Happenings on the Field Trip [2] - Trio

"Dear students, please stay close to one another and follow me cautiously. We will most certainly make contact with a Reaper. Though it will only be a Spawn-ranked Reaper, so do not worry," Professor Mendoza announced, his voice clear and authoritative, amplified by the holographic microphones.

The forest seemed to hold its breath as the students followed their professor deeper into its heart.

The ranking system of Reapers, much like that of Hunters, was something every student knew. Spawn-ranked Reapers were the weakest, even less powerful than a Vanguard-ranked Hunter.

They were mindless creatures, existing without reason or desire, often wandering around isolated places like this forest.

Despite their low rank, Spawn Reapers were dangerous.

When they sensed life, they attacked like rabid animals, making them a significant threat to anyone who encountered them.

The strongest Reaper rank, the Apex, was a different story altogether. If one of those appeared, even the professors would be helpless against its power.

'An Apex... Something like that will eventually have to be faced,' Quill thought, feeling a shiver run down his spine.

That kind of nightmare wasn't something for him to worry about.

It was a problem for Emrys and his friends, not him.

Speaking of...

'I wonder if they already met...'

In the novel, mundane parts were often skipped to keep the story engaging, making it difficult for Quill to predict what had already happened and what was yet to come.

If Quill remembered correctly, Emrys would have already made contact with the main love interest, Ana Morgus, by now.

Their meeting was a cliché scenario—Ana tripping over a tree root and being helped up by Emrys.

As the group moved through the forest, Quill noticed how disciplined the students were.

Despite their flaws, they feared the repercussions of being labeled a failure.

It was a real concern for many, including Elias in his previous life.

Though he wasn't one to cause chaos without reason, the thought of standing out in a negative light was always on his mind.

The forest was vast, its openness giving the students plenty of room to spread out.

It was likely a planned aspect of the field trip, ensuring everyone had space to maneuver.

The holographic microphones ensured that everyone could hear the teachers' instructions clearly, even from a distance.

'They are quite confident.' Quill knew the dangers Reapers posed, even the lower-ranked ones like the Spawn.

Despite his extensive knowledge, he lacked real combat experience.

That was about to change.

The group finally reached a lake, its surface calm and surrounded by flowers and small animals like rabbits.

The serene setting contrasted sharply with the tension in the air.

Professor Mendoza raised his hand, signaling the students to stop.

The sudden stillness amplified the sounds of the forest, making every rustle and chirp seem louder. 

"Alright, everyone, I've got a surprise for you," announced a tall woman with her hair elegantly styled in a purple bun. She was another professor from one of the other classes. "You will be forming groups of three to explore the area around us."

The students' faces showed visible shock and apprehension. She continued, "Don't worry. We will be monitoring all of you."

She held up a large tablet. "We always use this area, so we have a detailed map that scans the whole place in real-time, showing your positions and that of the Reapers. If one of you encounters a Reaper, we will know."

She then pointed at Professor Mendoza. "And do not worry. We will be fast enough to save you if Professor Mendoza gives the signal."

Unlike most Hunters, Professor Mendoza specialized in communication.

He could telepathically connect with anyone within a range of 10 kilometers, but only with those whose face he had seen at least once.

He was currently scanning all the faces besides his own class.

The only drawback of this Gift was that he could speak to only five individuals at a time.

"If any of you are still doubtful, I suggest you reconsider your place here at the academy. Being a Hunter isn't for the faint-hearted."

Some students became visibly enraged; others simply nodded in understanding.

"We're not babysitters," the female professor continued. "Out in the real world, there won't be anyone to hold your hand. You can't expect a helping hand in actual combat, so don't get used to it here. I can assure you, no one will die, but injuries are likely. Be grateful that if you do get hurt, it will be here in a controlled environment where help is readily available. So stop making those worried faces!" she shouted.

It seemed like she was scolding them, which she was, but it also served as motivation.

'Why become Hunters if we can't even handle this?' was the thought running through many minds.

"Alright," Professor Mendoza took over. "Please form groups of three. Mixing with students from other classes is allowed. Once you form your groups, register them in the document I sent to you all on your scrolls."

 'Again... Why can't they just assign us groups?'

Professor Mendoza continued, "I know this is likely ingrained in your heads, but let me remind you once more. The most effective way to kill a Reaper is by beheading them. Though it's easier to cut down a Spawn Reaper, don't think it's going to be like slicing through butter."

Quill understood the reason behind allowing students to choose their own group members—it was to encourage the formation of future Hunter teams.

Before graduation, there was a period dedicated to team formation, as Hunters typically operated in squads.

Forming a team with those you already had experience with, and ideally trusted, was a logical step.

The problem was, whenever Quill approached anyone, they avoided him like he was cursed.

'Damn it, seriously?'

Just as Quill was about to give up, a high-pitched, familiar voice called out. "Yo, Quill! Wanna team up?" Quill turned to see Silas approaching with a wide grin on his face.

'...Well, look who decided to show up.'

Despite his initial irritation, Quill couldn't deny the sense of relief that someone was actually willing to partner with him.

"Yeah, sure," Quill replied. "Do we have a third member?"

"Eh, no, not yet," Silas admitted, scratching the back of his head.

'Maybe I should ask Ophelia...'

Quill's eyes scanned the area, lingering briefly on Ophelia, who was already paired with two other female students.

It was clear that option was off the table.

Silas's gaze wandered through the crowd before settling on a petite girl with bright brown shoulder-length hair who looked visibly distressed.

"How about her? She seems as lost as you were," he suggested, nodding in her direction.

Quill and Silas approached her, and Quill spoke softly, "We're missing a member. Do you mind joining us?"

She looked up at Quill, her eyes wide with surprise, then over his shoulder to see Silas's friendly smile. "No, of course not! Thank you!" she said, bowing repeatedly.

"There's no need for that," Quill said, a bit overwhelmed by her enthusiastic reaction. "I'm Quill, and this is an idiot named Silas."

"Wait, who are you calling an idiot, idiot?" Silas retorted, feigning offense.

She chuckled, her tension visibly easing. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Anastasia, but please call me Ana."

/||\

The trio ventured deeper into the expansive forest, each step taking them further from the safety of their professors.

Though encountering another team wasn't unlikely, it was just as possible to go the whole day without seeing anyone else.

The same uncertainty applied to encountering Reapers; they were sparse here.

In fact, Sentinel had placed captured Spawn Reapers in the forest specifically for training purposes every year.

"Dude, do you think we'll actually see one of those?" Silas asked, his eyes darting around as the forest grew denser.

Quill, on the other hand, hoped they would. He needed the experience. "Why, are you already scared?"

"What? Heck no. In fact, I will carry this whole team!" Silas boasted proudly.

Quill smirked internally. '...If not for Ana, you probably would, actually.'

Anastasia Morgus, a member of the main cast and a powerful one at that, was currently an outcast.

She was similar to Quill in a way; the difference was that Quill seemingly deserved his reputation, while Ana was unfairly ostracized.

Reapers were a dangerous threat, yet people with no knowledge and experience often underestimated them.

How could they not?

Prestigious Hunters took care of them, so there was no need to worry—or so the general populace believed.

They were wrong. So wrong.

Any Hunter who had faced a higher-ranked Reaper knew the true horror they embodied. Any Hunter who survived that experience, that is.

Ana's family history was steeped in tragedy and darkness.

Her grandfather had entered a symbiotic relationship with a Reaper, offering dozens of souls to a powerful one.

When this came to light, he was executed, leaving Ana to bear the shame and suspicion.

To Quill's knowledge, the specific Reaper had never been found or, at least, never mentioned again.

"I don't know, maybe. I hardly believe it, though," Quill replied, his voice tinged with skepticism.

They continued walking in silence, the forest's shadows deepening around them. The stillness was soon broken by Ana's concerned voice. "...Ehm, is it getting a little colder?"

"Mmmh? Colder? No, I don't think so," Silas replied, trying to keep his tone light.

"Me neither," Quill said, his voice tinged with a seriousness that Silas's lacked. He reached out his hand, signaling both of them to stop.

"What is it?" Silas questioned, his earlier playfulness now replaced with unease.

Quill's mind raced.

If there was one thing he trusted, it was Ana's heightened senses.

They were superior to anyone else's. If she felt uneasy, it was never a good sign, especially when it involved a common trait of Reapers—a drop in temperature.

Even a Spawn-ranked Reaper's influence could be subtle but noticeable to someone as sensitive as Ana.

"Are you really feeling cold?" Quill asked, turning to Ana, his voice edged with intensity.

"I-eh... maybe it's just a sudden breeze..." she stammered, her uncertainty clear.

"Ana, I need you to be certain," Quill insisted, his red eyes narrowing, his change in demeanor almost palpable. "This is important."

She hesitated, but the unwavering intensity in Quill's gaze forced her to confront her own fear. She met his eyes, her face paling with apprehension. "...Yes. It's definitely colder."

*Rustle* *Rustle*

The sudden sound of rustling bushes from the right made their hearts race, the tension thick in the air.

"Dude, I think I'll piss my pants," Silas muttered, his earlier bravado evaporating.

Quill still couldn't feel the drop in temperature, but Ana's certainty was enough. The unease in her voice, the genuine fear—it was undeniable.

"Make yourselves ready," Quill commanded, his voice steady despite the rising tension.

His red eyes glowed with a fierce determination, making it clear that he was prepared for whatever was to come. "I think it's time to hunt."