Chapter 44: Act 1, Chapter 2: The Forest of Monsters 4 (The hunt)

Over the past few days, I focused solely on preparing for the upcoming Duo exams. I worked tirelessly to improve my overall level and skill, purchased necessary items for dealing with the bosses and monsters, and even went as far as ensuring my financial situation was stable here in the academy.

Despite all these preparations, nothing could have prepared me for the absurd and unexpected situation I was facing now.

Not just one, not two, not even three, but all six of the main cast for this arc were present and right in front of me, each asking to partner up with me.

Seriously, what the hell was going on?

Is this the butterfly effect in action? I knew I had interfered, if not coincidentally disrupted, the flow of the story from time to time, but I was pretty sure those decisions weren't drastic enough to warrant this absurd situation.

Seeing them all here, their eyes on me, each with their own reasons and expectations, was overwhelming.