After repeatedly using Scan until his heartbeat weakened, Alec managed to confirm his hypothesis. Familiarity with a spell improved the results when casting it. However, it still wasn't enough for him to see the level of detail he wanted to see.

He needed something better.

'I guess I'll have to talk to Reina after class.' Alec sighed and slumped in his chair, only perking up slightly when Reina strode through the door.

"Good news, students, your first field trip has been decided. You're going to a ruin known as the Treasure Room." Reina winked at Alec.

'I guess that's where I'll find the Poem of Neverlasting Wisdom they mentioned.'

"Although that's what it's called, all of the treasures have long since been removed. Only things of no value or that can't be removed remain. But it's still a ruin of an ancient civilization with a civilization and culture that was very different from ours. Visiting will be a great learning experience for all of you.

"However, that's not the only type of experience you will get. The Treasure Room has denser Aether than its surroundings. Can anyone tell me why that is important?"

She glanced across the classroom, intentionally avoiding Alec. He knew the answer. There was no need to ask him.

"Reece."

"Secluded areas with higher density Aether has a higher likelihood of attracting monsters?"

"Correct. You will be going there to hunt monsters."

"But—"

"This field trip will be continuous. Only those of you who have condensed your magic circles will go. Right now, that is Taryeon, Maura, Alec, and Reece.

"Of course, you won't be going alone. Warriors and Mages from both divisions will go together. A teacher from the noble division will accompany you. Any questions?"

It didn't seem like anyone had any questions, at least not related to what she had just said, so Reina continued with her lesson.

"Since the students this year seem a little excited, the field trip is earlier than it usually is. That means I haven't had time to tell you all about the stages of monsters.

"Fortunately, the theory is simple. Identifying becomes a little trickier. But that's something you'll learn with experience as long as you don't die first.

"The ladder is similar to that of mages and warriors. First stage, second stage, third stage, and so on. Theoretically, it goes up to the ninth stage. But even seventh-stage monsters are rare. And there has only been one recorded instance of an eighth-stage monster in the Kingdom's history. Probably because the Kingdom would have ceased to exist if there had been two of them.

"As with mages and warriors, anything above the sixth stage is a walking calamity, especially when it comes to monsters.

"Good, now that you're sufficiently scared, I can go back to talking about what you need to be concerned about. First-stage monsters.

"In short, they are animals who have lost their intelligence but gained strength. You can identify them by some kind of mutation that separates them from their animal counterparts. Dogs with four eyes, bulls with too many horns, or chickens bigger than cows. That sort of thing. Unless you've been living your lives under one big rock, you should be able to identify them.

"Whenever a monster advances a stage, its mutation gets refined. At first, their mutations usually look a little misshapen and 'off.'" Reina made air quotes with her fingers.

"It usually looks unnatural. The second stage makes it look more natural. If you look at enough monsters, you'll understand." Reina nodded while thinking about how to explain it better.

She couldn't think of a better explanation, so she moved on.

"I should also tell you about the third stage, even if I doubt you'll encounter any such monsters in the Treasure Room. Or anywhere else, for that matter. But if you do, run. Run and don't look back. That way, you at least won't see when you die."

… The students in the classroom sank into scared silence. Reina wasn't joking.

"Anyway, the third stage can present itself in two ways. Most often, it is a further refinement of the mutation. If you're unlucky, another mutation has presented itself. It's unclear why, but third-stage monsters that have developed a secondary mutation are usually stronger than the ones that refined their first.

"At the same time, it's a surefire way of identifying a third-stage monster.

"Fourth stage monsters start changing beyond a mere mutation. They slowly lose semblance to the original animal they mutated from. The fifth and sixth stages are more of the same. And there isn't enough known about monsters at the seventh stage for me to confidently tell you how to identify them. But then again, if you're ever faced with a seventh-stage one, identifying it will probably be the least of your worries." Reina finished with a smile.

"For this trip, you should expect and prepare for first stage and second stage monsters. Second stage ones might seem dangerous since you're only at the first circle. But don't forget that you will be working with the mages and warriors around you, and the fact that monsters are stupid.

"They have instincts or something like that. But they have no intelligence. Use traps, tricks, and whatever tactics you can think of to kill them. Work together. Rely on each other's strengths and make up for each other's weaknesses.

"But at the same time, don't let down your guards for even a moment. More than fighting a strong monster, that's how you lose your life.

"Make sure the monster is dead before turning your back on it. Make sure the people you entrust your back to won't stab it. That won't happen during this field trip, but you most of you will most likely be fighting monsters for the rest of your lives.

"Getting that habit started right now can't harm you. If there are no questions, I will be having practical lessons on how to fight monsters using magic now. It is obligatory for those with magic circles and recommended for those without."

Since there were no questions, Reina moved the class and the students who were ready to fight monsters outside.

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