As I said those words, everyone looked at me,pletely speechless.


    "This... Why didn''t you say it earlier then?" Aurelius asked me.


    "I thought you already understood, didn''t you hear what the old man said?" I replied. "Moreover, I feel we can''t get out of the forest, not today at least. Or else he wouldn''t have mentioned spending the night here and taking necessary things to survive in a forest."


    Hearing my words, realization struck them down.


    Were they really stupid, I wondered. They had to think, only think.


    "Then, what do you think we should do?" Ren spoke up this time. "Do you have any suggestions?"


    Of course, I have, plenty of them actually. But...


    "...No," I replied indifferently.


    "Tch, trying to act cool without knowing anything. Loser." My ears twitched in annoyance at Emeric''s sarcastic remark.


    "But I think your n is doable." I continued. "But, you need to change one thing. You all divide into three groups, while I will form a group by myself and... you there, you are familiar with this kind of thing right?"


    I called out a boy who looked rather thin and unassuming. He was standing behind everyone as well.


    "M-Me?" The boy asked pointing at himself.


    "Yes, you," I said gesturing for him toe closer.


    The boy approached tentatively, his eyes wide with uncertainty as he nced around.


    "Do you really want me on your team?" he asked hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper.


    "Stop talking and stand behind me," I said which caused him to do it in an instant.


    "Ok, we have our own groups as well." Ren and Aurelius replied. Aurelia ended up joining Aurelius''s team.


    "Wait, what if we can''t find the exit of the forest? What do we do then?" Aurelius suddenly raised a question.


    "If that''s the case, we should meet up here before the sun sets," I suggested. "That way, we can regroup and share the results. And if we still haven''t found the exit by then, we can at least prepare to spend the night here."


    "Good, as expected of you," Aurelius remarked with a thumbs up.


    Huh, why is he doing that? Is there something wrong with him?


    Oh, wait, I remember, he respects those who are stronger and smarter than him.


    But, doesn''t that mean he admits I am stronger than him? Though me being smarter than him is a fact. After all, he grew up in his room due to his illness, unable to see and learn the world.


    Wait,e to think of it, he is still sick. Ipletely forgot about that. Maybe because he wasn''t showing any signs of it.


    Although his master has probably given him a treasure to increase his lifespan and improve his health, it''s still something to consider. Meaning, he has yet to truly cure it. After all, it was known as an incurable disease by the healers of our kingdom.


    Well, for the plot''s sake, he will stay sick until we graduate, right?


    Unless he can reach Sr Tier which is impossible. Even if he is the main character.


    "So, who will go in which direction?" Ren''s question jolted me out of my thoughts.


    "I will go this way, you can decide by yourselves." Emeric quickly chose to go left and started without even discussing it.


    "Sigh..." Aurelius and Ren sighed at his attitude while I ignored it.


    "We will take this direction then. Till evening then." I decided to leave as well.


    "Follow me," I told the boy behind me and took the opposite direction Emeric went.


    I could imagine Aurelius and Ren looking at my back with either admiration or irritation.


    Anyway, now we were a little far from them, it was time to get to know this boy.


    "Hey, what''s your name?" I asked in a casual tone, not using my cold voice. I am tired of pretending to be cold after all.


    "Er... My n-name is A-Ardel." Ardel meekly replied.


    "Ardel, a good name," I replied with a nod. "Nice to meet you, Ardel. I''m Adrian, by the way."


    "I-I know your name." Ardel''s voice was a little louder but still low. "N-nice to meet you too."


    "Yeah, by the way, I''m not that familiar withrge forests like this, though I have been in 3 of them beforeing to the academy. What about you?"


    "Woah, you were." As if he found a gem, Ardel''s expression brightened at the mention of the topic. Hehe, got him.


    "I-I am very fond of wilderness, I spent my childhood in the Great Forest of Nionna. I used to follow my uncle who is a hunter and..."


    Right, this was his problem.


    Well, since I asked, I might as well at least have patience.


    "...My ability is also good and exactly what I hoped to awaken..."


    He continued on with his words.


    He was an extra character like me. Growing up in a tribe of hunters in the neighboring kingdom to Eldoria, he has the best survival skills among the first years. His ability is also somewhat rted to it. That''s also the reason why I picked him to be my group member.


    But, being shy andck of confidence led him to be a loner. Until he met the MC, no the MC noticed him, his skills.


    But, I am not really good at finding my way inrge forests, that''s why I decided to take him with me. His ability was called Blessing of the Wilderness if I''m not mistaken. It''s one Tier below the Sr Tier.


    His ability allows him to easily find his way and survive in ces where nts and animals exist. It''s like he''s got a direct line to nature, which is pretty handy when you''re stuck in a forest like this.


    As Ardel finished speaking, I nodded in understanding, impressed by his knowledge and abilities.


    "That''s quite impressive, Ardel," I remarked, offering him a genuine smile. "It sounds like you have a lot of experience in the wilderness."


    Ardel blushed slightly at thepliment, clearly pleased by the recognition.


    "Th-thank you, Adrian," he stammered, his voice filled with gratitude.


    "No need to thank me. I''m just stating the truth," I replied casually, waving off his thanks. "But, I have a favor to ask of you."


    "A favor?" Ardel''s eyes widened in surprise, clearly curious about what I had in mind.


    "Yeah, can you show me your ability?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "You mentioned that it''s rted to nts and animals, right? I''m curious to see it in action. Maybe it will be useful for today''s challenge."


    Of course, it will. But I have to make him gain confidence.


    rdel hesitated for a moment, looking slightly nervous at the request. But after a moment''s pause, he nodded in agreement.


    "Um, sure, I can do that," he replied, mustering up his courage. "Just give me a moment."


    With that, Ardel closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing his energy. Slowly, a subtle change began to take ce in the surrounding environment.


    I watched in amazement as the nts around us seemed to respond to Ardel''s presence, their leaves rustling softly as if acknowledging hismand. It was as if he held some invisible connection to the natural world, allowing him tomunicate with and manipte the nts and animals around him.


    In a matter of moments, Ardel opened his eyes, a faint smile ying on his lips.


    "There, you see?" he said, gesturing to the surrounding foliage. "I can sense the presence of nts and animals within a certain radius, and evenmunicate with them to some extent. It''s a useful skill for navigation and survival. But..."


    "This is all I can do..."