I Killed The Main Characters-Chapter 223: Mid-term Exams [2]

The forest was alive with the energy of the students as they scattered in all directions, rushing to claim the best spots to establish their camps. The eastern forest, thick with trees and teeming with life, offered plenty of hiding places and tactical advantages, but it also held dangers that would test the students' mettle.

Draven led his team through the undergrowth, his sharp eyes scanning for potential sites. The team moved quickly but with purpose: Princess Elara, her golden hair glinting in the patches of sunlight filtering through the trees; Roselyn, the alchemy and magic engineering prodigy, carrying a satchel filled with her tools and reagents; and Greg, the bespectacled, somewhat awkward strategist who clutched a map of the area like his life depended on it.

"Here!" Greg suddenly exclaimed, pointing to a clearing ahead. "This spot is ideal!"

Draven stepped forward, his sword sheathed at his side, and took in the scene. The clearing was surrounded by sturdy trees, providing both shelter and concealment. A small stream trickled nearby, offering fresh water, and the ground was even, perfect for setting up tents.

"Good eye, Greg," Draven said with a nod.

Greg adjusted his glasses, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Well, it's basic strategy. Access to water, natural cover for defense, and close enough to the center of the forest that we can quickly engage in challenges or gather resources." He paused, his brow furrowing. "The only downside is the presence of mana beasts. But the protection crystals should keep most of them at bay unless we're directly attacked."

Roselyn glanced at the stream and smiled. "It's a great spot. Plus, I can set up some basic alchemical barriers to reinforce the crystals if needed."

Elara nodded, her expression serene but regal. "This will do. Let's start setting up before other teams find us."

The team worked together seamlessly, each member taking on tasks suited to their strengths. Draven and Greg pitched the tents with surprising efficiency, Draven handling the heavier work while Greg directed with precision.

"Make sure the tent stakes are angled," Greg said, adjusting his glasses. "Otherwise, they'll loosen in the rain."

"Yes, Greg, I know how to set up a tent," Draven replied with a good-natured grin, earning a laugh from Roselyn, who was arranging the supplies near the fire pit.

Elara stood nearby with her maid, Lyssa, who had been assigned by the imperial family. Lyssa was efficient and quiet, her movements precise as she assisted Elara in organizing their sleeping area.

Once the tents were up—one for the girls and one for the boys—the group gathered around the fire pit to strategize.

"We should focus on gathering points early," Draven said, his tone serious. "We know the tasks will get harder as the week progresses."

Roselyn nodded. "I agree. We can prioritize resource collection tomorrow. I have a few alchemical tools that can help us locate rare plants or materials that might earn extra points."

Greg pushed his glasses up his nose. "And we should keep a rotation for guarding the camp. Even with the protection crystals, we can't afford to be careless. If someone steals our flag, we're done for."

Elara frowned slightly, her delicate hands clasped in her lap. "Do you think other teams would resort to such tactics this early?"

Draven's gaze hardened. "It's better to assume they will. We need to be vigilant."

As they discussed their plans, Elara suddenly stiffened. Her hand flew to her wrist, her expression shifting from calm to alarmed.

"My watch," she said, her voice trembling. "It's gone!"

The others turned to her, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern.

"What do you mean, gone?" Roselyn asked, leaning closer.

Elara held up her wrist, now bare where the academy-issued watch had been. "It must have been yanked off during the rush to find camp spots."

Draven stood abruptly, his eyes narrowing. "Are you sure? Those watches are secured tightly. Someone would have had to deliberately—"

"Steal it," Greg finished, his tone grim. "Without it, we can't track our individual or team points."

Elara looked pale, her usual composure faltering. "What do we do? If someone has it…"

Draven placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll figure it out. First, let's retrace our steps. Maybe it was dropped, and we just didn't notice."

Greg shook his head. "Unlikely. Those watches are enchanted. If it had fallen, the locator spell would've alerted us."

Roselyn crossed her arms, her brow furrowed in thought. "Which means whoever took it knows what they're doing. They've probably deactivated the locator spell."

Elara's maid, Lyssa, stepped forward. "Shall I accompany you, Your Highness, to search the area?"

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***

The group trudged through the dense forest back toward the edge where the instructors' camp was located. The tension among them was palpable, the weight of the stolen watch pressing heavily on their minds. Draven walked at the front, his posture straight and his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Elara followed closely, her expression a mixture of worry and frustration. Roselyn and Greg brought up the rear, their whispered discussions punctuated by the occasional glance at Elara's bare wrist.

When they reached the instructors' camp, it stood as a stark contrast to the chaos of the forest. The area was meticulously organized, with several tents arranged in a semicircle and an air of calm authority hanging over the space. Professor Scarlet, easily recognizable by her flowing black hair, red lips, and piercing crimson eyes, stood near a central table covered with maps and documents. She was speaking with another instructor but turned as the group approached.

Draven stepped forward, his tone respectful but firm. "Professor Scarlet, we need to report an issue. The princess's watch has been stolen."

Scarlet's lips curved into a sly smile, her gaze flicking to Elara. "Stolen, you say? How intriguing."

Elara stepped forward, her golden hair catching the light of the setting sun. "Yes. I believe someone yanked it off during the rush to find camp spots. We've retraced our steps, but it's nowhere to be found."

Scarlet tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with an almost predatory amusement. "A stolen watch… How delightfully inconvenient. And yet, quite fitting for the nature of these exams."

Draven frowned. "Fitting? With respect, Professor, this isn't just an inconvenience. It's a deliberate sabotage."

Scarlet raised a hand, silencing him.

She stepped away from the table, pacing slowly as she spoke, her voice smooth and almost hypnotic.

"Imagine a grand chessboard," she began, her red eyes glinting. "On this board, every piece plays its part: the king, noble and vulnerable; the queen, powerful and cunning; the pawns, expendable yet crucial in the right hands. The game is one of strategy, deception, and adaptability. But then, a rogue player enters the fray, a saboteur who tilts the balance. They don't move within the rules; they create their own."

She paused, letting her words sink in.

"Now, tell me, dear students," she said, turning to face them, "when the rules no longer protect you, what do you do? Do you cry foul and demand justice? Or do you adapt, outmaneuvering even the saboteur?"

Elara stepped forward, her frustration evident. "Professor, with respect, this isn't a chess game. We've been unfairly targeted. Surely there's something the instructors can do?"

Scarlet's smile widened, and she gestured to the forest behind them. "But it is a game, Your Highness. One where fairness is but a fleeting illusion. The moment you stepped into that forest, the exams began. And losing a watch? Ah, that's just the first move in a much larger game."

Greg adjusted his glasses, his voice hesitant. "So… what does that mean for us? Are we just supposed to accept it?"

Scarlet nodded, her expression unapologetic. "Indeed. Losing a watch deducts ten points from your team's total. An unfortunate setback, yes, but hardly insurmountable. Besides," she added with a sly grin, "it's entirely possible to recover it. If you're clever enough."

Draven's jaw tightened. "You're saying we should just play along with this? Let whoever did this get away with it?"

Scarlet leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "What I'm saying, dear Draven, is that in this forest, nothing is as it seems. It's a game of facades, masks, and mind games. Trust is a currency, easily spent and even more easily betrayed. The question isn't whether you can trust your opponents—it's whether you can trust each other."

Her words hung in the air like a challenge.

Elara's hands balled into fists at her sides, her regal composure slipping for a moment. "This isn't right," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Greg frowned, his analytical mind racing. "If we've already lost ten points, we need to act fast to make up for it. Sitting here arguing won't help."

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Draven nodded, his resolve hardening. "He's right. We'll head back and come up with a plan. This isn't over."

Scarlet straightened, her smile never wavering. "Now you're beginning to understand. Adapt, outthink, outlast. That's the essence of these exams."

As the group turned to leave, Scarlet called out one last time.

"Oh, and one more thing," she said, her tone almost playful. "Be careful, my dear students. In a game like this, the most dangerous threats often come from within. Trust wisely."

Her laughter followed them as they walked away, a chilling reminder of the challenges ahead.