The Hunter Expedition Club headquarters was very different from the other clubs.
It wasn't elegant like the Mage Society.
It wasn't clean like the Strategy Club.
Instead, it looked more like a hunter guild hall.
Large wooden tables.
Weapon racks.
Maps covering the walls.
Several students gathered around a massive map table in the center.
Some were second-years.
Others were first-years like Lysander and Taro.
The atmosphere felt more serious.
More dangerous.
Taro looked around excitedly.
"This place feels way cooler than the other clubs."
Lysander remained quiet.
His eyes moved across the room.
Memorizing faces.
Searching for the ones he remembered from the novel.
A tall instructor walked into the room.
A scar ran across his cheek.
Heavy armor covered his body.
"Listen up."
The room went silent.
"I'm Instructor Garrick."
"I oversee Hunter Expedition operations."
He slammed a metal dagger into the map table.
"This club is not for games."
His sharp gaze moved across the students.
"If you join missions, you risk dying."
Several students swallowed nervously.
Garrick continued.
"Expeditions involve real monsters."
"Real danger."
"And real consequences."
He tapped the map.
"Today we have a scouting mission."
He pointed to a forest area outside the academy territory.
"Location: Blackroot Forest."
"Mild monster activity."
"Mostly low-rank beasts."
Easy mission.
At least on paper.
But Lysander's eyes narrowed slightly.
Blackroot Forest.
He remembered that name.
In the original story—
Something went terribly wrong during that mission.
A monster nest appeared unexpectedly.
Students panicked.
And during the chaos…
One person died.
Taro Stormfang.
Garrick continued explaining.
"First-years will form teams of four."
"Second-years will supervise."
"Your objective is simple."
"Scout monster activity and return."
Students began forming groups.
Taro immediately grabbed Lysander again.
"Team up?"
Lysander nodded.
"Sure."
Two other students joined them.
A quiet elf archer named Lyra.
And a heavy-shield warrior named Bran.
Four students.
One team.
Exactly like the original story.
Lysander felt a small knot in his stomach.
Because he remembered what happened next.
During the mission—
A Hidden Alpha Beast would appear.
A monster far stronger than expected.
The second-year supervisor would be injured.
Students would scatter.
And in the chaos…
Taro would be killed protecting the group.
Lysander's hand clenched slightly.
Not this time.
A blue system window appeared.
Future Event Detected
Location: Blackroot Forest
Predicted Event:
Alpha Beast Ambush
Fatality Probability: 78%
Primary Casualty:
Taro Stormfang
Lysander stared at the screen.
Then another line appeared.
Fate Deviation Opportunity
Prevent Event Outcome
Reward Tier: Major
He closed the window quietly.
Good.
This was exactly the kind of moment the system existed for.
Across the room, Garrick finished assigning teams.
"Expedition leaves at sunrise tomorrow."
"Be ready."
Students began leaving the room.
Excited.
Nervous.
Unaware.
Taro stretched happily.
"First mission already!"
He grinned at Lysander.
"This academy rocks."
Lysander nodded slowly.
But inside his mind—
He was already planning.
Because tomorrow…
Someone was supposed to die.
And he intended to change that.