Noticing Max's arrival, his teammates who were all girls excitedly waved their hands at him. Of course Haory didn't react like rest of them and merely nodded at him.
"Hello Max, how are you?" Rima, one of his teammates greeted him and grabbed his hand. She looked to be around 22 years old and was a fair skinned girl with shoulder length auburn hair, brown eyes, seductive pink lips. Big breasts that seemed to be of B cup size and big round perky ass.
Although she wasn't as beautiful as the woman he is always around, she was still a woman who would turn heads with her seductive body. Most importantly she had hots for him and always had that look in her eyes that expressed her lust towards him. That's why he chose her to be in his group.
"Hello Rima. I'm good." After reluctantly shifting his gaze away from her body, he nodded and greeted her back.
Other two girls, also greeted him excitedly. One was same age as Rima named Belén while other one was only 19 years old petite girl named Leticia, who always had a smile on her face.
Both of them were also beautiful. Leticia gave off young girl's attractiveness while Belén gave off a mature woman's charm despite her young age.
Haory, however, despite being simple looking was actually more attractive in Max's eyes but she didn't seem interested in him like these three women which made his interest in her spike even more.
However these three weren't only beautiful but also quite strong. Rima had Sound element and had a skill that can make her enemy stun for a few second. That was enough for her to finish them off with any non-elemental spell and her physical strength was also good.
Belén had plant element. Therefore she would be at her strongest in forested region and Cloud mountain range was covered in forest.
However it didn't mean that she was weak where there weren't any plant for her to use. For that kind of situations, she would carry plant seeds.
Last was Leticia, she had wind element. Although she wasn't comparable to Lecron, her strength wasn't to be taken lightly.
One more thing was that among thirty plus woman in the section five, only dozen or so were interested in him, rest were like Haory who only looked at him silently.
Max thought it should have been because they were the daughters of higher level nobles or something making them too proud to approach him like others.
*Swoosh*
With a sudden gust of wind, Elder Jack appeared in front of everyone.
"Greetings elder Jack." Everyone greeted him in unison.
Elder Jack nodded and looked at everyone. Then he said "I hope you are ready for this adventure."
"Yes elder." Half of the voices were actually excited while rest of them only half-heartedly followed suit. Max was in first half though. He always wanted to experience new things but because his strength wasn't enough before he had to stay put. What a man needs in his life? They are sex, food and exciting adventures right.
Although this almost cost him his life when he took Lilly with him to the magical beast forest after becoming a novice mage. It was only because of dumb luck that silver fox either couldn't sense them due to the disturbance in the forest or wasn't interested in them or he would've died a second time.
"Good! Now let me explain a few things to you disciples." Elder Jack nodded in satisfaction by the response before continuing "The objective of this outing is for you guys to get some real life experience and learn to survive in dangerous situation. You'll be taken to the periphery of the middle area of any of the mountain where, the strongest beasts you'll find are peak of the Two-star realm.
However, none of you have possibility of survivy against such beast, that's why you'll be going in groups of five. However you are still advised to run when encountering a peak Two-star agility or flying type beast as they are most dangerous ones."
He then stopped speaking to let the information sink in before continuing "You'll stay in the mountain range for one month. Each of your group is required to hunt 10 Two-star beasts and bring back their beast core. In exchange, you'll receive 1000 mana stones, 100 for each core. If you can bring more, more mana stones will be reward to you in the same ratio. If not, your monthly resources will be cut by half until."
"Now two important things to remember." Elder Zhan said as he took out ten talismans made from beast skin and gave one to each group and continued "First, you can send distress single with the talisman I just gave you in case you find yourself in a life-threatening situation. However that'll also considered as you failing this trial and your monthly resources will be cut by half. Second, don't feel complacent after using the distress signal as it'll take some time for help to reach your place in these vast forested mountains. So try to keep yourselves alive until then."
After elder Jack completed his explanation. Most of them had frowns on their faces. It was needless to say that they were worried about their possible deaths. However elder Jack didn't wait for them anymore and whistled.
*Whossh*
With a whooshing sound a white hawk landed by his side.
"Everyone it's time to set off." Saying this he jumped up and landed on top of the hawk and sat down, waiting for the disciples to climb up.
Haory gave Max a look before calmly climbing up. Seeing her more disciples' started to climb. Leticia had worried expression and was grabbing Rima's arm anxiously. Elder Jack's words frightened her.
Rima smiled at her and said "Don't worry, we will be fine with Haory, Belén and Max in our group." After saying this she whispered "Don't you want to impress Max, if you behave like a child he won't like you."
Hearing this, Leticia looked at Max who was walking toward the hawk and nodded before running after him. Rima and Belén also exchanged looks before following behind.
After everyone climbed the hawk and sat down, it took to air. Max glanced at other groups. Those who saw him looking toward them nodded. After fighting each other, they realised that Max was one of the strongest even when he didn't use his Fireball that everyone seemed to fear by now.
After fighting until after he had exhausted his mana on daily basis, his control over his improved stat was finally 100%. He could even lift two thousand pound heavy rock on his shoulder.
His speed was almost as fast as someone with wind element. This why also reason why Leticia looked up to him. His mana control was also more refined because of which his mana consumption when casting his spells was lower than before.
Not to mention his monstrous stamina. When everyone was out of breath, his breathing wouldn't even quicken.
Seeing the a bit of respect, awe and fear in everyone's eyes, Max nodded in satisfaction and thought 'My efforts were worth it.' Now none would dare to call him trash because of his weak strength.
...
After half an our of flying, they arrived at a mountain that wasn't as humongous as main peak and was very far away.
Elder Jack pointed to the mountain waist where vegetation was scan and said "You are to gather here one month from now."
He then dropped each group in different locations and flew away.
