The team combat class came to an end with the echo of final steps on the sand and the scattered murmur of students leaving the coliseum. The artificial sun remained high, suspended over the transparent dome covering the entire island, emitting constant, clean light without natural variations. There was no suffocating heat or long shadows; everything maintained a controlled, almost perfect balance.

Aku descended through the stands with his usual calm. His gaze swept the combat field one last time, fixing on the marks left by confrontations. Deep footprints, areas where sand had been compacted by repeated impacts, small grooves where creatures had dragged their limbs. Everything was recorded in his mind without effort.

Bīng Xuě already waited for him below, leaning against one of the exterior columns, with a slight smile and arms crossed behind his head. Gerald arrived a few seconds later, still adjusting his glasses, staff hanging from his hand.

"That was pretty good," Bīng Xuě said, turning his neck with a slight crack. "I would’ve liked to go in again."

Gerald let out a short, somewhat nervous laugh.

"I... I’ve had enough for today..."

Aku didn’t respond. He simply began walking toward the academy’s exterior area. The other two followed him without need for words.

The terrain changed as they advanced. White polished stone gave way to compacted dirt paths, and these, in turn, to a green expanse opening like a small forest beside the academy’s main structure. Tall trees with straight trunks and light bark rose in irregular rows. Their leaves, of intense green, filtered artificial light in soft patterns moving with a light breeze.

The forest wasn’t wild. Everything was arranged with certain order, though at first glance it seemed natural. Bushes grew in controlled groups, the ground was clean of fallen branches, and small paths snaked between trees, marked by students’ constant passage.

Aku entered a few meters and chose a flat rock, with smooth surface, slightly elevated from the ground. He sat without making noise, resting his arms on his knees. Bīng Xuě dropped beside him carelessly, stretching his legs, while Gerald hesitated a moment before sitting as well, with somewhat more rigidity.

For a few seconds, silence remained. Only the sound of moving leaves and some insect broke the quiet.

Gerald cleared his throat slightly and opened a small bag he carried hanging.

"Uh... I brought food... just in case..."

He took out several carefully wrapped containers. Upon opening them, the aroma spread immediately. There was rice seasoned with soft spices, roasted meat cut in small pieces, and some flatbread. He also took out a bottle with a clear drink.

"It’s not much... but..."

Bīng Xuě had already grabbed a piece of meat before he finished the sentence.

"It’s perfect," he said with mouth half full. "Much better than running fifty laps."

Gerald smiled, somewhat more relaxed, and offered him another container.

Aku took his without saying anything. He observed the food an instant before beginning to eat. The flavors were simple, but well prepared. The meat had a perfect cooking point, the rice was loose and aromatic.

They ate calmly for a few minutes.

"The class earlier..." Gerald said, wiping his hands. "It was... intense."

Bīng Xuě nodded enthusiastically.

"I liked it. Though those from the first group were each doing their own thing. It was obvious they’d fall."

Aku set the empty container aside.

"They focused on their own actions," he said with flat tone. "No one controlled the whole."

Gerald adjusted his glasses.

"Yes... I thought that too..." he paused. "I suppose... directing helps."

Bīng Xuě looked at him sideways and smiled.

"’I suppose,’ he says. You carried the entire combat yourself."

Gerald shrank a bit.

"Well... they also helped..."

Aku added nothing. His gaze moved toward the trees, following the movement of a slowly falling leaf.

Time passed without any of them noticing too much. Artificial light didn’t change, so there was no clear visual reference of hours passing. Only internal rhythm marked the pause.

Suddenly, a brief sound broke the calm.

The tablets they carried began emitting a soft beep.

Gerald reacted first, taking his out quickly.

"Ah... time already..."

Bīng Xuě sighed.

"Another one..."

Aku had already stood up.

"Let’s go."

The three collected what remained, and Gerald carefully stored the containers before standing. They left the forest following one of the paths, returning toward the academy’s main area.

The path this time descended slightly. The terrain’s structure changed, becoming more irregular, with small slopes and rocky areas. As they advanced, they began seeing other students heading in the same direction. Some came from other areas, with somewhat different uniforms or marks of having gone through other classes.

The atmosphere was different. Less relaxed.

The path led to a wide, open area with several zones delimited by ropes and posts. There were improvised structures: half-built shelters, areas with basic tools, piles of wood, ropes, canteens. Everything seemed prepared for more practical training.

Several groups were already there, organizing or waiting.

Bīng Xuě looked around with interest.

"This looks better already."

Gerald observed everything attentively, adjusting his glasses once more.

"It seems... more serious..."

Aku made no comment. His gaze stopped on details: materials’ disposition, access routes, distance between areas. Everything had a purpose.

Then, a figure appeared walking from one of the field’s extremes.

The man advanced with firm pace, unhurried. He wore military-style pants, resistant boots, and a tight short-sleeved shirt showing defined musculature. Over it, a light open jacket. His dark hair was combed back, and his face showed hard features, marked jaw, and a short perfectly trimmed beard. His eyes, dark and direct, moved from student to student as if evaluating everyone in seconds.

He stopped in the area’s center.

"Attention."

His voice was grave, clear, without needing to raise it too much to impose.

The murmur faded little by little.

"My name is Hok Nerris."

He crossed his arms, looking at the group as a whole.

"From now on, you’ll be under my supervision in survival class."

Some students exchanged glances. Others tensed slightly.

Hok continued.

"Here you’re not going to fight monsters in an arena," he made a slight gesture toward the environment. "Here you’re going to learn to stay alive when everything else fails."

He crouched slightly and took a handful of dirt, letting it fall between his fingers.

"Food, shelter, orientation, endurance. All that decides whether you return or not."

He stood up.

"This class doesn’t end in an hour."

A brief pause.

"It will last until nightfall."

A murmur ran through the group.

Bīng Xuě smiled.

"Now we’re talking."

Gerald swallowed.

Aku observed the instructor without looking away.

The next test was about to begin.