Chapter 32“ Welf forest” part 2
Nox sighed and leaned back in his chair, still staring at the chocolate cake like it was his lost destiny.
His eyes followed it even when a student walked past and blocked the view.
“…If staring could buy it, I’d already own the shop,” he muttered.
Alber crunched a cookie.
“Stop worshiping the cake and eat something real before the test.”
Nox didn’t even blink.
“The cake is the real deal — especially if it’s made by a royal chef. I’ve never eaten it, but I like chocolate.”
Alber rolled his eyes.
Nox finally looked away and spoke,
“So how are we traveling? Airship? Mana train? Teleport circle? Please don’t say walking.”
Alber shrugged.
“I only heard we need to gather at the ceremony hall for roll call. After that, they’ll explain. You probably ignored the professor’s words again.”
Liora stood from her seat, fingers nervously gripping her tray.
“I’ll go check on Lady Scarlet… and meet my classmates for roll call,” she said softly.
Nox nodded.
“Alright. Don’t get lost.”
Liora smiled and hurried away.
Nox watched her go and spoke calmly,
“It’s good that first and second years are going together. I was a bit worried about her. She’s still shy… and I mean that as a friend, so stop staring at me like that.”
Alber gave him a long, judging look.
“I understand. You’re getting closer.”
Nox frowned.
“After that bullying incident, she started making more friends. That’s all. We just share some classes.”
Alber’s expression went blank.
“…You’re the only person who can say something warm and make it sound like a report.”
Nox ignored him.
“Anyway, I want to travel by airship at least once.”
Alber grinned.
“You’ll enjoy it. I rode one once — the sky looks amazing.”
Nox clicked his tongue.
“You’re lucky. You people grew up with money.”
“I only saw airships flying above my village — from very far away. Like rich birds.”
Alber laughed.
“Rich birds?”
“Gold-feathered, arrogant birds,” Nox said seriously.
Just as they stood to leave — a smooth, slippery voice slid between them.
“Well, well… the special admission talks about poverty again.”
Both turned.
Chris stood there with a thin smile, arms folded, eyes sharp like a snake watching prey.
Alber sighed.
“…Here comes trouble. Royal faction.”
Nox already looked bored.
“If you came to insult me, at least buy me cake first,” he said flatly. “I only accept paid insults.”
Chris’s smile twitched.
Alber coughed to hide a laugh.
Chris adjusted his gloves lazily.
“I didn’t come here to cause trouble. I actually have business here. Just happened to run into you two.”
Alber narrowed his eyes.
“That sounds more suspicious when you say it like that.”
Chris ignored him.
“By the way — have you formed a team for the test?”
Nox and Alber looked at him at the same time.
“Team???” they said together.
Chris blinked once.
“…Don’t tell me you didn’t read the notice board.”
Nox stepped closer, expression blank.
“We don’t read wall decorations. Speak clearly.”
“And that board looks like an art display to me.”
Chris gave a dry laugh.
“This test is group-based. No solo clearing. Even top students are forced into teams.”
Alber muttered,
“That explains why everyone looked so motivated this morning — forming groups everywhere.”
Chris nodded, then looked at Nox.
“We didn’t get to spar before since neither of us was interested. This test is unavoidable, so how about—”
Nox walked past him.
“I refuse,” Nox said flatly. “See you in the forest.”
Chris turned.
“…I didn’t even finish my sentence.”
“Save it for someone interested in you,” Nox replied without looking back.
Alber followed beside him with a grin.
“He really has nothing to discuss with you.”
Chris froze for a second.
Soft footsteps approached behind him.
Viona stopped at his side and looked at his stiff expression.
“Ugh… what did you do this time? Why are you frozen like a statue?”
Chris exhaled slowly.
“I was planning to propose a bet. He just walked away… how boring.”
Viona crossed her arms.
“You only enjoy things when people react. That’s your problem.”
“Reaction is entertainment,” Chris replied. “No reaction is tragedy.”
She spoke again,
“By the way, Princess Ophelia found out you stopped the background investigation halfway.”
Chris looked completely uninterested.
“I didn’t stop it — I never started. Headmaster Velmira entered the case herself. When she appears, everyone else becomes decoration.”
His tone turned colder.
“Tell her my words — act like a doll and a good child. Her brother doesn’t want trouble.”
Viona whistled softly.
“Harsh words. You’re not even officially family yet — only the engagement is confirmed.”
Chris turned toward the exit.
“Let’s go. Roll call will start soon at the ceremony hall.”
They walked off with unhurried steps while the cafeteria noise slowly thinned.
The test day had officially begun.
The ceremony hall looked the same as always — high ceiling, silver pillars, wide crystal windows — but today it was packed.
Not only first-years, but second-years filled the hall with noise and excitement.
Waves of nervous laughter spread through the crowd.
Nox and Alber entered together.
Both looked irritated.
Alber muttered,
“That snake really ruined my morning mood.”
Nox replied calmly,
“Your mood is weak if one person can break it. Go to Sisbell — she’ll pamper you.”
Alber’s face turned crimson.
“Shut up.”
His eyes slowly scanned the hall — then stopped.
A separate group stood near the front rows. Their uniforms had darker trims, different crests, and number markings. Calm faces. Sharp posture. They stood with professors the others didn’t recognize.
Nox narrowed his eyes.
“Aren’t they third-years?”
Alber leaned forward to look.
“…You’re right. What are they doing here? I thought only first and second years were taking the test.”
Before they could think further —Sisbell and Scarlet approached quickly.
Sisbell crossed her arms.
“You two are late.”
Alber scratched his cheek.
“We’re not late. The hall opened early.”
Sisbell ignored him.
Scarlet spoke calmly after overhearing them,
“The third-year groups are also going to Welf Forest. They attend observation lectures. That kind of field lecture starts in senior year.”
Nox didn’t respond. Scarlet also stayed silent. Neither of them looked at each other.
The air between them felt stiff.
Alber glanced left and right.
‘Why does this feel like I’m standing between two cold walls… ’he thought.
After a few minutes, the front doors of stage opened. Two instructors walked onto the stage.
Professor Mirella — and beside her stood Aliel es Roman. They stopped at the center.
“Good morning, students,” Mirella said clearly.
“You all know who we are. Today, we are in charge of the Welf Forest field test.”
The hall quieted instantly. Students stood in organized lines — boys and girls separated, classes grouped together.
Mirella continued, clapping once, posture straight like during lecture time.
“Explanation will begin shortly. First — roll call.”
She added,
“And yes — before you ask — transportation is already arranged. That is why you are all gathered in the ceremony hall.”
She smiled slightly.
“Headmaster Velmira will personally perform mass teleportation.”
Nox’s expression shifted. A faint chill ran down his spine.
‘I have a bad feeling about this,’ he thought.
Scarlet glanced at him from her line but said nothing.
Roll call began. Names echoed through the hall one by one. Students answered loudly.
Excitement grew. Fear mixed with pride.
Some thought it was just a test.
Some thought it was an adventure.
Some thought it was entertainment.
But hidden behind the official schedule — something else was already waiting inside the forest.
And no student in that hall knew it yet.
After several minutes, the roll call concluded.
Professor Mirella closed the register with a crisp snap. The sound echoed across the silent hall.
She turned and lightly pushed the professor beside her forward.
“Your turn, Professor. I’m not the only one in charge here.”
Professor Aliel es Roman — Six-Star Knight — stiffened like a startled deer. She was clearly not comfortable with large crowds, and some students knew it.
She adjusted her gloves. Took one breath. Then another.
In front of the platform stood a long crystal box filled with silver bracelets engraved with runic lines.
Aliel spoke carefully, her voice soft but steady.
“Students… these are emergency return bracelets.”
She lifted one.
“If you face danger beyond your ability — or if you choose to forfeit the test — activate the rune by pressing the center gem.”
She demonstrated with her thumb. The gem flashed faint blue.
“It will send a distress signal. Knights already stationed inside Welf Forest will immediately move to your location.”
She added, more firmly,
“They cannot interfere for meaningless reasons. Do not misuse this bracelet.”
A ripple of relieved whispers spread through the hall.
Mirella stepped forward smoothly and took over before Aliel could retreat too quickly.
“For first-years — listen carefully.”
Her tone sharpened.
“This is your first field test. Do not obsess over merit points.”
She pointed toward them.
“If you can defeat even a single monster properly — you pass.”
Several students were visibly relaxed.
“Do not act recklessly. Do not chase glory. Survival and judgment matter more than numbers.”
She continued,
“For those unfamiliar with Welf Forest — it is a layered territory. Depth increases danger.”
She raised two fingers.
“You are permitted only up to the second layer. Entering deeper zones is prohibited.”
Her eyes hardened.
“Beyond that line — death probability rises sharply.”
The hall went completely still.
Alber swallowed.
“…That sounded very specific.”
Nox replied quietly,
“Because it is.”
‘Second layer only… that’s good for beginners. Low-rank monster habitat. Still dangerous — but manageable,’ he thought.
Mirella exhaled.
“This is enough basic explanation, and the—”
A voice interrupted from behind them.
“Explanation can continue on site.”
Headmaster Velmira — Ninth-Tier Archmage of Spatial Dominion — stood there, smiling. No one had sensed her arrival.
The professors immediately stepped aside and bowed slightly.
Velmira tapped her staff once against the marble floor.
“We begin teleportation now.”
Aliel and Mirella nodded and moved first toward the teleportation formation area.
Students were directed row by row to collect bracelets. Metal touched skin. Runes activated. Soft lights blinked across hundreds of wrists.
Nox wore his silently.
Velmira’s gaze slid toward him. She smirked — just slightly.
Nox felt it.
‘My bad feeling just confirmed itself,’ he thought.
The teleportation formation ignited — rings of light expanding across the floor like unfolding stars.
Wind rose inside the hall, though no doors were open.
Professors vanished first in columns of white radiance.
Then —
Groups of students began disappearing one after another.
The Welf Forest awaited.
And whatever had been quietly prepared inside it — was already waiting for them.
