The moment I entered the training hall, it felt like the air had changed.

The hot air gushing in felt like it was recreating the heat of a battlefield, causing me to instinctively grip the hilt of my sword tightly.

“Helena and I will take the lead.”

The training hall, surrounded by an illusion spell, was a battlefield.

The uneven hills looked as if the terrain had been distorted by magic, and there was a vast plain with a dense forest at the end, along with the pungent scent of blood wafting through.

If I hadn’t mentally recounted it was only the training hall, I would have mistaken it for an actual battlefield–the scenery was that vivid.

“Moving forward.”

Gripping my sword hilt, I looked around and said softly. The only response I got was someone swallowing quietly.

After that, we moved forward silently, scanning our surroundings. We only used hand signals we learned at the academy when communication was needed.

‘…Stop.’

Walking ahead, I extended my hand behind my back to signal to them. When everyone’s soft footsteps ceased, I stared forward and exhaled deeply.

There had been no sounds of explosions or combat yet. That meant the other teams that had entered with us had not encountered any monsters.

Then, the shadowy figures slowly appeared from the light smoke.

‘Enemy spotted.’

I lowered my stance, signaling by grasping my sword arm with my other hand.

Everyone followed my signal and lowered their stances as I exhaled evenly.

Fang Wolf.

A basic monster in the shape of a wolf with fur shimmering in a black light. Confirming its appearance, I raised my sword hilt.

While only one enemy was in sight, Fang Wolves were known to move in packs. Since this training hall hadn’t stripped away the monsters’ nature, I had to assume there were more nearby.

“…Fang Wolves.”

Conan, who had quietly approached, muttered in a low voice. I nodded in response before carefully advancing.

The purpose of fighting monsters is not to avoid combat at all costs but to engage and exterminate them.

The main objective was to experience real combat and learn about the monsters’ characteristics through that process. In other words, avoiding combat was never an option.

“We’ll move a little closer. On my signal, start firing from range. If possible…”

“I’ll aim for the eyes.”

Conan’s weapon was a longbow. With its extended effective range, it was suitable for long-range sniping. Of course, considering the possibility of other monsters nearby, he couldn’t shoot from too far away.

Since our team was intentionally kept small, we had to consider every possibility. Above all, protecting our healer Sylvia was the top priority.

Combat does not always go as planned, and if we sustained heavy casualties while luckily defeating the Fang Wolves, we would be unable to continue fighting.

That’s why healers are always well-protected on any battlefield.

Nodding at Conan’s words, Helena and I made eye contact before slowly approaching the Fang Wolf’s vicinity.

The hot wind blew towards us, obscuring my vision, but I kept my eyes locked on the Fang Wolf.

As usual, I gripped my sword and focused strength on my legs. As I took my stance…

Fwoosh!

Conan’s arrow signaled the start of combat.

Fang wolves were nothing alone, so I moved with confidence.

My training so far was not in vain, as my movements were fluid and agile. Despite being several times larger than me, the monster’s heavy attacks did not seem too daunting.

At the same time, the movements of the Fang Wolf, known for its agility among monsters, were not too fast for me to follow. From there, my confidence grew.

I may have even briefly thought I could handle it alone if it were just one Fang Wolf.

Kang!

I nimbly deflected the Fang Wolf’s claws with my sword and calmly began our strategy. Helena aided me by dividing the monster’s attention with minor attacks. At the same time, Conan’s well-timed arrows restricted its movements from behind.

Honestly, it did not feel like we had coordinated for the first time today, as our teamwork was so seamless.

Of course, while Conan had a timid personality, his exceptional skills as an archer proved why he was accepted into the academy as a commoner.

Simultaneously, Helena and I also possessed skills beyond ordinary people, making this possible.

Fighting monsters typically progress like this.

Multiple people engage a single monster, calmly cornering them.

Of course, it would be different for a Sword Master or a Great Mage.

“…Switch!”

After intentionally taking the Fang Wolf’s powerful attack instead of evading, I raised my sword, breaking its center of gravity.

Before I could speak, Helena, watching for the timing, slipped through the opening and delivered a blow to the Fang Wolf. I then blocked its follow-up attack.

Our seamless strategy progressed smoothly.

If it continued like this, I briefly thought we might finish the first combat without any casualties.

But, of course, it didn’t flow that easily.

“Awoooo!!”

No matter how seasoned the mercenary or how extensively academy students train to hone their combat instincts…

The battlefield claims the most lives.

And those embarking on their first combat have the highest mortality rate.

The Fang Wolf I had slashed across its chest retreated, letting out a long, high-pitched howl. In that instant, a piece of information surfaced in my mind.

[When facing animal-type monsters, never give them a chance to howl.]

It was not a memory from the original work but a fragment of Felix’s innate memories.

At the same time, cold sweat trickled down my back. Gripping my sword hilt tightly and focusing all my strength on my legs, I stomped the ground.

Kung!

With enough force to leave a crater, I thrust my sword upwards into the howling Fang Wolf’s jaw.

Phuuk.

The sickening sound of piercing flesh rang out as my sword skewered through the Fang Wolf’s brain. Its long, loud howl ceased, signaling its demise, but I did not stop moving.

“Helena!”

Landing lightly, I called Helena’s name and stomped the ground again. Helena, too, had realized something from the Fang Wolf’s howl and followed my lead.

As Conan and Sylvia rushed towards us, I exhaled deeply.

…Kwung!!

“Awoooooo!!”

The long, piercing howls echoed from all directions, accompanied by a thunderous rumbling that shook the earth.

[Animal monsters’ howls are typically used to summon their pack.]

Dismissing the thought, I bit my lower lip and focused strength on my legs. We swiftly regrouped and tensely scanned our surroundings.

“…It seems we need to reposition.”

“Let’s head back the way we came.”

Helena spoke tensely as the Fang Wolves’ howls closed in from all sides, and I nodded in agreement.

“But we came through the plains, didn’t we?”

“It’ll be better to go that way.”

While I had described it as an uneven plain, there were no hills or walls for cover.

Facing enemies converging from all sides in the wide-open plains would be suicidal. Even if it was just training, I had no intention of dying senselessly. So we decided to relocate.

Of course, that was easier said than done.

“…You’re not wrong, but can we make it there?”

Sylvia, who had been constantly scanning our surroundings, uncharacteristically bit her lip as she spoke.

Following her gaze, I saw Fang Wolves slowly emerging from all directions. We were already surrounded, and in that realization, we all gripped our weapons and exhaled.

“Doesn’t look like we can.”

I muttered with a self-deprecating smile.

Arrogance, complacency… No matter what anyone called it, those negative words could only describe our situation. But even in such circumstances, I could not let go of my sword hilt.

Since this was just training, we wouldn’t actually die. But we couldn’t simply give up either. Until the very last moment, we had to do everything we could.

That was the purpose of taking this class in the first place.

“Awoo!!”

Having spotted us, the Fang Wolves also began letting out low howls.

“Sylvia, cast a healing spell.”

We also tensed up, staring at the Fang Wolves.

“…Sylvia!!”

It was a voice I never wanted to hear, but at that moment, it was a welcome one.

Following the voice, I turned my gaze to see Leonhardt standing there.

Translator’s Corner

There was supposed to be another chapter after this, but I got busy with work. I’ll post another one in about 12 hours (for real this time).

-Ruminas