After school, we stayed behind in an empty classroom to introduce ourselves and hold a strategy meeting for tomorrow’s practical exercise in the Kafka Forest.
"You might already know this, but I'm Amelia Rose. I look forward to working with you all."
Amelia was the first to speak.
The four of us sat around a cluster of desks. Evi, sitting to her left, was the next to chime in.
"I’m Evi Armstrong. I’m Ray’s roommate in the dorms. Nice to meet you guys."
Next was Elisa. She was still acting incredibly shy, but she managed to get her introduction out.
"Ah... um... I’m Elisa Griffith... I’m a Half-elf...! U-Um... I’ll do my best!"
Finally, it was my turn.
"I’m Ray White. I come from an Ordinary background, and I have various issues when it comes to magic... but regardless, I’m glad to be on the team."
With our introductions out of the way, we immediately shifted the conversation toward our plan for the Kafka Forest.
"So, about the forest... it’s quite vast," Amelia said. "I’ve heard from some upperclassmen that very few parties actually clear it every year. The biggest problem is a spell active across the entire forest that distorts your sense of direction."
"I see. So it's a case where the magic has become a permanent fixture of the land itself."
"Yes. That seems to be the case."
I nodded in agreement with Amelia’s assessment.
In this world, there is a phenomenon where magic settles permanently into a specific location. This is what gives birth to labyrinths and other supernatural sites.
The Kafka Forest distorts orientation... On top of that, we have to keep an eye out for monsters, and we can’t simply walk forever. Even assuming we only stay for one night, this is going to be a grueling trial.
Based on my past experience, I’m confident I could operate for about three days without sleep in an even harsher environment, such as a jungle... but I can’t expect that level of endurance from the others.
"Right... I'd like to get a handle on the terrain, but it’s hard to tell much from the map we were given. We'll have to figure that out once we’re actually there. For now, let’s go over everyone’s magical specialties."
"I’m relatively proficient with fire-based magic," Amelia said.
"I’m all about physical reinforcement!" Evi added.
"I... um... my specialties are... water and wind... I think?" Elisa said softly.
"I see. For the record, I’m the same as Evi. I’m best with physical reinforcement types."
I didn’t bother to add "at least in my current state."
There was a reason why I specialized in physical reinforcement. To be precise, "specialized" wasn't quite the right word. It was simply the magic I could use most effectively compared to others.
This was because Code Theory is much easier to apply to internal interference than it is to external interference.
"I see..." Amelia tapped her chin. "In that case, should Ray and Evi take the vanguard? I can act as a skirmisher in the mid-guard, and Elisa can take the rearguard?"
"No, I’d like you to leave the mid-guard to me."
"Oh?"
"Yes. I have some experience with this type of training. I can likely assess the situation more accurately than anyone else. Amelia, I’d like you and Evi to handle the vanguard."
"I understand... but for you to have experience with this kind of training... you really are something else, aren't you?"
"Well, I spent a lot of time doing various things in the woods back in the countryside."
At my words, Amelia immediately moved the conversation along.
"I see... well, alright. I’m counting on you, Ray. You do seem to be quite talented when it comes to sword drills and physical activity."
"Oh! Amelia, you think so too?" Evi laughed. "I thought so! The way Ray moves is just so polished... he really reminds me of my old man."
"Oh? Your father, Evi?"
"Yeah. He’s a career soldier. Their vibes are strangely similar."
"Hmm. Is that so..."
Amelia stared at me intently. I knew she wanted to pry, but I decided it was best to ignore it for now. I turned to ask for Elisa's opinion.
"Elisa, I sort of decided that on my own. Is that okay with you? Your opinion is valuable too."
"Ah... um... I definitely think it’s better if I... use magic... from the back... I can’t move well enough for the vanguard... I’ll do my best to support everyone...!"
"Good. That’s the spirit."
"Yeah...!"
Elisa seemed strangely motivated. I was glad to see my encouragement had reached her.
"Still, I never expected the eldest daughter of House Rose to join us," Evi admitted. "It's a real surprise."
It was a fair point. Amelia certainly could have joined a much higher-ranked party. I wondered why she had gone out of her way to choose us.
"I hate bloodline elitism," Amelia said flatly.
"Hm? Is that so? If I recall, House Rose is the head of the Three Great Noble Families. Are you not proud of your name?"
"It’s not that I’m not proud... it’s just... I hate it when everything is attributed to my blood. I worked hard to become who I am today. To have people brush it all off as me being a 'talented' sorcerer... it's frustrating."
"...I see. I suppose even nobles have their own burdens."
She hated bloodlines. It was the first I’d heard of it, but they say some nobles grow weary of the extreme obsession with lineage. Amelia was apparently one of them.
Bloodline elitism values heritage above all else. In other words, talent. However, as I’ve said before, I believe that true ability is a result of talent, effort, and environment intertwining in the right balance. Those were my master’s words, and I believe them to be the absolute truth.
Talent alone is insufficient. The same goes for effort or environment in isolation.
I had that lesson beaten into me more times than I could count. Lineage is certainly important, but if you become obsessed with it, you’ll never move forward. In fact, not every single one of the Seven Grand Sorcerers comes from a noble background.
After some further discussion, we finished our meeting and headed home for the day.
The following morning. We stood before the entrance to the Kafka Forest. All we could see was a wall of dense, overgrown greenery. It was impossible to see even a few yards into its depths.
While every first-year student was participating in the exercise, each party had a different starting location. We stood at our designated coordinate.
"Uuuugh... I’m so nervous..."
"It’s okay, Elisa. We’re right here with you."
"Uuu... Amelia-chan, you’re so kind... uuu..."
"Honestly. Chin up, come on!"
The girls were busy keeping each other’s spirits up. Meanwhile, Evi turned to me.
"Ray, you don’t seem nervous at all."
"Of course not. If anything, this feels familiar."
"Familiar?"
"W-Well, like I said, I’m from the countryside. I spent my childhood running around forests and mountains."
"Hmm. I guess that makes sense."
Over the last few days, I had noticed Amelia and Evi casting suspicious glances my way. It was true that I couldn't easily reveal my true identity, but lying to them was starting to weigh on my conscience. Master, what should I do?
"...Master."
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"No... nothing."
I looked up at the sky. Summer was fast approaching, and the sky looked remarkably clear. Under this blue expanse, I would take my next step forward today.
"Alright. Are you two ready?" Amelia asked.
"You bet!" Evi replied.
"Yeah. I’m ready, no problem."
"Uuuu... I’ll do my best...! I... I’ll do my best!"
I checked my watch. It was nearly 6:00 AM, our scheduled start time.
For this exercise, we were only allowed to bring a watch, portable rations, a canteen, and a knife or sword. Everything else had to be procured from the land. It was going to be a rigorous test, but I intended to make full use of my experience.
"Now then, please begin."
The moment the announcement echoed from an unseen source, we all took off at once. We plunged into the dark, tree-choked forest... and it quickly became clear that our starting position wasn't the luckiest.
"A monster!?"
"A Huge Bee? Everyone, form up! Let's go!"
"Roger!!"
Our battle in the Kafka Forest had begun.