Survival Class

The classroom was unlike any other Fenix had been in before. Instead of rows of desks and electronic boards, it was filled with survival gear, weapons, and even crude cooking tools. The walls were lined with hunting equipment, maps, and diagrams of various terrains.

At the center of the room stood a tall man with rugged features, a scar running across his cheek, and a beard that gave him the look of a veteran warrior. His piercing brown eyes scanned the students as he crossed his arms. He didn't have the air of a scholar—he was a survivor.

He clapped his hands once, loudly. The room fell silent.

"Alright, listen up," he said in a deep voice. "My name is Professor Aldric Voss, and I'm in charge of Survival and Field Tactics. Some of you think survival is just about how hard you can swing a sword or how much mana you can blast. You're wrong."

He took a step forward, letting the weight of his words settle in.

"Survival isn't about fighting. It's about endurance. It's about knowing how to keep yourself alive when everything around you is trying to kill you."

His gaze swept across the room.

"You think your flashy powers will keep you alive in the wilderness? What happens when you're injured and can't use them? What happens when your stamina runs out? What happens when there's no food, no shelter, and you're freezing in the middle of nowhere?"

A few students shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

Aldric smirked. "Exactly. Power is meaningless when you don't have the basics to survive."

He walked toward a table filled with different tools and supplies. A bundle of sticks, a flask of murky water, a raw slab of monster meat, and an assortment of herbs.

"Today's lesson is simple: You will learn how to make fire, how to purify water, how to cook monster meat without poisoning yourself, and how to navigate without a map. These are the things that will actually save your life when you're stranded."

The students murmured among themselves. Some looked interested, others bored.

Aldric picked up the murky water.

"This?" He swirled it around. "In the wild, if you drink this straight, you'll probably die. Bacteria, parasites, toxins—you name it."

He placed the flask down and grabbed a set of stones.

"This?" He struck them together, creating a small spark. "Fire. The difference between freezing to death and staying alive."

He moved to the raw monster meat.

"And this?" He jabbed a finger at it. "If you eat it raw, you might be fine… or you might end up with your insides melting."

A few students cringed at the image.

Aldric folded his arms.

"If you think this class is beneath you, leave now. You're not ready."

There was a long pause. Then, slowly, several students began getting up from their seats.

One by one, they walked out.

Some whispered among themselves. "This isn't what I signed up for." "I'll just use my powers." "What a waste of time."

Aldric didn't stop them. He simply watched, unimpressed.

When the last of them left, only one student remained.

Fenix.

Aldric raised an eyebrow. "You're still here?"

Fenix nodded. "I figured knowing how to survive is… useful."

Aldric smirked slightly. "You're smarter than most."

He walked over, leaning against the desk.

"Alright, since you're the only one left, go ahead and ask. I'll answer whatever survival questions you've got."

Fenix thought for a moment, then asked:

 "What's the fastest way to purify water if you don't have magic?"

Aldric grinned. "Good question. If you don't have fire or purification magic, your best bet is solar purification. Dig a hole, put a clear container inside, cover it with a thin plastic sheet or glass, and let the sun do the work. Condensation will collect the pure water. It takes time, but it works."

"How do you tell if monster meat is safe to eat?"

Aldric picked up the raw meat on the table. "Rule of thumb? If the blood is black, don't touch it. If it smells overly sweet, it's probably poisonous. Cooking helps, but you should always test a tiny bit first and wait for any reactions before eating more."

"What's the best way to start a fire without tools?"

Aldric nodded. "The fire bow drill. You take a dry stick, press it against a wooden base, and rotate it fast and long enough to generate heat and embers. Takes effort, but it works. Or, if you're in a volcanic area, use natural lava stones—they spark easily."

"How do you navigate at night without a map?"

Aldric smirked. "Look at the stars. Find the North Star. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, look for the Southern Cross. If it's cloudy? Follow the wind and terrain—rivers always lead to lower ground and civilization."

"What's the best way to avoid monster attacks while traveling?"

Aldric crossed his arms. "Stay alert. Mark your territory. Don't travel in a straight line—monsters track patterns. Keep noise to a minimum and always have an escape route."

Fenix absorbed every word.

These were real, practical answers.

Not just battle tactics, but survival tactics.

The conversation continued beyond the lesson.

They talked about how different terrains affect survival, the dangers of nighttime travel, and how some monsters track prey based on body heat.

Fenix felt something unexpected.

He was learning.

And more than that—he respected this teacher.

Aldric finally stretched, glancing at the clock. "Huh. Class ended a while ago."

Fenix blinked. "...Oh."

Aldric grinned. "You're the first student in years to actually care about this stuff."

Fenix shrugged. "I've had to survive before. This… makes sense to me."

Aldric studied him for a moment, then nodded.

"Well, Fenix, if you ever need real training, come find me. Most students here only care about fighting—but you? You're already thinking ahead."

He extended a hand.

Fenix hesitated, then shook it.

Aldric's grip was firm, strong.

A sign of experience, not just power.