17 A Monster Tide

It happen in the early morning. The sound of Academy Alarm Signal sound

"Whew.. whew.. whew.. whew.."

It keep ringing a few minutes and then someone make an announcement

"To all the student in the first year and second year please gather immediately in Student Ground Area , Training Ground"

It repeat a few times. After I hear that I immediately check everything I need and put everything in my pocket inventory.

This is a second time I hear the Academy Alarm Signal. The first time is when the Academy want us a first year gather in Hall Area to hear an orientation. But seems like this time is an urgent one huh.

When I arrive in the training ground, I already see many student stand and talking each other. I just stand there and look around cause I don't know anyone. Someone call me from behind

"Rudeus."

I turn around and see someone waving at me and then I said "Grid"

Both of us walk towards each other and Grid said "Rudeus, do you know what's happening ?"

"No, I don't. I just wake up a few moments ago and the signal is ringing. Do you know something Grid ?" (Rudeus)

"Well, I'm sure either, but when I walk towards the training ground I heard that something happen in Mountain Range." (Grid)

"Something happen in Mountain Range ?" I speak in my mind

"Rudeus, I think it's better to search Darvan and make him join us. We don't know what going to happen, but it's better to have more people I think." (Grid)

"Sure, let search for him now" (Rudeus)

We walk around training ground, many of the student seems already found their team. We found Darvan. He is standing alone in the crowd, so we walks towards him.

"Darvan" (Rudeus)

"Ah.. Rudeus, Grid" (Darvan)

Without further Grid immediately said "You alone ? Wanna join us ? Seems like it will get messy after"

"Ah.. ok then, actually I don't know what I'm gonna do. Many student already found their member, so I kinda flabbergasted." Darvan said it with a smile

"It's ok. We are the same after all" (Grid)

We talk a few moment and then a few instructor come.

"Ahem.. Quite down everyone" said the instructor from a high ground with a kinda like loud speaker device

"I believe many of you already know hat a signal mean. So I will make it simple"

"A monster break will going to happen in less than 3 hours." said the instructor

After heard what the instructor said many of them student make a noise and talking each other again.

"Quite down.."

"We receive the news from an Adventure and we confirm that's true. Many of City guard and army already make a move to defend the City. We Ace Institute Academy will help too."

The instructor continue "Student of third and fourth year which in the City already join the guards and army to secure the City and civilians."

"For all of you, your job is to kill the monster which pass the barricade of the army. We can not let the monster come inside the City."

"You all will be form your own group or you can do solo. It's up to you. If any of you join this mission, you will receive a 10.000 merit point. Any of you who don't join this mission, the Academy will deducted 5.000 merit point."

"You can left your Student ID Card to an Instructor in the front gate."

"Ah.. one more thing. If you or your team do not want to accept the mission, you can accept a mission to transport a supply. You accept the mission in Student Mission Area. The reward will be 200 merit point for one student."

"That's all. We the Instructor will keep an eye, so none of you dare to cheat. The punishment will severely if we get it."

All the Instructor then left and them many of us start doing what we need to do.

"Grid, what are we gonna do ?" (Rudeus)

"Hmm.. it's depends. First, are we gonna join the subjection or transporter ?" Grid ask both of us

"I think it's better for us to take subjection one. Three of us is person who take solo path after all" (Darvan)

"What about you Rudeus ?" (Grid)

"Yeah, I agree." (Rudeus)

"Ok then. If we take a subjection, we must do it fast and search our own spot. I believe everyone will think the same. Because there are only three of us, it's better if we take a spot close to where a more student party." (Grid)

"Alright then" "Ok" me and Darvan said at the same time

"Did both you already pack everything ? If yes, lets just go to the front gate now." (Grid)

Both of us nod and then walk towards a front gate.

There are many party who already line up so we can only wait for our turn. I see that Darvan want to secure our group so he stand in front of us and so I whisper something to Grid

"Grid, is someone who take a solo path like us is hard to join normal party ?" I whisper it to Grid

Grid look at me with confused expression "??"

"I mean in the training ground, I stand alone like no one bothering me. Darvan too. If you not come to us I believe we can only do this as solo, not party" (Rudeus)

"Ah.. that." Grid then explain "It's not always like that. When someone make a party they will know what others strength, so they won't be any miscommunication in battle. You can say they practice and make their own strategy. They just can't invite someone to their party without training together right even though you are stronger than them."

"I see, chemistry huh." I said

"Well that's a good way to say, chemistry" (Grid)

"Guys, quick. Its our turn." Darvan shout at us

"Coming" (Rudeus)

After we done, our party immediately go to east gate and looking for our spot. Many of other team is already pick their own spot. Some of them pick a spot close to the gate and some of them even pick close to the forest.

"How's about that ?" Grid pointed where there is a two team consisted five student. Because we just three people, we can take spot in the middle of them after all the two teams is not too really close each other.

"Seems good" I said

When we arrive at our spot, both of other team look at us and seems like check on us.

Even though the tide still not coming yet all of us already make a preparation and keep our guards up.

Grid the say to us "Here, I already make a formation for us. Rudeus you will be in our vanguard. You have strong body battle skill, you even said that four arms bear can not hurt you. Darvan, focus on killing the monster that pass Rudeus. And me, I will help Rudeus to kill his enemy from back. I'm an archer after all. If needed I will fight in front line you guys too."

"Ok" both of us nod at Grid.

We wait for a bit more than hours and then Grid speak with a bit loud "Ready. The monster come."

Me and Darvan immediately get in our position. Both the other team get ready their weapon too, even though they look confused cause they see nothing yet.