At last, that day arrived. Field observation!

Ever since entering Angelus University, I had been counting the days until I could encounter magical creatures in the wild. Though Count Ameli had tried to interfere, I managed to greet the morning safely thanks to Asrein. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, I double-checked the contents of my large bag. Change of clothes, medicinal herbs for first aid, pen with memo pad and ink. This should suffice. Since we’d be staying at an inn near the forest throughout the research period, I could obtain anything else I needed there.

After completing all preparations, I shouldered my bag and hurried to the laboratory. Though I expected to be the first to arrive, those diligent ones had already finished their preparations in front of the lab. I approached with quick steps and offered a greeting befitting the energetic morning.

“Good morning!”

When I dropped my heavy luggage on the floor with a thud, both Sezan and Jin displayed quite startled expressions. Asrein, who was securing the laboratory door, belatedly checked my luggage and said.

“You look like someone leaving for a week.”

“Haha, well, you never know what might happen.”

“I agree. I can’t even imagine what kind of trouble you might get into, so it’s better to be prepared.”

…He must be worried, right? Somehow, I feel I’ve been branded as a student requiring special supervision. With this strange feeling, I followed the path to the school gate where I saw two horses and a large carriage. I immediately recognized this was our transportation to Count Ameli’s territory.

Seeing the carriage brought back memories of my first arrival at Angelus University, and my excitement instantly transformed into fear. When I pointed at the carriage, pale-faced, Asrein nodded lightly.

“Which would you prefer?”

“Between the horse and carriage?”

“Yes.”

I’ve never ridden a horse before. Does that automatically mean I should take the carriage? Between falling off a horse and motion sickness, which carries a higher probability of ending my life? While I was seriously contemplating this, Sezan approached carefully and spoke.

“If it’s horseback riding, you’re welcome to ride with me.”

“What? Oh no, I couldn’t possibly impose like that.”

“I don’t mind at all.”

“It’s not exactly a short distance. Thank you for your consideration.”

Rather than pathetically clinging to a horse’s neck while sprawled across it, turning pale inside the carriage would be a hundred times preferable. Leaving behind a somewhat disappointed-looking Sezan, I climbed into the carriage. Through the window, I watched Jin and Sezan skillfully mount their horses, secretly swallowing my envy. Still, I’d ridden in a carriage once before, so perhaps I’d grown more accustomed to it? I decided to place my last hope in my supposedly excellent adaptability.

And about an hour later – I jumped out of the carriage like a fleeing animal the moment it stopped.

“Urgh…!”

“Lord Tae-oh! Are you alright?”

“I’m… fi-fine…”

I was not fine at all. The beginning had been enjoyable enough, reminiscent of a pleasant trip, but once we hit the gravel road, hell began. This was punishment for refusing Asrein’s consideration when he offered to stop the carriage halfway up the hill. I was busy trying to calm my churning stomach while leaning against the nearest tree. Had I known it would be like this, I should have packed sleeping herbs instead of other medicines.

“Didn’t I tell you repeatedly?”

“…It was really fine until you mentioned it, Professor…”

“I simply cannot understand why you’re so stubborn.”

Deep sighs kept falling from above my head. Jin, full of concern, gently patted my back, while Sezan handed me a wooden container filled with cool water. Drinking water under the tree shade helped settle my queasy stomach somewhat. I weakly waved my hand to indicate they shouldn’t worry, while touching my already half-deflated cheek.

“Ahh… Thank you. I think I’m better now.”

“Then Tae-oh should rest here for a while. I’ll unload the luggage.”

“No, I can…”

“Leave it to us. You might end up bedridden from day one otherwise.”

Jin’s firm attitude and Sezan’s ominous prophecy struck sharply. Moreover, Asrein had already walked to the carriage without even listening to my excuses. All I could do was focus on recovering my health. I finally sat quietly leaning against the tree trunk, clutching my throbbing head with my eyes closed.

Damn it. I wanted to avoid being a burden at the very least during the field research… What a splendid start this is. My plan to properly assist Asrein without any inconvenience and prove my competence lay in ruins already.

Thank heavens Count Ameli hadn’t sent any guard knights. Had the captain of the knights, who treated me as less than an insect, witnessed me laid low by motion sickness, he would have laughed the sky down.

Though my stomach hadn’t fully settled yet, I stood up unsteadily, feeling guilty about just sitting around. I kept thanking them for organizing the luggage in my place as I picked up my thick bag. Just as we were ready to depart, Asrein spoke while standing under the tree shade.

“From now on, in the Bivrint Forest we’re entering, traces of magical creatures have been found, but only by herb gatherers passing through. They described ‘footprints of varying sizes in the soil and thick tree bark that had been hollowed out.’ Therefore, it’s likely not a single creature but a group, and they probably belong to a fairly dangerous category.”

A magical creature with sharp claws, and varied footprint sizes no less. A group consisting of a mother and cubs would require utmost caution. Carelessly disturbing them could result in getting our backs pierced before we could even resist. Cold sweat soaked my palms as fear of potential danger mixed with excitement about encountering new magical creatures.

“Moreover, the Bivrint Forest is always thick with fog, making it easy to lose your way. Above all, avoid acting alone.”

I nodded solemnly, caught up in the serious atmosphere. Then Asrein pulled out four vials from his chest. The vials containing grayish liquid were no larger than eye drop bottles. After distributing one vial to each person, he held up his between his thumb and index finger and spoke.

“And always carry this potion with you.”

“What is it?”

“A potion that temporarily causes hallucinations. Our purpose is to observe magical creatures, not harm them. However, we never know what situation might arise despite our caution.”

Humans might unknowingly enter magical creatures’ territory or unintentionally provoke them with their actions. I nodded deeply, strongly agreeing with Asrein’s explanation. He touched the stopper firmly sealing the potion’s mouth with his gloved hand and continued.

“If a magical creature shows signs of attacking, use this potion. However, you must hold your breath and leave the area immediately. Unless you want to share in the hallucinations, that is.”

A potion that quickly disperses in the air and causes hallucinations… I carefully placed it in my pocket, to be used only as an absolute last resort. I hoped there would be no need to use the potion until our three days of research ended. Biting my dried lips, I looked up at the fog-covered forest. That’s when Asrein quietly approached and called my name softly.

“Tae-oh.”

“Yes.”

“You know what your task is from now on.”

“To observe the magical creatures.”

Asrein nodded and lowered his voice.

“So don’t stop writing at any moment.”

“…At any moment?”

“Even if a companion is injured before your eyes – remember that your duty is not to save them, but to record everything you see and hear.”

It was an ominous warning that stirred an uneasy feeling within me. Even if a companion is injured before my eyes, I must not let go of the pen and memo pad in my hands. From the start, unlike Iris, the protagonist of ‘Curse is a Blessing,’ I can’t communicate with magical creatures, so all I can do in dangerous situations is run away. That must be why Sezan is accompanying us – to prevent such unfortunate incidents. After organizing these complicated thoughts, I slowly nodded.

“I understand, Professor.”

“And while Jin is here to research the herbs in Bivrint Forest, don’t forget this is merely cooperation.”

“Of course, Professor. I’ll make sure not to cause trouble by becoming too focused on herbs.”

With that firm answer, all preparations were complete. While Asrein was having a private conversation with Sezan, I put down my bag to look for my pen and memo pad. As I was rummaging through the bag, I sensed a strange presence behind me.

“…Huh?”

I immediately turned around, but there were only unfamiliar trees scattered about. Just in case, I walked to a rock large enough to hide behind and checked. However, there was no trace behind the rock, and the fog enveloping the forest was already obscuring my vision. As I was poking around the trees and rocks with my pen, Jin approached and asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Perhaps my senses had become overly sensitive from being too tense. I laughed it off lightly while holding my pen and memo pad in one hand and picking up my bag. Finally, Asrein’s survey team slowly entered the Bivrint Forest.

The deserted forest maintained nature’s rooted appearance in its original state. Moss climbed from the ground up the bark, consuming the large trees, while insects flew in swarms toward the sunlight. The atmosphere suggested something could spring forth from among the thick undergrowth at any moment. Every deep breath drew air heavy with moisture deep into my lungs. My body gradually became heavier, similar to cotton soaked in water.

“Watch your step.”

Even the uneven stones couldn’t escape the tentacles of moss that had spread. Focusing on my feet to avoid slipping left no time to look for traces of magical creatures, but when I did look around, it seemed I would trip and fall at any moment.

In the end, I chose to carefully observe the surroundings every few steps. While I was gradually falling behind others who were more accustomed to mountain hiking, I noticed something near Sezan’s feet as he walked ahead, creating a path.

“Wait a moment, Lord Sezan.”

“Yes?”

“There…”

I quickly called out to Sezan while pointing at his feet. All eyes turned to one spot. Asrein was the first to lower himself. Kneeling on one knee, he quickly removed his glove and cleared away the leaves with his elegant fingers.

What was revealed underneath was none other than footprints. The marks freshly imprinted in the soil, moistened by last night’s rain, were so clear that the thick skin wrinkles were visible. I hurriedly approached his side and compared the track to my palm size.

“It’s not very big…?”

“Doesn’t seem to be an adult. Moreover, it looks like they passed through here not long ago.”

“…If we’re lucky, we might encounter them today without any further delay.”

“Yes. But make sure not to make loud noises that might startle them into running away.”

“Yes, Professor.”

Times like these make me wish I had a camera. I drew on the memo pad, trying to record the footprint size as accurately as possible. While the shape resembled a tiger’s, the size was more akin to that of a badger or otter. Also, judging by how shallow the ground was depressed, it must be quite light. After briefly noting the facts I could deduce from the footprints, I stood up.

That’s when it happened.

“Did you… just hear something?”

“I heard it too.”

The undergrowth moved.