[System thinks that Host's concern about friend is trivial and in poor taste for a Villian.]

Not now, System.

[System merely wishes to remind Host that as a Novice Villain, Host should be creating problems and commiting crimes.]

I'm not actually trying to be a villain, remember?

[System remembers. System also remembers that Host has been remarkably successful at villain-adjacent activities despite claims of being a hero. Perhaps Host has more natural talent for villainy than Host realizes.]

"Are you trying to force me onto the path of villiany." Lucas asked with a brow raised.

[No, no, not at all. System would never do anything to harm Host.]

Lucas ignored the System's commentary and rejoined his friends as they headed toward their respective dorms to rest before dinner.

---

The dining hall that evening was packed with students celebrating their survival.

Long tables groaned under platters of roasted meat, fresh bread, vegetables, fruits, and desserts. The kitchen staff had clearly gone all out.

Lucas's team claimed a table near the center of the hall. The atmosphere was jovial, with students from different teams sharing stories of their forest experiences.

"...and then the Iron Tusk Boar charged right at us," a boy from Team Alexander was saying at the next table. "We barely made it up a tree in time!"

"That's nothing," a girl from Team Iris countered. "We ran into a whole nest of Razor Wasps. Took us an hour to get them all off us!"

Garrett leaned over and whispered, "Should we tell them about the three boss monsters?"

"Absolutely not," Damion said. "That's our secret. Let them think we just got lucky with resource gathering."

"But imagine their faces if they knew we..." Garrett started.

"No," Lydia said. "Damion's right. The less attention we draw to exactly how we got those points, the better. Besides, officially we're not even supposed to know about the boss monsters, right? They're supposed to be too deep in the forest for students to encounter."

Lucas nodded. She had a point. If they admitted to deliberately drawing three apex predators into a fight, they'd probably face questions about why they were in that area in the first place.

"Fine," Garrett grumbled. "But it would have been a great story."

The meal was delicious.

After two days of trail rations, even simple roasted chicken tasted like a feast. Lucas found himself eating more than he'd intended, his body demanding fuel to finish recovering from the exam ordeal.

Celeste sat across from him, participating in the conversation but notably more reserved than usual. It was... nice, actually. Comfortable.

Maybe their conversation had actually helped.

Halfway through dinner, Professor Hendricks stood up at the head table and called for attention.

"Students! If I could have your attention please!"

The dining hall gradually quieted.

"First, congratulations to all of you who completed the Arvsen Forest examination. Whether you placed first or fiftieth, the fact that you survived two days in that environment speaks to your capability and potential."

Polite applause rippled through the hall.

"Second, I want to remind you that your new Class Placements will be announced in two weeks."

Groans from several tables.

"And finally," Hendricks continued, "I have an announcement regarding an opportunity that has become available to top-performing students."

The hall went completely silent. Everyone leaned forward slightly.

"As many of you know, the Kingdom of Lerastad maintains several research facilities and training grounds beyond the capital. One of these, the Srest Training Facility, has extended an invitation to the top three teams from this year's practical examinations."

Lucas felt himself becoming excited.

"Teams placing first, second, and third will have the opportunity to spend one week at Srest immediately following Class Placements. There, you will receive advanced combat training from active-duty knights and mages, access to specialized equipment, and the chance to participate in controlled dungeon expeditions."

Excited whispers filled the hall.

"This is a tremendous honor and opportunity," Hendricks said. "However, it is not mandatory. Those who prefer to return home for the break between semesters may do so. Team leaders, please inform me of your decision within the next three days."

Hendricks sat back down, and the hall erupted into loud discussion.

Hendricks sat back down, and the hall erupted into loud discussion.

"Srest," Zacard said. "That's where they train the Royal Guard candidates."

"Advanced combat training," Lydia said. "Imagine just how much more powerful we would be.."

Damion looked around the table. "Thoughts? Should we go?"

"Yes," everyone said simultaneously.

Damion laughed. "Unanimous decision then. I'll inform Professor Hendricks tomorrow."

Srest Training Facility. In the game, that had been a mid-game location where the protagonist and his party received significant power boosts. Advanced techniques, rare equipment, connections with powerful NPCs...

And now Lucas would have access to it much earlier than expected.

[Is Host planning to commit criminal acts at the Srest Training Facility!]

"Of course not! Are you crazy! That's were most of the countries top tiers are." Lucas said.

[I see. However System notes that Srest Faciliyy may contain several dangerous encounters. Host should prepare accordingly.]

Dangerous how?

[I can't say. System suggests Host create the legendary Blackhearted Stew to significantly boost his mana capacity and regeneration to prepare for any situation. The ingredients are: a fresh fetus from a pregnant woman's womb, the brain of someone who was tortured before death, the testicles of a virgin male and the heart of a person who died of starvation. After all, the survival rate for Srest trainees is approximately 95%.]

Wait, five percent don't survive? Lucas thought ignoring the systems suggestions.

[It is a military training facility, not a daycare center. Accidents happen.]

"Lucas?" Celeste's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "You seem worried."

"Just thinking about preparation," Lucas said carefully. "Srest sounds like it's going to be intense."

"It will be," she agreed. "But we'll face it together like we did the forest."

"Right..."

The rest of dinner passed in a blur of planning and speculation. By the time students began filtering out of the hall, Lucas felt sleepy (again).

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