dim sky, his Mana-enhanced eyes clearly captured the boundary between water and land.

An island much larger than he anticipated.

The uninhabited island where Orion Academy Cadets would spend 5 days.

If I move carelessly, I won’t encounter anything but monsters.

While trying to imprint the terrain in his mind as much as possible,

Juyeon’s voice echoed through the ship’s broadcast.

─ Broadcasting to Class 1 Cadets. Gather in front of the 2nd floor dining hall in 10 minutes. Broadcasting again. Class 1 Cadets, gather in front of the 2nd floor dining hall in 10 minutes.

─ If you see any friends still asleep, please wake them up. End of broadcast.

With a click!, the broadcast ended.

Rohan nudged the snoring Gilbert with his foot to wake him up and stood up from the floor, hurrying to get ready.

“…”

The Cadets woke up and silently continued their preparations.

They gathered on the 2nd floor earlier than the assembly time.

“Don’t act disorderly and find your partners first. Once you’ve met your partner, gather in front of the Instructor.”

Rohan approached Ichinose, who had taken a position at the very front.

Naturally, he started a conversation.

“How are you feeling?”

“No problem. I slept with Noa until now.”

He moved his head, and he could see Noa stumbling towards her partner, still half-asleep.

The Cadet paired with Noa Frozenheart was one of the rear guards of Class 1.

A female Cadet named Corin.

She wasn’t a playable character from Abyss City, nor did she have outstanding skills. Thanks to that, Rohan didn’t have much information about her.

“Are there any Cadets who haven’t found their partners?”

“““…”””

Silence.

Confirming that there were no issues, Juyeon immediately began to explain.

“I told you that the instructors would take measures to prevent you from relying solely on Mana for 5 days before landing on the uninhabited island.”

Along with her words, Juyeon revealed a translucent sticker.

Within its small size, geometric characters that would be used in talismans were written.

That’s it.

While the other cadets might be unaware, Rohan was expecting this item.

“This sticker has three effects when applied to the skin.”

“…”

“You will feel hungry, thirsty, and sleepy. That’s all.”

The cadets listening quietly flinched.

They already had a feeling that the 5 days wouldn’t be easy.

“You won’t feel it immediately after application, but sleepiness and hunger will come more frequently than usual. Feeling them more intensely is a bonus.”

Rohan stared at the sticker with mixed feelings.

The Debuff that lowered his recovery rate and speed in Abyss City had manifested into a physical object.

“But there’s no need to worry. This sticker can be easily removed using Mana.”

Juyeon applied the sticker to the back of her hand without hesitation.

Without mana, scratching or wetting it showed no signs of coming off.

Juyeon showed the sticker to each cadet, then gathered mana in her finger and peeled it off.

“As you can see, it loses its effect the moment it comes off. Once used, it loses its adhesiveness and can’t be reattached. Even if you force it back on, it’ll be obvious.”

Juyeon tossed the limp sticker into a nearby trash can.

“The instructors will personally check and collect them after the exam. Just keep it on until then.”

A large quantity of stickers emerged from Juyeon’s arms.

“The instructors will attach one to each of you personally. Expose the back of your necks.”

Tap! Tap! The sound came and went quickly.

It took only a few seconds to attach stickers to everyone in Class 1.

“If you absolutely can’t stand it during your time on the uninhabited island, you can remove it. It will simply affect your score.”

As Juyeon told them to prepare to disembark, Rohan and Ichinose checked their equipment.

Rohan even opened his Status Window and scanned it.

…Desire Amplification.

The name seemed somewhat impure, but what kind of place was Orion Academy?

This sticker on the back of his neck definitely only affected sleep and appetite.

“You’ll be dropped off at non-overlapping locations. The transport ship will get close to land, so disembark in the order you’re called. Understood?”

“““Yes!”””

Juyeon continued to communicate with the other instructors through the onboard communication device.

As if something else came up, she spoke again.

“And lastly, if you see anyone floating in the sky, there’s no need to worry. They are there to support your safety.”

Personnel to assist the instructors, quickly rescuing cadets sending distress signals and preventing unforeseen incidents.

They were from the Sepia Archipelago, a military unit that freely flew through the sky using equipment crafted from floating stones.

When the sun rose the next day, seeing their armor, the cadets would realize which unit had come to support them.

“The altitude is low enough. Everyone, move to the deck.”

··

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Rohan and Ichinose were the third to disembark.

The salty air was noticeable.

At the boundary between the sea and the uninhabited island, soft sand and damp earth coexisted.

“Ichinose. How are you feeling?”

“I don’t feel anything yet.”

The girl with her eyes closed touched the back of her neck where the sticker was attached.

“I’m fine for now as well… We should find a place to rest first.”

“Are we going into the forest?”

“I think they’re more likely to have hidden food and water inside than in an open area like this. What do you think?”

“…”

The girl held a standard-issue sword, not her beloved sword, Yoru.

She tapped the ground with it, pondering.

“I can move without being hindered by the darkness.”

“I can see somewhat as well, although not as well as Ichinose.”

“Then, before we go too deep… Let’s start by skimming the edges while staying within sight of the sea.”

“Good judgment.”

The closer they got to the forest, the fainter the sound of the waves became.

Entering a forest after sunset might seem foolish, but for Ichinose, who usually spent her time in darkness, it made no difference.

It was also an opportunity to secure supplies faster than other cadets.

Should I conserve my Shop Skill as much as possible?

As Rohan swung his sword, cutting vines and creating a path…

Ichinose stopped.

Rohan also sensed a presence and didn’t ask why.

“There’s one.”

The girl drew her blade without hesitation and swung it.

───Piiing!

─ Squeak!

A bird with a strange cry fell from the tree.

A sharp horn protruded from its severed head.

As Ichinose sheathed her sword, a point came in.

“It’s a Hornbird.”

Its official name was Honbird. Hornbird was the name used in the Three Kingdoms Union.

Rohan picked up the Honbird, its head cleanly severed.

“This Honbird…”

“Is there a problem?”

“Isn’t this edible?”

As Rohan spoke excitedly, as if he had found something good…

The girl froze in surprise.

The heir to Cheonocheon, the largest corporation in the Three Kingdoms Union.

Ichinose Yui, who had lived a life far removed from the wilderness.

“Eh…?”

The girl’s usually composed voice and expression crumbled.