Chapter 10: The Invisible Threat
The most challenging trial at the academy is almost like a picnic, and judging by the current results, it is likely that other teams, including Fenrir, have been left far behind.
No, there are others. Their levels are at least above 30, and the number is unknown, but it can be confirmed that they are coming for this team. " Midy shook his head, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes, "A typical group of assassins, keeping watch at night to wear us down, and it is during the day that they will strike, with good visibility, ensuring that no one escapes. The question is when they will make their move.
I see, no wonder every time I clear the ruins, I always feel as if I am being watched by some hostile gaze. Fina tossed her long hair and frowned in displeasure, Can you pinpoint their location? Rather than passively waiting, I would prefer to take the initiative.
The blazing sun slowly descended from the highest point in the sky, eventually sinking below the horizon
This time, Midi has also reached level 19 and has obtained the Ghost Hand, which bursts forth as a trump card
Medi shook his head with a wry smile; the Storm Queen remained as willful as ever. However, at his current level, even as a Ghost Swordsman, it was still too difficult to find a professional assassin.
But the red-haired girl smiled faintly and shook her head: "Sigmund, you must believe that everyone in this team has the ability to take good care of their own bodies"
The trial has lasted for three days, and every decision made by Midi along the way has proven to be correct in hindsight. Whether it is from the perspectives of path selection, campsite location, safety defense, water and food usage, or ease of escape, no flaws can be found, even in the books. What is even more impressive is the speed of action.
As the most renowned fighter of the future Falcon Squad, Lilian's suspicion was something Midy had already experienced in a previous life, so he did not mind it. Moreover, he was well aware that the girl did not harbor any ill intentions; she was simply rather sharp-tongued. If faced with a true enemy, Lilian would not display aggression but would instead remain silent, only to suddenly erupt and deliver a lethal blow.
Fina?" Midy opened her eyes and discovered that the red-haired girl was quietly making her way towards her position
After the first night, the Storm Queen formally entrusted the duties of the guide to Midi
In terms of combat, the strongest is undoubtedly the Storm Queen
This is recognition, and it is also trust, which is precisely what Midi needs the most
"The human eye has a very limited field of vision at night; it is better to close one's eyes, as it conserves energy and enhances other senses such as hearing, smell, and intuition," explained Midy.
Spending a week in the wilderness without any support places considerable stress on both the body and mind. After all, even the strongest students of the magic academy are not seasoned adventurers; they cannot simply fall asleep at will, nor can they naturally awaken when monsters approach. The long journey, poor food, rudimentary resting conditions, and unknown dangers create invisible pressures that are even more taxing than the exhaustion caused by combat
Most of the time, as melee specialists, Midi and Lilian hardly need to take action; the marksman Sigmund only needs to hold them back, while Fina's firepower alone can easily sweep away the entire horde of monsters, and she doesn't even breathe heavily afterwards
Countless towering trees with their massive crowns obscured the sky, and the dense foliage reluctantly allowed only a few rays of sunlight to filter through the gaps. Shadows cast through the spaces between the trees fell upon the ground. Although there were many in the party entering the Glen Forest, when faced with this colossal entity, they seemed like grains of sand thrown into the ocean, unable to even stir a single splash before being completely submerged in the silent sea of trees
Someone is following us. Midy pondered for a moment and laid out her thoughts.
Thus, in the subsequent trials, everything became exceedingly easy; the team members did not even need to consult the map. They could quickly reach their destination simply by following Midi.
"There is no need to persuade him, Sigmund. This guy is just a stubborn fool, and it seems he is eager to show off in front of Miss Fina. Worrying about him is pointless," Lilian said sarcastically from the side, but the look in her eyes revealed not malice, but rather a spark of provocation.
If it could be said that the beginning of the trial was merely a conjecture, then after two nights of vigil, through the examination of the traps set in advance, the search for clues during the march, and coupled with the instincts of the most seasoned adventurers in the wilderness, Midi could already ascertain that the level of the assassin had risen a notch compared to the previous life
"No need, after all, I didn't exert much effort during the battle in the daytime, so it would be better to use it for the night watch." Mi Diwan politely declined
"Alright, I will do as you say." The red-haired girl nodded readily.
"Although it is difficult to lock down the assassin, there is a method that may allow us to take the initiative," said Midi, his eyes shining brightly as he spoke with *Tu*.
Although this team can now walk through the Glen of Aherlow with ease, the problem lies with the assassins that follow closely behind.
This added to the pressure in Midi's heart.
The assassins silently killed the academy protectors who were secretly following them, and then used the terrain to split the team apart. One person restrained Sigmund and Lilian, while the other two targeted the assassination objective—Fina
He originally planned to wait until he had a countermeasure before revealing this matter, but now that the Storm Queen has asked, Midi naturally tells the truth.
"Are you referring to the observers sent by the academy?" Fina shrugged, "One is level 25 and the other is level 30, one light and one dark, those two people?"
I thought you were asleep," Fina stuck out her tongue, momentarily revealing the cuteness that only a young girl possesses. It was only when she was alone with Midi that she occasionally let her guard down. "I didn't expect you to be awake.
However, based on his understanding of the Storm Queen, he knew that she certainly did not come to seek retribution. If she truly believed he was slacking off, she would have pointed out the issue on the first night.
The issue is that reality has also changed
"Let me keep watch tonight; you have already been on watch for two consecutive nights." After a simple dinner, Sigmund made the suggestion
Thus, on the third night of the trial, it was still Midi who kept watch
If it were not for my own foolishness at that time, being only at level 16 and unwilling to follow orders, only thinking about running away, under those circumstances, Fina would definitely not have been injured by another assassin
During each night of camping, he personally takes charge, selecting suitable locations and reference materials to ensure the quality of sleep, and he also assumes the responsibility of keeping watch alone
It would be advisable to proceed for another half an hour; judging by the direction of this stream, we are nearing the watershed, where there will be shelter from the wind and a nearby water source, making it the most suitable location for a campsite
However, suddenly, an inspiration flashed into Medea's mind
Medea was constantly pondering and calculating in her mind
However, following Midy's suggestion, the team is still able to maintain sufficient energy even after clearing out the monster lairs. In Fina's words, "Even if level 30 enemies come, we can take them down for you"
"Let's stop here for today," Fina said, turning her gaze to the young man with black hair. "Middy, what do you think?"
Miss Fina, you should also persuade Midi," disregarding Lilian's words, Sigmund turned to the leader of the group for assistance, "after all, we are a team
However, Miti did not feel at ease in her heart
Yet only a few hours have passed, and indeed something has drawn near, carrying a familiar and endearing aura
The other three were certainly not novices; they had made ample preparations beforehand. However, compared to the many years of adventurer experience that the reborn Midi possessed, they could only feel admiration.
Over the past three days, I have exerted great effort to reduce consumption, ensuring that the team remains in a state of high energy. To what extent can the advantages accumulated bit by bit truly be realized?
Let us not mention that Midy concealed the ghost hand; even if used, it may not yield significant results. Fina's title of "Queen of Magic Bullets" is not merely for show. The most fundamental spell of the mage profession, "Magic Missile," in her hands, combined with her innate powers, is akin to a storm that pierces through everything.
The evening glow consists of clouds that are ablaze, representing the last outpouring of the sun's passion
This is not laziness, but rather a common practice among adventurers. Normally, at night, humans without night vision cannot see much; closing their eyes can actually heighten their sensory perception. Coupled with the various traps set up around the camp, any rustle or disturbance will immediately awaken Midi, who will then instantly enter a state of combat readiness
Although it is known that the Magic Academy cannot neglect the young lady of the Hamilton family, the transferees responsible for monitoring are at most around level 25. However, in my memory, when the Seth family took action, they dispatched three assassins, each at level 28
While the companions were resting in the camp, Midi hid alone in the shadow of the rocks, carefully concealing her figure and pretending to doze with her eyes closed
In just three short days, they have already passed through eight ruins—various levels of goblin settlements, minotaur communities, cat demon enclaves, and so on, as well as monster leaders that can cast different spells after undergoing severe mutations, all of which have fallen without exception to the blades and magic of the group
However, at that time, Fina displayed astonishing potential. Although she was only at level 21, her abilities were already equivalent to levels 27 to 28. Coupled with her extraordinary magical skills, she instantly eliminated an assassin, resulting in a one-on-one situation
"What are you worried about? If it's just a trial, there's really no need to go to such lengths." As expected, Fina directly asked the core question. Although Midi concealed it well, she could not escape the keen observation of the red-haired girl, who appeared confident yet had a remarkably intricate mind.