Chapter 103
We agreed to undertake the circulatory system practice as a two-person group without additional recruitment.
Originally, I had planned not to wear the mask, but as of today, my mind changed.
Thanks to the professor's advice about watching out for plunderers, movements arose among students to hide group compositions. If group compositions couldn't be identified, there would be no way to pinpoint me even if I operated wearing a mask.
For now, since Luna already knew everything there was to know, I had no burden operating while wearing the mask.
Of course, since we had to maintain disruption and deception tactics, it was a secret that Luna and I had become a group until we moved to the circulatory system.
During the final preparation period, I spent time researching the circulatory system in the library.
Luna didn't question why I wasn't going to Rigbed to get Blue Soul Herb. She just nodded silently even to my gambling-like plan. She had abandoned her pride as the top seat of the Magic Department and entrusted me with the lead. With the grades of the top seat of the Magic Department being determined by my choices, I absolutely couldn't approach this casually.
I encountered Trisha a couple of times that day. I could feel something boiling up inside her heart. She seemed ready to pour it all out if we were alone together, but such situations rarely arose.
Trisha was busy with her own group preparations, and I was equally busy. Moreover, since she had to stay at Eternia instead of returning to the mansion together for personal reasons, we couldn't find a proper opportunity.
Back at the mansion, I made extra potions with Liria, and on departure day for the circulatory system, I visited Rigbed early in the morning to repair the Stitch I had nearly forgotten about.
After breathlessly completing all preparations like that, I headed to the gathering place at the Eternia River.
At the dock, Planteras were carrying students' luggage instead of sailors.
Behind them, five majestic sailing ships blocked the horizon. They were the same ships we had taken returning after the entrance exam.
Other students completed the procedures and boarded the ships.
Though rarely seen were proud four-person groups moving together, most didn't travel in groups exceeding two people, likely conscious of plunderers.
We would travel downstream along the Eternia River on those ships. Then, we would dock at an unmanned port in some delta, and the moment we disembarked there, the circulatory system practice would begin.
While quietly watching the ships, someone stopped abruptly behind me.
Turning around, I saw Luna about ten paces away, wearing a round-brimmed hat pulled low and hands neatly clasped.
Her attire was a bright dress unsuited for harsh exploration. I wasn't sure if she could endure a week's journey in that. Like me, her luggage was extremely minimal.
As agreed before, we didn't exchange greetings.
Just a brief exchange of glances.
We would take separate ships and move separately even after the practice started until the initial point. Right now, we were nothing to each other.
Just then, Trisha called my name loudly from afar, "Damiaaaan!"
At this, Luna flinched and passed by my side pretending to know nothing.
Trisha strode up to me and glared at Luna. The emotions boiling inside hadn't subsided even after a day.
She looked up at me slightly. Judging by her expression, I seemed included in the targets of that anger. She spoke in an uncharacteristically stiff tone, "...Your group?"
"Got kicked out in the end."
"...Food?"
"Didn't pack any."
"Are you going to starve on the ship?"
"..."
I hadn't thought of that.
Trisha scolded me fiercely.
"Idiot."
She took out dried fruit, jerky, and sausage from her bag, packed them separately in a leather pouch, and pressed them into my hand.
Her caring gesture with an expression full of temper that seemed ready to explode any moment... made me wonder what was really in her mind.
"Thanks."
"And talk to me separately later."
Suddenly a chilling sensation wet my spine. From the atmosphere, she seemed to have a lot of pent-up emotions toward me.
After that, she walked toward the ship without waiting for an answer.
"If it's a talk, I could make time now..."
She whirled around at my words and shouted, "Not now!!!"
Fuming, she left me behind to board the ship.
Why are women's hearts like this?
Trisha's heart was especially hard to understand. If only there were set manuals or guidelines, I could at least memorize them.
I wonder if asking Silveryn for advice would give answers.
Maybe I'll ask after the Stitch repair is done.
The five sailing ships glided along the river's course. Since the Eternia River itself was wide with slow currents, there was little discomfort from rocking even when sailing.
The professors were aboard the lead ship, chatting in one cabin.
Georgia passed around cups of tea to the professors and said, "I hear there are many plunderer groups this time?"
Rakam accepted the tea and said, "Last year the students were all docile so there was just one plunderer group, but this time there are far more than average. Seems many unique characters enrolled this year."
Plunderer groups were those who actively extorted resources from other groups, composed of one Alchemy leader with the rest being combat personnel.
Usually, there were 3-4 plunderer groups each year. This time, about 9 groups were estimated to be plunderers.
It meant this batch of first-years had stronger aggressive tendencies.
Moreover, including groups composed of 1-2 people rather than four, there could be even more plunderer groups.
"Oh dear, I hope our Art Club students don't get hurt. How many persons of interest are there this time?"
Students most likely to approach the phantasmal beast's territory. They almost never exceeded two-person groups.
Only the stoutest hearts would dare attempt that harsh journey with just 1-2 people.
Magic Department Professor Candinella, who had joined the expedition to construct safety barriers, smiled and said, "Six. More than last year too, so it's interesting. But Professor Georgia, the Alchemy students must feel hurt that you only favor Art Club students."
"The Alchemy kids all seem too proper, I can't get attached. Besides, they do well enough if left alone. And anyway, Professor Candinella, you regularly bring sponsorship money to the Drama Club. Why say this only to me?"
Candinella was particularly attached, sending Drama Club sponsorship funds even during northern dispatch missions. Like other professors, they all tended to be more attached to fine arts specialty clubs than their majors.
Professor Candinella said, "Haha, that's true. Anyway, with six people of interest, it'll be fun to choose. Shall we each pick one now?"
The four professors there—Rakam, Alquade, Georgia, and Candinella—were all fine arts club advisors. Every year during joint class, they bet additional budget support for fine arts activities.
The goal of the bet was guessing who would achieve the highest grades. The winner's fine arts club would receive a concentrated additional budget, while losers had to cover shortfalls from their own pockets.
Georgia said, "How about betting Claridium field trip funds instead of pocket change?"
Claridium, city of culture, art, and magic engineering, was the dream city Eternia students most wanted to visit.
Fine Arts clubs that achieved excellent results in school competitions were given the benefit of field trips to Claridium, but the Art Club had never received it even once.
Candinella rejected the proposal, "Haha, if I carelessly bet that, students would protest with weapons in front of my house. The Drama Club has too much to lose, so I'll pass. Besides, since the Art Club has few members, wouldn't getting just this budget bring you closer to a field trip?"
"That's right. I'm planning to take this seriously this time."
Rakam said, "Then let Professor Georgia, who's most urgent, choose first."
"Ahem. I won't reject such a timely kindness."
Georgia eagerly snatched up the group roster placed on the table.
And while scanning down, she found a familiar name.
Candinella watched Georgia with slightly anxious eyes.
Georgia spoke after contemplating for a while. That name that kept drawing her attention among the formidable competitors.
"I'll... take Damian. I guess I can't help being drawn to Art Club students after all."
At this, Candinella sighed as if something she had been aiming for had been taken.
***
Where the ships docked was vast grassland without a single house in sight. With the ships docked in a line at the port, it looked like a huge wall had been erected on the river. Planteras busily moved carrying students' luggage.
Plantera help ended here, and the rest had to be managed by themselves.
Students disembarked in lines.
They gathered briefly on land to wait.
Tense expressions. At this moment, everyone nearby was a competitor.
And since who one encountered in the Soderton region could make one either prey or predator, particular caution was needed.
After confirming all first-years had landed, Rakam stood at the ship's railing and emphasized several points loudly, "Plundering is prohibited near the starting point, so refrain from fighting from the start. As emphasized in class, if your abilities are insufficient, be careful not to enter dangerous areas. We'll spread safety barriers at each section up to Soderton's entrance, so actively use them if unexpected situations arise. You can give up practice midway though it's not recommended. You won't die even starving for a week after all. That's all. Good luck."
As he announced the official start of the circulatory system incorporation practice, students began gathering their luggage and moving.
Students spread out in a fan shape, each carrying luggage as big as their torso on their shoulders. Not a single group was seen operating as four from the start. It was because of plunderers. Everyone would scatter to avoid exposing their movements then regroup at predetermined gathering points.
Thanks to his minimal luggage, Damian's body was lighter compared to others.
He, too, briefly stretched and began moving.
Toward that very place he had arranged with Luna.