"You there," an instructor called out to me. "Did you already get your group number?"
I flinched.
"...I forgot."
As much as I knew about the game, the number of playthroughs I had gone through kind of skipped over the group selection process.
It didn't help that the succubus also didn't say a word.
The instructor clicked his tongue and dragged me over into a room. It was like an office, just smaller.
"Did you get a silver coin?" he asked.
I took it out of my pocket and flicked it over.
The instructor caught it, gave it one good look, and then nodded at me.
"Group 16. Two of your teammates are already here."
I didn't know who my teammates aside from Isabelle were supposed to be, so I was expecting good things.
The instructor led me to one of the portal rooms.
A cool breeze hit me the moment I entered.
There was an archway with a swirling blue portal residing in it.
It was the source of that cool breeze. Right beside it were two people. One frail-looking girl, and a buff man wearing glasses.
The frail girl was trying to touch the portal, but the buff man was holding her back.
"Melissa! I told you no!"
"Waaah! Come on Brian! I'm only going to touch the frame! What's the harm in that!?"
They were a lively bunch.
"Until your last group member arrives, stay put and don't do anything stupid like going in early. I'll get going now."
With those words, the instructor slammed the door shut.
That gathered the attention of the two bickering.
"Oh? You're our teammate?" Melissa began to approach, but just then...
"Wait."
Brian's gaze hardened as he stared at me with disgust.
"You're Amon Everness, the demon child, aren't you?"
Sighing inwardly, I already knew which direction this conversation was going to go.
"Yep. Nice to meet you too."
"He's Amon Everness?" Melissa stepped back, shocked.
But she wasn't the wary kind of shocked.
Instead, it was more like surprise.
She was flustered, but not averse.
Brian stepped in front of her, as if to guard her.
"I don't know how true the rumors are, but while this test is going on, please stay away from us."
"..."
Honestly.
It was starting to get a bit annoying now.
But this kind of treatment only made me realize why in the end, Amon became who he did.
Who wouldn't become a villain when not even a single person was on their side?
"If that'll make you feel safer, then sure. You're on your own."
Glancing past him at Melissa, I smiled.
"Or maybe not? Is it a one-sided crush?"
Both Melissa and Brian froze, glancing at one another, then letting out a chuckle.
"We're siblings."
"...Oh."
No clue how I didn't make that connection.
Maybe it was because it was so dark in the room? Right... That's probably it.
Still, even with my failed attempt to embarrass them, we didn't break the ice.
Instead, Brian kept glaring at me, making sure not to let Melissa get too close to me.
On the other hand, Melissa was like a chipmunk. She weaved around her brother and managed to catch glances at me.
Even so, our time together was spent in silence.
That is until the door suddenly opened, revealing a familiar figure.
It was Isabelle, with the instructor who had brought me here.
Unlike the crude and basic introduction he gave me, he was practically groveling at Isabelle's feet, trying to catch some imperial favors.
But... Isabelle hated that.
She was one of those people who didn't want to associate themselves with their family.
Instead, she wanted to be known for her own achievements.
And I admired her for that.
"Miss, would you like a glass of water too? I could—"
"No." Isabelle cut him off with a warm smile. "I've had enough of your hospitality. Please leave me alone now."
The instructor seemed hesitant, but after she gave him the good ol' glare, he gulped and stepped back.
Instead of leaving, however, he went on to explain how this test would work.
"C-Cough, okay. Future cadets, this test will determine if you're worthy enough to partake in the final test."
He raised a finger, acting confident.
"All of you will go through that portal, and you'll be teleported to a nearby goblin village. The goblins are only Grade 1 or 2. Their leader is a bit more powerful. Your main objective is to clear the goblin village and bring back the leader's skull. If you can do that within 24 hours, you pass."
Wasn't there supposed to be a supervisor?
I could've sworn someone went with Kevin, so why were we any different...?
Glancing to my left, I got my answer.
Isabelle was a deterrent in most cases because she was powerful.
So they likely didn't see the need to have a supervisor.
How stupid...
"Go in whenever you're ready. I'll start the timer when you do," the instructor added.
I kind of expected us to do some half-assed introductions first.
Instead, Isabelle shot everyone a cold look, and stepped through the portal.
Her cold look lingered a bit longer on me though.
"What a brat," Melissa mumbled.
Brian suddenly gagged her with his eyes open wide as he glanced at me and the instructor.
But both me and the instructor acted like we didn't hear a thing.
So out of sheer embarrassment, he tossed his sister through the portal and went ahead after her.
Now, there was only me left.
As I approached the portal and was only a few steps away, I halted, turning my head slightly.
"Say, what is your name again?"
"My name?" the instructor blinked, letting out a chuckle. "Damien. Not sure if I told you before though."
"Damien... Got it."
I once again faced the portal.
However, I also felt a little uneasy.
I had just used Blood Sight and focused all my perception on his heart.
When I asked him what his name was, he lied to me.
This was an ability I had the pleasure of testing while taking a stroll around the city.
It wasn't completely accurate, but it was very, very close.
So if he lied about something as simple as a name, then I could only assume he was one of the perpetrators who were responsible for what happened to Amon and Isabelle in the game.
I neared the portal, and right before I entered, I gave the instructor one final glance, memorizing his face.
I would pay him a visit later.