When Ang was awakened by the sound of rain, raindrops were drumming urgently against the tent, their patter like a symphony of nature. He sighed softly and pulled back a corner of the tent, seeing rainwater dripping from the leaves and the ground around the camp already soaked through. Rainforest weather was unpredictable. Last night had been unbearably hot and stuffy, but now the rain had brought fresh air that left him feeling invigorated.
However, the fresh air did not last long. The road after the rain was horribly muddy, making travel especially difficult. The senior girls, already exhausted by the scorching heat of the past few days, now struggled through the mud, their steps growing slower and their bodies thoroughly filthy. Complaints rose one after another. "Why did we have to come to a place like this?" "I'd rather stay at the academy and meditate all day..." Someone even muttered quietly, "If I'd known the Santa Cruz Rainforest was this hard to travel through, I never would have joined this field trip."
Their reactions left Ang somewhat helpless, but he understood them as well. They had not anticipated the harsh environment of the Santa Cruz Rainforest. Although the senior girls were magic apprentices, they spent most of their usual days meditating at the academy and studying theory, rarely experiencing this kind of outdoor adventure. Ang, by comparison, was accustomed to physical training and had a stronger constitution. Combined with his usual warrior training, this environment was not too terrible for him.
Ang turned to glance at Instructor Nicholas, who was walking ahead of them. Surprisingly, Nicholas's steps were steady, as though the mud after the rain had no effect on him whatsoever. Ang examined his instructor's attire. His magic robe remained spotless, his exquisite leather boots glimmered faintly, and