By now, all the surviving students had gathered near the crumbling exit of the ruin.
They were injured and exhausted, yet not a single one had let go of their weapon.
Elijah stood in the lead, while Junior, Sofia, Aria, and Ava flanked him.
These five demonstrated exactly why they were ranked so highly, proving the Academy's evaluation to be accurate and well-deserved.
But there was an anomaly among them: Quinn.
She was proof that even the best could err.
No doubt after today, her rank would rise, perhaps even nearing the top thirty.
Her extreme efforts had finally borne fruit.
In a metaphorical contrast stood Max.
If judged by his current performance, he wouldn't even place in the top fifty.
He trailed near the back of their makeshift platoon, moving mechanically, his eyes distant, lost somewhere beyond the ruin.
