'Simon favors taking independent action. It would become a disturbance for the team's overall plan in the long run. Though, he would probably be able to do a good job no matter whose squad he's in, he won't be able to create the maximum team synergy with that attitude. Squad 3 tend to become centered toward Simon's behaviors, and the squad leader's position in the team had become feeble.
If the other team comes out with a person stronger than Simon, they won't have any back up plans to fall back to.'
Han silently thought to himself. He didn't speak his thoughts in the slightest.
Han minimized all actions that would put him in an arrogant light. Kato seemed to look at Han in a more favorable light these days.
"Han, do you want to compete in the next battle? It is a mock battle. I heard you participated in them frequently during your first year."
"It's okay, I'm going to turn in my application to the instructors soon. I don't want to disrupt the teamwork flow."
'It would have been better if I had half the psychic talent Kuro has.'
Squad 7 looked to Han's skills highly. It was just that squad 7 didn't require such a member in their team. After Han became docile and quiet, they treated him kindly.
'I'm just waiting for the right time. It's not the right moment yet.'
Han waited calmly. It's not the right time to get ahead of myself. He wished for a position he could show his skills to its full potential.
Han didn't focus on his squad training drills, instead he trained to increase is personal capacity.
'Instructor Wei said it before. Psychic skills were the same as training muscles. Practicing will make me stronger.'
Han's name was not popular among second years. He just another common low ranking psychic user.
Swwaaa.
Water streamed out, Han splashed his face with water and looked at his own reflection.
He had grown much taller. Second years receive medicine to consume from hospital ward 2 every month.
Many times students are hospitalized for treatment due to various complications.
"Did you know? If your bones are unable to follow the speed of your body's growth, your joints will end up festering and result in an infection. There have been cases that people mistook it for a minor injury from training, and had to amputate their legs."
Kuro said while showering next to him.
"That's horrible."
Han answered matter of factly.
"There was one famous student, while training, a part of their brain shut down completely. They lost the ability to speak after the accident, and so everyone calls him Silence. Ironically, following their brain damage, their battle capabilities increased exponentially. He's a special case study."
Han quirked his head.
"Where did you learn these rumors, Kuro?"
"From the network connected into our data bracelets. There is a forum that only second years could use, though the instructors are always monitoring the space. You can find all sorts of rumors in that place."
"I didn't find it interesting so I had no idea."
Han had no leisure time to focus on such things. Kuro hesitated for awhile and spoke to Han.
"Is it true that you would be leaving squad 7?"
"Squad 7 doesn't need me. You should be aware of it as well."
"I see, so it was true."
Kuro felt nervous being apart from Han, but he didn't try to dissuade him.
'I know. I have to be able to achieve things by myself. I must become as strong as Han.'
Han finished showering and returned to his room.
Han locked himself in his room and began to write something onto a piece of paper. He had noted the names of several people and below each name was jam packed with detailed notes.
He didn't participate in any battles, but didn't skip watching any one of the battles.
He repeated the prominent students in his mind and burned them to his memories. He recorded every one of their battle skills in his notebook.
'I would have done it in this way instead.'
He studied why a battle tactic failed or succeeded. Every night, he stayed up to compile and study the daily happenings.
On days without battles, he read through past battle records. Gradually, his knowledge of past records began to snowball in his mind.
"The new transfers are here. Go visit hospital ward 2, Kato."
The squad members said.
It had been a long time tradition that squad leaders would go to visit the new year 2 transfers at hospital ward 2. Though, some squad had enough members, they still went to analyze the new transferees.
Kato was not the type to skimp on his job.
"Kato, is it okay if I follow you?"
Han stood and asked. Kato quirked his head, and nodded.
"Well, there's no reason you can't. Follow me."
Han and Kato went to hospital ward 2.
The two walked in awkward silence. The two had nothing in particular to converse about. A few of the other squad leaders had already arrived to hospital ward 2.
"Hey!"
Finally, the silence lifted. Kato went to converse with the other squad leaders.
After about ten minutes, the researchers came out of hospital ward 2 to receive everyone. The researchers led the squad leaders in.
"There are six transfers this time," a researcher said. They led them to an empty lot where the new transfers were hanging out.
Han looked out the window. The new transfers were enjoying their free time period. They were getting adjusted to their new bodies.
Han's narrow eyes widened. There was a familiar face among the new transfers. Other than Jose, there were a few of his old friends from class B.
"You've caught up with me, Jose."
A neat looking, tan skinned youth was at the empty lot. His latin blood remained strong and the cheery atmosphere had not changed in the least.
Jose was joking around with the others in the empty lot. He had drawn a simple picture in the air with his fire ability.
"The power of ignition. He already developed his own unique skill, he's good."
The squad leaders held their chins while analyzing the new batch of transfers. They were in the midst of reading through everyone's profiles with their data bracelets.
Jose didn't have a particular trait that stood out, but overall his score ranked highly. He also developed his own unique skill and was coveted by many squad leaders.
Han sat on the bench, closed his eyes and opened them again.
'I can finally start my plans.'
Han had waited for Jose all this time. He needed a teammate he could trust completely.
Han had long realized that a position as squad member was not enough to fully utilize all his skills.
He could only fully show his potential by becoming a squad leader.
'I will make my own squad.'