The sun hung high over Solvaris Grand Academy, casting its golden rays across the training grounds. Arthur trudged toward his morning class, his mind heavy with thoughts of the Trial Tower and Verlan's warnings.
As he entered the lecture hall, whispers rippled through the room like wildfire.
"That's him, isn't it?"
"Cleared the fifth floor on his first try… Can't believe it."
"No way a first-year could do that. Maybe Verlan exaggerated."
Arthur ignored the murmurs, slipping into an empty seat in the back. He preferred to stay out of the spotlight, but it seemed his classmates had other plans.
"Arthur!"
A familiar voice called out, and he turned to see Ella bounding over, her face lit with excitement. Behind her trailed Damien, who looked far less enthusiastic but curious nonetheless.
"You've been the talk of the entire Academy!" Ella exclaimed, plopping into the seat next to him. "Is it true? The fifth floor?!"
Arthur sighed. "Yes, but I didn't exactly breeze through it. The boss nearly killed me."
"Still!" Ella leaned closer, her eyes sparkling. "That's incredible! Most of the class two and three students struggle with even floor 3. How did you do it?"
Damien crossed his arms, eyeing Arthur skeptically. "Luck, maybe? Or did you find some exploit the rest of us don't know about?"
Arthur met Damien's gaze calmly. "Hard work and a bit of desperation."
Before Damien could reply, the door slammed open, and Professor Verlan strode in, his presence commanding immediate silence. He scanned the room, his sharp eyes settling briefly on Arthur before moving on.
"Class, today we'll discuss coordinated combat strategies,skills you'll need if you ever hope to survive in real battlefields or deeper floors of the Trial Tower," Verlan announced. "But before we begin, I have an announcement."
The room tensed, every student leaning forward in anticipation.
"Due to recent… developments, I've been tasked with forming a special training squad composed of promising students. Those selected will receive advanced guidance and access to exclusive resources." His eyes flicked to Arthur again.
Ella gasped. "A special squad? That's amazing!"
Damien raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. Arthur's already on the list."
Arthur sank lower in his seat, wishing he could disappear.
Verlan continued, ignoring the murmurs. "The first members of this squad have already been chosen: Arthur Grimwood, Ella Solvaris, Damien Alaric, and…" He paused, scanning the room. "Grace Stamm."
Arthur blinked in surprise.
Grace?
At that moment, the classroom door creaked open, and Grace strolled in, looking completely unbothered. She gave a mock salute to Verlan before sliding into a seat near the front.
"Nice timing, Stamm," Verlan said dryly. "Your punctuality never fails to impress."
Grace smirked. "Wouldn't miss this for the world, Professor."
Verlan rolled his eyes before addressing the room again. "The rest of you, don't be discouraged. Perform well, and you might earn a place in the squad. For now, we'll begin with today's lesson."
...
After class, Verlan summoned the newly formed squad to the training grounds. Arthur found himself standing alongside Ella, Damien, and Grace, the latter looking particularly amused by the situation.
"All right, listen up," Verlan began. "You four have been chosen for your potential, but potential means nothing without effort. Over the next few weeks, you'll undergo rigorous training designed to push you to your limits. You'll also learn to work as a team, which is essential for survival in higher-level challenges."
Damien scoffed. "A team? With him?" He jerked his thumb toward Arthur. "No offense, but I work better alone."
"None taken," Arthur replied evenly.
Verlan's expression darkened. "You'd better get used to it, Alaric. In the real world, lone wolves die first. If you can't cooperate, you're out."
Damien glared but said nothing.
Verlan turned to the group. "Your first task is simple: a sparring match. Two-on-two. Let's see how well you work together—or don't."
Arthur exchanged glances with the others. Before he could say anything, Grace clapped her hands together.
"Perfect! I call Arthur," she said with a grin.
Ella frowned. "What? Why him?"
"Because he cleared the fifth floor, obviously," Grace replied. "And I want to see if he's as good as everyone says."
Arthur sighed. "This isn't exactly—"
"Enough chatter," Verlan barked. "Arthur and Grace versus Ella and Damien. You have ten minutes to strategize. Begin!"
...
Arthur found himself pulled aside by Grace, who immediately started laying out her plan.
"Here's the deal," she said. "You keep Damien busy. He's strong but predictable. I'll handle Ella—she's quick but lacks raw power."
Arthur hesitated. "Are you sure? Damien's got a reputation for being a tactical genius."
Grace winked. "Trust me, I've got this."
...
When the match began, Damien and Ella wasted no time launching their attack. Damien charged straight for Arthur, his longsword gleaming, while Ella darted to the side, her daggers flashing.
Arthur summoned his Abyssal Warrior, which intercepted Damien's strike. Meanwhile, Grace danced around Ella's attacks with surprising agility, her own blade moving like a blur.
The battlefield was chaotic but exhilarating. Arthur and his summon worked in rhythm to hold off Damien's relentless onslaught, while Grace kept Ella on the defensive.
But as the minutes ticked by, it became clear that teamwork was lacking on both sides. Grace often ignored Arthur's positioning, while Ella and Damien argued mid-battle over their approach.
"Stop running off!" Damien snapped as Ella broke formation again.
"Stop being so bossy!" Ella shot back.
The match ended in a draw when Verlan called time. He looked thoroughly unimpressed.
"Pathetic," he said. "None of you displayed any real teamwork. If this were a real battle, you'd all be dead."
Arthur glanced at his teammates, who looked equally frustrated.
"Tomorrow," Verlan continued, "we'll start working on group tactics. Dismissed."
As the group dispersed, Arthur lingered, his mind racing. If this was the squad tasked with handling the Academy's 'recent developments', they had a long way to go.
But as he walked away, he couldn't shake a small, flickering hope. Perhaps this mismatched team could become something greater, only if they could learn to trust each other.