Chapter 16: Upcoming Competition
After cooking food for himself, Kyle started eating to relieve some of his fatigue. He was not someone with the best cooking skills, that's why the food tasted average. But because he had to eat it himself he didn't really care about the taste. It was enough as long as it filled his stomach.
While Kyle was eating, some students wearing the third-year uniform passed from the place he was sitting. Their clothes were tattered and they all looked injured, like they just experienced a life and death battle.
One of the students who seemed to be the leader of the group said with anger,
"Who the hell said the Phoenix was injured."
Another student walking behind him tried to explain,
"Boss, the information provided was wrong, it's not our fault."
The Leader of the group stomped his left foot on the ground with anger.
"I almost lost my life out there, I am going to punish all those related to this matter."
The group of Students heading toward the exit of the mountain notice Kyle's presence. But sensing his weak aura which seemed even lower than some common (-F)-Rank, they all looked at him with disdain and ignored him.
It was common knowledge that those weaker than (E)-Rank would never have something useful on them. And because Kyle was not even wearing the Academy uniform, they all thought he was some commoner roaming around inside the mountain in the hope of finding some rare herbs.
Kyle looked at the group of Students and sensing the ridiculed present inside their gazes he felt angry, but he didn't show it on his face.
It was not the first time someone looked down upon him and Kyle knew he was weak. If right now, he attacked the group, forgot about winning he would probably lose his meager life. That's why he ignored the group and returned his focus on eating.
After eating, Kyle stood up and stretched his body. He was feeling a new rush of energy within himself, and with that he started his journey again.
Meanwhile,
First-year classroom,
"That's it for today."
After completing the lecture Aliza stood behind the podium.
Almost all the students present were focused because Aliza's lecture had helped them a lot in their training. Sensing how serious everyone was Aliza nodded with satisfaction and said,
"Before you go, let me remind you again participating in the upcoming Competition is necessary because your ranking will be decided based on the results."
Every year the Academy will hold a competition among the students of different years to decide their ranking. Also in this way, the Academy promotes competition among the students, so they can continue to work hard and try to become stronger to achieve higher rankings in the next exams.
Suddenly remembering something Aliza frowned.
"That student, 'Kyle Ohan'. He is not present today either. I don't know what he is doing but if any of you know where he is, just remind him that he also needs to participate in the competition or else he will fail the midterms."
Afterward, she left the classroom.
She still finds it hard to believe that a new student was continuously skipping classes doing god knows what. It was fine if he skipped class but he was not even coming to the training grounds for training which made Aliza even more furious.
After Aliza left the class, some students talked about Kyle but because no one was close to him they all left to do their work.
Nine who was sitting at the front, remembered seeing Kyle entering the dorm next to him. That's why as a neighbor he decided to inform him about the upcoming Competition.
.....
On the other hand, as Kyle climbed higher, he felt the surrounding temperature increase with every passing second. His clothes were already drenched in sweat.
Climbing for almost half a day, he finally managed to find the herb needed for the mission. It was a beautiful purple grass used to make mana recovery potions.
He immediately started collecting the grass and placed it inside the storage ring. Still even after climbing so far the 'Red snow flower' was nowhere in sight, but he was not discouraged.
"It's hard.... "
The burning sun was nowhere to be seen and the surrounding was dark. Kyle sighed and stared at the beautiful moon present above the sky.
He clenched his fist and squinted his eyes to look at the peak which was visible in the middle of the night due to the moonlight.
The mountain terrain was harsher than he expected because setting the high temperature aside it was getting harder the higher he climbed.
A whole day has already passed since he started climbing the mountain, and during that time he also stopped a couple of times to rest.
He decided to do one last struggle and climbed his way toward the peak a little more. He was sure he would find the 'Red Snow flower' if he climbed a little higher.
And with renewed vigor, Kyle started to climb again. His vision was reduced because of the dark surrounding that's why he used some mana stones to illuminate his path.
Smelling the sharp yet hot smell coming from the top of the mountain he felt like his body was melting. For Kyle coming this far was already a miracle considering he was only at (-F)-Rank.