Return

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**(Forest - East)**

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David was currently outside, leaning on a tree, waiting for someone.

*Step~ Step~ Step~*

He opened his eyes as soon as he heard someone stepping out of the cave.

Coming out of the cave, Sam and the others were tired.

Kyle had his fill in bashing goblins, Sam's arm was numb from block attacks from hobgoblins, and Elizebeth was tired from the amount of mana she used during the fight.

'They've looked like they just came from an intense battle with how rugged they look.'

Although he knew that they were weaker, David naturally had high expectations for those who would be in his party, who knows if they'll be able to keep up once they graduate...

'Welp... we have these three years for a reason.'

"You guys fine? No internal injuries or anything?" David asked them with a smile.

"Yep!"

"All good."

"No injuries."

"Good, but you're all tired aren't you? Have some food."

David threw some preserved food that was still in his pouch to them.

'How's Bennett's group doing?' David looked at the trees above him

[Answering the Host's Question: No severe or mild injuries have been sustained, small cuts and bruises from fighting half-step tier threes.]

The result was quite good, even if Bennett's in the third tier, he still needs to protect his teammates, which could drag him down slightly.

Seeing that everyone had finished eating their preserved rations, David smiled, "Come on, let's go back to the camp and get the heck out of here."

They felt speechless, he wasn't even going to try helping the others?

Looking at their expressions, David chuckled, "Bennett's in the third tier, Feil and teleport, and Hana can buff and also has her own set of attacks. Overall, their group is actually stronger than yours. They'll be fine."

Seeing how confident he was about the others, they gave it a rest. It was a simulation, it would be fine even if something went wrong.

*Whoosh~*

In an instant, David was already on a tree branch, jumping from branch to branch.

"Hey! Wait up!" Kyle didn't want to be outdone, even if he knew he couldn't beat him in a fight, other things like tree jumping are fine... right?

Sam and Elizebeth looked at the two disappearing figures.

"Let's go back, princess." Sam bowed politely.

Elizebeth lightly chopped his head, "Like I said, in this school, since we're in the same class, we're equal. You're also in the Nenao family too, so you of all people don't have to address me as such."

She revealed an elegant smile.

For Sam, even the boundless trees behind her had now bloomed. He hadn't seen her smile so carefree in such a long time, even if it was restrained, but he was happy that she did.

A quick overview, Sam, who is still technically a peasant, but with connections to royalty, was saved by them when he was still a child below ten years old.

He was almost made into a slave, but he was 'bought' by the person who saved him, Elizebeth. That day, he decided to be her protector, to protect her, and those who are close to her... even if she has a romantic partner.

With his life in the castle, he quickly became one of the more trusted butlers allowed to be with the princes and princesses at all (nearly all) times.

As he lived with them, he had seen how everyone, even the maids were treated with kindness.

Well, like a normal man... he did fall for her, like most men in the country that would desire a princess... he had also... fantasized about her.

Seeing that rare smiled she showed to almost no one, Sam had recounted everything that happened 'that day' in that instant and smiled back at her.

"Yes... sister..."

"Come'on, let's go." She waved for Sam to follow.

He continued smiling, seeing her turn back, his smile turned... desolate.

He knew how Elizebeth had only treated him as a sibling. Sometimes she would tease him when they were children, but as they grew... Sam... no, both Elizebeth and Sam had a new barrier between them.

Even if Sam had the surname, Nenao, he was still a... butler, or guard. Like the others, the more trusted servants will have surnames to reveal their importance, but they would still have some boundaries... like they can't fall in love with their 'real family members'.

As Sam followed Elizebeth, his smile had disappeared as various thoughts appeared on his mind, his expression returned to its indifference as he saw camp out of the corner of his eye.

By the time Sam, Elizebeth, and Kyle returned, they had seen that David had already lit the fire, roasting some more meat.

"David, why are you cooking so early? Won't you attract monsters in the area?" Kyle tilted his head in confusion.

David deadpanned at him, "The simulation here... on realistic... difficulty, means that the strength of the monsters here is relative to our party's average strength. If I could suppress our main targets and several other mobs outside the cave while doing so, I think we'll be fine." He said with confidence.

They believed him, they were all from the same classroom, they should have some skills to enter this academy, to begin with, so they didn't argue about it.

"You guys hungry? I was mainly cooking this for myself, but if you're hungry too-"

"No, we're fine. We just ate about... thirty minutes ago..." Elizebeth replied.

*Rustle~*

*Step~ Step~ Step~*

'They're here.' David turned to his right, hearing some rustling.

Kyle and Sam were about to equip their armor when Elizebeth stopped them, "Don't worry, It's brother and the others."

They lowered their weapons, sighing in relief. Although they could be considered elite, most of them haven't killed monsters before, so it made them somewhat paranoid to the sound around them.

"You're back." David said casually.

*Rustle~*

Three figures were revealed, Feil, Bennett, and Hana had returned!

They... didn't look so good though.

"Woah! What happened to your clothes?" Kyle asked without thinking.

They came back... but their clothes were burnt, luckily, nothing too... 'private' was shown.

"Ugh... Hana panicked, and shot a fireball in an enclosed room in a cave." Bennett briefly explained.

"Pfft." Kyle chuckled but closed his mouth after seeing Elizebeth glare at him.

David pulled out a scroll, "You don't want to look like that anymore, I suppose, so I'm going to assume you finished subjugating those hobgoblins."

They nodded, "Don't worry, we're sure about it as well."

David didn't say anything else, he unraveled the scroll, lighting up and engulfed the others.

*Ding~*

[ Feil's party has completed the seneraio. Returning... ]

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Chapter 104 End...