Extra's Descent

Evelyn, who had just finished taking a nap, emerged outside of her tent.

Finally, it was time.

"Everyone!"

She called for attention, clapping her hands. Clap—!

Immediately, all eyes fell on her, awaiting her next words.

Evelyn closed her eyes and took a breath. Everyday, it seemed like it was getting harder to breathe.

She had to go get her follow–up check up soon.

That being said, she announced, her face darkening.

"Release the wyvern."

The wyvern may have been rated at the S– to S rank. However, for discretion purposes, and to allow the cadets to adapt to its attacks, the Imperial Army had placed a strict restriction on the wyvern.

In total, there were two wyverns to be set free during the training camp, the actual challenge—to be scheduled for the final week.

The wyvern they had recently released for the current week had been greatly restricted under the ratings of A– to A+ rank.

While it equaled class A, the lower classes would find difficulty in subjugating the beast.

That is unless they would all work together, and abandon all discrepancies with their rivals—prioritizing their lives than mere grades.

After all, the end of the training camp was near. Some cadets—who had previously aligned themselves under leadership may be growing desperate now.

It was all up to them now. And it was all up to class A cadets on how they would protect the lower classes—while keeping the wyvern at bay.

There was a hidden rule to this test.

To the ones who would participate in subjugating the wyvern….

…..Then they would all pass with flying colors, regardless of the amount of badges they had accumulated.

And the true nature of this test?

To seek out cadets who would flee from the battlefield.

The ones who refuse to cooperate with a clear leader.

And the ones who would grow hostile to their own allies due to desperation, clinging for their lives.

***

—Hwooooar!

The wyvern's piercing cry reverberated throughout Aetherwild Woods. As soon as it did, a wide panic arose.

Cadets, some heading towards the source, while some directly going the opposite direction.

However, the former immediately regretted that decision.

It seemed like they weren't the only ones alerted.

Monsters too began to panic, and undulated from whence they came from.

They began to attack any cadets they encountered on their path.

However, far more superior than them, the cadets fought back. All sorts of elemental attributed magic flew in the air, heading directly for the monsters.

Immediately, the monsters perished. However, whenever a monster fell, another emerged and would lunge themselves towards their opposers.

There were simply way too many monsters. Much to the point where they pounced on some cadets.

The entire forest had been plunged in chaos. Footsteps akin to a stampede echoed in the air—along with the sound of magic.

The flashing of lightning, the ignition of flames, the crisp and sharp sound of ice, the cracking of earth, and so on.

"Move back! The Seniors are here!"

A cadet announced loudly from somewhere.

As soon as the announcement came, a dozen or so cadets acknowledged and stepped back. However, some, trying to escape the clutches of the monsters, were unable to move, panic etching on their faces.

Cadets tried to help out, blasting their own magic towards the monsters. Some emerged successful, while some gathered attention to themselves.

For that reason, monsters shifted their target.

Boom—!

A magic sword flew from somewhere, immediately piercing right through a horde of monsters just as they were about to pounce on another poor target.

As the monsters continued to pour out of the forest's undergrowth, a barrage of ice–shaped spikes rippled through from somewhere, instantly blowing the monster's torsos off.

At that moment, the class C cadets turned their heads towards the newcomers.

"Who is it?"

"Is that…."

A woman appeared, walking calm and confident steps. Blonde hair fluttered from the snowy breeze. Her eyes, sparkling blue with facial features that took everyone's breath away.

It was Amelia.

Crack…!

From the far corner, ice spikes continued caneering towards the monsters, piercing right through their repulsive hide.

Another woman appeared right behind Amelia. Long lustrous black hair, gently cascading down her back. Two crimson gaze that swept the vicinity, remaining vigilant.

While her appearance paled in comparison to the blonde woman beside her, she was still a beauty in her own right.

It was Rachel.

"G-General!"

"Is that Senior Rachel?"

It seemed like Rachel too had been recognized by the lower class.

How could they not when she was the only cadet in class B who could assimilate with her affinity?

But the momentary recognition of the two's arrivals quickly shifted as more seniors from class B and A emerged.

An array of elemental attributed magics were instantly sent out. The air had been convoluted with a myriad of magic circles.

Multiple battles at once, the sound of blood gushing, and magic resonant in the air.

As Amelia recalled her magic swords back, a shadow quickly loomed past her and appeared right before a towering wolf.

Slash— Slash—!

A multitude of slashing attacks shimmered, clad in dark shadow as the wolf's blood sputtered out from its flesh.

The shadowy aura loomed aback. The air distorted around him, revealing his true form.

It was Raven, who had just appeared in the middle of the battlefield.

Upon noticing, Amelia rushed towards him, slashing monsters on her way.

Voosh—!

However, she was forced to halt in her path. A torrent of flames rushed out from somewhere, setting everything ablaze as its heat immediately scorched the unlucky monsters.

Trails of smoldering grass revealed themselves as the snow melted away.

A man with red hair quickly made it to Raven's side.

It was a man Amelia was familiar with. She had most probably seen him once, but she couldn't put a finger on what his name is.

Now that she thought about it, he looked kind of like Bellion.

For that reason, Amelia surmised it must've been his nephew.

But then again, what was his name again…?

"You're here, Rein."

"The hell is going on, here?"

"Ah."

Amelia finally recalled his name.

Looks like Brandon's friends were here.

"Amelia?"

Raven, who was talking to Reinhard just now, finally noticed her.

"Hm? Amelia…?"

Reinhard turned around, noticing her presence. His brows raised and noticed the girl who had just appeared right behind Amelia.

"Oh, Rachel?"

"Hello, Rein…. Raven."

At that, Amelia felt out of place. Thankfully, she didn't had to go through the whole process of just standing there and watching the others talk as the battle continued.

Tzz—!

As they stopped the monster's advance, sending their own wave of attacks, purple sparks suddenly flickered.

Heads started falling one after another. Blood gushed out from their exposed necks like a water sprinkler.

A woman, with sleek purple hair that was tied to a ponytail. Amelia too was familiar with her, her name just at the tip of her tongue.

All she knew was that this woman was a big–shot outside the academy.

"Claire?"

A voice that sounded like Reinhard rang out from the side.

Ah, yes.

"Claire Victoria?"

Amelia, recognizing Claire's presence, asked.

"Oh? General Amelia."

Claire smeared the blood off her cheek, straightened her back, and flashed Amelia a salute.

Amelia met more of Brandon's friends. They conversed with one another for a bit after seeing each other for the first time in a while.

Then, the fighting continued from there.

Surprisingly, despite the ongoing chaos that emerged from every side, the terrain remained unchanged.

Swoosh—! Swoosh—!

Another one of Brandon's friends appeared. This time, Amelia knew who she was.

It was Amy.

After all, unbeknownst to the others, Amy was a diehard Amelia fan, and would often greet her whenever the two passed each other in the academy.

More and more cadets appeared from class B and A, stopping the stampede of monsters with ease.

Brandon's friends had already gathered, a woman with black hair and purple eyes, and a man with black hair and golden eyes.

"Looks like everyone's here, huh?"

However, one question lingered in everyone's minds.

"Has anyone seen Brandon?"