90 Chapter 90: Attempted Ambush (1/2)
If everyone thought the physical training from yesterday was hellish, then they were unprepared for what would come the next day.
What? Did you think we were forced to eat rats and worms for dinner or something? Wrong story, dudes. I wasn't going to spend the next ten chapters or so on a training camp. People were going to start screaming about fillers without even understanding the true meaning of fillers. Some readers just labeled whatever they were uninterested in as ”filler” instead of understanding that these chapters had a larger role to play in the overall plot of the story. They failed to see the big picture, and because it wasn't constant fighting, they screamed and whined incessantly about fillers.
”We'll be running through this trail today,” Feng Hai told us as we gathered at the edge of Sen Lin Forest. We were allowed outside of the military camp, having exited through the heavy gates. Sentries continued to monitor for any intrusions or monsters from Sen Lin Forest, and automated turrets continued revolving around their grids to track down any potential targets. I was relieved to see that there weren't any monsters nearby. But Feng Hai ended up bringing us through the main highway and into a much narrower trail that cut through the middle of the forest. ”The route is uploaded through your smartphones. Check the academy app and it will show you a digital map. Stick to the path and signs on your phone. Don't stray from the route, or you'll have to bear the consequences.”
Terence gulped. ”What consequences?”
Feng Hai grinned. ”If you want to stray away from the dirt track and go into the forest, don't blame me or the school if you get killed by a monster.”
The students glanced uneasily at each other. We were all aware that Sen Lin Forest was a hotspot for Emergence events, and countless monsters dwelled in their depths. There was a slight barrier cast on either side of the dirt track, but the defensive enchantment was only capable of protecting against weak monsters. Fortunately, strong monsters rarely left the wilderness, so unless we were extremely unlucky, we shouldn't encounter any of them if we kept to the edges of civilization.
”However, you won't be penalized if you do so.” For some reason, Feng Hai's gaze swept toward me and several of the students. ”Fighting against monsters makes for excellent combat training too. In fact, I encourage you to hunt a monster or two if you happen to spot one. That said, you had best know your limits. Don't hunt a powerful monster if you have no way of defeating it. I don't want to explain to your parents how you got killed under my watch. Is that understood?”
”Yes, sir!”
Feng Hai nodded in approval. Then he grinned again.
”Another thing. You're all not allowed to use magic power when running. You're only allowed to use magic when in combat, if you venture off the path and hunt monsters in the forest. But you're not allowed to use any spells to enhance your physical prowess or speed for even a millimeter atop the track. The moment I sense you use magic when you're still on the track, you'll be disqualified.” He then turned toward a truck. ”And to make your lives difficult, I have a gift for you.”
After he whistled, a couple of soldiers emerged from the back of the military truck. They began throwing down gigantic backpacks.
”Each of you, take one. They're about fifty kilograms each. You're not allowed to receive assistance from anyone regarding your backpack. Each of you must only carry your own. No helping in sharing the load. The goal is to strengthen your stamina and physical condition.”
Everyone glanced at each other in dismay. Not only were we not allowed to use any magic when running on the track, we still had to carry these insane loads? They might as well shoot us right here and now.
”Why? Is there a problem?” Feng Hai's voice was frosty. Everyone shook their heads without hesitation. After yesterday's training, we realized he wasn't someone we wanted to piss off.
”No, sir!”
”We can do it!”
”Good. Now get to it!” Feng Hai clapped his hands and gestured for us to start. ”The track should run for about fifty miles. There are various obstacles, never mind the monsters. You're only allowed to eat after you complete your run.” He smirked. ”Make sure you return before it gets dark. The stronger monsters come out at night, and even the barrier enchantments we set up alongside the track wouldn't be able to stop them.”
I gulped when I heard that. It was true that the more powerful monsters were more active at night.
Then we all set off. I regulated my pace, knowing that I couldn't afford to exhaust all of my strength right from the start. Especially with such a heavy load clinging to my back. Even with training from my dad, it wasn't as if I had reached superhuman capability.
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However, even in my previous world, commandoes and marines underwent similar training, so it wasn't as if this was physically impossible for humans. We needed conditioning and all that, and in order to use magic, our bodies had to withstand the power and potential backlash from casting spells. So we already had some advantage in terms of physical constitutions when compared to ordinary humans.
At least that was the theory, anyway.
Ahead, the Holy Saints Society ran forward, led by Harrison Reed. Cody Crosby, Lily Liam, Adam Freeman and Terence Taylor followed him closely, and the five of them surged toward the front before anyone could say anything.
The rest of us randomly grouped up together and jogged along the track together. Dong Fang Yue Chu stayed close to me, and his stamina was pretty good too. He grinned at me as he jogged slowly at a steady pace.
”Fifty miles, huh? We probably can finish it in about five hours and reach the camp after noon.”
”Yeah.” I nodded. ”As long as we maintain this pace, anyway.”
Alicia and Pearl ended up leading the rest of us, and I suspected they slowed down so that we could jog as a group rather than split up. Craig and Theodore were slightly ahead of Dong Fang Yue Chu and me, the pair of them quietly jogging at their own pace. I suspected they were also holding back slightly for the rest of the group, otherwise the distance between us would have widened the longer the run went.
”Should we hunt monsters?” Craig asked without turning back. I shrugged.
”Normally I would be happy to, but with fifty kilograms on our back? And wouldn't we exhaust ourselves too much to complete the rest of the run before dark?”
”Richard has a point,” Theodore conceded. ”We can't afford to be too reckless.”
”Aw…you guys are boring,” Craig complained, but Alicia sent him a sharp glance.
”If you want to fight, you are welcome to do so on your own. But please refrain from putting the rest of the group at risk.”
”Yes, ma'am.” Craig sighed. ”But it's boring to fight on my own. If only the rest of my members were here…”