Scale of Reality

Veteran Trainees: Part 7

Muji POV

"Today you'll be split up into pairs and taken to a random place within the large forest that is Boken. A hunter has to know how to get back to a designated base, or at least back to the group from scouting. So your goal will be to make it back to Boken within the next five hours."

Ms Shinmon hummed a bit.

"And for you Mages, no flying. Assume that if you do the monsters will take you out. Aka me. I'll take you out."

I looked to my partner.

"This...is going to be awkward."

Adjest shyly looked towards the ground.

"Let's do our best."

"Yeah...sure."

I felt Ms Shinmon suddenly dash behind me as I felt my consciousness slipping.

"God da-

Timeskip

I slowly opened my eyes and found myself in the middle of...somewhere. Adjest laid on the floor a bit away from me, so I walked over and tapped her shoulder.

"Not now Iris I'm trying to sleep."

I sighed before kicking her stomach, causing her to shoot up in pain.

"What the-

Our eyes met as she quickly stepped away a bit.

"Apologies."

"You're good. Let's find our way back to Boken."

As we began to walk, it was incredibly awkward like I thought it would be. I didn't know whether to say something or to just stay quiet, but the silence was so loud.

"So umm...how have you been Muji?"

I was pleasantly surprised.

She made the first move.

"I've been good. Training harder than ever, especially since the tournament is coming up."

"Oh yes, the tournament. Did you learn a bit about it when you went to the capital?"

I nodded.

"It was actually pretty eye opening. Despite the fact that I had been growing pretty fast, I'm still far behind."

Adjest smiled.

"Yes, as am I. Being called gifted and then meeting those types of people really makes you feel like you were lied too."

Adjest clenched her fist with a wider smile.

"But I've been training hard, I feel like I'll become stronger in the future."

Adjest and I began to laugh together, this felt nice. I hadn't spoke with Adjest in a while, I didn't know how much I missed her unique tranquility.

"Muji..."

The mood suddenly changed, I didn't really like that.

"Yeah?"

"I want to formally apologize to you face to face. When I first apologized, I didn't get to say everything I wanted. I couldn't even look you in the eye and say what I wanted to."

I sighed a bit.

"This must've really been on her mind."

"I really wanted to stay and help you in anyway I could, but me and you both know how you are when you get like...that. I was ashamed at the fact I couldn't help, but even more ashamed that I succumbed to my fear and ran away with everyone else."

"But Adjest-

"No Muji you don't understand. I've been locked in the palace of the capital my entire life. The only two friends I've ever had were Iris and Jax."

Adjest began to tear up as I began a bit shocked. I had no idea what to do or say in this situation.

"A-And then I met you and Mya, and everyone else, a-and everything was so much fun. B-But then when a friend needed me the most, I betrayed that trust. I-I thought you would hate me and I would lose you as a friend...I-I-"

I hugged Adjest as she became startled a bit.

"It's Alright Adjest."

She nodded as she hugged me as well.

"I just...wanted to say sorry."

Adjest backed up a bit as she wiped her eyes with a sniffle.

"I'm working hard to regain my confidence and trust in myself to be your friend. So just wait a bit longer alright?"

"Yeah."

"I also have something I want to ask you, but I don't have the strength nor right to ask it yet. So I want you to wait for that as well."

I nodded.

"Whenever you're ready, I'll be there waiting."

Timeskip

"We actually made it back to Boken."

Adjest and I somehow found our way back to Boken after walking aimlessly. I feel like the fact we just stumbled upon it kind of ruined the whole purpose of this exercise.

"Well that's surprising, I thought you'd be one of the first ones back Muji."

Ms Shinmon greeted us as we arrived.

"Sorry to let you down then."

"Not at all, you two can go do whatever now. We have a bit of free time for the next hour or so."

I walked into Boken, seeing Jax and Mya arm wrestling.

"How are you so strong for a girl?! You damn man-she."

"Hey! I am not a man-she! My grandpa just trained me well."

I laughed and walked over, taking a seat at the table.

"I've got next on whoever wins."

"Well that's no fair."

As the two struggled to beat each other, I noticed Lapis walking into Boken besides Shanna. His face looked a bit weird, like he was thinking about something serious.

"Hey, who did you get paired with Muji?"

I turned to Mya, who had just loss to Jax in the arm wrestle.

"Oh, Adjest. We had a small talk, so I think we're good now. You?"

Mya groaned.

"I got paired with that maniac Chris. Thankfully though he didn't bother me."

I laughed a bit, causing Mya to raise an eyebrow.

"What's funny?"

"Nothing. He's probably scared of me."

I looked to Jax.

"Oh, I got paired with Sky. We're similar in a few ways."

Mya burst out laughing.

"You? And Sky? Similar?? You're polar opposites!"

"Shut up. Let's go Muji."

We both put our arms on the table, linking them with our hands.

"Ready, go!"

Mya started the round as we both began to try and overpower the other. I could see why Mya was struggling, Jax was pretty strong. After struggling for a bit I ended up winning, probably because he was tired from arm wrestling Mya.

After a long and semi eventful day, I laid on my bed thinking about the next hunt to come in a few days.

"I hope everything will be alright."