"Let's move onto today's task. Assignments."
The whole ground was completely silent after his speech, now focusing on his words.
"Since the academy is still in reconstruction, most of the drill routes can't be checked. The stables aren't in the best of conditions right now."
Mikhail already knew that and so did probably everyone else.
"So in the meantime, we have decided to conduct your assignments ahead of schedule."
Assignments weren't something new to everyone.
They were conducted every 6 months in the academy.
Basically, they were a series of tests conducted to see who was in shape and who needed working.
It helped to see who was the strongest, who was above who and all that.
These tests included everything from one-on-one spars, to physical exercises, to mental examinations.
No one in his squadron had ever failed them so there was nothing in it for them to be afraid of.
If anything, Mikhail was hoping for these to see how far he had come with all these bonuses.
It was a good thing that they were being conducted early this time.
"Due to the reconstruction, even in the assignments, some exercises can't be conducted due to unavailability of their facilities."
'Makes sense.'
The staff continued, making the most surprising news for them now.
"Unfortunately for everyone, due to shortage of time, you will only have a day to prepare for these tests."
'That's new.'
The last time, they had given quite a while to prepare.
Maybe it was because of the new recruits that arrived after those deaths.
'They probably wanted them to adjust properly.'
Mikhail could see the expressions of discomfort and despair on people's faces at the staff's words.
He didn't have any problem with the time. Nor did his squadron.
Their abilities–not just mana but also physical– were enough for them to always place high enough in the list.
Especially Mikhail.
Outside of just his squadron duties, he made sure to keep himself in shape physically.
As for his mana abilities, Mikhail was known to have the largest–if not, one of the largest– mana pools among the cadets.
It was the difference between his squadron and the majority of other ones.
Despite their strength, they made sure to keep improving.
"That's all. If you want, you can use the available grounds for training."
The staff pointed out.
"The list for the exercises and schedule will be sent to the squadron leaders in a few hours."
Ending his speech, the staff left the ground, leaving everyone alone.
Mikhail turned back, addressing his squadron now.
"Nothing new. Same as last time, maybe even easier because of the reduced exercises. However, as always, don't take it easy," Mikhail said.
Everyone nodded.
"I'm looking forward to the elemental tests," Raviel excitedly said.
"Of course you would, it's a breeze for you." Icarus sighed.
It was true.
Raviel's rank for Cindralis Essentia was higher than anyone else among the cadets.
Mikhail's flames were nothing compared to her.
"I'm looking forward to the races." Amariel chose to put her thoughts forward as well.
"Again, it's because of your Essentia." Icarus pulled his arms behind his back.
Amariel chose to strike back at him.
"You are just salty you can't win against Raviel in elemental tests."
The attack seemed to work as Mikhail saw Icarus shudder before quickly waving it off.
"Whatever, I'm better in physical tests anyway."
Mikhail turned to Modric.
"What about you?"
At his question, Modric simply shrugged.
"Never had any interests to top in these aspects."
'It's true.' Mikhail remembered.
Despite having the highest rank for Borealis and Thundralis, Modric had never been the competitive type.
"Though.."
"Hmm?"
"If there's one thing I'm looking forward to it's one-on-one spars," Modric said, the corners of his lips almost pulling up.
"Yeah same!" Raviel exclaimed.
"Me as well." Amariel raised her hand.
"Me too," Icarus smiled at Mikhail.
Mikhail knew what they meant.
They weren't looking forward exactly to the one-on-one spars.
They were looking forward to fighting him.
And he had no problem with that.
"Sure." Mikhail accepted their challenge, knowing what they meant.
"What about you though?" Icarus asked.
At his question, everyone's heads turned toward Mikhail as well, filled with curiosity.
All of them knew about what kind of person Mikhail was.
Despite being one of the strongest cadets in the academy, he didn't like to display much of it.
He was one of the only few cadets in the academy with 3 Essentia and the only one if he chose to reveal Otharis.
He had not one but two elements at the second highest rank possible.
But this wasn't all.
Mikhail had the record for highest scores in physical and mental examination for a year.
So there was pretty much nothing that he couldn't get a good score in.
Yet, even with all this, he didn't show much of it willingly.
It was not to say that he didn't try or he was hiding it from the public.
No.
That was not the case.
It was just that Mikhail never saw a point in such competitions.
What mattered to him was at the end of the day, only his and his squadron's survival.
Trophies and accolades were nothing if you couldn't survive in a war or battle.
His whole squadron knew about this as well.
So even though they knew the answer, they wanted to see if he would try at least this time around.
'Hmmm..'
Mikhail didn't know what to think about it.
Normally, he would have declined to do much but, this time around, it was different.
He had to change his ways.
It was the only way to change his future later on.
The plotline would certainly mess up a lot, but when did he ever care about that.
It had already started changing the moment he accepted the first quest.
The moment he changed the drill routes.
Surprisingly, at that moment, a notification came in front of him.
—————〔Chronicle II〕—————
• Condition:
– Place as the highest rank in 3 categories you have never participated in or never topped in.
– Break the records of your previous categories.
[Rewards:]
• Character Progression: +5%
• Mana Increase: +80
———————————————
There it was.
The final nail in the coffin.