"Hey kid, wake up. It's our turn."
"5 more minutes."
"Wake up before I cut your throat!"
"Y–yes!"
I woke up to Ruby's threats for our turn in watching. I was still sleepy but that won't affect me.
"Brat, catch this."
Paul suddenly threw something at me—It was a melon.
Then he threw a wooden knife and spoon at me.
"This may be your latest breakfast. Eat well and try to kill more monsters if you want food."
"Thank you sir."
I cut the melon in half and started eating it while looking around me.
I had to watch everyone around me in case they tried to kill each other, and at the same time keep an eye on the forest that was still filled with trees.
'I think I will never trust a tree again.'
Feeling bored after eating, I took the aura core out and started studying it.
I had a feeling that whatever that thing inside the core was, it was related to me somehow.
"Still didn't absorb it?"
Nora suddenly said while sitting behind me.
"That mist thing may be related to your trait."
I looked at her with confusion. "But my trait is dormant."
She chuckled lightly before saying: "It still has a small effect. For example, if your trait gives you superior hearing, it will still improve your hearing a little before awakening it, so maybe your trait is related to the aura, so ignore this until you awaken your trait."
"I think you are right. I will absorb it now."
She nodded. "It will hurt you a little because you are only 15 and your body isn't ready for it, so don't force yourself."
I started channeling my mana to the core, suddenly, I felt strange energy entering my body and refining my core, making my mind a little clearer.
I also felt something else getting absorbed, but I didn't know what happened to it.
'It's not that bad. And there is no pain.'
After a moment, the grey core in my hand turned into dust and flew with the wind.
"Wait, didn't you feel any pain!?" Nora suddenly asked with wide eyes.
"No, I'm completely fine."
She rested her head on her hand and thought for a moment before saying: "Maybe it's another strange thing from this place. We shouldn't look for logic here."
"Oh."
I sat silently for a moment before hearing Cecil and Braham talking in front of some girls. Their cheeks and ears were red and instantly I knew the reason.
"Braham, I only said facts!"
"You didn't have to mention the last part. You are making them embarrassed."
"But is it wrong? If we are getting watched by billions of people across the world then they definitely saw the girls doin—"
"—Just shut up!"
"I–I completely forgot about that." I said while scratching the back of my head.
I still remember what that scary figure said about us being a show.
The idea of billions of people watching me all day wasn't comfortable but embarrassing.
'I remember that he said something about making a good impression.'
"Cough, so… I wanted to ask you about something." Nora said while trying to hide her blush.
"Yeah?"
"When the trees attacked us, I got an injury that almost killed me, but Braham saved my life. I–I want to ask you if you know anything that he likes, just to show my gratitude!"
'Yeah, I'm almost sure she is in love with him.'
I fell in deep thought, trying to remember anything about him, but I didn't find any.
"Hmm, I don't know what he likes, but you can just ask him. He is so kind he didn't even complain after healing my arm for 30 minutes!"
"Is that so…" She suddenly looked at her right arm with a dangerous look for a moment before shaking her head.
"Well, I will go now." She patted my head gently before taking a deep breath and heading towards Braham.
*Ting!*
All of a sudden, Kaito threw a katana behind me.
"Take it." He said with his usual calm voice.
"But isn't it yours?"
"Yamato will get jealous if I use another sword. Take it and get ready. I will train you personally now so you won't die the moment we enter the forest."
My eyes lit up when I heard the training part. It was a good chance to get used to the katana.
"Hey Braham!"
"Hmm? What?"
"Get ready to heal the kid."
"Wait wha—!"
Before I could complete my sentence, the sheathed yamato connected with my stomach which stunned me for a moment, then he kicked me in the face, sending me flying away until I hit a wooden wall with a loud sound.
*BOOM!*
"Is that a fight?"
"Already?!"
"Kill the trai—"
"This is all a part of his training. Don't disturb us if you want your head to stay in its place! Braham, do your job."
"Y–yes sir!"
I kept coughing blood while Braham was healing my broken bones.
"H–he is doing that for your own good—I guess—You just have to endure this until you improve."
"I will… Cough… try."
I stood up and prepared my mind for his hellish training.
* * * * *
*Ting!Ting!Ting!*
"Everyone, WAKE UP! WE WILL ENTER THE FOREST IN 20 MINUTES!"
'Finally I can rest!'
"Tsk, try to feel your affinity while resting. I will cultivate for some time."
"Y–yes master Kai—cough cough."
"Oh, did it end already?"
"I was having some fun."
Kaito finally decided to leave my broken self for some time.
I was crushed in the ground for the hundredth time today while Braham and a demon called Michael were healing me.
In the past hours, the people started gathering around us to watch me getting beaten to death. Some were even using the items they got from the tree for gambling about how many seconds I would keep standing.
But at least I improved, I was now able to fight him for 6 seconds instead of half a second!
After getting healed completely, I kept trying to feel my affinity until it was the time to go.
I gathered with my team to discuss our roles for the last time. The 9 teams would stay far away to prevent the chance of surprise attacks so I only had to worry about my team.
Ruby, Kaito, Drago, Zorath and I would surround the others. And Paul would get surrounded by the others because he can't fight.
It was simple but the most effective in our situation, especially that we didn't know if some trees would move suddenly.
The next moment, we moved together to enter the forest.
"T–those trees won't move, right?" Aurelia suddenly asked. I looked at where she was pointing and understood.
The trees that attacked us yesterday were some small trees comparing to what I was seeing.
In front of me, there were many giant trees that I couldn't see their end. If they decided to move—then we won't have a chance.
"Let's hope that the mansion monster isn't the mansion, haha." Ruby said jokingly.
"Thank you for jinxing it. Getting eaten by a mansion looks like a terrible death." Drago replied to her with his depressed voice.
I finally took the first step into the forest, pressing lightly on the grass and unsheathing my katana.
"BUHAHAHA, I'm ready for you, monste—"
"Shhhh."
"Silent."
"Are you trying to kill us!?"
"I always knew this orc was stupid!"
I watched as they kept fighting and couldn't help but laugh secretly.
But at that time, I didn't notice a pair of arms that materialized in my back for less than a second before disappearing.