Kapitel 49: THE VR TEST

Stare slowly opened his eyes, finding himself in an entirely different environment. He appeared to be outdoors, with a clear view of the sky and the gentle warmth of the sun on his skin.

Curiously, he flexed his fingers and wiggled his toes, as if trying to better understand his body, he then abruptly halted these movements and impulsively drove his fist into his own face, eliciting an immediate groan of pain.

"The pain is definitely real and accurate in this place," Stare muttered, clutching his reddened and throbbing nose.

Having previously used VR Training Pods in past eras, he possessed some knowledge about virtual reality and its limitations, particularly in replicating sensations like pain, stress, tiredness, and fluid body movements.

"So he truly is completely mad like they say."

A voice emerged from behind Stare, causing him to swiftly turn around. There stood three teenagers, all attired in the academy's bodysuit uniform like him.

Two of them, one with brown hair and blue eyes, and the other with blue hair and blue eyes, regarded Stare with a mixture of disdain and weariness. It was evident that one of these two had just spoken. Meanwhile, the third member, a lean individual with black hair in a buzz cut and tired-looking brown eyes, remained more reserved, periodically stealing glances at Stare and shivering.

"Well, if he's here too, it likely means we've either been assigned to groups or are required to form one – two main heroes and two sidekicks," the blue-haired kid remarked to his brown-haired companion.

"The test is just beginning, and our luck is already this wretched," the brown-haired student muttered, casting a repulsed gaze in Stare's direction.

"I guess we'd have to make do with what we have. Let's just hope his insanity doesn't act up and ruin our test, I can't fail this test and get sent back home especially when I haven't still gotten that talking time with the Academy's princess Ava." He then added.

"Right? Mine is the ice princess Eleanor, pretty sure after I finally awaken my eye lasers fief completely, I'll definitely be put in her rader plus those ass Elites won't get to treat us like dignified trash anymore."

The blue haired and brown haired boy immediately laughed at the thought of their blissful imagination, not minding Stare or the buzz cut guy behind them.

They eventually seemed to have noticed the odd expression on Stare's face prompting them to both abruptly stop their laughter with an awkward cough.

"I suppose we should deal with him first," the brown-haired guy muttered under his breath as he approached Stare, still wearing a disdainful expression.

"I'm sure you must already be aware that the test has basically begun. Well your lucky ass managed to get sent in the same batch as us as I'm pretty sure the Elites or other main status students would have messed you up already with your really 'good' reputation."

"We're basically your only means of passing this test and probably activating your fief, so I'd advise throughout your latching to us that you listen to every order we make." The brown haired boy said in a threatening tone.

"And none of your usual cocky and arrogant behavior from the academy, I'm pretty sure the pain you feel here is real, and Raziel won't mind us adjusting his pet in here as well," the blue-haired boy added, continuing to regard Stare with disdain.

Although Stare disliked being referred to as Raziel's pet, he had no objection to teaming up with the group. It didn't affect him much, except for the constant chatter about pursuing Elite girls or outperforming other Elites. Additionally, he was uncertain about the test's requirements, so having companions might be beneficial.

He simply nodded casually to signal his agreement with their set conditions.

With that matter settled, the two immediately resumed discussing their plans for what they would do once they activated their fief. These plans ranged from oppressing students with Supporting Hero Status, confronting the Elites, and, as expected, wooing some ladies.

The third individual with the buzz cut remained quietly standing, occasionally trembling, giving the impression that he was either bullied by the other two and was afraid of them or that the surroundings themselves unnerved him.

Stare assumed it could be either of those reasons.

He turned around to survey his surroundings for the first time since arriving.

The entire area lay in ruins, predominantly comprising demolished buildings and scattered debris. Stare's initial thought was that the destruction resulted from some war, but he quickly realized that was unlikely. There were no signs of a battle – no dead or wounded bodies, no traces of bloodstains, not even dried ones. The place was shrouded in an eerie silence, evoking an unsettling sense of abandonment that only heightened Stare's caution.

Spotting an half destroyed address board, Stare couldn't precisely determine the location from its writing, but he deduced that the place was likely in the Western region of New Earth.

"So, what's the plan now?" Stare inquired after assessing their surroundings, which were less than ideal.

"We'll continue moving forward and gather as many students as we can into our group," the brown-haired boy promptly replied.

"I agree," nodded the blue-haired boy. "Expanding our group means better chances of passing the test, and they get to listen to both of us, plus we get to play hero to some of those ladies who might be in distress.

The brown-haired boy appeared to concur with these 'perks' as he continued nodding, a peculiar smile on his face.

"I don't really think that plan is best."

The brown haired boy's moment of bliss was however disrupted after hearing Stare's voice.

Startled, both the brown-haired and blue-haired boys turned toward Stare, their expressions shifting from shock to annoyance. However, Stare remained unperturbed by their disapproving glances as he continued speaking.

"We still don't know what the test entails or the cause of this extensive destruction. I suggest we find a secure shelter and gather more information about this place before venturing out in the open, where we could be vulnerable to every and any attacks.

Despite Stare's logical explanation for his disagreement with the duo's plan, they appeared uninterested and casually dismissed his suggestions.

"If you don't agree with our plan, you're free to leave," the brown-haired guy remarked casually. The blue-haired boy quickly concurred, and the buzz cut guy, although he didn't say anything, his repeated silence even at this point was enough proof he planned on siding with the two no matter what the situation was.

The pair resumed discussing their impending expedition, no longer concerned about Stare. However, what they hadn't anticipated was Stare's nonchalant response of "okay" before walking away.

The students immediately turned to watch his departing figure with expressions of astonishment, even the buzz cut guy for the first time had shown a different reaction aside fear and caution even though it was briefly.

Although Stare saw grouping with the three as a potential advantage in the test, there wouldn't unfortunately be any advantage to gain if he was dead or seriously incapacitated, especially so early on.

Plus they weren't even sure of what the test was all about and the only hint they had been given by the Withsworth was to 'survive', something Stare planned to do until he figured out what the test entailed.