Scale of Reality

Advanced Trainees: Final

Muji POV

"Alrighty kiddos, the long awaited day is finally here."

The eighteen members of Boken's party were all heading to Prism Swamp, the location the Lizard men had been spotted at.

"Like usual, this isn't an actual hunt, but a survival run. This time I made the teams, so you all don't have to worry about anything crazy."

Ms Shinmon hummed.

"Or, not too crazy."

"I've got a bad feeling about this."

Ms Shinmon laughed a bit.

"Well you all should be fine! We couldn't find any other places for the adults the hunt, so it'll be a joint survival task. The adults have about 50 parties, so you'll run into them quite a bit."

I hummed.

"Well as long as they aren't bad people it should be fine."

After riding the carriage for about 10 hours, we arrived at our location.

"This is where the road ends, so we'll have to walk from here. Everyone get out!"

I woke up Jax, who was sitting next to me, before exiting the carriage. I stretched my legs and arms, looking at the other large carriages arrive at the location a bit of distance away from us.

After everyone was fully awake and ready to go, we began to walk through the swampy ground. We walked quite a bit of distance, Mya complaining the entire way.

Once we got there, Ms Shinmon gathered us up to announce the parties.

"Alrighty now, party one will be Lacas, Mateo, Ray, Mya, Sky and myself. The party leader will be Ray."

"Party two will be Muji, Iris, Vas, Adjest, Mari, and Chris. The party leader will be Mari."

"Party three will be Fei, Jax, Xander, Shanna, Lapis, and Zeke. The party leader will be Jax."

Everyone was fairly surprised, myself included.

"Now I'm sure you're all confused on the party leader selections, and that's understandable. However, everyone needs experience as a party leader in case they are selected as one in the future after joining a guild. Party leaders, if you need help, don't feel pressured to ask someone in your group for their opinion, but don't just take their word as law."

I walked over to Mari.

"I guess you're the party leader."

She laughed nervously.

"I'll try my best. I don't think I can be as good as you though."

"Don't worry about it."

Iris walked over to me with her hand in the air.

"We're in the same group again Muji."

I high fived her.

"We're just too good a team I guess."

Adjest walked over with her hand up as well.

"I'm here too."

"Yeah."

I high fived Adjest as well.

"Let's make sure this is better than Blood Moon."

Mari nodded.

"I'll try."

I looked over to Chris, he sent me a fake smile and a wave. I waved him off and went to go get our rations for the week, heading back to the group after securing them.

Mya was with Ms Shimon once again, so I didn't have to worry about her.

"Still , I swear she's been watching Mya or something."

"G-Group two is ready to head out Ms Shinmon!"

Ms Shinmon smiled and waved.

"Bye bye."

Mari turned to us and pointed in a direction.

"Umm, let's head that way."

"Yes mam!"

Vas walked over to Mari and began to tease her as she blushed in embarrassment. After we walked for about an hour, we found ourselves deep within Prism Swamp.

"Ok guys, so we have two guardians, a healer, a mage, and an assassin. Although we don't have a knight, Lady Adjest is one in both, so depending on the circumstance she'll either be at the forefront or at the back."

Mari stopped to seemingly collect her thoughts.

"Oh yeah. The Lizard men grow in groups of no more than five, so that'll let us know how many enemies to watch out for. A-Also, be on the look out when walking near water and stuff."

She counted on her fingers before looking at me for reassurance. I put a thumbs up as she sent one back and let out a sigh of relief.

"Let's keep moving!"

Adjest walked over to me laughing a bit.

"She's so awkward."

"She's trying her best, but it is a bit funny to look at."

Adjest nodded.

"She isn't doing bad at all though. Maybe she's a natural leader."

"Who knows? Only time will tell."

Iris walked over and linked her arm with Adjest.

"Oh my, whatever could you two be talking about so silently?"

"Just random stuff."

As Adjest and Iris continued to talk, I began to think about the events that happened back at Blood Moon forest.

"A lot happened back then...but things are different this time."

I looked down at my shaking hand, remembering the pain and suffering I put myself through whilst training.

"I've been training every day non stop, I'm stronger than I used to be."

My mind traveled to all the strong people I knew. Jax, Adjest, Lapis, Ms Shinmon, and even some monsters I had faced before.

"I'm going to be strong...like them...no, even stronger. That way, no one will ever be a threat to me or the ones I care about. This survival task is just another obstacle in my way."

I clenched my hand, forming a fist.

"And I'm going to crush it."