CHAPTER 66: SECOND YEAR(1)- TEAM FORMATION

Logan sat cross-legged on his bed.

The morning sun casted its light across his desk, his clothes, and the chipped surface of the wall. His dorm room was no different from the day that he had first entered.

Most would consider it sad, but for him, it was routine.

In his opinion, there was no point in having things if someone stronger could just take them away from you while you’d be left unable to resist.

The rest of the week had passed in a blur, half-real, and half-dream. He hadn’t tried to see anyone. Even Orion hadn’t come around, probably giving him space after... Well, that day.

His fingers drummed lightly against the wood of the headboard. He stared at his hands for a moment, remembering how, just a year ago, he could barely cast Dark Shot properly.

The mana used to sputter out of his fingertips like smoke. Even when he finally managed to do it well, it still left him drained.

Now, when he blinked, he could still feel the leftover buzz from channeling shadows—Dark Cannon, Dark Flash, even the raw spellwork he used against Minerva was still there.

Back then, Dark Shot had taken him a whole month to figure out.

Now, he could cast it fluently and without pause.

He rose, stretched, and put on his academy tracksuit. He wanted to keep things low-key.

Today was orientation.

Again.

But this time, not for him. For the first years.

Still, second years had been requested to come down for something else entirely.

The announcement involves something about a new initiative. Team formations. Trial runs. Some talk about collaborative fieldwork. Logan wasn’t sure. It had been vague, but the subtext was clear:

"You’re stronger now. Let’s see if you can work with others."

Letting out a sigh, Logan knew for a fact that he didn’t like the idea but he had no choice.

He left his room, used the teleportation ring, and got to the lobby.

The first years were bright-eyed and buzzing, about to file into their rooms.

The second years dressed in the tracksuit that had been provided for them a couple of days prior.

It was like the one they wore in the first year but had two silver trimmings instead of one.

Without wasting time, he left for the open field.

Logan recognized some faces but didn’t approach anyone.

The academy’s main field had been sectioned off into smaller squares with glowing runes outlining their borders. Staff members stood in clusters, wearing green sashes to mark their status as organizers.

But none of them were people he recognized.

"Second years! Form a single line by the bronze pillar!" someone shouted.

Logan followed the sound and found the marker near the southern end of the field. A queue had already formed.

He joined the end silently, his eyes scanning over the crowd.

Everyone had grown but he was sure that their mentality was no different.

One by one, students were called forward. A small sphere would glow at the staff member’s hand, and names would be read off.

"Team 3: Logan Kress, Orion Nyx, Liam Sin, and Vera Green." The names echoed.

Logan raised an eyebrow and stepped forward soon followed by the others.

One girl with blonde hair tied in a tight braid. Not only he, but everyone in their year knew.

After all, she was the girl who always got put off by Miss Beth.

Then there was Orion and Liam who had been unfortunate enough to encounter him at his worst.

Making a mental note, Logan made sure that he’d at least try to apologize to him properly now that they were on the same team.

They looked at each other awkwardly.

"Logan," Orion said simply, nodding.

"Vera," the blonde-haired girl replied. Her voice was calm, but something in her eyes radiated pride.

"Liam," Liam introduced himself quietly.

"Logan," He was the last to speak.

No one shook hands.

"Head to your assigned training ring," the instructor that Logan wasn’t familiar with said. "Your first test begins in ten."

Logan didn’t move immediately. He watched his new teammates for a second longer.

Vera walked ahead with an unreadable expression. She carried herself like she was used to being watched and preferred it that way.

Orion had a slight grin, he was enjoying the idea of having teammates.

Liam muttered to himself as she walked, practicing spells under his breath.

This was going to be... something.

They reached the ring - one of many that had been placed in the field.

It shimmered faintly with layered mana. Inside, the ground was firm, smooth, and marked with four evenly spaced circles.

"Team 3, you’ll be tested on coordination and spell synergy," said a voice overhead. "You may begin when ready."

Before anyone could say anything, Orion stepped into the center.

"Alright," he said casually, "what can everyone do?"

Vera didn’t hesitate. "Rune Magic. E-rank."

The other three looked at her in silent shock.

"Healing magic. From passive to active." Liam spoke quickly.

Orion cracked his neck. "Metal, E-rank. I can control metal or reshape blades. Not flashy, but it gets the job done."

Logan hesitated.

"Darkness," he finally said.

They waited.

"...Anything else?" Vera asked.

"Why would there be?" Logan stared her down with cold eyes.

Vera raised an eyebrow. "Interesting." But she left it there.

The ground rumbled slightly. Most likely a timer enchantment warning them that the exercise would start soon.

Vera muttered, "We should pick roles."

"I’ll take close range," Orion said instantly. "I would like to test some things." A beaming smile spread on his face.

Vera looked at Logan. "You seem more mid-range?"

Logan nodded. "I can cover the center and front. I move well across flat surfaces."

Vera gestured to the back of the ring. "I’ll take support. If I can anchor my rune here, I can affect the structural composition of whatever obstacles might be thrown at us." Her eyes were steady and focused.

"That will buy us some time." She glanced at Liam.

"I can send energy and heal wounds of a certain limit from a distance." The latter spoke and the former nodded.

They took positions and then the test began.