Not-So an Extra

Gizel scanned his students' faces one by one before stopping at Adrian.

'This child...'

With each passing day, the boy in front of him never ceased to surprise him with his talent.

For years, the Survival Tests had been a grueling challenge for the students of the Arcanist Arts Academy.

However, something different happened this year.

On the second day after they defeated the bandits, they rode to the nearby town and that was where the turning point started.

Adrian sold the Badjingan parts and some herbs that he had gathered to make a profit.

He used the money to buy cooking utensils, some spices, binoculars, and other useful items before distributing the leftover gold among the group.

With their newfound wealth, they could do something that no other group had ever done: they stayed in an inn. 

However, it didn't stop there, they even went shopping and ate at restaurants!

Thanks to Adrian's resourcefulness, they looked more like a group of adventurers rather than doing a survival test.

It was amazing to watch and Gizel couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his students.

Clapping his hands once again, he let out a smile, and without beating around the bush Gizel ended the welcoming ceremony.

"You are free for today and your study will begin tomorrow. So, make sure to get some good rest tonight."

"Thank you!"

His classmates bid him farewell and their escort immediately guided them to their respective tents.

"It's been a while."

Adrian turned to the voice and three familiar figures approached him.

"Yes, it has."

He lightly responded and Nathaniel smiled gently at him before patting his head. 

"You're doing a great job."

Since Adrian had grown accustomed to it, he let him be.

"Thanks."

Glimpsing behind his shoulder, Fredinand and Asher could be seen bowing to him and he nodded his head.

"Do you want me to show you around or do you want to rest?"

"I think I need a guide."

"Alright."

With that, they began to roll their feet; Fredinand and Asher fell into step behind them.

"By the way—"

Hatling his track, Adrian turned to Nathaniel; an irked expression etched on his face.

"—Can you stop it?"

"Stop what? Hehe."

Nathaniel asked innocently, an impish glint in his eye.

Seeing how having fun he was, Adrian could feel how his lips quiver in annoyance.

·ƈθm Not him, playing dumb.

"Stop it."

Adrian spoke with a firm tone.

It had been more than a minute, but the sight of Nathaniel stopping to ruffle his hair was nowhere to be seen! 

"No."

Nathaniel persisted to continue his action with a mischievous smile planted on his face.

As his irritation grew unbearable, Adrian swung his hand.

But before it could reach him, Nathaniel hastily retrieved his hand.

"Tsk. My brother is such a bore."

He made a disgusted face and rolled his eyes boredly.

Ignoring him, Adrian resumed his steps and Nathaniel immediately exclaimed the moment he walked past him.

"Oi, why are you walking ahead of me? Aren't I the guide?"

"Then hurry up."

Adrian answered without bothering to stop his step and Nathaniel hastily jogged to match his pace.

Soon, he led him to various sections whilst describing their purposes.

Thanks to his very big brother, Adrian more or less knew the layout of this Refugee Camp.

Regardless, he couldn't help but furrow his forehead.

His cerulean eyes studied the surroundings and honestly speaking, this place resembled a fortified town a lot.

High marble walls encircled the camp and there were watchtowers stationed along the walls.

The entrance, the towers, and the ward were also heavily guarded by knights.

Overall, the level of security in the camp was quite impressive, but how could this place be breached?

Well, he had a conjecture—a wild one, but there was nothing impossible.

Moreover, from his last conversation with Nathaniel, Adrian concluded that the Kearny soldiers would attack this place.

However, the method of how they could set foot on this land and the timing of the ambush remained unknown.

Given that the Academy's activities here would only last for a week, then the war was just a matter of time.

Nevertheless, it was not that simple to launch an attack without preparation.

If it was a week away, then they should have arrived here or perhaps… hiding somewhere.

"—Are you even listening?"

Nathaniel spoke exasperatedly and Adrian nodded his head insouciantly.

"Yes, I'm listening."

"Ha, what a liar."

Brushing it off, Adrian conveyed his idea. 

"By the way, I'm going to hunt in the forest."

Nathaniel gave him a weird look as if he was a strange creature.

"Didn't you just kill a few monsters before coming here? Don't you have enough?"

"Well, I want more."

Nathaniel widened his eyes in horror—obviously, that was a made-up expression.

"Don't tell me, killing monsters for two weeks makes you bloodthirsty?"

Adrian clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes boredly.

"Tsk. You're being too dramatic."

Nathaniel shrugged nonchalantly and replied.

"Well, it's better than a boring conversation. Anyway, I'm coming with you."

"...very well."

Finished with their preparation, the four of them made their way through the forest that was located behind the Refugee Camp.

"Hey, let's do a hunting competition?"

Adrian suggested and Nathaniel let out a wicked smile.

"How dare, my little brother, challenge me? Well, sure, why not?"

"Okay, here are the rules—"

Adrian started deciphering the rules and then the group split into two teams.

He paired up with Ferdinand, while Nathaniel paired up with Asher before splitting off into the woods.

Frankly, Adrian never thought that Nathaniel would tag along since hunting was only his alibi.

But as it had come to this, he would just let his brother have fun slaying monsters on his own.

His main objective was to scout the area to confirm whether the Kearny soldiers had arrived or not.

As he rode through the forest, Adrian heightened his senses to look for any to detect any presence available.

After more than an hour of riding, they eventually reached a large clearing.

And upon seeing numerous black spots strewn across the ground, the corners of Adrian's lips lifted.

"Found it."