Chapter 157 - Fighting the Jaguars (1/2)

As Song Yazhu described, the place where they would take their test was a vast forest. This type of habitat was widespread in the territories of the empire because it could host numerous types of spirit beasts, including aquatic ones due to the presence of rivers and lakes that were inside. There were also other types of habitats, some very unfriendly, but the Southern Royal War Academy decided to opt for something simple as a first test for the first year.

”We are at the outer edge of the forest. Since an internal ranking hasn't yet been made among you, first-year students, you will all enter in unison this time. Once inside, you can go where you want, as long as you stay inside the forest. As I said, the period of stay is one week. I hope you have used these days well to adjust accordingly. Well then. Begin!”

At the same time, as Song Yazhu gave his signal, all the first-year students of the Southern Royal War Academy sprinted into the forest. Speed ​​in these early stages was an indispensable element. After all, the first group to finish exploring the forest would also be the first to choose their hunting spot. Finding a place full of spirit beasts that weren't too dangerous was what they were aiming for.

As for Hei, he was currently in front of his group and was leading them into the forest. With a unanimous decision, it had been decided that he would be in charge of the group. Besides his strength, it was because of his knowledge about the spirit beasts that the others had chosen him as a leader. Lang would have been a good candidate as well, but her even more reserved character than Hei made her unsuitable for leading a group.

”For the moment, we will go a few kilometers inside, starting from the outer limit. We will keep the disposition we have designed these days. I will stand in front with Ye and Xing on me. Leon and He Fen on the sides while Lang and Fenrir in the rear. Behind me, there will be Lilian, Mia, Mareo, and Haruno, while Lian will be among them, ready to protect them in case of danger. If you have questions and doubts about how to act, remember not to go on your own. And more importantly, do not attack spirit beasts for no reason, especially if they don't pose a threat to us. It isn't just for morality, but more for our survival. At the moment, nearly five thousand intruders have infiltrated this territory. There is no doubt that this will piss off the strongest spirit beasts. If we start leaving blood trails everywhere, we will soon end up being surrounded.”

Hei immediately issued his orders. From the confident way in which he was proceeding in those unknown territories, and the foresight even in the smallest movements made others understand that they had made the right choice in appointing him as the leader. However, since they didn't possess his knowledge in the habitats inhabited by spirit beasts, there were still those who had questions.

”Hey, isn't it better to pick up the pace? I understand that it is better to avoid flying because of flying spirit beasts, but we can still run. The other groups have now distanced us a lot. In these initial stages, the first to finish the exploration will be in an advantageous position.” He Fen asked as he looked around to see if there were any other first-year classmates.

It should be known that, except for the first dash inside the forest, Hei had ordered his group to proceed walking. Of all the groups, they were the only ones to have adopted such a method. Even the other beast tamers had preferred to run at full speed rather than walk.

”If we run, we will soon be spotted.” Lang gave a concise answer from behind.

”Lang is right. The spirit beasts of the forest are examining the groups that are running. As soon as these groups start attacking, the spirit beasts will respond to the attack. Our goal isn't the spirit beasts, but our classmates. Therefore, we should save our strength in these early stages and let others weaken themselves. At that point, we will start moving. Before I continue, though, I want you to rub this on yourself. Lang, you prepared what I asked for, right?”

At Hei's question, Lang pulled glass containers, with a strange liquid inside, out of her space ring. In addition to the containers, there were also a series of bags with what looked like excrement inside. At the sight of this, all of them, excluding Hei, Lian, and Lang, were disgusted by that view.

”Spirit beasts have very high senses, superior to human ones. Even if we don't make noise, they can still identify us with their sense of smell. It is, therefore, important to mask our smell.” Hei explained as he took the bags from Lang and started spreading the contents on his little sisters.

Seeing how serious Hei was about it, Lilian tried an alternative. ”Can't we use anything else? I don't know, soil and foliage, for example? Not that I have something against Fenrir, but isn't this perhaps a little too much?”

”It could also be done in that way. However, before I used the term masking, not hiding. As they level up, the spirit beasts become more intelligent. If they notice the smell of earth and moving foliage, they could be suspicious since I don't know how many plant or tree type spirit beasts are present and above all which species. Therefore, it is better to use the smell of something that is already moving in itself. Besides, using all the same smell of Fenrir, meaning a wolf, we can mask ourselves for a pack. Unfortunately, spiders and snakes are more solitary creatures, and consequently, we cannot use the feces and urine of Ye and Xing.”

”Well, considering we all elected him unanimously, it's too late to back down. Lang, give me one of those bags. Since we've gone this far, we might as well keep walking all the way.” Leon said resignedly. However, there was a faint smile on his face as if he were amused about that situation.

Seeing that Leon had also given up, everyone else soon followed him and started to sprinkle themselves with Fenrir's urine and feces, which didn't seem very happy that his wastes were exposed to everyone. However, he also understood that it was the best method for their hunt and gave no other complaints.

'How about Fenrir? Who is more wolf-like, in your opinion? Me or Xing?'

'Don't say nonsense, Ye. Of course, it's me who looks more like a wolf. You only have fangs, but I also have claws.'

'But yours aren't claws; they are legs. And if you want to play like this, then I own a tail which you don't have.'

Ye and Xing, still in their petite form, began to quarrel over who looked more like a wolf. Even though they were arguing, it was more like one of the many sister bickering they had all the time. Unfortunately for Fenrir, though, he too had been pulled in the middle.

As for the three of them, their relationship had strangely settled despite their differences. Unlike Ye and Xing, who were lively and expansive, Fenrir was quite similar to his mistress. In fact, he had a calm and cold character and carried on himself a dignity and pride typical of his species. But facing the cheerfulness of that little spider and that little snake, even his wall of ice was melted, and he could only surrender and participate in the games of Ye and Xing.

The main reason for his surrender, however, concerned Lang, who loved to sit and observe for hours the interaction between the three spirit beasts. Seeing his mistress, who had been carrying a tremendous burden on herself since she was a child, becoming happy and carefree, made Fenrir want to do more to bring her a smile. So, soon, he too unconsciously rediscovered the happiness of playing, which he had long forgotten.

Once they had finished masking their smell, Hei and the others kept going inside. Occasionally they saw some spirit beasts, but because they were still in the outskirts, they were mostly first-level spirit beasts. These spirit beasts ran away as soon as they came into contact with that unusual group that carried the smell of wolves. Only a few reckless spirit beasts tried to show hostility towards them, but it was enough for Fenrir to uncover his teeth with a growl to chase away even the bravest of the spirit beasts.

However, things didn't go so smoothly forever. When they had walked for several kilometers, suddenly they heard the sound of hooves ringing around them.

”Be careful; it's coming,” Hei whispered to his companions, who tightened the formation even more. On his shoulders, Ye and Xing were making the most of their detection capabilities to understand the noise's origin.

Suddenly, a spirit beast about a meter and a half came out of the thick foliage of the forest. It had a long neck and large ears while its fur had a reddish-brown color that contrasted with the horizontal white stripes on the four legs of the creature.