Chapter 11: Let's Start???
It took a couple of hours before Nanoha finally manage to think of what she really needed to take to the survival training.
First of all, she would take a handy knife with her. She could do a lot of things with a knife. Second, she would need to bring a flint as it is necessary to have something that could help her make fire. She also decided to bring a bottle of water.
"Nanoha did you bring everything?"
"I'm at least thankful that even though Raging heart would be restricted you could still take her. I have this uneasy feeling that something might happen again. Just to be sure always keep Raging heart nearby. I can't trust that public device they say they would give you."
"Zero-kun. You're nagging again. I will be fine. This is not the first time I would be doing such a thing. Remember how aunt Raven would bring as around when she has a long break? I say this is easier that staying in the Sahara Desert."
"You do have a point there. I just can't help but worry. You just broke out of your shell a few weeks ago and you're technically still being bullied because the main culprit has not been found yet. One month in the wilderness without me by your side is just giving me a bad feeling."
"Don't worry Zero-kun. I will try to just enjoy the scenery and stay safe. I promise not to engage in anything that would cause body or mental harm this time. I'll just treat this as a rejuvenating vacation away from the troubles of society."
"Okay. But remember it's okay to fail if you really find yourself in a difficult situation. Don't go all commando on me now. Also send me distress signal if you find yourself in situation you could not handle and please do call first before trying to do anything heroic/stupid."
"Stop nagging already. I will be fine. It not even that long, only a month. I'll be back before you know it. I'm also worried about you. Since we won't be seeing each other for a month don't be to naughty and cause my aunties problem."
"Don't worry about me. I'll just look for clues about the missing shards. I expect to finally be able to find some lead within this month. When you come back, I hope that we can finally find the last pieces. It's been hard on all of us. The sooner those pieces are found the better."
"I do hope so. Anyway, see you later Zero-kun. Behave well, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah whatever. You remember to take care as well."
The two separated. Nanoha was ushered into a waiting helicopter that will drop them off to their intended place.
At first all five helicopter were flying together but at some point, they separated into five different directions. It took almost an hour more after the five separated before Nanoha and the group were released one by one at another location each spanning at least 30 minutes ride each from their drop off point.
This to say is like a spiderweb frame. Starting from the separation of the helicopters and the drop off points of each student. It was like spreading spider web.
When Nanoha was dropped off. She immediately scanned her surroundings for a place to set camp.
She roamed a bit from her initial location. She found a relatively flat ground back by rocks and foliage. She then started scavenging for materials to make her make her camp. They were only provided with a bag of dried rations and a set of camping essentials. Nanoha decided to pitch her tent near the rockery because it provides a semblance of concealment and it helps with the elements.
After securing her sleeping location Nanoha started to organize everything that she has. She made sure to properly store her rations of food and double check her items. Specially the items that were handed to them upon drop off.
After Nanoha finish itemizing her things. She then started to view her surroundings once more. She would like to see if she could fine any source of water before the day ends. It's really important that she secure a source of water before darkness falls.
As she scans the place, she picks up fallen branches and leaves as well. This would be the fuel for the camp fire she was going to make later on it would be hard to pass the night without any source of heat/warmth specially in such places.
Nanoha was trying to remember the places, she saw before the helicopter drop her off. If she was not mistaken there should be a water source near her camp. She saw a little creek when they were just about to land. After a few hours of her surroundings, she decided to return to camp and prepare for the night. She was not sure if this place was survey for dangerous animals but just to be sure she prepared some traps near her campsite.
Upon returning the first thing she did was to make a makeshift fireplace by stocking a few pieces of rocks in a round formation just a few meters away from her tent. When that was done, she then started to pile the leaves and branches she took. Using the knife that she brought, Nanoha started shaving one of the driest branches she had picked. When she was done, she put the flint near the shaving and started to strike the flint with the back of the knife to create sparks. The wood shaving did not take long to ignite. Gently blowing on the embers she slowly transfers the embers to the dried leaves in the fireplace. Not long a nice fire was burning. Nanoha would momentarily add branches to make the fire bigger before sitting near it and taking out the dried rations that was given to her.
She was thinking if she should venture farther than she did today, tomorrow. She still could not find the water source that she spotted before landing and she could only eat the rations they gave her for a couple more days.
Her water reserve is the most worrying right now. She decided to make a make shift weapon like a spear or staff and venture further out.
Nanoha sleep lightly. She was still weary of the place. When morning comes, she prepared her things. She looked around to see if she could find a long sturdy branch that she could chip away to make a spear. It did not take long for her to find it and shape it to the spear she wants. Afterwards she searched around to find some vines which she could knitted into a basket.
This time she would forage for edible food as well as look for the creek. She would also try her best to see if she could hunt small animals so that she could have meat with the wild vegetables she picked.
She looked at the tree trunks of the trees for guidance and left marks as reminder for her to get back easier. She would sometimes lay flat on the ground to listen to the ground's movements. After a while she finally manage to her the sound of water. Cautiously making her way to where the sound was coming from, she come upon the creek, she was looking for. It wasn't a small creek. She made her way to the side and almost immediately she spotted some fishes swimming near the shallows.
Nanoha was glad. She lowered her make-shift basket and took out her water bottle. She filled it to the brim and then stored it back.
Then she removed her shoes and went into the creek. She fixed a trap at the side of the creek by putting rocks in a circular pattern with a tiny opening for the fish to swim in. She then sprinkled some bread crumbs near the creek side to attract the fishes. After finishing this she left the creek for a while in search for some vines which she then turned into another basket.
She decided to take her time by the creek as she waits for her trap to caught fishes. She made a simple fire pit and started a small fire. She was enjoying this peaceful yet solitary moment when she heard splashes coming from her make-shift trap. She used the newly made basket to scoop the flaying fishes. She manages to capture two big fishes. Even though there were still a lot of fishes in her trap Nanoha decided that she would only take what she could eat so that the fish would not rot. She could just come and get some when she needs it.
She cleaned the two fishes and then skewer them before putting them near the fire to roast. She did not bring any condiments so she would have to live with the natural taste of the fishes for now. It did not take long for the fishes to roast and Nanoha finally have the first warm food in this forest. The fish was fresh and tender from the roasting. Nanoha finished her meal in no time. She was preparing for her return when she spotted a deer not far from her place. She was curious and followed the deer out sneakily. She still made sure to leave marks to guide her back. It would be horrible to get lose in the forest.
The deer was prancing alongside the creek for a while. Then it stopped at a big rock just a few steps away from the creek. The deer started liking the rock and after a while it went to the creek to drink water. Nanoha was sure that the rock the deer licked was not ordinary.
She waited for the deer to go away before approaching the said rock. She circled around it for a minute to see if there is something about it but failed to find anything.
Then she touched the rock and examine it closer. The rock was a little slimy and it has a peculiar smell. Nanoha then tried to run her fingers over the rock and put it in her mouth. It was then that she found the peculiarity. The rock was actually a rock salt. She was very happy to find such a rare thing. She then took a smaller rock and smash the it towards the rock salt. She would still need to refine it before using it. After a big chunk of the rock salt was taken Nanoha went back to the side of the creek where she made a trap and once more caught two big fishes.
She put it in her make-shift basket and she turned to journey back to camp. She wanted to refine the rock salt quickly so that she could finally add a bit more flavor to her food. It will take time to refine the rock salt but it was worth it for her.
When she finally reaches the camp, it was already starting to get dark. She took out her small pot and started the process of refining.
She has to crash the rock salt more and then boil it over and over until the impurities are gone. It took a lot of time. However, when she finally has the refined salt, she immediately cooked one of the fished she keep. With the addition of salt to the fish she feels like she was having a banquet. She made another container from a big leaf she found. She used it to store the remaining salt.
She finally sleeps contentedly after that big meal.