Search for the Trees
As students gathered their supplies and weapons, preparing to enter the forest, a sudden, brutal attack shattered the tense atmosphere.
Adrian, the second-ranked student in the class, hurled a dagger at a student ahead of him, striking him directly in the neck. The close distance ensured a precise hit. At the same time, he drove his sword into another student standing just a few steps away. Both victims had collected their supplies before him but hadn't moved far. Now, they paid the price for their carelessness.
With calculated precision, Adrian retrieved his weapons, ensuring both students were dead before taking their daggers, an extra sword, and additional supplies. He then assumed a defensive stance, his sharp gaze scanning the other students for potential threats.
The remaining students froze in shock. Even the instructors, though momentarily surprised, did not intervene.
The rules were clear—the moment a student took their supplies, they became a participant. Not when they entered the forest. That was the key distinction.
Some students had let their guard down, assuming the exam would only begin inside the forest. But after witnessing Adrian's ruthless actions, they realized their mistake.
A wave of unease spread through the camp. The moment they grabbed their supplies, they could be attacked. Fear took hold, and one by one, students hurriedly collected their weapons, distancing themselves from the others as quickly as possible.
When Ryan's turn came, he wasted no time. He secured his supplies, created space from the other participants, and entered the forest. Soon, every student had disappeared into the dense woods, the real battle about to begin.
---
Inside the forest, the students faced a crucial decision.
There were two strategies:
1. Occupy a marked tree immediately. There were 40 trees in total, meaning 29 students could pass without fighting, while 11 would have to compete for a spot.
2. Wait until the final hour, then attack a weaker opponent and steal their tree.
For many, the first choice seemed like the safer option—claim a tree early and avoid unnecessary conflict. But for weaker students, it was a trap.
Even if they secured a tree, they would become prime targets, seen as easy prey by stronger opponents. Their only real option was to become predators themselves—waiting until the right moment to strike.
Ryan understood the true purpose of this exam.
The instructors and Viscount Andrew weren't just testing survival skills—they were weeding out the weak.
If someone passed this exam, it meant they possessed strength, intelligence, or sheer luck. On the surface, it seemed simple—29 students wouldn't even need to fight. But for the remaining 22, this was a battle of life and death.
An additional layer of uncertainty made the test even more dangerous:
No one knew how many trees were already occupied.
There was a chance some trees would remain empty while students fought elsewhere.
If a student searched too long and failed to find a free tree, they would be forced to fight—whether they wanted to or not.
Ryan considered his options. Securing a tree early was the best plan. He was above average in strength, and his past battle with Bill had cemented his ruthless reputation.
With that in mind, he set off in search of a tree.
---
Elsewhere in the forest, two students met under the cover of shadows—Cam and Ashton.
Ashton, a short student, spoke first.
"I saw your signal—same as last time. Do you have a plan for us to pass?"
Cam, the thinner of the two, smirked. "Yeah, that's why I called you. I have a plan."
Lowering his voice, he continued, "We both know there are two ways to get a tree. First, you find an empty one and guard it until the end. Second, you kill someone and take theirs."
He glanced around cautiously before continuing.
"But let's be honest—if we take a tree too early, we'll be sitting ducks. We're physically weaker than most of the class. If we try to hold a tree, we'll be the first ones targeted."
Ashton frowned but nodded. Cam was right.
"So here's the plan," Cam continued. "We wait. We find two weak opponents, kill them together, and take our spots at the last moment. That way, no one has time to challenge us. What do you think?"
Ashton hesitated. The plan made sense. But he also knew Cam couldn't be trusted.
"It's a good idea," Ashton thought, "but I'll have to watch my back. He might turn on me."
Unbeknownst to him, Cam was thinking the same thing.
"For now, I'll use him. When the time comes, I'll adapt."
Both students knew they couldn't trust each other. But for now, they had a common goal. And that was enough.
---
Throughout the forest, students moved cautiously.
Each time they crossed paths, they tensed, their hands gripping their weapons, but most chose to avoid unnecessary fights. A battle too early could leave both parties injured—or worse, dead.
As students started finding marked trees, they quickly secured their positions. If they encountered someone already near a tree, they sized each other up before deciding whether to engage or move on in search of another.
Those who couldn't find an empty tree mentally noted the ones already occupied. If they were forced to fight later, they needed to choose their targets carefully.
Although no major fights broke out yet, everyone knew the final hour would be the deadliest.
----
After searching carefully, Ryan's luck finally turned.
He found an unoccupied marked tree.
Without hesitation, he claimed it.
But instead of relaxing, he immediately began fortifying his position.
He set traps around the tree, using what he had learned from his training.
He positioned himself with his back against the tree, remaining vigilant.
As time passed, other students moved through the forest. Some glanced at him, studying the terrain and his traps before leaving. Others memorized his location, possibly considering him a target for later.
But for now, no one attacked.
As the final hour approached, one undeniable truth settled in every student's mind—
The search for trees was over.
Now, it was time to fight.
The search for trees was over.
Now, it was time to fight.