The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the training grounds.
Students gathered their weapons and chatted excitedly after Professor Ingrid dismissed the class.
Most conversations revolved around one person.
Noah Blackwood.
"...Did you see how he stepped inside Eric’s attack?"
"I didn’t even notice him move."
"I heard he trained with someone on the Sixth Floor."
"The rumors are getting ridiculous."
Eric nudged Noah with his elbow.
"You’ve officially become the academy’s newest celebrity."
"I’d rather become invisible."
"Tough choice."
Before Noah could answer...
A deep bell echoed throughout the academy.
DONG!
DONG!
DONG!
Unlike the class bell...
This one rang only for academy-wide announcements.
Every student stopped.
Even the instructors looked toward the towering administration building.
A calm voice spread across the campus through mana amplification.
It belonged to the Headmaster.
"Attention."
"All students are to assemble in the Grand Assembly Hall."
"Attendance is mandatory."
"The assembly will begin in thirty minutes."
The announcement ended.
Eric frowned.
"Mandatory?"
Sophia adjusted her bag.
"That usually means something important."
Damien nodded.
"It does."
The academy became a river of students.
Thousands walked toward the largest building on campus.
Noah looked up.
The Grand Assembly Hall resembled an ancient cathedral.
Towering pillars.
White marble stairs.
Hundreds of stained-glass windows depicting famous battles and legendary heroes.
It was magnificent.
Inside...
The hall could easily seat several thousand students.
Each year occupied a different section.
First-years sat closest to the stage.
Noah’s group found seats together.
The room buzzed with curiosity.
"What do you think this is about?"
"No idea."
"Maybe another Tower expedition?"
"I heard an academy exchange."
"I heard someone attacked the western border."
Rumors spread like wildfire.
A loud knock echoed through the hall.
BOOM.
The enormous doors closed.
Silence immediately followed.
One by one...
The academy professors entered.
Professor Ingrid.
Professor Astrid.
Several instructors Noah hadn’t met.
Finally...
The Headmaster stepped onto the stage.
No grand entrance.
No dramatic aura.
Yet the entire hall instinctively focused on him.
He stood quietly for several moments.
Allowing the silence to settle.
Then...
He spoke.
"Every year..."
"Our academy welcomes students with talent."
"But talent alone..."
"...has never protected humanity."
His calm voice carried effortlessly through the hall.
"You have all survived your first Tower expedition."
"Some of you returned stronger."
"Some returned humbler."
"Some returned carrying burdens no one else can see."
Noah unconsciously touched the iron key beneath his uniform.
The Headmaster continued.
"Today..."
"I have two announcements."
The room became even quieter.
"The first."
"Our academy’s Inter-House Tournament will begin in six weeks."
Immediately...
Excitement erupted.
Students whispered enthusiastically.
"The tournament!"
"It’s finally happening!"
"I’ve been waiting all year!"
The Headmaster raised one hand.
Silence returned.
"The tournament is not merely a competition."
"It is an opportunity."
"The top performers..."
"...will represent Valhalla Academy in the Continental Academy Festival later this year."
Gasps echoed throughout the hall.
Even upper-year students exchanged serious looks.
Eric leaned toward Noah.
"The Continental Festival..."
"That’s huge."
Sophia nodded.
"The best academies from every kingdom compete."
The Headmaster allowed the excitement to settle before continuing.
"My second announcement..."
His expression became more solemn.
"...concerns your practical education."
The hall quieted once more.
"Beginning next month..."
"Every first-year squad will begin supervised field missions."
Noah’s attention sharpened.
Field missions.
"These assignments will take place outside academy grounds."
"Villages."
"Ruins."
"Monster territories."
"Trade routes."
"Ancient sites."
The Headmaster paused.
"Your duty is simple."
"Protect."
"Investigate."
"Learn."
Professor Ingrid stepped forward.
"The Tower teaches survival."
She folded her arms.
"The world..."
"...teaches consequences."
A large map of the continent appeared behind the stage through illusion magic.
Dozens of glowing markers lit up across mountains, forests, deserts, and coastlines.
Noah studied the map.
The world was far larger than he had imagined.
The Headmaster pointed toward the map.
"You will discover something during these missions."
"The world is not divided into safe places..."
"...and dangerous places."
"It is divided into places you understand..."
"...and places you do not."
Those words lingered in Noah’s mind.
The assembly concluded moments later.
Students slowly began leaving.
The hall buzzed with excitement.
Everyone discussed the upcoming tournament.
The future field missions.
Possible teammates.
Possible rivals.
As Noah’s group exited the building...
Professor Astrid called out.
"Blackwood."
Noah turned.
"So did Eric, Sophia, Luna, and Damien.
Professor Astrid looked at the five of them.
"Report to my office tomorrow morning."
Eric blinked.
"...All of us?"
"Yes."
"No exceptions."
She walked away before anyone could ask why.
Luna folded her arms.
"...That can’t be good."
Eric forced a laugh.
"Maybe we’re getting extra homework."
Damien shook his head.
"No."
His eyes remained on Professor Astrid’s retreating figure.
"...It’s something else."
Noah looked toward the administration building.
Tomorrow...
Something was about to change.
Far beyond the academy walls...
In the depths of an abandoned fortress swallowed by the forest...
A cracked stone tablet suddenly trembled.
Ancient letters, hidden for centuries, faintly glowed.
One line slowly became readable.
"The Seventh has returned."
Then...
The light vanished.
The fortress fell silent once again.
No one was there to witness it.
The next morning...
The academy was quieter than usual.
The excitement from yesterday’s announcements had settled into anticipation.
Students hurried toward classrooms, training halls, and libraries.
Everyone seemed to be preparing for what was coming.
Noah stood outside Professor Astrid’s office.
Eric yawned.
"I skipped breakfast for this."
Luna folded her arms.
"That’s your own fault."
Sophia knocked lightly on the wooden door.
"Professor, we’re here."
"Enter."
The office was surprisingly simple.
Bookshelves lined every wall.
Maps of the continent covered a large table.
Pinned beside them were reports from various kingdoms.
There were no expensive decorations.
Only things that served a purpose.
Professor Astrid stood beside the window.
She waited until everyone had entered.
Then...
She closed the door herself.
"I’ll get straight to the point."
Five pairs of eyes focused on her.
"The Headmaster has approved the first field mission schedule."
Eric blinked.
"...Already?"
"Not yet."
Astrid corrected.
"But preparations begin today."
She placed five folders on the table.
One for each student.
Across the front...
A single emblem had been stamped in silver.
A wolf enclosed by a circle.
"You five have been assigned together."
Noah exchanged glances with Eric.
Luna.
Sophia.
Damien.
Professor Astrid continued.
"From today onward..."
"You are officially recognized as Squad Seven."
Silence.
Eric was the first to react.
"...That’s actually kind of cool."
Luna rolled her eyes.
"You’re excited over the name?"
"Of course."
Astrid ignored them.
"A squad is more than a group of classmates."
"You will train together."
"Fight together."
"Complete missions together."
"And if necessary..."
"...risk your lives together."
The room grew serious.
She opened another folder.
Inside was a map of the academy’s surrounding region.
Several villages had been marked.
Mountain passes.
Forests.
Trade routes.
Small ruins.
"For your first mission..."
Astrid pointed toward a small mountain village called Eldermere.
"You’ll escort a supply caravan."
Eric looked confused.
"...That’s it?"
Astrid looked at him.
"What did you expect?"
"A dragon?"
"No..."
"...Maybe."
Several students chuckled.
Even Astrid’s expression softened for a brief moment.
"Never underestimate simple assignments."
She tapped the map.
"Most accidents happen because people believe a mission is routine."
Damien studied the route.
"This passes through Graypine Forest."
"It does."
"Monster activity?"
"Low."
"Bandits?"
"Occasionally."
"Anything unusual?"
Astrid answered honestly.
"Nothing has been reported."
Noah noticed something.
The Professor had said...
Reported.
Not...
Confirmed.
Astrid looked around the room.
"This mission begins in eight days."
"Until then..."
"You’ll train as a squad."
"You’ll eat together."
"You’ll spar together."
"And you’ll learn each other’s strengths."
She folded her hands behind her back.
"Which brings us to your next assignment."
Eric groaned.
"I knew there was homework."
Astrid ignored him.
"Each of you will identify your greatest weakness."
No one spoke.
She continued.
"Not your greatest strength."
"Your greatest weakness."
"Write it."
"Accept it."
"Then improve it."
She looked directly at Noah.
"Blackwood."
"Yes?"
"What do you believe yours is?"
Noah answered after only a few seconds.
"...Experience."
Astrid nodded.
"Good."
"You recognize it."
She looked at Damien.
"You."
Damien answered immediately.
"I don’t trust others enough."
Astrid simply nodded.
Sophia smiled awkwardly.
"I hesitate."
"Luna?"
"I get impatient."
"Eric?"
Eric scratched his cheek.
"...I rush in without thinking."
Astrid looked around the room.
"Good."
"None of those weaknesses disappear overnight."
"But pretending they don’t exist..."
"...gets people killed."
The meeting ended shortly afterward.
As the five left the office...
Eric stretched.
"So..."
"Squad Seven."
"I like it."
Luna glanced sideways.
"We still need a leader."
Eric immediately pointed at Noah.
"Him."
"What?"
Noah blinked.
"Why me?"
"You ranked fifth."
"So?"
"You stay calm."
"So?"
"You somehow survive impossible situations."
Noah sighed.
"Those aren’t leadership qualifications."
Damien finally spoke.
"They’re better than most."
Sophia nodded in agreement.
"I don’t mind."
Luna shrugged.
"I’m fine with it."
Noah looked around.
"...You’re all serious?"
Eric grinned.
"Looks like congratulations, Captain."
Before Noah could protest...
A familiar voice interrupted.
"Not so fast."
The group turned.
Walking toward them was Professor Ingrid.
She carried a clipboard under one arm.
Her expression was unreadable.
"The academy chooses squad leaders."
She stopped before them.
"Not the students."
Eric’s smile faded.
"...So we don’t get to vote?"
"No."
She looked over Squad Seven one last time.
"The official appointments..."
"...will be announced after tomorrow’s assessment."
Then she walked away.
Leaving behind one final question.
Who...
Would become the leader of Squad Seven?