Surviving in the wild

The knowledge test was surprisingly easy.

"Alright, next is the survival test. What are we going to do? Survive in the wilderness for a day?"

"My brain hurts just from the knowledge test," Airi complained.

Wolfsbane, the guild master, interrupted. "The next test is the survival test. Follow me."

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...

We followed Wolfsbane as he led us into a mountain with no trees or running water in sight.

"Alright, you guys just need to survive for a week and you'll pass the survival test. I wish you good luck, prospective adventurers," Wolfsbane said with a smile as he waved his hand and left us to fend for ourselves.

"HAAA?! I need to survive with this ineffectual companion for a week in the mountain where there's no tree or running water in sight?" I shouted while pointing at Airi.

"HEY! I stuck here with you, not that you're stuck here with me." Airi shouted back, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

I sighed and took a deep breath. I knew that arguing with Airi would only make things worse, and we needed to work together if we were going to survive.

"Fine, let's just focus on what we have to do," I said, trying to sound calm and rational.

"Hmpf."

Airi huffed and looked away, but I could see a hint of relief in her eyes that I was willing to drop the argument.

"First, we need to secure food and water," I said, looking at Airi with a glaring stare.

"H-Hey! I'm not food! Idiot!" Airi blushed.

"Guess we'll have to make the best of what we can find," I said, letting out a weary sigh.

We started to look around for anything that could help us survive.

Without any trees, we knew that finding firewood would be a challenge, but we had to try.

As we trudge further into the wilderness, a sudden sound caught our attention.

"Did you hear that, Airi?" I asked, peering around the tall grasses.

"The sound of us not surviving? That's all I hear," Airi responded with a hint of sarcasm.

"No, no. Listen carefully. It's water splashing down," I corrected.

As we made our way toward the source of the sound, our tired limbs reinvigorated by the prospect of replenishing our water supply, we suddenly stumbled upon a magnificent sight.

"Look, Airi! A waterfall. Our prayers have been answered," I exclaimed, my voice brimming with relief.

"Waaaa, water! I haven't had a proper drink in ages," Airi exclaimed as she darted towards the waterfall and took a sip.

As the sun began to set, casting the sky in an array of warm colors, I suggested, "We can set up camp here, near the waterfall. It will be a perfect spot."

"Mhmm.. Mhmm," Airi nodded her agreement, a satisfied expression on her face as she drank the fresh, cool water from the waterfall.

"Alright, it's getting colder. Airi, do you mind using your fire magic to keep us warm?" I suggested.

"Hmph. Do I look like your personal heater? And you know my azure flame makes things colder," Airi replied in her usual tone.

"Your attitude seems colder than your flame," I sighed.

"Alright, you can gather some tall grasses. I'll make the fire pit," I said with a determined tone, refusing to show any vulnerability.

Airi hesitated for a moment, then nodded and headed off to gather the grasses.

I watched her go, feeling a mix of admiration and annoyance towards her aloof demeanor.

As I arranged the rocks for the fire pit, I felt a sense of satisfaction.

I was confident in my survival skills and didn't need anyone's help to survive in the wilderness.

A few minutes later, Airi returned with the tall grasses. "Here," she said, handing them over.

Without a word, I laid them out in the pit with practiced ease.

Airi's response was predictably cold. "Hmpfh, I'm not doing it for you but for our survival."

Despite her aloof demeanor, I appreciated her contribution.

However, I still wanted to prove my self-sufficiency.

"Don't worry, I can make the fire by myself," I said, quickly grabbing two small flints to start a spark and ignite the grass.

As the fire began to crackle and grow, Airi sat down next to me, her eyes fixed on the flames.

For a few moments, there was silence between us, broken only by the sound of the fire and the occasional rustle of the wind in the grasses.

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...

...

"H-hey, I'm sorry okay?" Airi said suddenly, breaking the silence. "I know I can be difficult to deal with sometimes."

Huh? What is she talking about? Why is she apologizing?

[System: Increased heart rate caused by sudden emotion burst]

I turned to Airi, surprised by her sudden change of tone. "Hey, why are you apologizing now? We're all under a lot of stress here. We just have to work together to get through this." I said.

"Hmpf." Airi looked away.

"Can I ask you something?" I inquired, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"What is it?" Airi replied, her tone still as cold as ever.

"Why are you still following me even after you showed me the way to the adventurers' guild?" I asked, trying not to sound too accusatory.

Airi let out a small sigh. "I told you, I just happen to be going the same way," she replied, looking away.

I couldn't help but feel like there was more to it than that, but I didn't want to push her too hard. "Oh, okay," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Hmpfh, it's not like I liked you or anything," Airi said suddenly, and I couldn't tell if she was trying to be funny or just being her usual tsundere self.

I raised an eyebrow at her response. "I didn't think you did," I said with a chuckle. "But seriously, why are you still with me?"

Airi hesitated for a moment before answering. "I guess... I just want to see how interesting you are," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I was taken aback by her answer. "Really?" I said, surprised. "You hardly seem like the type to care about others."

Airi scowled at me. "What's that supposed to mean?" she snapped.

"Nothing, nothing," I said quickly, holding up my hands in surrender. "It's just... you don't exactly come across as warm and fuzzy, you know?"

"Hmpfh, I don't need to be warm and fuzzy to have a heart," Airi replied, crossing her arms.

"I'm glad you're with me," I said sincerely.

Airi rolled her eyes, but I could tell she was pleased. "Don't get too mushy on me," she muttered, but her lips twitched up in a small smile.

We sat there in silence for a while longer, watching the fire and listening to the night sounds around us.

Despite the peacefulness of the moment, I couldn't shake the feeling that our survival was still very much in question.

This was only the first of seven days surviving in the mountain.