Chapter 52: Everyone Has a Plan (2)

Chapter 52: Everyone Has a Plan (2)

After the Breeder event, the next exercise in line is survival, a practice that's almost akin to a battle royale, as explained by Marlboro.

Yet, there's no pressing need to outright eliminate opponents. The crucial element is simply to survive.

Perhaps due to this, as the end draws near, options surface.

To agree with another for a joint victory or choose to go it alone in survival.

Regardless of the choice, there are no penalties. If you opt for survival, a slight increase in honor is the only outcome.

The duration is set at 12 hours, but in truth, its much lengthier.'

While Marlboro mentioned the exercise would run from 7 AM to 7 PM, the real span is far extensive.

Does it even make sense to pre-disclose information when the theme is about survival? Certainly not.

Hence, the expanded time will be revealed just before the exercise commences.

Inevitably, students will be mentally rattled commencing with this frame of mind. The professors count on it.

The pitiful part, though, is the teammates.'

The torment is truly with the teammates. Randomly assigned team placements vacillate from heaven to hell, depending on rank.

Fortune may allow for a smooth passage to the end, but the absence of it means savoring a group project from hell.'

It's dreadful to the level that even seasoned players have no choice but to embrace the prayer meta during such times.

With even Luck' offering improved teammate capabilities still being random, its significance is dubious.

At least Luna's team has Antonio, which should offer some advantage.'

As a strategist, Antonio's nature should align well with Luna. His slightly sly demeanor shouldn't pose any substantial issue.

Kara, while not familiar to me, likely falls on the side of being agreeable. Her name not lingering in my memory signifies as much.

Above all, more critical at this instant are my teammates. There's Grace, myself, and lastly Yeonhwa Yi.

Grace aside, I've heard that the character Yeonhwa Yi is intriguing.

"Understand, Sivar? You must talk properly and do well, even if were absent. You can manage that?"

Ellie clasped my hand while emphasizing her concerns. Her golden eyes brimmed with worry.

It mirrored a mother's ambiance, fretting about her solitary child's adaptability to kindergarten.

While I viewed it as somewhat absurd, from Ellie's standpoint, it was the only possible reaction. After all, I had to venture out without any guardian.

"Is it the right choice, I wonder. Is it really okay to send Sivar alone?"

Kara sighed with an air of perplexity, seeking answers from, of course, Rod.

Rod absorbed her queries and nodded, then in his typical serene tone, he responded.

"All's fine. I've discussed it with Miss Grace, so there's no cause for concern. If Sivar engages in any misdeeds, shes been instructed to make an immediate report."

"Hmm"

"Sivar seeking friends beyond you isn't a bad thing."

Rod's carefree comments left Kara puzzling over their correctness. Although logical, the lingering concerns were unavoidable.

The trust he held in me, despite recent catastrophes, inevitably caused even me to become puzzled.

Likely, he had someone assigned to keep a watch or asked Porori for a favor. No mishaps are expected, after all.

"Having said that, you do look quite stylish, don't you? Who chose your outfit?"

"I did! Nice, isn't it?"

Despite the complaint of discomfort with the attire, Ellie energetically replied to Karas admiring question.

A simple yet neat combination of a summer black shirt with white trousers. However, as always, the face completes the fashion.

Both physique and face flattering, anything worn would seem befitting, irrespective of my personal comfort.

If only the shoes were slippers, though.'

Sneakers are ever-uncomfortable. Slippers were my go-to even for classes, but not today.

The period of adjustment will soon end with my formal enrollment, which will naturally transition to wearing the uniform.

Ellie has convinced me not to cling to slippers forever, suggesting it's a process of growing accustomed.

Knock-knock-knock-

[Principal. It's Grace. May I enter?]

The appointed time was nigh. Grace arrived at the dwelling in sync with the scheduled time.

Upon her knock, Luna stepped aside, and Ellie glanced in my direction, her face etched with more worry.

The apprehension, considering my history, is more than justified.

The priority now is to calmly hear Grace out and forge a bond with Yeonhwa Yi, my upcoming teammate.

Creak-

The door swung open, revealing Grace smiling.

Dressed in a well-fitted white blouse and skirt accentuating her slim waist, even her casual attire emanated an intellectual ambiance.

Lastly, the confident smile on her lips and her piercing gaze exuded an air of authority.

"Miss Luna, I'm pleased to see you here."

"Yes."

While Grace greeted warmly, Luna responded cautiously, probably mindful of her recent slip where profanities unexpectedly flew.

Still, Grace appeared unperturbed, offering just a smile before shifting her gaze to me.

"One wouldn't guess you lived in the forest looking at you now."

Post her appraisal of my groomed appearance, Grace wore an expression of surprise, followed by a satisfied smile.

Perhaps my tidy look today, in contrast to yesterday's slightly rugged appearance, pleased her. I would have preferred casual attire, but Ellie persuaded me otherwise.

"Miss Grace, as I mentioned yesterday, please report anything unusual immediately."

"Yes, Ive got it, Principal."

"Sivar, prepare to leave soon."

"Sivar You can manage, right?"

At Rods suggestion, Ellie gripped my hand more firmly, her worry seeming to intensify.

Anyone would think we wouldn't see each other again. To allay her fears, I began to speak.

"Trust me."

"Okay! Make sure to have a good talk with Miss Grace!"

Grace was the one left tilting her head this time, puzzled by words she had never heard before.

Death beam? Even with her comprehensive education from her family, this was a term she did not recognize.

"Death beam? What's that? It doesnt sound like something you eat. Can you show me?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Rod. Scold."

Piecing together his brief reply, it sounded like he gets scolded by Rod. Grace's expression grew even more baffling.

What is this death beam that could lead to reprimand from Rod himself? Its definitely out of the ordinary.

"Understood. But promise to show me sometime in the future, okay?"

"Okay."

"You've made a promise, you know? You realize breaking promises is not allowed, right?"

"Okay."

Someone did a good job teaching him. Grace was marked by a deep smile.

If Sivar found that the most fun, there must be something worth seeing.

Perhaps it will even be revealed in the upcoming survival exercise. Her curiosity about him was escalating.

"We're almost there. Yeonhwa Ah, there she is."

Upon reaching the prearranged meeting venue, Grace pointed out a spot. Sivar's gaze followed.

Dark hair and eyes a feature most Easterners had along with a deep apricot complexion.

The person Grace was searching for sat on a bench near the plazas fountain, fiddling with something.

"Yeonhwa?"

"Yes, yes, yes?!"

Startled by Grace approaching, the woman reacted excessively even though Grace had not sneaked up silently.

Apparently lost in thoughts, she had been distracted, as evidenced by her hiding the object she had been toying with.

Yeonhwa, an Easterner female student, gazed up with wide eyes before hurriedly speaking.

"Ah, ah! Lady Berche"

"As I told you yesterday, please just call me Grace. We'll be working as a team, right?"

"Ah. Yes, that's right. And this person next to you is"

Yeonhwa's gaze shifted to the side where Sivar, who was much taller than Grace, stood gazing down at her.

His eyes glowed a fierce red, and with the sun behind him, he gave off an intimidating aura.

"EEEK!"

Yeonhwa let out a startled yelp, contrasting with Sivar's rather inexpressive manner.

He looked at her frightened face calmly. Objectively, she is a quintessential beauty of Eastern descent.

Delicate features, including a teardrop mole under the left eye, mixing a sense of cuteness with maturity.

Her overall slender physique and short stature emphasized a soft, domesticated, small dog-like presence.

"There's no need to be so frightened, Yeonhwa. Sivar is part of our team, right?"

"Yes, yes Sorry"

Grace gazed at the immediately apologetic Yeonhwa. She had previously gathered some intel on her.

Yeonhwa Yi. From the Hwan Empire. Profession: Rogue. No remarkable feats; ranking in the lower tier. Related by blood to Professor Yeonhwa. Descendant of a reputable family.'

Noted as extremely timid and lackluster, this encapsulated Grace's mental profile of Yeonhwa.

Lacking passion and focus, just going with the flow of life, thats the kind of student Yeonhwa was.

To be honest, it's a mystery why she even entered the academy.

Not a particularly hard worker, not passionate, and without outstanding talent.

Normally, she would not be worth attention, except they were now assigned as teammates, prompting the information gathering.

At least she arrived earlier than the arranged time, showing she's got the basics.'

That's a pass. Many dont even keep to the appointed times, but Yeonhwa arrived a bit early.

Even with an insufficient team, the ability to lead effectively is also a skill.'

She surely isnt utterly incompetent since she's made it into the academy. Grace was brimming with confidence.

With Sivar present, that's all the more assured. In the theme of survival, no one could be more reliable.

His prowess alone could cover any deficit from Yeonhwa, even shouldering the entire task on his own.

But whatever happens, being carried is absolutely out of the question. I must avoid any detriment to my evaluation.'

However, the issue lies in his being too strong. Sivar might inadvertently hog all the commendations.

Its quite a challenge. With plans slowly formulating in her mind, Grace spoke up.

"Now that we're all here, shall we head to the restaurant? It should suit Yeonhwa's tastes too."

"I find it a bit strenuous to go to such an expensive place"

"Don't worry, my treat. That's the least a team leader should do. You'll come along too, right, Sivar?"

"Okay."

"Alright then."

Grace's face lit up with contentment. Both Sivar and Yeonhwa were the passive type.

This meant she could lead things as she saw fit a very welcomed development.

As the Eastern saying goes, too many cooks spoil the broth.

No conflict of opinions, the teammates are solid, the exam seems manageable.

There was nothing obstructive in sight. The only concern might be the attention drawn solely to Sivar.

"Shall we get going then? Itll be a good opportunity to set our plans."

"Yes"

"Okay."

It seems that smooth sailing is all that lies ahead. Thats what Grace assumed.

Hehe. This exercise is going to be a breeze.'

Little did she know her teammates were the notorious group project villains.