Two days before, 

"Listen all of you", Miss Grealina said as she slammed her hand to the desk.

"as you all know, In 2 days, there will be an exam and the topic of said exam is "Survival""

[...I don't like where she is going with this idea]

"Typically, the exams are only written tests, but, I have convinced the other educators that you all need..."Special exams" 

[...NO NO NO NO]

"You all will form small groups which would be decided on a lottery and each group will start from somewhere and end within the same checkpoint"

[HOW DID SHE BECOME A TEACHER IN THIS PLACE!]

The students murmured among themselves, some already had accepted their fate, some started tearing up, but some were quite composed.

"QUIET', Miss Grealina roared. Silence flooded the room, yet the slight sound of several legs shaking could still be heard. 

"You all need to face the battlefield eventually, don't cry your brains out, we educators will keep an eye on you, that's all, class dismissed".

She then left the class with most of the students flabbergasted. Some of the students like Madeline and Marie just went on with their routines as if it was a normal school day. 

[Sigh, well, I guess I need to prepare, might as well spar with the three afterschool]

After buying lunch, Luca then went his way to the roof.

[Aghhhh, this is nice], He thought as he could feel the cool breeze of the wind and the warmth of the sun. 

"Why do you keep coming here?"

'AGh- UGH UGH", Luca said, choking on his food. He hit his chest and forcefully swallowed it. 

He let out a cough. "Oh, Via, didn't see you there"

She then got closer and stared at him, awaiting his answer.

"Umm, because I like it here?"

"Don't you have any friends?"

"Of course I do"

"Then why don't you eat with your friends?"

[What is with her questions?]

"Well, why don't you?"

She looked up at the sky.

"I don't have any" 

Luca's eyes widened. 

"Oh...umm...sorry"

[AGHHHHH NOW I FEEL LIKE A JERK], he thought as he ate faster. He left the roof and went back to class afterwards. 

Arriving at the class, it was time for the lottery to determine the group. There would be five groups for the practical. 

"Huh, Vale and that noble in the first group, well I guess it's my turn now", Luca said as he grabbed a piece of paper inside.

He opened the paper and his eyes widened, his heart stopped for a moment. 

[You've...got to be kidding me]

"So, what group did you get, boy?", Miss Grealina asked.

"....One"