**(After a month)**
"Well done, recruits. Over the past month, we've seen many impressive individuals, while others have fallen short. But don't worry—you still have two months left, and you can make up for it."
Instructor Alex spoke loudly as he stood on the platform in the training yard.
We spent the entire month training in speed, strength, endurance, and mana control.
'It was quite exhausting, especially since they increased the intensity of the training each week.'
"Today's training will be different from the usual routine."
"You will leave the fortress and train in the forest by fighting monsters."
Some looked surprised, others seemed frightened, while some appeared excited and eager to battle monsters.
"You will be divided into twenty teams. Each team must select a leader and inform the instructors."
"Now, listen carefully to your names and team assignments. The test will begin in three days, and you must submit your team leader's name by the second day."
"Also, this test is extremely dangerous since you will be fighting monsters deep in the forest. Therefore, if anyone feels uncertain about themselves, they can go to my office and submit their withdrawal."
After Instructor Alex finished speaking, he stepped down from the platform, and another instructor took his place, calling out names.
"Caden Mort, Team 14."
After a while, I heard my name and the number of the team I was assigned to.
I began searching for my team and soon found them gathered.
There was a familiar face among them that I hadn't recognized yet.
'This guy is with me! Lucky me.'
I thought to myself as I looked at the man wearing a half-face mask and black and purple attire that concealed his entire body.
"Hello, I'm caden Mort."
I introduced myself to greet them, but—
"Great, the guy without mana is with us."
"Our chances of survival just dropped—damn."
The three members spoke among themselves, while the masked man remained silent, though he seemed to agree with them.
"When someone greets you, it's polite to return the greeting."
I looked at them calmly as I spoke, feeling their complete disregard.
"What do you want, man? You expect us to greet you when you just increased our chances of dying?"
"Yeah, if you don't have mana, why are you even here? You dragged us down with you."
I sighed inwardly as I listened to their words.
'This is frustrating, but it's not entirely their fault. We're heading into a monster fight, and the risk of death is high for them. It's natural for them to react this way.'
"Alright! Alright! Calm down, guys. More importantly, let's choose a leader and get to know each other so we can form a strategy to stay alive."
'Finally, someone with a rational approach.'
I thought as I looked at the brown-haired man who stepped forward to calm the others.
He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, well-trained, with slightly rough facial features.
"I'll start introducing myself. My name is Adrian, and I'm a greatsword user. Currently, I'm at mid-stage two stars."
In this world, power is divided into stars—from one star to nine stars. Each star consists of three levels: Beginner, Mid, and Advanced.
'Not bad—he's somewhat strong.'
Since I don't have mana, my strength isn't classified. However, the strongest monster I've defeated was ranked five stars at the beginner level, and it nearly killed me.
"My name is caden Mort, unranked. I use a bow and daggers. I'm a hunter, so I've encountered some monsters in the past and know part of the mid-forest since I've been there a few times."
I introduced myself and provided some information. I didn't reveal my full strength because it would be difficult for them to believe that someone without mana could defeat a five-star monster.
"Alright, you'll be somewhat useful at least. Anyway, my name is Robert Vimeris. I'm a support mage, at beginner stage two stars. I specialize in healing and enhancement spells."
'A noble, huh? Still, he'll be useful. Support magic and healing can be lifesaving in critical situations.'
Only nobles can have a family name in this world. However, I use my family name because people assume I'm from the forest dwellers.
Robert had dark orange hair, was slightly short, with a slim build and average facial features.
"My name is Jack. I'm skilled with a sword, at beginner stage two stars."
Jack had black hair, a medium height, and a well-trained physique.
Finally, it was the masked man's turn, and we all looked at him.
"Zirafin Nighter, mid-stage three stars. I specialize in daggers and shadow arts."
Zirafin spoke in a quiet voice as he introduced himself before returning to silence.
'Mid-stage three stars! He's really strong, and with shadow arts, he's perfect for stealth and assassination.'
"Now that we've introduced ourselves, let's vote for a leader. I nominate myself. If anyone else wants to volunteer, step forward."
Adrian spoke with quiet confidence, nominating himself as leader.
We waited in silence for someone else to step forward, but no one did, so Adrian spoke again.
"I take it from your silence that no one objects to me being the leader?"
"Yes."
"I think you're the right choice as a leader."
Robert and Jack spoke in agreement, and both Zirafin and I nodded silently.
Although we had just met, we had seen each other frequently over the past month and knew Adrian was the right choice for leader.
"First, let's have lunch. After an hour, we'll meet here again to discuss strategies for the forest and learn about each other's fighting styles. Does that work for everyone?"
"Alright, no problem."
"Agreed."
After finalizing our plan, everyone went their separate ways, and I headed to the dining hall.
I spotted Lucas, Leon, and Vincent sitting at a table eating, and when Lucas noticed me, he waved, so I walked over and sat down.
"Hey, caden, how's your team?"
"Fine."
I spoke calmly as I began eating a piece of chicken from my plate.
"Luckily, I'm with the white-haired beast, and the rest of my team isn't bad either."
Lucas spoke excitedly as he ate.
The white-haired beast—a nickname given to Leonardo because he was a literal monster.
'Even I don't know if I could defeat that beast.'
I thought to myself as I recalled Leonardo's young face and distinctive white hair.