episode_0022

‘Tch. Suddenly, a strange guy was added.’

‘If I do this, I’ll be in trouble.’

A party for the 1st grade intermediate class 3 led by teacher Larsen.

The trio of Octo, Ens, and Tom were dissatisfied with Edin’s sudden presence.

An alchemist and the owner of a new general store.

From what I heard, it’s about digging up herbs and other ingredients that can be obtained from the forest you’re heading to for a request.

It is said that he came to teach them how to collect them along with knowledge of botany and herbalism.

“You guys are the first test subjects. Learn well.”

To make consumables, you need ingredients such as herbs, and mining and delivering them can be used as a means for adventurers to make money.

There’s nothing wrong with knowing this, but…

‘It would be better to do one more request during that time.’

Most adventurers above C rank invest time in learning such things.

Most people thought that it would be better not to dig up herbs if it would delay completing the quest.

So, the trend is to only learn how to collect high-grade materials that make real money.

I know very well the importance of potions and consumables, but in cases where they are really needed anyway, alchemists and wizards come forward.

Anyway, even if you harvest it with some skill, it won’t be sold at a high price…

Anyway, these three male students did not have a very positive attitude toward gathering materials.

However, there was another reason why they were reluctant to have an unexpected guest join them.

‘It won’t interfere with the plan, right?’

‘Well… even though I’m a C-rank adventurer, I’m an alchemist anyway.’

They were worried that their plans might be disrupted.

The trio’s plan.

Of course it wasn’t normal.

Their plan is none other than…

‘Yeah, that guy would be digging up grass anyway.’

‘We do all the work.’

Perform well and show Riley your cool side.

That was the reason they waited for external practice and the reason they worked hard to build up so far.

Sudden build-up?

These guys who teased and harassed Riley all day?

You may think it’s strange.

Of course.

Because these guys are weird.

‘They say it gets really exciting when a normally bad guy suddenly becomes nice to you.’

‘That’s why I’ve been so mean on purpose all this time…!’

‘Today, to show Riley my unexpected charm!’

…as you see.

They’re just not good enough, and they’re not good at all.

To summarize, it is like this.

Octo, Ens, Tom.

These three fell in love with Riley at first sight from the first day of school.

All three of us didn’t fall behind.

Although the opponent is of a lower class, he is the son of an aristocratic family.

However, the problem was that they had more talent as adventurers.

I thought it would be worth comparing if you were going to be an adventurer anyway.

“……”

“……”

The three male students initially looked at each other and competed after entering school.

In the end, they come together.

“You want to try it with Riley anyway.”

“…I admit it.”

“Honestly, that’s true.”

“So… if you seduce one of the three, let’s take turns doing it.”

“Oh…”

correction.

They’re just not good enough, and they’re not good… It’s not just that.

They were garbage, and they didn’t even have a good head.

Anyway, the plan set up by these trash people was a bad man’s anti-war charm plan.

If they imprint themselves in their memories by acting like trash on purpose, then go on an external training program and perform well when they are in real danger.

The idea was that the reversal effect would greatly increase likability and that any one of the three would fall in love with Riley.

The problem is outsiders, but the instructor won’t step in anyway unless the student’s life is truly in danger, so it’s okay.

However, an alchemist named Edin suddenly appears and catches them.

Still, they were also faculty members, and it seemed unlikely that they would interfere with the request itself, so I decided to skip it for now.

However, the problem arises from a completely different place.

“The forest where the oaks are located is the Greenback Forest. It is the third largest forest around Preta.”

“Ah, yes. I think I’ve heard of it!”

“There are a wide variety of plants that grow here, the most representative of which is now…”

While riding a carriage and driving to the road leading to the village of Ibenspev, where the orc clearing was requested.

A fun story began to bloom between Edin and Riley.

“In particular, the fruit of the Gurleda tree, which grows deep in the forest, contains a paralyzing poison that, when concentrated, can stun even ogres.”

“Wow, I see.”

A person who shares extensive knowledge that would make a botany professor go away, and a person who shows interest in that knowledge and listens intently.

The synergy between these two was enormous.

The only sounds coming from the carriage were the clattering of the horses and the conversation between these two people.

Riley looked very happy.

Although I started studying theory to fill my own shortcomings, it doesn’t mean I wasn’t interested.

No, on the contrary, it was quite enjoyable to see the more I learned, the more knowledge accumulated in my head.

However, when a new teacher came who taught me the knowledge I could further accumulate, all my worries about external training disappeared and only joy remained.

‘Edin… he seems like a really nice person.’

As Riley was openly giving off a happy atmosphere, the three male students began to feel anxious.

‘Fuck, I’m laughing at another man and it’s damned.’

‘Oh, I guess it would be cooler to smash an orc’s head than that guy anyway, right?’

Are they jealous or not?

Edin also gave detailed information on how to collect various medicinal herbs and poisonous plants.

“Well… I only know it in theory, but this is my first time actually doing it.”

“I see.”

As we continue to talk like this, we arrive at the village of Ibenspev.

Thanks to the carriage ride, there was a delay here and there, but the sun hadn’t set yet.

‘At this rate, it would be okay to just explore for a bit.’

It is very dangerous for novice adventurers who are not familiar with the forest at night.

Of course, I brought all my camping gear just in case, but it would be safer to stay in the village if possible.

But that doesn’t mean it can’t last longer than 3 hours.

Although it is said that if there is a lot of external training, up to 4 to 5 days are given, it is better for the student’s physical and mental health to finish it as quickly as possible.

Especially since this opponent is an ‘orc’ whose danger increases as time passes.

“Nice to meet you, adventurers.”

“Hello.”

After meeting the village chief and receiving guidance, the party headed to Greenback Forest under Larsen’s leadership.

“Hey.”

When I gradually left the village fence and fell about 100m.

Larsen stopped abruptly and turned towards the students and Edin.

And then he started giving a simple speech.

“It’s real from here on. Classes, practice, practice… there is no need for any of this. Act as if the guy next to you… and I could die. Be tense and alert. Excessive caution is the very foundation and end of an adventurer.”

Combined with Larsen’s unique sharp atmosphere, the trio of male students also had impure intentions.

And Riley, who had become happy thanks to Edin, also started to get nervous.

Of course, Edin wasn’t very nervous.

Anyway, I know that I can take on at least three orcs on my own, and if it’s really dangerous, Larsen will step in and take care of it.

It’s just a part of the class to sharpen students’ practical sense.

As you go, the meadow gradually turns into a lush forest.

Trees with sparse, broad leaves begin to appear.

As you go a little further, you will soon be covered by trees and the village will no longer be visible.

We entered ‘Greenback Forest’, the third largest forest around the capital Preta.

Jjaejaejack─ Shhh…

The sound of the wind that somehow feels cruel.

The sound of a new type of cry coming from somewhere.

And even the sound of tree branches rustling.

There is no silence in the dense forest.

Everywhere is always full of unknown sounds.

So I became more nervous.

If it were quiet, I would be able to quickly figure out where something is coming from.

Rustling─

At that time, the sound of bushes shaking nearby was heard.

Larsen and Edin seemed to have already noticed it a while ago, and were looking at the bushes in that direction even when there was no sound.

But he doesn’t come forward.

Basically, everything that happens during a referral must be left up to the students to deal with.

Unless it is a truly dangerous moment, the instructor should not provide assistance.

“…Position!”

The first thing I noticed was Okto, who was in the ranger position.

He senses something moving in the bushes and immediately increases the distance.

Tom quickly blocks his way.

“Whoop…!”

Although it was a little late, Riley quickly took out his sword and stood to the side, slightly diagonally, as if hiding behind Tom.

Lastly, Ens raises his magic power while holding a staff.

Except for Riley, the positions were quickly established as if they had already been guessed several times.

‘Rather, Miss Riley is amazing.’

Of course, it’s good to have a trio that works well together, but Edin’s eyes were drawn more to Riley.

Not because she’s pretty, but because I feel like she’s probably never dated those three boys.

Nevertheless, he reacted quickly and moved to the most appropriate position.

It feels like an effort was made to make up for the lack of abilities.

Anyway, when I was so nervous, something jumped out of the rustling bushes.

“…!!”

Students are so nervous that they flinch.

But what stuck out was…

“Kiik!”

It was only one goblin.

He wears leather clothes that look like nothing more than a piece of mat, and he doesn’t even carry a weapon.

Even an F-rank adventurer can easily defeat two of them if he wants to, but he doesn’t even have a weapon.

One such goblin.

But something felt strange.

Even though it’s at the beginning of the forest, there’s a goblin just wandering around? Without a weapon?

Additionally, he was shaking as if he was scared for some reason.

It was obviously strange.

That is what adventurers should be most careful and cautious about.

It was an ‘abnormal phenomenon’.