Han's eyes reflected the sun and seemed to shine brightly. The corner of his lips quirked up. He had honestly smiled for the first time since awhile.
Han registered an application form to the second year instructor. The instructors assumed it had been a request of squad transfer. The application had shocked everyone. Han had applied for permission to form a new squad of his own.
This was an unprecedented request. Later that day, the instructors gathered for a meeting.
"A request to establish a new squad. So he plans to break out of the 12 squad system."
"It's not against the rules. Also, Han had been scored as a suitable squad leader candidate. He has the qualification to be tested."
"It's by no means, impossible. However, it's never been done before."
The instructors disagreed with one another. There had never been a 13th squad.
Han's profile floated in the middle of the meeting room table. They read through every detail that was included in his profile.
"He had received a letter of recommendation by Sergeant Red and Instructor Wei. Also, he is scored very high as a potential squad leader. He showed many leadership qualities during year 1."
"He isn't able to fulfill his role in squad 7 in the least. Would such a youth be able to display his skills properly in a different squad?"
"Then let's give him a chance. We should properly test his capabilities."
"He had said that he would establish a new squad on his own, let's see if he could successfully accomplish this."
"Let's allow him to form a new squad if he's able to recruit 4 members, which is including himself. We'll allow him to recruit one person from each squad into his own."
"He will become an eyesore to every squad, nobody would easily join him."
"This will test his popularity and charisma."
The instructors sent him a message of approval through their data bracelets.
The news of the formation of squad 13 spread quickly. It had been discussed in the private network and by mouth.
"So it's been approved."
Han let out a relieved sigh.
He sat on a chair and read through the approval document.
Formation of Squad 13.
Including the squad leader, four members or more are required.
One member can be recruited from each squad respectively, but when rejected, the recruitment cannot be followed through.
Their response, 'If you want to, go ahead and try.'
Han understood the instructor's hidden intentions with terms of approval. Han had just become every squad leader's worst enemy.
He could potentially take away their most powerful member and they would strongly defend against him. It might not be possible to recruit 4 people at all.
'If I fail my revolution, I would be hated by absolutely everyone and I won't be able to accomplish anything at all. I must succeed making my own squad.'
Han went through various calculations in his mind. He left his room and went to hospital ward 2.
"It's Han."
"He's already making his move. Did he want to become the squad leader that bad?"
"He's just full of himself."
The youths murmured amongst themselves. Han looked deaf to everyone's comments and he looked as ambitious as usual.
'Bad mouth all you want.'
Han ignored everyone's scorn.
He entered the second hospital ward facilities. The new transferees all stared at Han.
They had not yet been selected by the squad leaders of this year. Han had been allowed first pick as a new squad.
"Jose, I'll be recruiting you into Squad 13."
"With whose permission?"
Jose said smiling.
He had also read about the formation of squad 13 through his data bracelet as well. Jose, who had quick wit, connected that this was directly related to his transfer into the second year.
Han had waited for Jose to transfer into year 2 all this time. He needed another trustworthy friend in addition to Kuro.
"I need you, Jose."
"That's disgusting man."
Han reached over and hooked onto Jose's arm. Han successfully recruited Jose and looked around.
"Squad 13 is always short on members. You're free to join us anytime."
The other transferees decided to wait and see. There was no need to rush their decision and join Han in squad 13.
Han looked toward the youth with brown curly hair amongst the new transfers. He had come to Ark from the cold regions of Scandinavia.
'His name is Canute Meyer, I believe.'
Other than Jose, this youth had been the other transferee that Han wished to recruit.
'Canute Meyer. A youth from the fishing village of Norway. During the survival drill he had made a raft and returned to Ark on his own.'
Han held Canute's gaze for a moment. Canute didn't give much of a response.
'Canute is able to come up with ideas that I can't. He will be able to support me through random hurdles and accidents.'
Han read through Canute's training records and analyzed the data carefully.
Canute enjoyed solving problems in a different way than the rest. If he were to describe him nicely, he is brilliant. If he were to describe him badly, he's an eccentric oddball.
'Even without Canute, as long as I can recruit many members in my squad, our battle tactics will become dynamic. It will be good to recruit as many people as I can.'
He waited in silence for a response of any kind. Han was happy with just Jose and left the second hospital ward. The data of potential members he had selected prior, floated in his mind. Han quickened his pace.
"Dimitri."
Han entered the gymnasium.
Dimitri was seated, weight training on a exercise equipment. His veins pulsed from his muscle as he trained his body.
"Hey, who do we have here? Our reserve squad leader Han Lee."
Dimitri had a thick smile. Sweat drenched his whole body.
Dimitri was highly talented in close combat, and had ranked high in psychic talent as well. He carried out his individual tasks with great success, and worked brilliantly as a team as well.
"Won't you join Squad 13?"
Dimitri scratched his head.
"I knew you would ask me."
Han thought Dimitri was highly likely to join his squad.
'Dimitri is not one to be wary of how others view him and forcibly bend his own beliefs for the sake of others. He rather enjoys experiencing hardships. He will probably join my squad, the more others try to stop him, the more it will prove to be futile.'
"And your answer?"
"Sorry, I reject. Han, it's not that I dislike you. I rather like you. However, it's been decided that I would be the next squad leader of squad 5 in the next term. When our current squad leader transfers into third year, I agreed to take on his responsibilities. I can't betray him after all this time just to transfer into a different squad."
Han's eyes shook slightly. He nodded.
"I see."
"Also, rather than being under your command, it would be more enjoyable to be your opponent."
Dimitri said and winked. Han let out a light sigh.
"Don't come crying to me after splitting your head. You'll be my enemy."
"I'll break both your arms next time, Han."
Han waved goodbye as he left the gymnasium. Everyone in the fifth squad looked to Dimitri with a relieved expression.
"Simon… would probably reject me. He's also hard to deal with.'
Simon is not the most sociable person. Han did not imagine Simon as part of his own squad.
Simon enjoyed dominating with his power and being his own boss. Han tried recruiting many others.
"Sorry. We don't plan to betray our squad."
"I don't have any particular reason to join you."
"I feel your methods are a bit cowardly."
Everyone had various reasons to reject. Currently, Han only had Jose in his squad. He required a minimum of 2 more members.