Ch.18

Emi was finishing packing her survival pack. She stored everything the packing list asked for, from spare undergarments, a medkit, cooking supplies, and a storage cube. The scroll said she could bring a weapon too but was limited to hunting purposes and personal weapons for defending herself.

Vice sat in his chair reading a book of poems, he stopped to look at Emi and how happy she looked organizing her pack.

"Emi, is this event really enjoyable for you?"

"Oh yes, it is. I get to go monster hunting and improve my skills. And thanks to you for helping me train I can handle this myself."

"I'm still not comfortable with you being alone on this. I am your sword, I should be there to protect you."

Emi smiled and then held Vice's hands. "Vice I'll be ok. If I don't do this I'll still be that weak little girl you first met consumed by her trauma. You don't need to worry. Let me do this and I promise when I get back I'll get you more books hehe."

Vice was silent. He didn't want to let Emi go alone but he understood her wishes. Emi grabbed her pack and hugged Vice before heading to the door.

"Oh and Vice. Please don't do anything dangerous or anything that will draw too much attention to yourself while I'm gone. I'll see you soon." Emi waved goodbye to him and headed out. Vice went back to his book but his instincts still felt uneasy inside like he was being told a warning of something bad was gonna happen in the future.

Emi and the students gathered at the teleportation circle in front of the schoolyard, everyone was there with their partners, and yet Shidou wasn't.

Emi could hear the gossiping amongst them. Some pity and others jokes about her. The teacher started going through the roster for everyone's name and he was close to Emi's and Shidou's. Emi was nervous. Shidou wasn't there and if he failed to show up she was screwed. The teacher came to her's next, her anxiety was at a full alarm blaze now.

"Emi Rhapsoden and Shidou Kibagami?"

"Present."

"Where's your partner?"

Emi was silent.

"If he's not here by the time I say his name a third time you'll both fail."

Emi was still silent. Mishna who was far left of her laughed in her heart. She bought the Berserker if Shidou showed up as insurance. But if he didn't then she would save it for later. A little consultation prank to hurt Emi more.

"Shidou Kibagami."

"....."

"Shidou Kibagami."

"...."

"I'm sorry, since he's not here then I must mark you both as…"

"Yare yare, I'm here Teach you can stop shouting now."

Everyone turned their heads. Shidou showed up, he actually showed up. He was carrying a sword with him and a woven fisherman's pack, still wearing the clothes Emi saw him in last time.

"You're late. What was the hold-up."

"Yawn, I was taking my nap and I lost track of time. So are me and my partner good now."

The teacher shook his head. He marked Emi and Shidou as present for the event. Shidou stood next to Emi, he was still yawning, scratching his stomach.

"So you showed up after all pussycat." She whispered to him.

"Don't get the wrong idea. You threatening to neuter me with a gun didn't change my mind. I just don't like my pride insulted by a little pi…erm little girl is all."

Shidou was smart not to finish that sentence. Emi's red burned the moment she sensed he was going to say piglet to her.

"OK class I'll go over the rules and objectives before I teleport you to the island you'll train at. Rule #1 you and your partner must work together to survive, the monsters may be Knight level but they're in a large quantity. So don't try fighting them alone or you'll fail. Rule #2 You may only eat what you hunt and kill. You cannot bring any snacks or food with you to the island. Rule #3 You will wear special necklaces that will help monitor your progress and health. If at any point, the necklace detects you are in danger of dying, you will automatically be teleported back from the island and you will fail the event. You will pass the event, depending on the amount of monsters and materials you collect. Whoever has the most at the end will receive a bonus reward for their hard work."

Everyone gasped, a bonus for their efforts awaited them. They didn't care what it was as long as it was worth the hell they were going to go through.

The teacher and the examiners checked one last time for the roll count. With everyone present, they began the process of teleporting everyone to the destination. Mishna looked over at Emi and Shidou, she clicked her teeth at the disgust from looking at them together standing in place.

'Tch, so he actually showed up. Well, no matter. I figured he would either way since his disgusting clan has a lot of pride. This will be fun now.' She grinned devilishly thinking in her head as she held the prison cube in her pocket.

"OK class we will begin the transport." The teacher and the helpers lined up in a circle and began a chant in unison to activate the transport circle. Everyone was in awe of the magic they were seeing. Emi saw it as another teleportation spell now that she used them more often. Shidou yawned again, he was bored already from all this.

In a flash, the circle activated and the students were transported to the island for training.

In Emi's room, Vice continued reading his book of poems, he stopped, however, something hit him suddenly in his mind. A sharp pain, not like when he tried to remember his past, but something like a sixth sense for danger. His left arm began to throb in more pain than his head. He needed to know what was calling him.

Emi told him not to do anything dumb but he needed to know, his curiosity was at a high.