The rise of the unorthodox

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Mr. Sayo had instructed us to hone our skills and improve our combat effectiveness. To ensure that this happened, he allowed us to leave the beginner monster field. Starting tomorrow, we would be fighting in areas with higher-level monsters.

Monsters were ranked by their power: weak monsters, intermediate monsters, strong monsters, lord monsters, and finally god monsters. There were other sub-ranks, but they weren't as important.

I returned to my room to rest, as the past few days had been intense. We were about to embark on a major expedition, and I needed all the energy I could get.

The next morning arrived, and Delight and I were already suited up in our training outfits. Since we weren't allowed to fight in military uniforms, we wore track suits instead.

Delight wore pink waist-high shorts and a matching cropped hoodie. Her ginger hair was tied up in a neat bun. She looked pretty, a bit out of place for someone joining the army, but then again, appearances could be deceiving.

I, on the other hand, wore black sweatpants and an oversized black hoodie that belonged to my brother. It reached all the way down to my knees. I didn't bother tying my hair, knowing it would unravel anyway.

We headed to our squad room to meet Mr. Sayo. He gave us a brief yet ominous set of instructions: "Don't wander off, you might die. Don't engage until I say so, you might die. Don't eat anything I didn't tell you, you might die."

After thoroughly outlining all the ways we could die, he gave us his usual mischievous smile and told us to follow him to the intermediate monster field.

Mr. Sayo handed us armbands. "These armbands will protect you from certain levels of damage. They'll also boost your combat power and help us monitor your health and location."

Once we were ready, we set off into the field. It was a beautiful sight—nothing like the beginner monster field. Radiant flowers dotted the ground, lush green shrubs and majestic trees with wild fruits surrounded us. A fresh, relaxing breeze blew past my face, carrying pleasant scents. The tranquility was intoxicating, and for a moment, I almost forgot where I was.

Mr. Sayo smiled. "Mental barrier activated." A soft whirring sound came from the armbands.

"Prepare for battle, kids," Mr. Sayo commanded, still grinning. "We're dealing with an intermediate-level monster, so stay alert."

As he spoke, a serpent, about 30 feet in length, slithered from the canopy above. It was a brilliant green, with black markings on its head. A purple fume oozed from its mouth, likely the source of the strange scent I had smelled earlier.

"The armband will protect you from the hypnotic mist, but it won't block heavy physical damage," Mr. Sayo warned, making it clear he wasn't going to intervene. "Be careful."

The battle began.

"I'll draw its attention while you figure out how to deal with it," Daniel shouted, charging toward the serpent. He summoned his whip and began channeling energy into it.

The monster immediately noticed his movement. It reared its head and lunged at Daniel with terrifying speed. He managed to dodge in time, rolling to the side and slashing at the snake's head with his whip. The serpent barely flinched and quickly raised its head to strike again. Devin leapt forward, unleashing a flashbang from his fist, knocking the serpent into a tree. It was stunned.

Daniel seized the opportunity to transform his whip into a sword and unleashed an energy blade, slashing the serpent's underbelly, causing it to hiss in pain.

"Well, don't just stand there, girls! Help us!" Daniel shouted, snapping me out of my stupor.

I quickly extended my hair and wrapped it around the serpent's body and a nearby tree, pinning it in place.

Delight, meanwhile, summoned her pet wolf, Toto, and merged with it. After the transformation, she grew two-inch-long claws, and her eyes turned yellow. With incredible agility, she leapt at the monster and sliced into its head, just below the eyes. The serpent hissed again, thrashing violently.

My grip on the serpent weakened as it struggled. "I can't hold it much longer! Back away!" I shouted.

Before I could finish, the serpent broke free and sent Daniel and the others flying. Delight managed to land on her feet, thanks to her enhanced reflexes, but the boys were knocked hard to the ground.

Daniel cried out in pain. His scream was unmistakable—he had broken something, and that meant we were down one fighter.

"Hey, wolf girl, think you can do that again?" Devin called, struggling to get up. He began channeling energy into his fists again. "I'll stun it again, Beatrix can pin it, and then you finish it off."

I wanted to argue, but his plan made sense, so I agreed reluctantly.

Devin rushed in just as the serpent's tail swung toward him. He unleashed a flashbang at the monster, but it dodged, swatting him away.

As much as I hated seeing Devin struggle, I couldn't help but feel a bit of satisfaction at watching him finally get a taste of what he deserved. However, the situation was far from ideal. I turned to see Devin staggering back to his feet, only to collapse in a heap. I noticed the blood dripping down from his forehead and realized that he was seriously injured.

"Well, ain't that just great?" I muttered, glancing at Mr. Sayo for help. He only chuckled.

"Aren't you going to step in?" I demanded, frustrated.

"If I step in every time you're in trouble, how will you ever learn?" Mr. Sayo replied with a cheeky smile.

Why couldn't we get a normal squad master?

"Just perfect," I grumbled, looking at the snake and then at my fallen squad members. With Daniel and Devin out of the fight, it was up to Delight and me to finish this.

It was now or never. I had to do this.