The monsters drew closer to Noa and Kotaro, seemingly attracted by the scent of blood on their bodies. Just as the monsters were about to devour Noa and Kotaro, Chloe and Julie appeared to exterminate them.

  ~Electric Shock Arrow : Multiple~

  ~Rain of Fire Arrows~

  Chloe and Julie began shooting the monsters with their arrows. After a while, all the monsters that approached them were dead.

  "That was close. If we were even a little later, I don't know what would have happened to those two," Chloe said.

  "You're right, Chloe," Julie said.

  Then the two of them approached Noa and Kotaro, who were still lying on the ground.

  "I wonder who beat those two like this? That person must be strong," Julie said.

  "I don't know," Chloe said.

  Chloe then examined their bodies.

  "There's blood splattered on their bodies, I think that's what drew the monsters here," Chloe said.

  "I see," Julie said.

  "But something's strange. There's blood splattered on their bodies, but I don't see any open wounds on them," Chloe said.

  "So you're saying the blood splattered on their bodies isn't theirs, but someone else's?" Julie asked.

  "I think so. It could be the blood of the person who attacked them. This person seems to have deliberately intended to make them into monster's food," Chloe said.

  "What a cruel plan. Who would have planned something so cruel?" Julie asked.

  "I don't know. We should heal them both immediately. But since neither of us can use healing magic, it seems the only way is to find Rid first. He's the only person I know who can use healing magic," Chloe said.

  "I know one other person who can use healing magic, but he's not as skilled as Rid, but he seems like he could help," Julie said.

  "Who is that person?" Chloe asked.

  "Princess Irene, she can also use healing magic. Rid taught her," Julie said.

  "Irene can also use healing magic? I just learned about that. Well, forget about that, we have to hurry and find Rid or Irene. But we also have to protect them both so no more monsters attack," Chloe said.

  "I'll take care of them, Chloe," Julie said.

  "Okay, then I'll go find Rid or Irene," Chloe said.

  -

  Then a few minutes passed.

  Back to Rid and Lillian.

  "If defeating the students earned me this many medals in such a short time, I should have hunted them down earlier. Now I have 27 medals after taking theirs. I only need 20 medals. Do you want the remaining 7, Lillian?" I asked.

  "Is it okay if I take those medals? I didn't do anything while you defeated them all," Lillian said.

  "It's okay, here you go," I said, handing her my 7 medals.

  "Okay, then I'll take them," Lillian said, accepting the medals I gave her.

  "How many medals do you have left, Lillian?" I asked.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  "I only collected 10 medals before, and with the ones you gave me, I have 17 medals now, leaving 3 more," Lillian said.

  "I see, then I'll help you find the remaining medals. Let's work together," I said.

  "Is that okay, Rid? I probably won't be able to help much if we get involved in a fight," Lillian said.

  "It's okay. Maybe Noa will treat me later as a thank you for protecting her girlfriend," I said.

  "Haha, I see. Then I'll accept the offer," Lillian said.

  "But I need to rest for a while. I've been tired from wandering around and fighting students. Do you know where there's a river in this forest?" I asked.

  "I know where it is, come with me," Lillian said.

  Then the two of us headed towards the place Lillian knew. After a while of walking, we found the place I wanted.

  "By the way, have you met Noa in this exam?" I asked.

  "No, I haven't met him in this exam. I wonder if he's collected 20 medals yet or not," Lillian said.

  "While we looking for the rest of your medals, want to look for him ?too? Who knows, maybe he hasn't finished this exam and is still wandering around," I said.

  "Okay," Lillian said.

  After a short rest, the two of us continued wandering around.

  -

  At Irene, Leandra, and Lily's location.

  We saw Glenn, Troy, and Ciaran had fallen, chunks of ice stuck to their bodies.

  "Are all these medals for us, miss?" Leandra asked.

  "Yes, I already have over 20 medals from the students I defeated earlier, so the rest of these medals are for you. And the medals from the fallen students are also for you. I'm pretty tired from fighting all this time, so I'd like to rest for a while," Irene said.

  "Okay, miss," Lily and Leandra said.

  Irene walked to a tree and sat down against it. Meanwhile, Lily and Leandra were collecting medals from the Class A students they had defeated.

  "I think I have 20 medals," Leandra said.

  "Me too, but there are still some medals left from our surplus medals. Miss has also collected 20 medals. What should we do with these medals?" Lily asked.

  "Let's keep them, in case our other friends need them," Leandra said.

  "Okay," Lily said.

  Meanwhile, Irene was seen sleeping while leaning against the tree.

  -

  About an hour later.

  Suddenly, Irene was woken up by someone.

  "Irene, Irene," Chloe said.

  It turned out to be Chloe who woke Irene. Then Irene woke up.

  "Chloe? What's wrong, Chloe?" Irene asked.

  "I've been looking everywhere for you and Rid, and I finally found you. I heard you can use healing magic. I need your help to heal Noa and Kotaro. They've both collapsed and are unconscious," Chloe said.

  "Where are they?" Irene asked.

  Then Irene hurried off after Chloe. Leandra and Lily followed as well.

  Then a few minutes later, they arrived at Noa and Kotaro's place. But when they got there, Noa and Kotaro were already awake. Beside them were Rid and Lillian, who weren't there before.

  "Eh, Rid and Lillian? How long have you been here?" Chloe asked.

  "A few minutes ago. While I was looking for the medals, I happened to run into Lillian. We decided to work together to find Noa and wandered around together. Then we found Noa and Kotaro unconscious here with Julie looking after them. Then I healed them both, and not long after that, they both woke up," I said.

  "I see. I'm sorry, Irene. You went all the way here to fulfill my request, but Rid's already here to heal them," Chloe said.

  "No problem. Rid just so happens to be here, because I was actually looking for him," Irene said.

  "What did you need me for, Irene?" I asked.

  "We'll talk about that later. It's better to ask them who caused them to be like this," Irene said.

  "You're right. Can you talk, Noa, Kotaro?" I asked.

  "Yes," Noa said.

  Kotaro just nodded.

  Beside Noa was Lillian, holding him.

  "Do you know who attacked you?" I asked.

  "I don't know who it was, he managed to take us both out with one attack," Noa said.

  Hearing that, we were shocked.

  "Let's put aside who attacked them for now and focus on completing this exam first because time is running out," Irene said.

  "You're right, Irene. Noa, Kotaro, do you still have any medals?" Chloe asked.

  "No, all our medals were taken by our attackers," Noa said.

  "I see. Besides Noa and Kotaro, are any of you still short of medals?" Chloe asked.

  "I already have 20 medals," I said.

  "Me too," Irene said.

  Lillian also already has 20 medals because I helped her find more before finding Noa. Leandra and Lily also have 20 medals.

  "Besides Noa and Kotaro, that means Julie and I are the only ones who don't have 20 medals. Well, we only need 3 more," Chloe said.

  "We both have enough medals left to share with you two to reach 20, but it seems like Noa and Kotaro still don't have enough," Leandra said, handing them the medals.

  "Thank you, Leandra," Chloe said.

  "Since you already have 20 medals, you should go find the back gate of the Duke's residence to complete the exam. After this, Kotaro and I will look for more medals," said Noa.

  "These are for you," said Chloe, handing the medals Leandra had given her to Noa.

  "Why are you giving these medals to us, Chloe? If you and Julie take these, your medals will total 20," said Chloe.

  "Don't worry, we can look for more, and I have a favor to ask of you all. Can you help me find more medals for me, Julie, Noa, and Kotaro?" asked Chloe.

  "I'll help, you're my friends after all," I said.

  "Me too," said Irene.

  The others nodded in agreement.

  "Thank you, everyone. Since everyone agrees, let's hurry up and find the rest of the medals and finish this exam," said Chloe.

  -To be continued