(From MC's perspective)
"Creak" the door opens
I walked out of the combat training room. Then I looked at the sci-fi watch and realised. In fact, I have spent four hours in training. So far, the training has been very successful. Next, I want to try the gravity training chamber after lunch.
Then I will go home later without any worries.
After gaining some clarity, I decide to freshen up. Then I make my way to the school's restrooms.
A few minutes later,
I put on new clothes and put the dirty clothes back in the storage ring. As I decided to move, a Beep! Sound rang in my ears.
I saw that Mr. Arthur was calling me. Then I answered the call. "Hello...", I said.
"Zack, are you done with your training?" inquired Arthur.
Hearing this, I replied, "Yes, I am coming to your cabin now."
Arthur was happy to hear that and cheerfully replied, "Okay, I'll wait for you here."
After saying that, I ended the call because I already felt bad for not calling him back last time. Most of all, I neglected his call after I came back home.
Shaking my head, I increased my pace.
A few minutes later,
"creak" the door opens.
I went into Arthur's cubicle and sat down in the chair opposite him.
The atmosphere was dull for a moment. Mr. Arthur was working on the projection screen. I did not disturb him and decided to wait until he finished.
On the other side, Arthur glanced briefly at Zack before turning back to the projection screen.
Arthur does not make it hard for Zack on purpose. He suddenly received an important email. He takes his time to answer it.
A few minutes later,
Arthur finally finished his work. He heaved a deep sigh before turning to Zack.
"Zack, how are you?" asked Arthur with a smile on his face.
Hearing this, I replied with a smile, "I am fine, Mr. Arthur, and you?"
"I am fine," he said before his expression tightened.
His serious look startled me and I asked, "What happened?"
"Zack, I hope you can clear up the misunderstanding with Elder Thornton," Arthur said in a solemn tone.
I was silent for a moment. I remembered my last encounter with Elder Thornton. I felt that there was actually no serious misunderstanding between us.
I was just annoyed by his constant bickering. So I decided to stay away from him for a while. I sighed inwardly. Uncle James also wished for the same thing.
Finally, I decided to let it go and move on. I looked at Mr. Arthur and replied, "All right, I will forget the old things."
Arthur sighed with relief. Earlier, he had really thought it would take some time to convince Zack. But now things were going smoothly. He could not help but relax a little.
Now he did not have to listen to Elder Thornton's whining. Then he asked Zack to come back after lunch. He specifically mentioned that Elder Thornton had something to tell him.
When Zack left the room, Arthur called Elder Thornton to inform him of Zack's change of heart. Arthur knows that he had some doubts, but he himself does not know what Elder Thornton has in mind.
At the same time, after leaving Arthur's cabin. I stroll to the school cafeteria. As usual, I wore a mask to hide my face.
Time passed,
This time I ate much more food. My strange behaviour attracted everyone's attention. But they could not recognise my face because of the mask.
Without caring about their stares, I continued to complete the food on my plate. A few minutes later, I left the cafeteria and went back to Mr. Arthur's cabin.
Images of Elder Thornton flashed before my eyes. I wonder what he is up to now? To be honest, I want to know if Elder Thornton had any information about Crimson Hall. That would help me immensely.
Soon I reached Mr. Arthur's cabin again. As I approached to open the door. A silhoutte came from the cabin.
I saw Mr. Arthur come out just in time. When he saw me, he was startled and asked, "Zack, can we go now?"
Hearing this, I nodded. Then Mr. Arthur led me to Elder Thornton's cabin. On the way there, we encountered some students who bowed to Mr. Arthur before looking at me with strange looks.
I grinned inwardly because some of these fellows were older students of mine. I wonder what they would think if they saw my face.
Then we walked past them.
On the other side, Arthur showed a little smile. He too noticed this little episode. Except for Zack, he does not usually spend time with other students.
Therefore, some of the students were suspicious after watching the two of them. He cast an appreciative glance at Zack. "He was clearly wearing a mask to hide his face. It's difficult for people to know his true identity."
A few minutes later, they both arrived in front of Elder Thornton's cabin.
"Creak!" the door opened.
We entered the cabin. When Elder Thornton saw us coming, he tuned in to us with a bright smile on his face.
I had the feeling that he was mainly verifying my cultivation base. But my pendent will thwart his attempt.
"Zack, come here and sit down. It's been months since I have seen you," Elder Thornton said enthusiastically. He had even forgotten Arthur's existence.
Arthur, on the other hand, did not know whether to laugh or cry. He had not expected Elder Thornton to change so drastically. Arthur saw that there was no trace of dissatisfaction in Elder's face.
Then he stepped forward and took a seat next to Zack.
Hearing Elder's words, I was taken aback. I thought he was acting arrogantly. Why this sudden change of heart? A hint of doubt rose in my heart.
After taking my seat, I made myself comfortable. Then something suddenly occurred to me. Maybe the elder is showing his face to me because of my teacher. There is no doubt about that. The doubts in my heart were swept away when I realised this.
"Elder, I heard you have something to talk about?" I asked. No way, I do not like this awkwardness. It's better to jump into the discussion.
Hearing this, the elder Thornton smiled. Actually, he was a bit exuberant because of his earlier phone call with his old friend. The two had had a fruitful conversation. His old friend also agreed to have Zack work at their reconnaissance site.
Elder Thornton leaned back comfortably in his seat before starting the conversation. He glanced at Zack before saying, "Zack, your performance in the Insect Forest exceeded our expectations. Not only did you survive the deadly insects, but you broke through in the end."
A brief glint flashes in my eyes as I hear his appreciation. Where is this going? Did Uncle James tell him something? Especially about my request to train in monster zones?
Noticing the look on Elder Thornton's face, I thought it was not wise to remain silent. So I answered, "Well, I was lucky to have survived. And I also left the place before it fell into chaos.
At that moment Arthur spoke up, "Is this about those Peak Trainee Warriors?"
I turned to him and replied, "Yes, apart from deadly insects colonies, I have never seen so many trainee warriors in one place."
The elder Thornton nodded at this point. He too sensed that Zack was moving on. So there is no need to think about old things.
Finally, he decided to announce the news. He said, "Zack, I have chosen a suitable place for the next training."
When I heard that, my eyes lit up with surprise.
Moreover, Arthur was the first to ask, "Elder, which monster zone did you choose?"
Earlier, the elder had said to him that he did not agree with monster zones. So what happened now?
Hearing Arthur-san's question, I was also waiting for Elder to answer.
"Ha...Ha...Ha..."
Elder Thornton let out a small laugh before saying, "It's not a monster zone. But a dangerous place like the insect forest."
"What?" This time I was taken seriously again by his words.
He had actually found another place that resembled the Insect Forest. Damn!
Unlike me, Mr. Arthur beside me panicked. "Elder, are you sure?" He asked.
"You know he was lucky enough to escape from this insect forest. Why did you choose such a place?" added Arthur further.
When I heard his words, I wanted to disagree. Because actually I was excited to hear this similar place.
But before I could say anything, Elder Thornton said, "Trunulesia."
"Trunulesia," I said.
That word did not ring a bell with me. Then I saw Mr. Arthur; he seemed to know something.
"Is this where the mutant class monsters live?" asked Arthur.
Hearing this, I turned to Elder Thornton.
Elder Thornton looked at both of them and answered in a calm tone, "Yes, the Trunulesia Forest. It is a little different from the Insect Forest. There you had to deal with deadly insects. But here you will encounter mutated monsters."
I swallowed my saliva as I heard this. When it comes to mutant class monsters, the only one that comes to mind is the tree monster kind. I remember how difficult it was to escape from its roar.
The atmosphere calmed down for a moment. I felt their gazes on me. But various doubts rose in my heart. I have only heard of class monsters being locked up in monster zones. So what is it about the Trunulesia Forest?