Villainous Instructor at the Academy
Chapter 95: Simple feast(1)

Chapter 95: Simple feast(1)

The forest was dense, and the air was thick with the smell of pine and damp earth. The first-year students stood in a rough circle, their eyes flicking nervously between each other. There was no way out of this.

I crossed my arms. "Leo, since you’re so vocal today, why don’t you step up next?"

Leo looked like he’d rather eat a live scorpion. "Actually, I think Felix took my turn—"

"Did he?" I tilted my head. "Did I say Felix was taking your place?"

Leo sighed in defeat and trudged forward, the crunch of leaves underfoot making him sound like he was walking to his death.

I gestured for him to stand properly. "Now, remember—don’t flinch. Absorb the impact. You flinch, you fall, and if you fall, I’ll make you do it again."

Leo swallowed hard and nodded.

I gave him a solid push.

Leo, to his credit, didn’t immediately collapse like Felix. He stumbled back, his feet scrambling for balance on the uneven forest floor, but somehow—somehow—he managed to stay upright.

I blinked. "Huh."

Leo stared at me, breathless. "D-Did I do it?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Barely."

Leo exhaled in relief, his shoulders sagging.

"Which means," I continued smoothly, "you can do better."

His relief vanished. "Wait—"

I shoved him again. Harder.

Leo yelped, barely catching himself before he fell flat on his back, his hands scraping against the rough forest floor. The class snickered, but they also knew better than to celebrate too soon.

I paced in front of them, the crunch of my boots blending with the rustling of the trees. "This is important. If you don’t know how to take a hit, you’ll crumble the second someone stronger than you comes along. And trust me—someone stronger will always come along."

The class quieted at that.

I gestured to Garrick. "Big guy, you’re next."

Garrick cracked his knuckles, his stance widening as if he was ready to charge straight through a tree.

I didn’t bother with a push. I just slammed my palm into his chest.

Garrick didn’t move.

I smirked. "Good. You know how to plant your feet. But what about when the hit comes from somewhere unexpected?"

Before he could react, I swept his leg out from under him.

THUD.

Garrick hit the ground hard, the sound echoing through the trees. He stared up at the canopy in disbelief.

The class burst into laughter.

I grinned down at him. "Lesson two: Even the strongest fall if they don’t stay aware."

He groaned and sat up, rubbing his head. "Got it, Professor."

"Do you?" I raised an eyebrow. "Then let’s test that awareness."

Garrick paled.

I let the class stew in nervous silence for a moment before I finally waved them off. "That’s enough for today. But don’t get too comfortable—we’re doing this again tomorrow."

A chorus of groans filled the air, the sound mixing with the breeze.

Felix flopped onto the ground dramatically, his back hitting the dirt with a soft thud. "Professor, have mercy—"

"Mercy?" I scoffed. "Felix, do you think your enemies will show you mercy?"

"...Maybe?" he tried weakly.

I shook my head. "Wrong answer. Now get up before I make you run laps through the forest."

Felix scrambled to his feet faster than I thought possible, the threat of running through the forest clearly enough to motivate him.

The rest of the class gathered their things, muttering amongst themselves, some of them eyeing the thick trees surrounding us like they might suddenly come alive.

Julien stretched, grinning. "You really enjoy torturing us, don’t you, Professor?"

I smirked. "You’re just figuring that out now?"

Mira chuckled, nudging Wallace. "Think we’ll survive the year?"

Wallace sighed, his voice a little softer against the forest’s backdrop. "Ask me again after tomorrow’s lesson."

I watched them go, shaking my head. They were a mess. But at least they were my mess.

I turned away, already planning the next lesson, the soft rustling of leaves in the wind filling the silence.

They had no idea what was coming next.

I turned to head back toward the camp, my mind already ticking over the lessons I’d drilled into them. Survival wasn’t just about raw power or endurance; it was about adaptability, awareness, and knowing when to step up and when to step back.

Suddenly, a flutter of wings cut through the quiet murmur of the students. From above, a flash of blue swooped down and landed on a branch nearby. The bluebird perched elegantly, its bright feathers glinting in the dimming light.

<"Attention all students and professors, the feast will begin shortly. All are requested at the center of the forest. The first three days of survival trials have concluded. You have earned your reward. Make your way to the clearing.">

The bird’s melodic voice echoed through the forest, causing the students to stiffen, then quickly spring into motion. A feast meant food, rest, and a chance to relax after the grueling trials. The students had worked tirelessly for the past three days, scrounging, foraging, and testing their limits. It was a rare moment of reprieve in the middle of the harsh survival camp.

I glanced around at the students, all of them visibly relieved, though a few still held that nervous tension in their postures. The exhaustion from the trials was written on their faces, but the prospect of the feast made it easier to push through.

"Alright, get moving," I said, already starting in the direction of the center. "You’ve earned this, but don’t let your guard down just yet. A lot can happen in a short amount of time out here."

Felix, looking eager to get to the food, trotted alongside me. "Finally, a break," he mumbled, though his eyes darted around the forest, cautious. "Though, you’re saying there’s no survival event on the fourth day?"

I nodded. "That’s right. You all heard the bluebird. Tomorrow’s just for rest and rewards. But don’t get too comfortable. Things could change—this is a survival camp after all."

Julien, always the skeptic, shot a glance toward me. "Right, and knowing you, Professor, you’re probably planning to make us do something crazy even during the ’rest’ day."

I smirked, enjoying the playful jab. "I can’t help it if you need to stay sharp."

As we walked, the sound of crunching leaves underfoot began to fade, replaced by a distant murmur of chatter. The students were already gathering in small groups, some exchanging stories of what they’d endured over the past few days. I could see the camaraderie forming among them, though some of the more reserved students still kept to themselves.

The center of the forest wasn’t far off—a large clearing where the camp had set up temporary structures. It was where the feast would take place, and where the bluebird’s announcement had directed everyone. The flicker of campfires could be seen through the trees, and the scent of cooking food hung in the air.

As we neared, the bluebird’s voice rang out once more from above, guiding us. <"Make sure you all enjoy your reward, but remember, the trials are far from over. Tomorrow will be a day of rest, but it will not be a day of ease. We’ll see who survives the next stage soon enough.">

The words echoed in the silence, a reminder that even on a "rest" day, they would not be fully free from the challenge.

I turned to look at my students, a quiet smile playing on my lips. "Enjoy the feast while you can," I said, "But be ready for what comes next."

They nodded, some of them eager for the food, others still wary, knowing that in the Academy, peace was often just the calm before the storm.