Chapter 23

"Gather up brats!!" Helen had released her transformation and dressed up. She waited for all her students to align themselves in two rows before continuing her address "Listen up closely. This is probably the first time you new borns are our in wild. Apart from this you would be on your own for the most part of your 3 day trip that will end up on the Thursday morning. You had already been provided with a well marked map of this area, which looks something like this." Speaking till here she unfurled a big rolled sheet which displayed the same map just with bigger dimensions. She used a stick to point out the different areas on the map. "Here watch this red line closely. This line surrounds this clearing on all sides and you are NOT to cross this line. And please believe me when I say this that most of the students who ignore this warning end up dead." Even though everyone was already aware that death was a possibility here, coming from Helen's own mouth it had a more dreadful affect on them and Rick definitely heard a lot of his classmates gulping. Heck, even he was a little scared now the he heard her reiterate it in such a way. "You can easily identify this line once you see it as we have used a red marker on ground to demarcate the whole area. Plus, in any case that the line is damaged or you still manage miss it, keep in mind these landmarks that will tell you that you are either very close to the red line or you might have accidentally crossed it. In the latter case you need to run back to safety at the first notice."

"Now that I have scared you guys enough. This is the blue line as you can see. This is the absolute safe zone. You can rest assure that you will be safe in this area but as you all know less risk, less rewards. The demon beasts in this area will be weaker than outside of this circle. For the first day, my suggestion will be to familiarise yourself with the environment while remaining in the blue zone. If you are confident enough, you can then venture in the red zone to hunt for even more dangerous prey. Also, you can relax a bit. We have already deployed a small contingent of your seniors who will help me take care of you. And a few of them had even crossed over to the earth realm so you can certainly bet in them to save your asses in dire situation. And remember this since you guys will be under constant monitoring, no cheating. Though I know you will be aware of what will be considered as cheating, I will list them anyway. First, no external help. That means no help can be availed by others in your hunting efforts. Doing so will disqualify both the helper and the one who got helped. Secondly, you can't use your personal weapons during hunt. Only standard weapon that is provided by the school can be used. Third and last, no use of potions and drugs are allowed that includes healing potions too."

"If you are grievously injured then you are out of commission, bad luck, try next time. Coming to your food and sustenance. We will prepare food two time a day, so you are free to join us. But keep in mind, the more time you would waste making these trips back and forth, you will be losing precious time that could have been utilised better. Thus try to use whatever the nature offers you. Also, there will be plenty of large animals that can be hunted and eaten, so try to take advantage of that. Then kiddos, that will be all from me. You can ask if you got any doubts." She ended her monologue with this. For the first few minutes no one asked anything as most of them were processing the information dump she just provided. "Ahem... Helen, can I deposit the things not allowed in there with you?" A boy who had brought some healing potions with him by mistake asked. "Haha It's good that you are honest kid. Drop everything here. If anyone you had brought something unnecessary then leave them here with me." That was her polite way of urging them to surrender any unfair means that they might have brought with them. After her warning, two girls came forward dropping a weird looking gadget on the ground. "Hmm.. Good piece of equipment... But alas it's of no use here." Monica saw Rick looking interested in the gadget and explained "It is a advance aim facilitator. It can be attached to a bow and it helps take accurate shots with the arrows." Rick nodded in understanding.

"Well it looks like none of you got anything else. Then here is your inventory of weapon of your choice. Each weapon has your names attached to them so there is no confusion. Pick them up and disperse. Remember this, although there are dangers in life but only those who can tread through them bravely comes out on top." "Aye ma'am" All the students roared at once having been charged with her passionate speech. Rick waited for the last before moving in. Ross and Monica had left after saying their goodbyes to him. Getting close to Helen he found the last remaining weaponry in the casket on the ground. It was a long spear as he had imagined. Picking it up he swiped it back and forth to get a hang of it. "Let's see how much you have learnt in these days kid." Helen gave him a heartfelt smile. He responded with an genuine smile of his own "hehe Helen, you should atleast give me a goodluck kiss. Don't you think I need it the most right now?" Helen laughed at this guy's ability to joke around even at a time like this, but she bent down and kissed him on his lips. Rick was not expecting her to comply and was taken by surprise. Before he could kiss her properly she pulled her head back. "You can get the next one when you come back in a single piece kid. Now leave, your time is ticking." That was her way of saying that he should be safe.

He left Helen behind as he picked up a random direction and walked towards it. Thanks to his mental capacity the whole map was printed in his mind. He had remembered all local landmarks such that the possibility of him losing his way in the wilderness was not going to be easy. First things first, he found a secluded spot and began practicing all his skills with this new spear. The idea was that was the weapon should not feel awkward in his hands when the face of time came. While practicing his mind was rapidly trying to decide on how he should begin his hunt. He came to the conclusion that first thing you should do if you are stuck in a wild is to make sure that he had something to eat. This lesson he had learnt in both his previous life as well as this. After an hour, he left the spot looking for some animal trail. Luckily, Rick didn't have to search for long as he found the hooves print of some wild boar it seams. These are the things he had been studying in the library, hence he had a fair amount of idea about the size of the animal. Following the trail for a while he managed to find it grazing under some shrubs.

It was not something massive but it will take care of his needs for 2 day at the minimum. This thing could have catered to a normal person for 4 days atleast. Anyways, not wanting to scare away the beast he tried to use his spear as a javelin to strike it down. Taking his aim, he waited for the pig to get steady before he took the shot. "Oinkkk.. oink.." Of course, he missed and the boar ran away shrieking, scared away by the spear landing beside it. Rick has given the first hand experience of doing something in the favourable conditions as opposed to getting it done in wild where it matters the most. He had practiced slinging his spear multiple times at home but when it was time to perform he made a mess. Not getting disappointed, he followed the trail once again looking for the next opportunity. It was noon already and he had to strike it down soon.

After an hour in Rick was sitting under a tree munching on the roasted ping meat. He was able to get the perfect shot when he found the guy rolling around in mud planning to doze off. Starting a fire he roasted the skewered the pieces of meat over it. It was greasy and not as delicious as Amelia's home cooked food but it was enough to satiate his hunger. Fortunately, Helen had allowed them to atleast take some salt with them otherwise he would be eating a bland meat right now. He salvaged whatever he can from the body and made a jerky out of it. Now that he had solved his hunger issues and was charged with energy, he moved in search of his fated demon beast carrying his jerky and his spear with him. The forest was very large such that it will take half a day of traveling to reach the end blue zone and similarly a full day of traveling will be required if someone wants to traverse to the end of the hiring zone. This meant that 30 students coming across each other had a very low possibility. Rick traveled for more than 3 hours straight but alas, he can't even spot a demonic beast much less try hunting it down. He meditated under the shade of trees to relax for a bit before he began his journey once again. Night fell down in him like this and all he found today was a few more pigs and some random deer.

All the students carried their makeshift bed with them. Rick ate his fill after which he climbed on a thick branch, setting up his bed and resting for the day. He was not too upset that he was left empty handed as he had a good premonition of this happening. That's why he made sure that he was at the edge of the blue zone at the end of the day. Tommorow he will search for a while and if he was not able to find anything he will cross over to the red zone. Sleep took over him.

***Next day Morning. 2nd day of hunt***

Rick felt like it was his lucky day. He had come face to face with a demon beast which he was stalking right now. So what if it was a cute little bunny. The purple aura it was emitting made sure to let him know about its demonic nature. The rabbit was easily the size of a large dog with blazing purple fur all over its body. Rick made sure that this guy was alone before targeting it. Now he was waiting for his chance to throw his spear and hunt it down. Just as the beast out his head down to chew upon some berries Rick took his shot from its blind spot. *Swish* The spears tore through the air with a very high speed as he had put his entire force behind the throw. Rick was smiling fir the brief period of a second when the spear left his hands and the rabbit still did not respond, completely unaware of ite predator lurking in the shadows. But his smile faded just as the spear landed. What the heck? The fucking beast has literally vanished into thin air with a puff of purple aura. Instantly, Rick had realised his mistake. He was not sure of the powers of this beast before he decided to attack. He had fucked it up. Hurriedly he ran towards his spear as Helen's teaching rang through his mind repeatedly. 'Never let the spear leave you hands.'

He had been too conceited, thinking as if he had planned for every possibility. Suddenly, his senses tingled warning him of an approaching danger. Believing in his gut he changed his direction slightly but still running towards his spear in the ground. Right then the demonic rabbit appeared out of thin air and slammed into the ground. Angered by getting his attack read by the puny human it pounced in his direction. Thankfully, Rick had his hands on his spear till then but before he could turn around to face the creature his whole body was jolted by the pain. The fucker had bit him in his calf. Not allowing the pain to unbalance his mind he turned around the thrusted his spear directly into the face of the beast. "Ewwwwennnn" the beast was only injured even after taking a wound to his head. But fortunately the induced pain made it run back a few steps, giving time to Rick too to back off a bit and get into proper fighting stance. He got no time to cater the bleeding in his leg. Looking at the growling beast infront of him he got ready for combat. It didn't look like his spear to its face was going to dissuade the beast at all, rather it seemed to have made it angrier. It once again pounced at him but just like previously, it vanished mid air.

Rick knew the guy will come for him and he had to be prepared for it. Calming his heart beat he waited patiently. Each passing second felt like a whole day to him. The feeling he was waiting came from behind. Instantly he turned and smashed his spear downwards. Contact. His weapon opened a long gash right over the beast's eye. "Eweeeee" it shrieked and one again backed off. To much surprise if Rick it pounced back at him, repeating it's same attack. "Eweeeee" Having been countered for third time and with a face full of wounds the beast decided to leave him alone. It ran off picking a direction. Rick waited for 10 minutes before falling on his butt. 'Damn it!! A fucking rabbit managed to injure me. Fuck... Fuck..' Now that he relaxed his muscles, the wound began affecting him as the pain rose. He began dressing his wound drinking a mouthful of water form his leather pouch. In the background, a blue haired girl was observing all this. 'Hmm how intriguing.. he isn't even from some noble family and he managed to scare of the vanishing bunny at this age. Mrs. Helen sure got a decent lot this time it seems.' The girl was hiding in plain sight to Rick but she had mixed herself so well in her surroundings that he didn't even feel his presence. She left after making sure that Rick will not be in any fatal danger.

Few hours later Rick was resting on a tree in the red zone. He was waiting for the pain to subside before he will begin his search once more. Learning his lesson he analysed his mistakes. Firstly, his choice of using his spear as a javelin was the gravest one. Secondly, he took on the wrong prey. One which he knew nothing about. Despite being well read about demonic beasts he did not recognise this strange one. Eating his fill of the meat he traveled in search of his new prey. But unfortunately, it seemed like his luck had run out with that bunny as he did spot a single demonic beast all this while and the landmarks around him told him that he was very close to the end of red zone. Dusk had fallen so he decided to head back in and begin his search tommorow. He was reluctant but it can't be helped. Just as he began to turn around, his senses tingled. This was different from the feel of dread, no rather it was something that attracted him. It felt like his body was pulled in the particular direction. He followed in the same direction hoping that it might lead him to something unique. He found himself standing on the branch of a tall tree looking towards a vast lake over the horizon. Whatever it was, it was inside the lake. Rick would have tried swiming in and trying to find it out but there was a clear red line seperating him from the lake. "Damn it.. Can my luck be so bad?"

The lake was only a few hundred metres from his position but the fact remains that it was outside of the safe zone. He faced a difficult decision in front of him. Should he take the risk and get to the lake, investigate and run back in. Or should he just close his mind off and turn back. But can he really turn back? The attractive force was many times than prior now. It felt like a physical chain was pulling him towards the lake. "Fuck it.." He took off. He ran down to the edge of the lake dropping his belongings at the shore and diving right in with his spear. He was betting on his seniors to save his ass off in case he ended up inviting a disaster. The only reason he was taking this risk was because he can feel whatever it was his body desired it the most. Such that, his soul will not be complete without merging with it. He can feel the force pulling him down to the bottom of the lake, filling his lungs with air he dove down trying to reach the bottom of the lake. But all he can see around him was slightly muddy water and the vegetation on the floor and nothing else. He closed his eyes to feel for the force and his findings made him befuddled. Now the force was trying to pull him out of the water, like whatever was on the floor had risen above the lake's surface. He swore in his mind and rapidly swam up. What he saw getting out of water was so incredible that he believed that his mind was under some type of illusion.