88 Chapter 88: Training Camp (1/2)

”Oh boy…are we really going to do this?”

Beside me, Dong Fang Yue Chu fidgeted anxiously as he glanced outside the bus window. We were just about to leave the highway and enter wilderness. Only a single road served as a sole reminder that human civilization existed at all.

”Training in Sen Lin Forest? Does Instructor Feng Hai want us dead or something?!”

”If he wanted us dead, he has many other ways to kill us. He wouldn't bother to send us all the way to Sen Lin Forest.”

”I can't believe you're still so calm!” Dong Fang Yue Chu exclaimed, banging his fist against the cushioned armrest. ”We are going to train in Sen Lin Forest, you know?! Sen Lin Forest!”

”I heard you the first time. Actually, we already heard that from Instructor Feng Hai.” I sighed and sank back in my seat. Fortunately, the other students aboard the bus were chattering pretty nosily. For example, Alicia and Miranda were chatting at the front, discussing something regarding Black Roses. I was slightly disappointed to see that Troy was still absent.

On the other hand, I wasn't sure how to face Alicia after our duel. We hadn't met much after the uh, kiss she gave me. It wasn't as if I was deliberately avoiding her. We just didn't have many chances to meet after that.

Still, it was uncomfortable being the center of attention, with all the other students in the academy giving me curious or envious gazes. Alicia's fan club, in particular, was more obnoxious than ever, trying to harass or challenge me. Challenges, I was happy with, but getting yelled or cursed at in the corridor was not exactly a pleasant experience.

Alicia had only given me one glance. I waved at her somewhat timidly, and she returned the greeting with a smile before turning back to discuss with Miranda. After that, we never made any eye contact again.

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Even I wasn't sure what exactly our relationship was right now. Were we officially going out? Was she just playing around with me? Nah, Alicia wasn't that type of person. But it felt unbelievable that someone as godly as her would deign to socialize with me, never mind be in a romantic relationship with the likes of me.

”What should we do? Run away?”

Dong Fang Yue Chu's wheedling brought me brought me back to the present, and I glared at him, annoyed.

”Why the hell should we run away? It's just a training camp. Man up, will you?”

”But it's Sen Lin Forest!” Dong Fang Yue Chu cried. ”Why aren't you afraid?”

”Why should I be afraid?” I snorted derisively. ”Just because there are monsters in Sen Lin Forest? Because Sen Lin Forest is a hotspot for Emergence events? Because the hunter squads who go there to exterminate monsters has the highest death tolls? Don't worry. Instructor Feng Hai doesn't strike me as the reckless and irresponsible sort. He'll definitely keep us safe. He might crush us hard during training, but I guarantee you he'll bring us all back alive.”

”That's right!” Adam growled from somewhere behind us. ”Quit your whining, Dong Fang Yue Chu! The only reason you're here is because you took the spot meant for Vice-president Lin Zhan Long! If you really don't want to be here, then get lost! Return the slot to Zhan Long!”

”I have half a mind to…”

”Dude…” I glared at Dong Fang Yue Chu in disgust. ”Why did you even enroll in Jing Tian Magic Academy to become a mage for in the first place? Isn't it to become a combat mage and exterminate monsters? Why are you getting cold feet now?”

”Uh…no? I just heard that combat mages get paid a lot, so I…” Dong Fang Yue Chu scratched his head sheepishly. I gaped at him. Adam snorted with laughter, but from the awkward silence emanating from other students around us, it seemed that Dong Fang Yue Chu wasn't alone in his sentiment.

Seriously? You guys planned to join the mage corps just for the money? Without considering the risks and threats to your lives when you work as a combat mage?

”Pathetic…” Adam shook his head. ”The only Ultimate Outcast worthy of respect is Richard. The rest of you are just spineless cowards.”

Dong Fang Yue Chu chuckled, not at all offended. ”That's true. But you know what they say. Cowards tend to live longer than heroes.”

I buried my face in my palm, exasperated. ”If you really worry about your life, then why even bother becoming a combat mage at all?”

”Um…you never know when an Emergence event might happen. Sometimes it happens inside a city, you know? Better to be prepared when that happens. Then I can protect myself with magic.”

Wow, that was indeed practical. However…

”If that's the case, then you should appreciate this training camp even more. It's the only time you get to earn experience fighting monsters under a safe, controlled environment.”

”Richard is correct.”

To my surprise, it was Harrison Reed who spoke up. He smiled at me faintly and nodded.

”Speaking of which, Richard, your performance last week was impressive. You really took the academy by storm. Congratulations, and welcome to this training camp.”