Dragon Master: The SSS-Ranked School Belle Asked Me To Contract Her

Day Eight began with a delicious meal cooked by Veer for his group. Meat wasn't a rarity in forests like this, so they weren't about dying from hunger.

However, they had begun to store some meat as they would soon be in the caves. It had been more than a week since they started their journey and it was hellish to say the least.

They had never thought they would have to fight so much in a matter of a few days. Their bodies were filled with bruises as even the healing potions were running out, so they were using them scarcely.

The group had been marching non-stop towards the Hill, and only stopped when they couldn't fight and had found a cave. After all, many times they couldn't even find a cave and had to fight in darkness.

Fortunately, David's Aspect came in handy and they were able to travel a considerable distance each day using his Aspect. He usually absorbed darkness at night and used it to cover the whole group.

It took a toll on him, even with the Vitality Artefact Aurora gave him. So, the rest of the way the group had to travel by themselves and that meant fighting the Abominations that they had never seen or even heard of.

From titanic serpents to human-swallowing flowers, everything was just bizarre and a danger to them. However, it also made their battle instincts stronger and their fighting style much more refined.

Though, this wasn't true for Veer as he had already fought for over ten years, so his body was already adapted to such things. Still, he pretended to struggle in many places, and he had to say even he was impressed by his acting.

The group had a total of eight Assassins, one Seer, one Marksman, and finally one tank who also worked as a Fighter. It was a deadly line-up considering Veer was able to hold against even multiple Intermediate Stage Magical Creatures.

The Assassins were known for their high critical rate and swift kills in the quickest way. So, when eight of them attacked a distracted opponent, especially a Magical Creature, they were able to show their true might.
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Because of only this deadly line-up, they were able to cross three-fourths of the distance in just seven days. If everything went well, they should reach the base of the hill soon where they would then search for a cave.

Currently, the group was sitting around a tree with a thick trunk, enough to cover all of them up. They chose one side each as always and began to think about their next plan.

A week of constant fighting had exhausted them mentally and physically, but they couldn't go back now. They had already marched so far, so they had to see the fruit of their labour.

Veer sat on a wooden stool as he gave his group their meal. Afterwards, he said, "Man! How did you come so far all alone?"

Aurora licked up her fingers and said, "I have my means, Mr Veer. I would have used those means for us, but it seems unlikely."

Turning speechless, Veer looked at her and asked, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Because I needed battle experience, a true life and death one, and nothing is better than this. Also, we don't know what we'll encounter on the other side, so we need them," Aurora said. "You can already see the danger here, so think about the things we'll have to face there."

Rain munches on the meats and said, "I noticed something. That David, he doesn't get exhausted from using his Aspect."

Raising an eyebrow, Veer turned to look at his companion. Her former scrawny figure was nowhere to be seen, and a fit, petite one was there, gobbling up her share of meat.

She had grown in many ways...

Veer shook off those thoughts and said, "Can you explain?"

"I was observing him since the time he used his Aspect for the first time. He is definitely pretending to be tired," Rain responded. "His heartbeat was normal and the sweat that forms on his face is just water. There are other signs as well."

"Hmm, so they are trying to make us think that they're weak," Aurora finished her meal and said. "They know we don't have a Seer, so we wouldn't know exact things, so they're trying to manipulate some things, huh."

"Yeah, his Aspect is definitely related to Darkness, but it's probably much more dangerous than they want us to believe," Veer agreed. "I guess they plan to use it in the caves."

He closed his eyes and then said, "How about we give them a chance?"

"What do you mean?"

"Let's separate after finding an opportunity. According to them, Rain is the weakest, but she's also very troublesome to deal with. They know that, so they wouldn't try to target her. That leaves us."

Aurora nodded and said, "And they know me enough, so they also won't target me that easily. That leaves only you."

"Yes, if they could eliminate me early on, then they would have a higher chance of killing you two," Veer nodded. "For them, I'm like a mountain who can face powerful things like storm and everything. But Drillers would easily pierce through a hole in that same mountain."

"And Assassins are Drillers," Aurora grinned. "So, you're planning to use yourself as a bait?"

"Yes. It's been some time since I've gone all out," Veer cracked his neck and said, having the same wide grin on his face. "They will be a good practice."

"But then we'll have to go to the tombs alone?" Aurora frowned, as that was her plan all along.

"Sadly, our friends don't think the same," Veer sighed.

They wouldn't have bothered with this trap if Seeker Academy students were going to accompany them even in the caves. Unfortunately, it was clear that they wanted to take advantage of the close dark space to finish them all.

It was a good trick, but it wouldn't work on people like Veer and Aurora.

"But what about her Seer? Wouldn't she just see all of our plans and tell her group?"