The forest located to the south of the camp was designated for the youths to go hunting, with the highest-ranking magical beast in the forest being an intermediate+.
The forest to the north was reserved for the camp's tests and contained only novice+ rank beasts and those of lower ranks. The western and southern sides of the camp were strictly off-limits and heavily guarded, preventing any access to those areas.
As they began jogging into the forest, Sophie took the opportunity to explain the mission to Atticus.
"Yesterday, we picked a Drakon mission. Their nests are commonly located near rocky regions. Our target is a young drakon so you only need to keep an eye on its tail and It's expected to be an intermediate grade beast."
Atticus paid attention to Sophie's explanation, even though he was already familiar with the information.
'The drakon's bloodline abilities include breathing fire and turning its body to stone, but typically only adult drakons possess these capabilities. We shouldn't have any problems if everything goes well,' he thought
Sophie continued in a whisper, "Also, don't mind Helodor. I think he wanted to be the captain, but since Hella was ranked 4th in their year he wasn't able to"
Atticus simply nodded, not showing much interest in the conversation. 'If he crosses the line I'll simply deal with him.' He wasn't one to tolerate nonsense.
Even in his past life, despite being somewhat of a nerd, there was a reason bullies steered clear of him like the plague. Whenever someone messed with him, he made sure to repay them tenfold.
They continued to move through the forest for an hour, each members unfazed by running for that long.
Only Nate showed signs of fatigue but his pride not letting him ask the squad to slow down.
Helodor tuned his gaze at Atticus expecting to see him tired, but was shocked to see him unfazed,
"Not bad," he criticized, letting out a huff, and turned his gaze away. Atticus didn't even glance at him and simply kept running.
Running for an hour, they eventually reached a rocky clearing, where they spotted a sleeping beast in the middle.
The creature seemed completely unaware of their presence as it dozed peacefully.
It's scales shimmer with fiery hues of red, orange, and gold. Its body, 15 feet long, is sleek and muscular. The most distinctive feature of the beast was its tail, which ended in a wickedly spiked appendage.
Hella put her finger to her lips, signaling everyone to remain quiet.
She then instructed them to form a specific formation: Helodor at the front with his sword and shield, Nate and Hella behind him with a broad sword and sword respectifully, and Atticus positioned behind them, ready to protect Sophie, the archer.
Atticus observed the formation with a neutral gaze, 'I can't wait to hunt alone,' he thought. He had been searching for stronger beasts to battle, aiming to boost his combat prowess. However, hunting with the squad meant he couldn't unleash his full power or engage in solo fights to see how strong he was compared to beasts.
As the formation advanced, Helodor unknowingly stepped on a fragile rock, shattering it.
This sudden noise caused the Drakon's eyes to snap open.
Hella who noticed this immediately shouted, "Don't let it get ready!"
Helodor reacted immediately and charged at the Drakon, who responded by slamming its tail against his shield, sending him flying back several meters.
Hella swiftly enhanced her body with mana and harnessed the wind to boost her speed, closing the gap as she attempted to slice the Drakon's tail.
However, it's entire body unexpectedly hardened, and the strike sent shockwaves through her body, briefly incapacitating her. "Damn! It's an adult!" Hella shouted, her voice vibrating with alarm.
As the Drakon prepared to strike Hella with its tail, an arrow from Sophie's bow pierced its eye, eliciting a piercing scream from the creature.
Nate, taking advantage of the opportunity, leaped in with his broadsword, aiming for the Drakon's head, but the creature managed to swiftly dodge the attack, despite its pain.
The unexpected dodge left Nate vulnerable, and the Drakon attempted to strike him with its tail. However, Helodor suddenly appeared and blocked the attack with his shield, reinforcing his stance by channeling the earth element to remain firm.
Hella launched another attack, this time aiming to pierce the Drakon's remaining eye, but the Drakon's response was swift. It opened its mouth, revealing an ominous orange glow within. Hella's eyes widened, It was preparing to unleash a fiery attack.
'Perfect!'
Atticus had been waiting for this chance, he reacted swiftly, enhancing his legs with mana and using the power of the air element to boost his speed.
In an instant, he appeared beside Hella, grabbed her, and moved her out of the way, causing the Drakon's fiery breath to miss its intended target.
"See what I said about not completely following orders?" Atticus said releasing Hella, then he unsheathed his katana, and launched himself toward the Drakon.
As the creature swung its tail, Atticus skillfully employed the air and dodged the attack. With incredible speed, he closed the distance and stabbed the Drakon's other eye.
Hella was shocked, he had awakened his bloodline? Wasn't he a first year?
While people had seen Atticus beaten that second year, not all were aware that he was already an intermediate- rank. Most of the second years were still novice+! Only the most talented in the second year had awakened their bloodlines.
She quickly shook her head and regained her composure, they were still on the battlefield.
"Nate!" she shouted.
Nate responded swiftly, leaping forward and raising his sword skyward, shouting, "Tiger's Descent!" His broadsword immediately radiated a golden glow, the glow expanded, transforming into the shape of a tiger.
Without hesitation, Nate brought it down upon the Drakon's head, the strike generating a small shockwave and prompting a painful cry from the beast.
Seizing the opportunity, Hella went on the offensive again. She muttered under her breath, "Elemental Mimicry,"
Her body seem to become weightless, it was as if the air around her was disregarding her presence.
With twice the speed as before, she dashed towards the beast leaving it unable to follow her movement.
This time, she aimed for a weak point below the Drakon's chin.
Hella thrust her sword with precision, driving it through the Drakon's brain, delivering a fatal blow that ended its life. The Drakon let out one last agonized roar before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
Atticus narrowed his eyes, 'What was that?'
He was able to notice the subtle changes around her, and he saw that was she just did went beyond manipulating the air, 'It was as if she became the air?'
He sheathed his katana, observing Hella walking towards him with a serious expression.
As she got to him, she simply said, "Thank you."
However, before Atticus could respond, Hella turned and walked away without waiting for his reply.
'Why do i keep meeting weird people?'
Atticus wasn't heroic, he only helped her because he needed her permission later to be able to hunt alone. Although it wasn't planned, having her owe him a favor was the perfect opportunity, an opportunity he took without hesitation.
'But at least wait for a response.'
Hella proceeded to store the Drakon's corpse in her storage ring and check to see if anyone was injured.
After checking and no seeing no injuries, they began making their way back to camp.
During their return journey, Sophie couldn't help but comment, "Atticus! How did you get so strong?" she said while staring at Atticus with bright eyes, as if she found some kind of treasure.
Nate and Hella glanced at Atticus, seeminly curious about that too.
'He's too fast for an intermediate- rank' Hella thought. Despite being shocked that he was an intermediate- already, the speed she had seen was not something an intermediate- rank could bring out.
Atticus simply smiled in response, not saying anything, then he turned his gaze at Helodor who was glaring at him.
Atticus questioned, "Why are you staring at me?"
Helodor responded immediately, "If you know you were that strong, why didn't you help in the first place? You probably wanted to look like some kind on hero!"
Atticus replied, his gaze cold, "So what?"
Helodor appeared ready to confront Atticus physically, but Hella intervened, preventing him from doing so, "Drop it, Helodor," she admonished, "I would have gotten hurt if it wasn't for him. Besides, I was the one who asked him to protect Sophie."
Helodor begrudgingly responded with a dismissive sound, and the confrontation was put to rest.
Atticus couldn't help but think with a small sigh, 'Drama. This is going to be a long three years.'
***
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