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"Did you... just pocket your sandwich?" Mei asked, biting her lip to keep from laughing.

Elwyn stiffened, his professional demeanor crumbling further. "That's irrelevant! The important thing is you've broken the academy record!"

Of course, eating in the middle of a lesson was in no way something an academy teacher, especially in Cardon Academy, should do.

The trio didn't say anything but still looked at him with curious eyes.

Elwyn groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine, fine. Yes, I was eating. But do you know how boring it is waiting here for hours while students struggle through the forest?"

"You mean while students usually struggle through the forest," Mei teased.

Arlon, meanwhile, seemed entirely uninterested in the exchange. "Are we done here?" he asked, glancing back toward the forest.

Elwyn waved his hand, clearly eager to move on. "Yes, yes. Go get some rest or celebrate or whatever it is you guest students do. Just don't tell anyone about the sandwich!"

"Deal," Mei said with a grin, though her tone suggested she wasn't entirely serious.

The group turned to leave, but June lingered for a moment, glancing back at the flustered professor. "Thanks for the official record, Professor," she said.

Elwyn sighed dramatically. "Go before I regret saying anything."

As the trio walked away, Mei couldn't help but laugh. "Did you see his face? I don't think I'll ever let him live that sandwich down."

June chuckled. "Let's just hope he's more careful the next time he's waiting for a record-breaking group."

Arlon, as usual, didn't comment. But for the briefest moment, Mei thought she saw the corner of his mouth twitch upward.

---

At exactly 3 hours and 31 minutes, the clearing stirred again as another trio emerged from the forest.

Pierre led the way, his composed demeanor masking the flicker of excitement in his chest.

Lei followed behind him, carrying her greatsword with ease. "Looks like we're in good time," she said, casting a glance at the glowing clock above the clearing.

Leafa, the tiny warrior Fairy, flitted beside them, her wings buzzing with energy. "We're definitely up there.

If my math's right, we should've taken the top spot. No way anyone else beat us this year."

Pierre nodded slightly, his thoughts calm but focused. "It's possible, but let's confirm with Professor Elwyn first."

The trio approached Elwyn, who stood waiting in the clearing. This time, the professor looked far more composed—though the faint grease stain on his robe still hinted at earlier... events.

"Professor," Pierre said evenly. "We've returned. What's our time?"

Elwyn glanced at the clock, then back at them. "3 hours and 31 minutes," he announced.

Lei's eyes widened slightly, and Leafa let out a triumphant laugh.

"I knew it!" Leafa exclaimed, pumping her tiny fists. "That's faster than Lord Zephyrion's record! I told you we'd be the best this year!"

Lei grinned, adjusting her greatsword. "Not bad at all. Teamwork really paid off."

Pierre allowed himself a small smile but remained cautious. "Let's confirm before we celebrate."

Elwyn sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well... about that."

Leafa immediately froze mid-air, her grin faltering. "Wait. What do you mean, 'about that'?"

"You're not the first group back," Elwyn said, his tone matter-of-fact.

Lei blinked, her grip tightening on her greatsword. "Wait, what?"

"That can't be right," Leafa said, shaking her head. "Who else could've possibly finished faster?!"

"Arlon's group," Elwyn replied. "They came back two hours ago. Their time was 1 hour and 27 minutes."

For a moment, there was nothing but stunned silence.

"Two hours?" Lei said finally, her voice low with disbelief.

Leafa dropped to the ground, her wings still. "You're joking. There's no way they finished two hours ahead of us!"

Pierre, however, didn't share their shock. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. "Arlon and June wouldn't cheat," he said firmly.

Leafa glanced up at him. "I didn't say they cheated, but—"

"You implied it," Pierre interrupted gently but firmly. "And I'm telling you, they wouldn't."

Elwyn nodded, folding his arms. "The wards would prevent tampering or any funny business anyway. Their time is legitimate."

Lei groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "I guess this means we're not as fast as we thought."

Leafa pouted, "Still, I didn't say they cheated. Anyway, you are right. We weren't as fast as we thought."

Elwyn smiled faintly. "It's a good lesson in humility. Second place is still an impressive finish, especially with your time."

Pierre nodded once. "It is. Let's not dwell on what we can't change. We did well, and that's enough."

Lei grinned, bumping his shoulder lightly. "Always so calm, huh, Pierre? You're right, though. We did our best."

Elwyn gestured toward the other side of the clearing. "If you want to see for yourselves, Arlon's group is still here.

The lesson isn't over until all the teams return, so they've been... making themselves comfortable."

Curious, the trio turned toward the direction Elwyn indicated.

Sure enough, under a large tree at the edge of the clearing, Arlon, June, and Mei were seated on a bench that appeared to be conjured out of the ground itself.

Mei was leaning back, chatting animatedly, while June seemed to be quietly listening.

Arlon, as usual, looked unbothered, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the forest as if he were still strategizing.

Leafa crossed her arms, her wings buzzing faintly again. "Well, I guess we'll go say hello."
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"Let's," Pierre said simply, taking the lead.

As they walked toward the trio, Lei muttered under her breath, "Two hours... I still can't believe it."

"Neither can I," Leafa said, glancing at Pierre. "But hey, at least we don't have to guess how they did it. We can just ask."

---

"Looks like someone's having a nice break," Leafa said under her breath, her tone laced with mock irritation.

When they were close enough, Mei spotted them first. "Ah, look who it is!" she called out, waving. "Second place, I assume?"

Leafa's wings buzzed irritably. "You don't know that for sure!" she retorted, even though her flushed cheeks betrayed her embarrassment.

"Pretty sure we do," Mei said, leaning back on the bench with a smirk.

Pierre cleared his throat, stepping forward to keep things civil. "Congratulations on setting the new record," he said evenly. "Your time is... impressive."

Mei grinned, clearly relishing the moment. "'Impressive' is an understatement, don't you think? But thanks, Pierre. I like your attitude. Very classy."

"I am sure that you are not the reason you get this record, Mei!" Leafa said angrily.

Mei just smirked hearing this and turned her head to the side.

June, sensing the tension, quickly chimed in. "You three did great too. Second place is no small feat."

"Second place doesn't feel great when the first-place team finishes two hours ahead," Lei muttered, resting her greatsword against her shoulder.

"How did you finish so fast?" Leafa asked bluntly, her wings twitching as she narrowed her eyes at Arlon.

Arlon, unsurprisingly, didn't answer. Instead, he tilted his head slightly.

Mei chuckled. "Oh, don't look at him. He's not going to tell you anything.."

Leafa groaned, throwing her hands up. "So, what? You're just going to keep it a mystery?"

Arlon finally spoke, his tone calm and even. "Does it matter? The lesson wasn't about speed. It was about teamwork."

Pierre nodded, stepping forward. "He's right. What matters is how we worked together as a group, not just how fast we finished. Isn't that also what you said before, Laefa?"

Leafa crossed her arms, pouting slightly. "Still, I'd like to know how you pulled it off. That time feels impossible."

"Maybe it's magic," Mei said teasingly, winking at Leafa.

Pierre glanced at Arlon, his expression thoughtful. "It's obvious you memorized the map, but even then, it is still impossible with the perfect execution. I'm impressed."

Arlon inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment but didn't elaborate.

Lei sighed, dropping onto the grass near the bench. "Well, I guess there's no point dwelling on it. Congrats, I guess."

"Thanks," June said with a small smile. "But you should still feel proud. Second place is an achievement too. And you also broke the record set by Lord Zephyrion."

Leafa flopped onto the grass beside Lei, her wings fluttering lazily. "Yeah, yeah. We'll take second. But don't think this means you've seen the last of us, Arlon. Next time, we're taking first."

"Good luck," Arlon said simply, his tone almost encouraging.

"So, what were your marker quests..?"

As the groups settled into a more relaxed conversation, Elwyn watched from a distance, chuckling to himself.

Maybe Zephyrion knew exactly what he was doing when he sent them here, Elwyn thought, turning his attention back to the forest as he waited for the next group to arrive.