How To Survive A Calamity

I stared at the list featured on the holographic screen hovering before my eyes, and as expected, the names and faces were a bit unfamiliar.

Aside from mine, there were four other names and images highlighted representing my group members.

"So it's a five man team after all."

I mummured as i said that and began going through the information.

Quite frankly, i was expecting the groups to be a bit larger since this was going to be getting actual field experience on dungeons. It wasn't uncommon, but wasn't the standard number of a dungeon hunting party about eight to fifteen or something?

But then if the academy decided to break the groups into such large numbers then, there might be some of us who have never had to work or manage such large numbers. And rather than get used to it, that might just make things a bit more harder.

From what I've heard, it's also not rare for snall groups of Awakened to challenge dungeons and survive. Sometimes, some even solo it.

But in any case, i think five was just about okay.

We aren't too large, and this can make keeping account on each of the members much easier.

Speaking of account, i should probably try starting with remembering their names and faces.

"Chelsea Harper Number 620. Don Clyde Number 522, Trise Asher number 556, and..."

Ah, well there was one familiar face.

"Deandra Lunar. Number 2."

The image of a fiery red haired young lady with bright red and aloof eyes reflected off the hologram.

"This is unexpected. Who could have thought."

I ended up in the same group with our new class rep. Was this a good thing?

Perhaps.

I couldn't be sure wether i should consider myself lucky. My interactions with Deandra were abysmally close to none except for that one time at the class entrance.

But I guess any bread it's better than none. Having Deandra on my group was at least better than having Ceres...

"Hmm...but having a Ranker powerhouse though is a bit reassuring."

There was less than one week now until the day of the exercise, and the release of the group listings and names further solidified the reality. If before the Exercise seemed so far, now it was just like a day away.

There were a few more details along with the message advising the groups to meet together and prepare adequately in time. For the time being, from now until the day of the exercise, the number and time of classes in a day will be cut short for all first years students.

By doing this, the cadets will have no reason for an excuse of being unable to prepare properly.

Yet at the same time, the details regarding what the criteria of the exercise is about still hasn't been revealed, and neither has the requirements.

But since the listings have been made, i guess that was only a matter of time. This was also probably an intentional tactic to keep the cadets on edge and earnest to make better preparations before then.

"What do you think the exercise criteria will be?"

I waved my hand through the air, dismissed the screen hovering in front of me, and said seemingly to myself.

[Depends. At the same time, it doesn't matter.]

Meta's voice hummed inside my head like overlapping synthetic vibrations devoid of human emotion.

There was a popular saying amongst Adventurers of Aethoria.

"Anything can happen in a Dungeon."

The exercise criteria may not matter much eventually on the day. To be on the safer sode, expect the worse and the worst.

I vaguely understood the meaning behind Meta's simplistic words that they were almost cryptic.

I guess I've grown accustomed to her dry responses over the years, huh.

"Well, i understand." I nodded my head once and rose from the bench.

With a small whistle, a cold wind blew through the night ruffling my hair, and i stared at the wide full moon up in the sky.

In thought.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Anything can happen in a Dungeon, huh..."

Something...

Well.

"... We'll see."

***

Following the next day, i found myself sitting in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by an unfamiliar environment.

-Slurrp.

The only sound was of me slurping my smoothie.

"...Can you stop?" An annoying voice whispered

"No." I replied flatly.

-Slurp!

"...At least be more qui...!"

-Slurrrrrrp!!!

-Slam!

"Youu!" The girl sharply rose up and slammed the table next to us, her face flushed red with anger.

Suddenly, a sharp and stern voice cut through the tension.

"That's enough."

I was sitting in a cafe, 'quietly' enjoying a small cup of smoothie when i put it down as soon as i heard a stern, familiar voice.

I looked up to see Deandra, our newly appointed class rep, sitting across from me with a piercing gaze. I meekly complied, shutting my mouth.

At the same time, the girl with short lavender hair and green eyes glaring next to me froze on her feet.

I sat in an unfamiliar cafe, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, sitting around one of the boots.

The people currently gathered were my supposed group members.

And directly across from me was a stunning red haired with passionate red eyes sitting cross armed.

"Ahem. You called?"

I cleared my throat and took the initiative before anyone else to say.

Not long after the group notification last night, i surprisingly got a text message through my communicator from none other than Deandra herself. She was politely asking to meet up immediately with the whole groups members to discuss about our course of action from now up until the day of the exercise.

I got a private text from one of the most least person i would expect. Quite frankly, i nearly had a sleepless night yesterday. But then i realised, it wasn't all that strange, i guess.

Wasn't Deandra just newly made Class representative?

Before Deandra could nod and proceed with a response, the annoying young lady with short lavender hair and green eyes next to me began to rant.

"Yes, Class rep! Before we continue, allow me to say, just how much of an honour it is, truly, to not only be one of the privileged and lucky few to join you on your journey as a classmate, but! Also as an aiding member of the same group! Ah, how the gods must be so gracious to be graced by your reverent presence like this! I would also like to use this small opportunity to congratulate your recent success of becoming appointed Class rep—!!"

"Sluurrrrppp!!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

I interrupted, slurping my smoothie loudly as the table fell silent. Four pairs of annoying glares locked onto me.

Ignoring the death glares, i smacked my tongue and lips tastefully. Discover hidden stories at empire

"Nice flavour."

"Y-you barbarian! Can't you drink more quietly?!" The short haired girl snapped back immediately, her faced turned red with anger again.

I averted her gaze, feeling the chilled touch of my smoothie.

"Sorry. I didn't think anyone would notice over your annoying voice."

The short gaired girl scowled and sneered in anger.

"Hah! How dare you, you nameless nobody. Do you have any idea who i am?"

I raised an arm forward at her for a handshake with a smile.

"Hi, I'm idon'tgiveafuck, pleasure to make your acquaintance. And you are...oh wait. I don't give a fuck."

Ah.

And so, our first ever group meeting went off without a hitch.

"Slurrp!"

I think we'd make a great team.