103 – The Circulatory System (5)
We agreed to practice the Circulatory System as a two-person group without additional recruits.
I originally planned to not wear a mask, but as of today, I’ve changed my mind.
Thanks to the professor’s advice to beware of marauders, there was a movement among students to conceal the group’s composition. If the composition of the group is not understood, there is no way to identify me even if I wear a mask and work.
First of all, Luna also already knew everything, so she had no burden to wear a mask and promote.
Of course, the disruption and deception had to be maintained, so it was a secret that Luna and I became a group until we moved to the circulatory system.
During my final preparations, I spent time studying the circulatory system in the library.
Luna didn’t question why she didn’t go to the rig bed to get the blue soul candle. Despite my gamble-like plan, she just nodded her head without saying anything. She let go of her pride as head of the Ministry of Magic, and she entrusted me with the lead. I was in a situation where the performance of the chief of the Ministry of Magic was influenced by my choice, so I couldn’t take it lightly.
I bumped into Trisha a couple of times that day. She could feel something bubbling in her heart. When it was just the two of us, he seemed to be ready to pour out, but it seldom came out when he was alone.
Trisha had a lot of things to prepare with her group members just like Trisha, and I was busy as well. Furthermore, she had to stay in Eternia instead of returning to her mansion for personal reasons, so we didn’t get the right opportunity.
After returning to the mansion, I made extra potions with Lilia for the last time, and went to Rigbed early in the morning to repair a stitch I had forgotten on the day of my departure for the circulatory system the next day.
After all the preparations were completed, we headed to the Eternia River, the rendezvous point.
In the dock, instead of sailors, Planteras were carrying students’ luggage.
In the background, five magnificent sailboats cover the horizon. It was the boat I boarded on my way home after the entrance exam.
Other students get on board after checking in.
It was rare for a group of four to move proudly together, but most of them did not stick together with more than two people, probably conscious of looting.
We board that boat and go downstream along the Eternia River. Then, they dock at an uninhabited port in a triangle, and the moment they get off there, the circulatory system practice begins.
While looking at the boat in silence, someone suddenly stops walking from behind.
I turned around and saw Luna, about ten steps away, with her round-brimmed hat pressed down tightly and her hands folded neatly together.
A bright dress that is not suitable for a rough expedition. I don’t know if I can survive a week’s journey with it. Jim, like me, is extremely simple.
We didn’t say hello as we agreed earlier.
A brief glance exchange.
The boat will be taken off separately, and even if practice starts, it will move to the beginning point separately. Right now we are in a relationship of nothing.
In the meantime, Trisha called my name loudly from afar.
“Demian!”
At this, Luna stunned and pretended not to know anything and passed me by.
Tricia strides in front of me and she glances at Luna. It seems that the emotions bubbling up inside her have not faded even after a day.
Then he looks up at me slightly. Judging by the look on his face, it seems that I am included in the target of his anger. She said in an unusually firm tone.
“… Group.”
“I ended up getting kicked out.”
“… Meals.”
“I didn’t pack it.”
“Are you going to starve on board?”
“….”
I didn’t think of that.
Tricia bruises me savagely
“Idiot.”
Then I took dried fruit, beef jerky, and sausage from her bag, put them separately in her leather pouch, and put them in my hand.
The way he takes care of me with a heartbreaking expression that looks like he’s going to burst into anger right away… It raises the question of what is inside.
“Thank you.”
“And talk to me privately later.”
Suddenly, a frightening energy soaks your spine. Looking at the atmosphere, it seems like I have a lot of things piled up on me.
Then, without answering, she walked towards the boat.
“If it’s a story, take the time now….”
When she heard me, she turned around and shouted.
“Not now!!!”
Then, with a huff, they boarded the ship.
Why are women’s hearts like this? Trisha’s heart is especially hard to understand. If there was a set manual or instructions, I would at least memorize it.
If you ask Sylverine for advice, you will get an answer. Shall I ask when the stitch repair is finished?
***
Five sailboats glide along the river. Because the Eternia River itself is wide and has a slow flow, there was little inconvenience caused by the shaking even when boats floated on it.
From noble mtl dot com
The professors boarded the lead ship and were chatting in one of the cabins.
Giorgia said, passing a cup of tea to the professors.
“I heard there are a lot of marauders this time?”
Rakam took the tea and said.
“Last year, the students were all docile and there was only one raiding party, but this time there are much more than average. It seems that a lot of poisonous species have entered this year.”
Plundering teams are a type of group that actively extorts resources from other groups by having one chief alchemist and the rest as combat personnel.
On average, there are about 3 to 4 groups of raiding groups each year. There are about 9 groups presumed to be plundering groups this time.
1St grade meant a more aggressive temperament.
Moreover, if you include groups of 1-2 people instead of groups of 4, there could be more plundering teams.
“Ugh, the kids in our art department shouldn’t get hurt. How many people of interest will be this time?”
Students most likely to access the realm of illusions. They seldom exceeded a group of two.
It is impossible to organize such a difficult journey with 1 or 2 people unless you have a strong heart.
Professor Candinella, who joined the expedition to establish a safety barrier, said with a smile.
“Six. This is more fun than last year. More than that, Professor Georgia favors only students in the art department, so the students in the pension department must be disappointed.”
“I don’t like the pension department because all the kids are like nerds. And if you leave it alone, it will do just fine. No, more than that, Professor Candinella also brought donations to the theater department. Are you only saying this to me?”
Candinella was so attached to her that even during her mission to the north, she didn’t miss out on her donation to the theater department. Aside from them, it was similar to all other professors that they attached more affection to art specialties than majors.
Professor Candinella said.
“hahahaha, I see. Anyway, since there are six people of interest, you may have a taste of choosing. Let’s each pick one by one, right?”
Four professors there. Rackham, Arcueid, Giorgia, and Candinella were all art department advisors. Every year, at the time of joint classes, they bet on an additional budget to support the activities of the art department.
The goal of the bet was to guess who would get the best results. The person who won here gave additional budget to the art department, and the person who lost had to cover the hole at their own expense.
Georgia said.
“Why don’t you bet the cost of the Claridium tour instead of the pennies?”
Claridium, the city of culture, art, and magic, was the dream city that Eternia students most wanted to visit.
And the art department that performed well in the intramural competition was given the privilege of visiting the claridium, but the art department never received one.
Candinella declined the offer.
“hahahaha, if I walk on it carelessly, the kids will protest in front of my house with weapons. The theater department has a lot to lose, so I decline. More than that, since the art department has a small number of members, isn’t it getting closer to field trips even with this budget alone?”
“That’s right. I’m going to take it a little more seriously this time.”
Rakham said.
“Then Professor Georgia, who is most urgent, should choose first.”
“Kuhm. I will not refuse the long-awaited favor.”
Georgia snatched the group list from the table as if she had been waiting.
And as she skimmed through, she found a familiar name.
Candinella watched Giorgia with her slightly anxious eyes.
Georgia pondered for a while before speaking. The name that keeps getting on my nerves in the gap between the outstanding competitors.
“I… I’ll do it with Damian. I guess I can’t help it because I’m in the art department.”
At this, Candinella sighed as if she had lost what she was aiming for.
***
The place where the ship was anchored was a vast grassland where not a single house was visible. As the ships docked in a row at the dock, it seemed that a huge barrier had been erected over the river. Planteras carried the students’ luggage and moved it busily.
I had to get help from Plantera, and I had to do the rest on my own.
Then the students lined up and went down to the land.
They gathered together on the ground and waited for a while.
A tense expression. At this moment, everyone next to me was a competitor.
And depending on who you greet in the Sotherton area, you could become a prey or a hunter, so you had to be extra careful.
After confirming that all the first years had landed, Rakham stood on the ship’s railing and emphasized a few points in a loud voice.
“Looting is prohibited near the starting point, so refrain from fighting from the start. I emphasized it in class, but if you lack ability, be careful not to go to the dangerous area. Also, there will be safety barriers in each section up to the beginning of Sotherton, so if an unexpected situation arises, make full use of it. You can drop out of practice, but it’s not recommended. Even if you starve for a week, you won’t die. More. Good luck.”
And when it was announced that the circulatory system transfer practice had begun in earnest, the students packed their bags and started moving.
Students spread out in a fan shape, each carrying a load the size of their torso on their shoulders. From the beginning, there was not a single group that was active with 4 members. It was because of the looters. Everyone will scatter to avoid exposure of the traffic line, and then rejoin the pre-determined assembly point.
Damian’s body was light compared to others thanks to his simple luggage.
He too simply warmed up and started moving.
To the very place I had decided with Luna.