After that dungeon event, the next week’s lecture went by in the usual rhythm.

Over the course of the first two weeks of January, the Academy had successfully transformed the majority of the first-year scholars into something that could be considered Velthia students.

This was accomplished in a relatively short period of time.

A few lectures had been taught, and the tight framework of mandatory subjects had begun to wrap around them.

Some adapted immediately, while others took longer.

In any case, they had fallen into the semester’s rhythm. And now they were all imprisoned in the vast lecture hall, like livestock confined in a quiet place.

The space was enormous, almost erratically so. Tiered rows soaring in concentric arcs, tall enough to seat four hundred first-year students without ever feeling crowded.

Ruvian sat near the edge, third row from the back, back straight and expression relaxed.

Not many knew what this gathering was about.

However, as the proofreader of this novel...

Ruvian did.

’The reason why they gathered all the first-year scholars in this hall today is because they are about to give details of the Vazrun Island Test.’

That name had not been spoken in official channels yet.

However, the timing was too good; the abrupt call for a general assembly, as well as the large number of instructors present, were most likely related to the announcement being dropped.

And as Ruvian leaned forward slightly, he was already turning over the possibilities and recollection of what happened in the next arc in his mind.

The idle murmurs faded the moment the doors opened, and conversations died immediately.

Even the yawners straightened in their seats.

An academy instructor has entered.

Instructor Veliana Kareth.

She moved with striking grace, her white uniform was pristine and strict. Blonde hair, tightly secured, outlined a pale face defined by the chilling assurance in her demeanour.

But it was her gaze that captivated the room.

Deep red, as transparent as glass, and utterly inscrutable. She calmly approached the podium, her hands instinctively clasping behind her back in a formal posture.

When she spoke, her voice sliced through the hall.

"Two weeks have already passed..."

"For some of you, it probably still feels as though the semester only just began. That tends to be the illusion most new scholars carry during their first weeks here."

"However, time in this academy moves faster than most people realize. Many scholars believe they have plenty of it, right up until the moment they discover they have already spent most of it."

She let the silence stretch for a breath, then continued.

"As some of you may have begun to notice, you are now approaching the third week of your first year."

"That means the period of observation is over..."

"And the time for your test has arrived."

Her eyes swept across the hall as the light in the room slowly dimmed.

"In three weeks, your initial assessment will begin."

As she spoke, the massive manaboard behind her began to glow with a soft hum.

Pale-blue light crawled across the surface before pulling together into a large, rotating projection of an island.

The holographic terrain shimmered into view; cliffs, ridges, dense forest patterns, elevation readings, glowing currents... and at the center, bright and unmistakable, the name of the island rose above it all.

[The Vazrun Island.]

A ripple ran through the room as everyone started to pay attention to the holographic projection.

"Vazrun Island is one of several uninhabited islands within the jurisdiction of Velthia Academy. It is used as a test site for practical examinations, from survival tests to live combat tests."

"Your upcoming expedition will take place here."

A few whispers were made among the scholars before the instructor held up his hand to silence them.

"The purpose of this expedition is to test your survival skills, combat skills, adaptability, and teamwork in a real-world environment."

"Up until now, your training has been within the safety of the academy’s walls. But that is about to change."

Ruvian watched as some scholars exchanged glances, some with excitement, others with apprehension.

Veliana pressed her fingers against the manaboard, and the display shifted again.

"To ensure fairness, you will not be participating alone. The academy has already organized your expedition parties, each composed of five scholars."

"Each party will include one scholar from each Class—A, B, C, D, and E."

The moment the words left her lips, the atmosphere shifted.

It was subtle, but Ruvian could sense it, the slight tension across the faces of those in the upper classes.

One of the Class A scholars leaned slightly toward his companion, lowering his voice.

"Five scholars... one from every class?"

His friend frowned faintly.

"So we are expected to carry the lower classes now?"

A Class B scholar clicked his tongue softly.

"Seriously, they’re mixing all the classes together?"

The top-ranked students, visibly stiffened as realization settled in.

They wouldn’t be paired with their own elite peers. Instead, they would have to work alongside the lower classes.

But Veliana continued as if she hadn’t noticed the energy shift.

"The academy’s higher administration has carefully structured these parties. Each group is balanced according to combat ability, personal strengths, and what the administration believes to be the most workable combination of temperaments and abilities."

"In other words, these assignments are not provisional suggestions open to discussion. They are final decisions."

Her gaze drifted across the hall, lingering briefly on a few scholars who had already begun exchanging dissatisfied looks.

"So, you will not be selecting your own teammates."

’There it is...’

The principle that governed nearly everything within Velthia Academy.

Whether a scholar agreed with the academy’s judgment or not was largely irrelevant once a decision had been made.

Opinions could exist, sure, and scholars were free to hold them as firmly as they wished, yet the institution itself moved forward with little regard for those private reservations.

Ruvian remained still, his expression thoughtful.

This structure forced cooperation. It meant that even those at the bottom had a role to play. Ruvian exhaled quietly, tilting his head as he considered the implications.

He already possessed a fairly clear understanding of how most of the higher ranked scholars would respond to an arrangement like this.

There would inevitably be a quiet strain of resentment among those in Class A, many of whom would regard this entire arrangement as little more than an unnecessary burden imposed upon them.

The reaction from Class B would not be much different, as the majority of them had spent the past weeks carefully cultivating their position just beneath the academy’s highest tier and would naturally dislike anything that threatened to slow their momentum.

Class C might attempt to conceal it behind a more neutral expression, yet even there the sentiment would likely surface sooner or later.

Ruvian sighed.

’But obviously, from their perspective, being assigned to work alongside lower ranked scholars is rarely seen as an opportunity for cooperation or mutual improvement...’

’Normally, it is regarded as an obligation that forces them to expend their effort compensating for the perceived weaknesses of others. To them, the situation would appear painfully burdensome.’

Working with lower ranked scholars meant nothing more than dragging along unnecessary weight.

His expression deepened.

He could already hear it in his mind.

The dismissive sneers, the subtle irritation of his future teammates when they realized they had been saddled with a Class E scholar.

Ruvian let out a slow, weary breath.

At this point, his expectations had already adjusted themselves to a fairly modest standard.

’I hope that at least one of my teammates turns out to be tolerable enough to work with.’

Then, his thoughts drifted briefly to a familiar figure.

’Huh? Strangely enough, even having Silvena, Calyra or Rosalin in my group would be great.’

The idea alone was almost amusing.

Shaking his head, Ruvian returned his focus at the front.

Veliana raised a hand, and the manaboard shifted, unveiling the first list.

"Now, I will be proceeding with announcing your teams."

Shortly after, her voice rang clear while she read the names that were displayed on the manaboard.

’Let’s hope...’

———<Squad #1>———

Julian Rozenberg (Class A)

Elias Vetrinel (Class B)

Dorian Lestair (Class C)

Marwen Theos (Class D)

Seth Holloway (Class E)

———<Squad #2>———

Calyra Arcanis (Class A)

Leyd Drexler (Class B)

Sorin Faustus (Class C)

Garrick Fenholt (Class D)

Odion Coss (Class E)

———<Squad #3>———

Loden Armand (Class A)

Rhett Varmina (Class B)

Endrick Bilock (Class C)

Wale Rhymes (Class D)

Argus Wrenk (Class E)

———<Squad #4>———

Rosalin Varion (Class A)

Arrin Orello (Class B)

Talon Riger (Class C)

Freya (Class D)

Violet (Class E)

———<Squad #5>———

Silvena D’Elvoire (Class A)

Neyla Qronm (Class B)

Diel Thorg (Class C)

Owen Sparro(Class D)

Corwin Dunley (Class E)

... 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

...

Finally, his name came out.

———<Squad #69>———

Yerin Solder (Class A)

Arlok Carnam (Class B)

Shima Lesla (Class C)

Horren Volc(Class D)

Ruvian Castelor (Class E)

————————————

’...Haaa~ great. I didn’t recognise any of them in my squad.’

It seems like his teammates were all just another nameless extras.

’Well, I should have expected this.’

’No, actually... this is good.’

Ruvian can’t afford to always rely on another named side character every single time.

He also needed to test his growth.

And Vazrun Island was the best event for it.

After that, the revelation of the squad member had ended.

There were 80 squads in total.

The revelation of the squad member had caused a stir among the scholars, excitement and apprehension mixing in equal measure.

Veliana gaze swept across the gathered scholars, ensuring their attention before she continued...

──────── ✦ ────────

[Chapter 121: Where Comfort Ends (1)]