We were each given two hours to pack for the training, but since the girls and I had anticipated a quick departure, we'd prepared everything in advance in our spatial rings. So, all that was left was to go to the gathering point and kill time with chit-chat. We weren't in the mood for shower shenanigans just yet.
The other students lacked such foresight and scattered to their rooms to fill their bags with essentials. Not everyone had spatial artifacts, despite their families having piles of money and power. Still, according to clan policy, you'd get as many resources as you proved useful.
Spatial artifacts cost too much to buy for mere Mid-level mages. God, not even all of them had a Spiritual Seed, though it seemed like a necessary thing... for those venturing beyond safe borders and fighting monsters. But it would even be useful for these students. To show off prestige and strength, for example.
Finally, an hour later, the rest started trickling in. In the end, no one refused to participate, tempted by the rewards. The relaxed Zhao Manyan, approaching the meeting spot, looked around and headed straight for us.
"Mu Bai, buddy, you'll protect us if anything happens, right?" Hugging me around the neck, the blond pretended we were great friends. Though after the Scaled Demons incident, I could at least call him a tested good acquaintance. A couple more such deals and the guy might actually have a chance to become my friend.
"You know, I'll tell you a secret: I have info that there's a seventy percent chance a mid Commander lives in Jinlin. Still wanna go?" Shrugging his arm off my shoulder, I asked the blond with a smile.
"Just a mid one? Great, no worries then! I saw the power of your summons perfectly; such a beast couldn't beat them." Zhao Manyan visibly relaxed, realizing he was truly safe on this trip. Tch, couldn't scare him. On the other hand, it flatters me that he believes in me so much. And since I can see his emotions, I know the guy is completely sincere.
The blond was followed by the others trickling in. Eight people from each university were going on the training. From the Imperial: Mu Ning Xue, Lu Zheng Ge, Min Kong, Xiao Feng, Xu Da Lun, Zhao Min Yue, Liao Min Xuan, and Jing Jing.
From our university: Me, Jiao Jiao, TuTu, Mo Fan, Bai Tingting, Shen Min Xiao, Zhao Manyan, and Luo Song. We didn't take benchwarmers like Zheng Bing Xiao and Song Xia, since spots were strictly limited.
The guys were upset, of course, but they'd lost their spots fairly – if not due to low power (Song Xia was stronger than almost everyone else on the team), then due to insufficient family influence to push them into the main lineup. Well, at least they flashed at the university exchange; that alone would bring them good rep.
Mo Fan was unusually quiet and avoided looking at Mu Ning Xue. As I figured, he didn't become a Mu family dog even after losing the bet fair and square, witnessed by everyone on the arena back then. The guy had skin too thick to care about the mockery and contempt thrown his way for his behavior.
Mu Ning Xue didn't give a damn about him; she just stole glances at me, but when our eyes met, she'd quickly look away, trying to keep her ice queen mask. Which she failed at miserably, given the cute blush spreading across her face. Yeah, she'd finally come down from the narcotic emotional high. Now she'd have to relearn controlling herself in public, since the block on her emotions was gone and the cousin had to live with them.
Finally, two SUVs arrived, picked us all up, and headed out. After three hours of driving, they dropped us at the safe zone border, turned around, and left. No sane driver would take a car down a road where monsters could pop up anytime. Now we were on our own.
"I suggest picking a leader. I nominate myself." He immediately started peacocking in front of his cousin Lu Zheng Ge. Is he completely dumb? Or waiting for one of my girls to smack him? Hidden masochist? Thoughhh, the kid gave me an idea.
"Let me state right away that Mu Nu Jiao, Ai TuTu, and I won't interfere in your practical experience unless absolutely necessary. If we girls get serious about Jinlin, by mission end, it could be handed to city Hunter teams for cleanup, since nothing strong would be left. So, to fulfill the trip's original goal and toughen your character, I'm assigning us three as observers – the ones Director Sun He didn't send with us. You can also ask us for advice; we'll try to answer." I put this to the group, showing unusual kindness. Not every Master Hunter would give these students free survival tips.
"Hmph, just because you broke through to High level a bit earlier doesn't mean you can boss us around." Crossing her arms under her modest chest, Jing Jing tried to push back, but without fire. Her crushing defeat at TuTu's hands was still fresh.
"I'm not bossing you; I'm stating facts. If we don't want to – or do want to – do something, even all together you couldn't stop us." I flashed my best irritating smile, making the pink-haired girl snort angrily. But she kept her thoughts to herself, huffed, and turned away. Hmm, she's not completely hopeless; she even knows when to back off.
Since the girls and I distanced ourselves from command, a fierce struggle for leadership began. Each of these hereditary clan mages nominated themselves and listed reasons why they should be leader. Only Zhao Manyan skipped the farce, hiding behind his turtle mage rep, good only for defensive magic. The cousin also abstained from the power grab.
In the end, Liao Min Xuan snagged leadership by flashing his mid-class Hunter ID. Sure, Mo Fan had a similar one, but he lacked respect in the group. Until he joined a powerful faction to harness his talent, he'd stay second-class to these rich kids.
Under this "experienced" Hunter's lead, we finally set off. We decided to follow the rails, as the map showed they'd take us straight to Jinlin. So we walked, chatting merrily on various topics, listening to the boastful talk of different students, when a tunnel appeared ahead.
It was a straight passage through the mountain, shaving hours off our trip if we bypassed it. Trouble was, it hadn't been maintained for fifteen years since its supporting city fell. So a heated debate erupted.
"I'm telling you, it's dark and damp in there. Who knows what settled in!"
"There's no one there! And even if there is, it won't be a match for us!"
"Cowards!"
"Reckless idiots!"
Even the newly appointed leader couldn't stop the bickering. His authority wasn't high enough to sway the others properly. Sigh, practice just started and I'm already intervening... what generation is this? Only the cousin pleased me with her level-headedness, standing aside analyzing each proposal. Even Zhao Manyan joined the arguers for fun, tossing fuel to both sides. Damn, he's enjoying this!
"Clap-clap!" Clapping my palms together a couple times hard enough to ruffle everyone's hair. Now, I could give solid advice.
"Listen up…