Han was very knowledgeable about the various aspects of this competition. However, this time the battle was not held in a mock battle ground, but inside an actual forest, and there were fewer members. Elaborate tactics and individual skills were required. The battle was broadcasted through a live broadcast alongside a 2D map of the happenings.
"It's Simon."
Han spoke while watching the broadcast.
Simon had joined squad 3. Simon used his telekinesis to move aside a trap set by his opponents.
He threw a tree at his opponent, causing them to black out.
"They're not wearing the training uniforms."
Kuro said shocked.
"They're to fight until they're literally unable to."
The students of year 2 were not to show mercy to their opponents while sparring against one another. They waved their weapons with the intention of killing one another.
They didn't wield wooden weapons, but iron weapons. A straight hit would be fatal.
'This is the reason they require the superior psykers in their squad.'
Han watched Simon fighting. The students of year 2 used their psychic abilities constantly throughout the whole battle.
Simon had just transferred, but he ranked within the top five among everyone here. Their strength was on a different level than their time during year 1.
Squad 3 moved with Simon as their core military strength.
"His psychic skills are on par with Kuro, but he's able to utilize his powers to its full potential.'
The students of year 2 said while they watched on.
"That new transfer is amazing. He had received training in England, but even so his psychic talent is shocking."
"They refer to him as a genius."
"He seems too full of himself."
Simon fired many rocks simultaneously. The rocks bulleted forward like they had been fired from a shotgun.
Simon became fatigued from using too much of his psychic power and fell back, then another member from his squad came forward to cover for him. Squad 3 utilized all of Simon's strength to win this battle.
"A new person on the blacklist."
The students of year 2 ingrained Simon's name into their memories.
While everyone focused on Simon, Han peered toward the 2D map. His mind was full of all sorts of thoughts.
'I wouldn't do it that way. Squad 9 isn't using the geography to their advantage at all, they are only pushing forward with pure battle strength. That's not a proper battle tactic.'
Han's thoughts tangented into a different direction.
'If it was me, If I was the squad leader…'
He locked himself into his own thoughts. Kuro pat Han's shoulder.
"Han, let's go. They've dismissed us."
Han and Kuro remained diligent training everyday.
Han quickly adapted to his new lifestyle as a year 2 student, and Kuro still had many problems but slowly improved as well.
This was especially the case during psychic training drills, he far surpassed everyone on his squad.
Wwooong!
"This is an airbeat. This is used frequently during aerial combat. You should master this."
Han had heard of this frequently during lectures. Airbeat, this equipment was necessary during aerial warfare. They are drones which people could comfortably use as an aerial platform. Other than a platform, the airbeats made for actual war are equipped with guns and are useful for supporting the team.
"Get on your airbeat."
Kuro maneuvered three airbeats at once. The rotor blades spun and floated off the ground. Now, he only needed to use his telekinesis to control their flight direction.
Woong!
Lights beamed from Kuro's eyes. He easily flew around with three airbeats at once.
"You must maintain telekinetic tension in order to support the average male upon the airbeat."
Kato spoke while also stepping up onto one of the airbeats which Kuro controlled. Kuro hesitated a bit, but he managed to push more of his psychic energy into his airbeats to make them float. The airbeat easily supported Kato's weight.
"You must be able to control a minimum of two airbeats- with an average adult riding them of course. The control of at least two airbeats will allow you quicker offensive mobile warfare. Everyone should have learned by now, right? Han, what are the three absolutely necessary tools needed for aerial warfare against dragons?
Kato already knew the answer to this, and purposely asked Han for the answer.
"Airbeats, jump pack, and a hook cable."
"As expected of the top student. Airbeats are just a support platform. The jump packs will supplement necessary acceleration maneuvers. You will use hook cables or airbeats on the dragon's body to break a fall, A roping tool is useful when you can use inertia to move your body. In our next match, we will have squad battle against squad 1. Until our next battle, you're to master aerial warfare tactics. Especially you Kuro, your role will be the most important."
"M-me?"
Kuro was taken aback and pointed questioningly to himself. Kato nodded.
"You will be the squad 7's main supporter. You're weak in close combat, however, your psychic strength is excellent so this position is perfect for yourself."
"A supporter?"
Han peered to Kuro.
He thought it might still be too early for Kuro to be let out in real battles. However, the squad had commanded Kuro this job, so it must be seen through.
"Supporters are in charge of controlling several airbeats to aid your fellow squad members. Additionally you have the advantage of immediate foresight. Read your squad's movements and be on standby to support your teammates with airbeats. This tactic will be able to lessen the psychic energy waste and mental stress on the overall squad. We never had a member in squad 7 that could act as a supporter, and so we've recruited you so that you can take on this position. Kuro."
Kato did not directly say anything about the battle to Han.
'I'll take too long to gain mastery of the airbeats.'
Han's psychic power growth rate is too slow and it would take too long to gain perfect control of two airbeats. It was too difficult for Han to control two air beats all the while being able to support an adult on top of them.
'If I had no hope, Instructor Wei and Sergeant Red would not have recommended my transfer to year 2. I've been transferred because I can do this. I shouldn't let myself get swayed by their words.'
The squad trained while focusing mainly on Kuro.
The squad required Kuro's strength in the near future for the battle, and so Han was taught only basic theory of the airbeats and left to his own devices.
"Hey, Han."
One of the squad members approached him. Han was in the middle of inspecting a hook cable, he looked toward the other party.
"What's up?"
"Just here to talk, we're in the same squad afterall. It seems Squad leader Kato doesn't like you much."
Han nodded.
"I realize that. It's obvious Kato dislikes me."
"Kato prioritizes order of rank. Han, you've only arrived to squad 7, but even so your teamwork with us is no good at all. Everyone is thinking this. You should request a transfer to a different squad when you find the right timing. This squad won't give you chances at all."
"Why do you think I don't fit in with this squad?"
"You're excellent. That's your problem. While training, you disagree with Kato, and you're not afraid to do so. I believe your words are correct time to time. But, the most important aspect is that you shouldn't be acting in this way. Squad 7 only needs one brain. We're not a flexible squad to cater to everyone's personal judgements. Having two brains is too troublesome. If we were to go against Kato because your opinions are more correct, that will make our teamwork fall apart."
His squad member had spoken the honest straightforward truth. This had been honest advice for squad 7 and Han.
"…. Is that so?"
Han had never thought that far. The squad leader must have the confidence of his squad members. Han had shaken the confidence of the squad as a whole.
'Of course Kato would dislike me. Though, all I was doing was giving out my personal opinions on situations.'
His squad member checked to see Kato was far away and whispered something.
"It would have been good if you were a useless idiot, but most of the time your opinions are correct and based on many facts. As long as Kato is the squad leader, he will never let you participate in the squad battles. You'll never be able to gain recognition in this team."
His squad member patted Han's back and left. Han became lost in his own thoughts for a long time.
'Difficult.'
In year 1, all that was required had been to obtain good results. The instructors had always judged fairly, and they had seen potential in Han.
'Year 2 is too complicated. There are more important things than personal strengths. Jose would know what to do in situations like this.' Han suddenly missed Jose. If Jose was here, he would have been able to give him good advice.