Aurelian was smiling at me? No—it was a smirk, smug and self-satisfied. Less pride in my progress with bardic inspiration, more amusement at his own genius as a teacher. And worst of all, the teaching method felt forced.

  “As I anticipated of the boon!” he declared with a teasing glint in his eye. “Now, let us gracefully transition to our next subject—one that stands in stark contrast to inspiration: the art of mockery!”

  I took a deep breath, raising my hand to signal him to pause. The effects of the inspiration coursed through my muscles, making them feel lighter and more alive.

  “Is it truly as simple as that? Are you not going to critique my quotes and poems as sources of inspiration?” I attempted to object.

  Like, what is this? Are they still in the early steps to research in pedagogical aspects and methods?

  “Unnecessary, my dear. The crucial aspect is that you’ve grasped the essence of it. It falls to you to refine this newly acquired skill. Now, let us proceed! I trust you’re ready to embrace the delightful challenge of mockery?”

  “It’s not as though I have any options left. I’ve made up my mind, and if this is the path we must tread, then I would rather see it through to its conclusion already.” I snapped, starting to dislike this person with every passing moment.

  His nature felt like that of a cunning feline—sleek and poised. I should cherish the fact that he revealed this intriguing side of himself when he did.

  “As I mentioned earlier, it is now time for you to adopt an approach opposite to inspiration, when it comes to the art of mockery.” He stated, his short robe swirling gracefully around his knees because of the breeze.

  I stifled a snort and remarked, “Should it even be considered an art?”

  The way he looked at me next was as if a poisoned dagger were to shoot forth from his pupils, aiming to pierce my throat. It sent shivers down my spine, making the hair on my head stand on end, right to the back of my neck. But no, what he actually did was far worse:

  “Look at you, student—so naive, you’d make a dragon roll its eyes! Do you think the world is as sweet as your delusional fantasies?”

  Next thing I knew, my comprehension exploded. A flood of embarrassment drowned my confidence, and my inspiration plummeted into a void of negativity. I was utterly roasted. And worst of all, he said it so loudly and with such venom that my face was left in a state of utter disbelief. Or as i would rephrase, i was deeply flabbergasted, needing days in solitude to rebuild my shattered self-esteem.

  Once I finally crawled out from the mental wreckage, I realized it had physical repercussions too. I felt stiff all around, and completely out of my league. It had debuffed me, so great that it even had dispelled my inspiration buff.

  ‘Let’s forget what I said; I prefer the previous teaching method,’ I cried internally. Better hold my tongue until I can build enough mental armor to withstand that kind of roast.

  “Aww, was I too harsh for your delicate sensibilities? Did my words wound your fragile heart? Perhaps you require a gentle embrace from your dear mother while you weep over your fleeting self-esteem and wavering confidence?” he purred, his venom laced with a merciless teasing charm.

  Now, it made my blood boil. I had had enough; he had no right to keep going on.

  “Enough!” I declared, my voice steady but fierce. “Is a noble truly meant to stoop to such pettiness? Very well, I see your game! Mockery has its own art, one that You, shall educate me on, about this instant.”

  His brows arched in unexpectedness, his smirk unwavering; he hadn’t anticipated such way of response from me.

  “Hmm, I do enjoy it when they fight back, specially if they manage to do so on equal terms,” he mused, a glimmer of intrigue dancing in the way he looks at me.

  I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone had overheard the scandal that had just unfolded. If they had, I might as well disappear until I could muster the courage to meet their gazes again.

  “Once more, let us delve deep into another scenario,” he suggested, his proud demeanor infused with a subtle mischievousness that never quite leaving his manner.

  “Now, imagine this: your inspiration falters, but the problem lies not with you or your allies—it is the enemy. Picture an ancient vampire, succumbing to sheer bloodlust, a creature unleashed in its frenzy, almost as grotesque as a rotten ghoul. Mock it. Channel your magic not into the melody of your instrument, but into your words. There’s no time limit this time, but you should know by now that it is of critical essence.”

  With the context and material he provided, I chose to disregard the part about inspiration and instead focused on the negative aspects of the creature I came up with in my imagination. I scrutinized it, judging its appearance, nature, and very existence. Mustering up a sharp roast, I endeavored to shape it into a blend of prose and poetry. It was harder this time. Inspiring quotes are something you generally hear and learn anywhere, but crafting a polished insult cloaked in the guise of literacy? That required originality.

  “Tick, tock. Time is flying,” he reminded me, a statement that served as a catalyst, wearing my patience thinner.

  “A wretched sack of moldy potatoes with a face that could curdle milk! Even the rats flee from thy stench, for they know not whether it be thy breath or thy very soul that offends!”

  “Marvelous! Yet dismissed! Once more! Polish it to shine! That creature would sooner rend your tongue from your mouth than allow you to finish that!”

  I realized my mistake; I needed to narrow my focus and make it concise and less descriptive. Why had I obsessed over so many details in the first place?

  “Thou art a foul sack of rot, a countenance so vile it curdles milk! Even the rats flee from thy stench!”

  I expected him to accept it this time, yet I heard his tongue click.

  “Just forget about the formalities!”

  “What?”

  “Stop being so polite and formal!”

  'So, then i should say...'

  “a foul sack of rot, a countenance so vile it curdles milk! Even the rats flee from your stench!”

  At last, I heard the soft sound of his hands gently clapping.

  “Utterly well done!” he praised, lifting his head as high as he could.

  For the first time, I felt a sense of relief, as if I had truly achieved something meaningful. Thus, the system screen appeared.

  Side quest complete!

  Rewards achieved:

  Skill: Bardic Inspiration

  Skill: Vicious Mockery

  This turn of events will have its consequences.

  'Done! good...' i thought. That's when i finally noticed my fingers were gone cold again out of anxiety.

  “You know, my dear friend, I must confess, I never expected you to triumph in this endeavor,” Aurelian remarked, his voice laced with a hesitant tone that contrasted sharply with his usual confident demeanor. Yet, in a remarkable departure from his customary formality, he had gone to great lengths to encourage me throughout our lessons.

  “Nor did I,” I replied, “but I poured great effort into it in any case. So, what comes next?”

  “Oh, this is the moment when you join your comrades for the true training,” he said, adopting a stoic demeanor and shedding the guise of the sly fox he would resemble.

  After he spoke, I stepped back, my gaze sweeping the surroundings. I noticed that everyone else had already completed their training and was now congregating around Mr. Taka and the king. I turned to face Aurelian once more, only to gasp in surprise as I found him barely an inch from my face.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “Hush,” he warned, his tone serious. “A friendly piece of advice, since you’ve been such a diligent apprentice: always pair up with someone. You never know what might happen.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, my voice dropping to a cautious whisper.

  Before answering, Aurelian glanced towards the king. “As a bard, you shouldn’t wander alone in places like a jungle, where anything can happen.”

  Was this merely a warning borne of experience, or was there something deeper behind his words? In any case, he then grasped my shoulder and gently nudged me toward the crowd of my classmates. So that was the case! The next tutorial—perhaps the true training—would involve venturing into the jungle and learning to survive. Or perhaps it would be about hunting wild creatures. Why? To gather experience points and level up, of course!

  As I joined my crew, I wondered if the system would categorize this as a side quest—or perhaps even a main quest. After all, it had asked me to reach level 3 in due time. The sole patriarch, having received the report that the initial training was complete, approached us near the forest’s edge, where we had been instructed to wait. Once again, a cunning smirk played on his lips.

  “Just as I expected,” the king remarked with evident delight, “not only has the divine boon enhanced you all, but each of you possesses a remarkable talent in the proficiencies bestowed upon you!” His eyes sparkled with pride as he surveyed our eager faces, the weight of his words settling in the air like a blessing.

  Such praise lifted everyone’s spirits, igniting a spark of enthusiasm among the group. As it may seem, unlike me, they had genuinely enjoyed their instructor’s training and lessons, laughter often mingling with the sound of their practices.

  “Now, for the next and final way to gain some experience and a taste of the adventures that lie ahead,” the king continued, his tone shifting to one of seriousness, “you will spend the hours until sunset in the forest.”

  Before anyone could voice their questions, the king added, “A small bag of supplies will be provided to each of you. Venture into the forest, hunt, explore, and do whatever it takes to become well-versed in the wilds. Return to the palace by sunset—that is all.”

  As the king strode away towards his palace, leaving no room for inquiries, we looked up at Mr. Taka and Mako. Their expressions were a mix of encouragement and anticipation.

  “This is your chance to prove yourselves,” Mr. Taka said, his gaze steady. Mako added with a grin, “Embrace the adventure and discover what you’re truly capable of!”

  With that, we gathered our supplies, ready to face the adventure that awaited us in the forest. As I pondered Aurelian’s suggestion, I raised my hand to gather everyone’s attention.

  “Mr. Taka, Mako, I suggest we don’t go individually,” I proposed. “Let’s divide into groups of three or even four.”

  The idea hung in the air, and I could see nods of agreement among my companions. “It’ll be safer and more effective,” I continued. “We can share our skills and support one another in the wild.”

  Mr. Taka smiled approvingly, while Mako’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “A fine idea! Let’s pair up and make the most of this adventure.”

  So, split into groups we did. Aira and Mr. Taka joined two other girls, while the rest of us paired off with friends or those who needed companionship. Mako approached me, a hopeful look in his eyes. “Join my group, won't you, my fellow gamer?” he urged.

  I smiled and politely declined. “I appreciate it, but I need to look after Okaya and Akiyo. They didn’t pair up with anyone else for my sake.”

  Understanding flickered in Mako’s gaze. “That makes sense. We’ll catch up later,” he said, and I felt a sense of relief as I turned back to my friends, ready to support them in the upcoming exp farming.

  ***

  After a while of venturing into the jungle’s heart, I pulled out my supply pouch. Inside, I found enough food for one meal, a healing potion filled with a green, hazy liquid, and a mana potion that shimmered with a blue-purple gel, both inside crystal clear round vials.

  'Would I be okay drinking these?' I frowned, considering my sensitive stomach. The thought of gagging while swallowing made me cringe. But that would have to be decided later. Just then, Okaya grabbed our attention, his eyes wide with excitement and worry. “Look! A wolf!”

  We turned to see a sleek, silver-furred wolf emerging from the underbrush, its golden eyes scanning our group. My heart raced—this was no ordinary encounter.

  “Stay calm, and collected, ready to ensnare and attack,” I whispered to Okaya and Akiyo.

  The wolf paused, its ears perked, as if assessing us. This could be a pivotal moment in our adventure, and I hoped we’d make the right choice.

  “Get it close so I can snare it with vines,” Akiyo whispered, his voice laced with anxiousness.

  I shot him a worried glance. This wasn’t good. The wolf was a wild creature, and we were intruding on its territory. Yet, I reminded myself that the first experience in the wild was always unexpected—anything could happen.

  “Do we have to attack? Can’t we just pass by it or tame it into a pet?” Okaya tried to reason, his voice hopeful.

  But both he and Akiyo saw me shake my head in disapproval.

  “We need to level up. This is a good opportunity,” I replied firmly. “And besides, nobody here is a ranger, so forget about adopting a pet for now.”

  Okaya frowned, his fingers twitching with impatience. “But it could be friendly!”

  “Or it could be a threat,” I countered, my gaze still fixed on the wolf, which was now inching closer, curiosity piqued. “Let’s be smart about this. We don’t know what it’s capable of. Not only that, but we also need to train.”

  Okaya nodded reluctantly, the enthusiasm fading from his eyes. “Alright, since I’m the one who specializes in close combat, I guess I’ll initiate it first.”

  “Akiyo, be ready with those vines,” I instructed, glancing at my friend. “We’ll need to work together. If this goes south, we can’t let it corner us.”

  “Got it!” Akiyo replied, his hands already weaving the magical vines, their shimmering forms dancing with anticipation.

  I could see the determination in Okaya’s stance as he readied himself. “Just remember, aim for a lethal attack. They say the first kill is never easy, but we must do it.”

  The wolf seemed to sense the shift in our energy. It growled, ears standing high up, its eyes became hostile and wider. The battle had started.

  “On three,” I whispered, my heart pounding. “One… two… three!”

  As Okaya cast away all hesitance, and lunged forward, I held my breath, hoping we were making the right choice in this unpredictable moment.

  The wolf also pounced forward, but Okaya, utilizing his fast reflexes as a rogue and his high dexterity, dodged just in time. He landed gracefully to the side, putting the wolf in perfect position for Akiyo.

  “Gather around it, twist!” Akiyo chanted, his voice steady and commanding. In an instant, with incredible speed, magical vines erupted from the ground, snaking around and securing all four of the wolf’s legs.

  The wolf let out a startled growl, its golden eyes wide with surprise as it struggled against the binding vines. I could see the tension in its muscles as it tried to break free, but Akiyo’s magic held firm.

  “Now what?” Okaya asked, a mix of excitement and concern on his face.

  “What do you mean? Finish it off. Cut its neck or something,” Akiyo said, his voice rising with urgency as he struggled to keep the vines in place.

  “No! I don’t want to kill it!” Okaya protested, his voice strained as he wrestled with his conscience. “There has to be another way. We can’t just slaughter it for experience points!”

  “If we don’t take it down, we’ll miss a valuable opportunity to level up. We need this!” i shot back, frustration catching up to me as i try to convince him.

  The wolf, feeling the tension in the air, let out a low growl, but I could see the flicker of fear in its eyes. It was desperate, caught between instinct and the unknown.

  “Trust me, I know it’s not as easy and casual as shown in games or movies,” I urged, trying to make him see the bigger picture. “But think about it! One day, we have to face the Demon King! And potentially kill him! That is the only way back home!”

  Okaya’s eyes widened, grappling with the weight of my words. “I get that, but...”

  I stepped closer, lowering my voice to a whisper as I tried to connect with him. “Okaya, I promise we’ll do our best to make it quick,” I said, desperation creeping into my tone. “But we need to act. It’s part of our journey, and it’s part of growing up in this world. We can’t ignore that. There is no escape.”

  He hesitated, his brow furrowed in conflict. “I just… I don’t want to be a killer. Not now, not ever.”

  This was one of those tender moments of sheer understanding and humanism. Even we couldn't believe how much our situation was similar and how deep we resonated.

  “And you won’t be,” I reassured him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll handle it with respect. This is a fight for survival, not for pleasure. We can honor it by being swift.”

  After a tense moment, Okaya took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. “Fine. Let’s do it quickly.”

  “Agreed,” Akiyo said, his eyes lighting up with determination.

  With a nod, we prepared ourselves for the inevitable. It was time to confront the reality of our world and the choices we had to make. Thank goodness my persuasion and high charisma worked on Okaya, if it weren't for it, he would even try to release the wolf by now, the escaper. Yet as Okaya kneeled above the wolf’s head, dagger poised to strike, he hesitated. His hand trembled, the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

  “Come on! Just do it! We can’t waste any more time!” Akiyo’s voice was sharp, the struggle to keep the vines was becoming intense.

  With a strained breath, Okaya delivered a blow, but it was shallow, barely piercing the skin. The wolf let out a pained yelp, eyes wide with confusion and fear. Okaya’s expression shifted from determination to dismay as he realized he hadn’t committed to the kill.

  “I didn’t—” he stammered, guilt flooding his features.

  Frustration surged through me. We didn’t have the luxury of time or indecision. In a moment of rash and impatient will, I reached for my crossbow, feeling a surge of adrenaline. I loaded an arrow, aimed with steady hands, and took a deep breath.

  “Ugh! Get back!” I shouted, and without waiting for a response, I released the bolt. The arrow flew through the air, striking true, embedding itself deep into the wolf’s neck.

  The creature let out a guttural yelp, thrashing violently for a moment before collapsing to the ground, the fight leaving its body. Silence enveloped us as I lowered my weapon, the reality of what I had just done settling heavily in the air. I felt the first ever wild kill in my entire life. Okaya stared in shock, his dagger falling from his grip.

  Akiyo stepped forward, eyes gleaming with a mix of admiration and disbelief. “You did what had to be done,” he said, though his tone was laced with unease.

  As I looked at the fallen wolf, a wave of sadness took over me, which i pushed deep down, burying it. I had crossed a line, one that would linger in my mind long after this moment. Out of nowhere, our system screens opened. For those two, the message, "You leveled up!" flashed prominently on their screens. then at their player profile screen, their stats were slightly increased, and the level was 2. But that wasn't the case for me, my Exp was 4 out of 10. Somehow, i gained less points.

  The rest of our tutorial played out similarly. After a mental restructuring in our subconscious, we encountered more wild creatures to defeat. Akiyo and Okaya quickly climbed to level 5, like everybody else as i found afterwards. their skills and confidence were eventually growing with each victory. Meanwhile, I struggled to even reach level 3, my experience points creeping up slowly. Each encounter felt like a reminder of my struggle with this bizarre system of mine. It felt ridiculous, it felt so unfair. Were we really growing, or was it just a cruel illusion cast upon us?

  I was never trained to shoot or load a crossbow, yeah, it was a mad play.