"Dismissed!"

Unlike other classes, the recruits didn't rush out this time. Instead, several of them began to gather to discuss.

"Is there still room in your group?"

"I got someone from the First Battalion in mine."

"If we pool our money, we can pay someone from the First Battalion to support us."

Hearing the discussion around them, Oliver and Alan became worried.

"I'm in your group, right?" Alan asked.

"My group?" Oliver questioned.

"I don't know," Alan replied. "I'm terrible at group work."

"Alright," Oliver responded. "However, I think you just messed up by being in my group."

He could see the looks of the people around them. None of them wanted to be in his group, even though he held a high position in the last training. They all believed he had caused the incident.

"What do you mean?" Alan asked.

"I wonder who would want to be in our group," Oliver replied.

"Oh! Right. Well, there's Isabela," Alan commented.

"Maybe; it doesn't hurt to try," the boy responded.

Grrrrr

Oliver heard the sound of his stomach. Exchanging a glance with Alan, they left the room. They hadn't had time to go to the cafeteria before class, but finally, they had a few hours before the next training.

However, as soon as they left the room, they ran into a surprise. Katherine was leaning against one of the building's columns.

When Oliver exited the room, she straightened up and walked toward him.

"I think she wants to talk to you," Alan commented. "I'll wait for you in the cafeteria."

"Alright," Oliver confirmed.

Oliver walked up to Katherine.

"Hey," Katherine said.

"Hey," the boy replied.

"I didn't get a chance to thank you for everything you did when we were there. In the end, I was more unconscious than awake, and the medics took me away so quickly," she tried to explain.

"I know. You were exhausted; that fight was a close call," Oliver commented.

"Yes," Katherine confirmed. "But it wasn't just that. I'm sorry—you saved me, but in the end, you ended up as the culprit and even got suspended."

"No problem. It wasn't your fault; it's more about how things work, especially when it involves the New Earth Army," Oliver replied.

"Not just the Army, but also the Great Houses. The moment it reaches the ears of someone that influential, the whole game changes," Katherine explained.

"I noticed. At least it'll serve as a lesson," Oliver commented.

"Even so, I apologize—for myself and on behalf of the Yorks," the girl said again.

Oliver nodded, understanding that it was pointless to argue.

"If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know," Katherine offered.

"No, I'm fine. Don't worry," the boy said.

They paused for a moment, unsure of what to say after everything that had happened.

"I'm heading to the cafeteria. Would you like to join me?" Oliver asked.

She hadn't been going that way, but she preferred to follow him since she wasn't familiar with the Second Battalion sector, and it would be easier to find her classroom from the island's central area.

"Sure," she replied.

They began walking, chatting lightly about daily life at the academy. However, when they were nearing the cafeteria, Oliver had an idea.

"Actually, there is something you can help me with," the boy said.

"What would that be?" Katherine asked, curious. This offered favor also served as a test to see whether he was interested in her family's power.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"Do you already have a group for the next exam?" he asked.

"Oh! Not yet," she replied.

She thought about it; it would be pretty difficult for her to find a group. Except for other princes or princesses, hardly anyone would dare to be in a group with her, especially after the last incident.

"You know I could be a big problem if anything goes wrong, right?" she said, fearing he might reconsider, but she needed to be upfront.

"Yes, yes. But this time, there won't be any incidents; it'll be smooth sailing," Oliver said confidently.

'I’ve grown a lot in the last few days; I bet even a Knight-level creature wouldn't be a match for [Prometheus],' he thought.

"Great. Can I join your group?" she asked.

"Of course," Oliver replied.

As they reached the central plaza with the cafeteria, Katherine quickly said goodbye before rushing to her next training.

"Add me on the chat—'KathSaysHi'—so I can know where you'll be tomorrow," she said before leaving.

"No problem," Oliver replied.

As soon as she left, Alan approached Oliver again. "So?"

"So what?" Oliver asked.

"What did she want? Spill it," Alan urged.

"I preferred when you were the sarcastic guy," Oliver remarked.

"Really?" Alan questioned.

"Ah," Oliver sighed. "She came to apologize for all the crazy shit that happened after the incident."

"Oh! Just that?" he asked, slightly disappointed.

"Of course. What else would there be?" Oliver responded.

"I don't know. Something more," Alan hinted.

"While you're talking nonsense, how about we get in line?" Oliver suggested.

"Good idea."

--

--

Major Five was once again at his desk, reviewing the plans for the next exam. Even as a major with decades of experience, he still concerned himself with every detail of his campus's operations—especially when he had so many eyes from the Senate watching his every move.

The major looked up as the door to his office opened.

One of the Second Battalion captains called to him, "Major, the other captains are already waiting for you in the planning room."

The major nodded, quickly closing the holographic displays before heading to the adjacent room.

The planning room was essentially a regular meeting room, but it featured a long table with space for each captain.

"Gentlemen, I believe we're all ready," the major began, confirming the start of the meeting. "I called you here to review the plan for the next exam. But first, I'd like to reinforce some points."

The captains listened attentively.

"All campuses will conduct the exam simultaneously; however, there won't be any other campus alongside ours. Therefore, the full responsibility for the students' safety rests on us. Understood?" Major Five asked.

"Yes, sir," the captains replied in unison.

"Excellent. Remember, we have two princes and a princess in the group. If anything happens to them like in the last training, the Senate will be furious with our performance," the major emphasized.

The room remained silent as they contemplated the issue. The only one who seemed unperturbed was Scipio, who was already aware of the information and the Senate's pressure regarding the safety of their heirs.

"Perfect. Present me with the scenario we have at hand."

--

--

Oliver was slowly returning from his training with Captain Liv. Even when training with Nico, he had never felt as exhausted as today. Still, he was pleased with his progress.

‘Without a doubt, it's the effect of the increase in constitution,’ Oliver thought. In his last evolution, his body had improved a bit in physical endurance, allowing him to finally keep up with the training—even if it completely drained him.

As he walked, Oliver saw a notification pop up in his chat.

| Channels

| TransportTruckFromHell [3] [Private]

|

|

| TransportTruckFromHell

| [BellaRedFanGirl] Hey! I'm near the cafeteria.

| [OliverKR] On my way

| [AquilaAlan] Damn, I won't have time to shower!

|

He quickly read the messages and hurried toward the island’s center.

Approaching the area, he began to walk around the cafeteria, looking for the girl in the recreational areas. Along the side were several tables and seats for the recruits to sit and, in theory, relax—but with the amount of training they had, the space was rarely used.

"Hey! Over here," Isabela waved to Oliver.

"Hi! Where's Alan?" Oliver asked.

"He hasn't arrived yet. He's not going to shower now, is he? He wouldn't keep us waiting," she said incredulously.

"Quite possible," Oliver replied.

"Quite possible what?" Alan asked, approaching the table.

"Quite possible that you got lost, and we'd never find you again," Oliver teased.

"Go to hell," Alan retorted with a grin.

The three of them began sharing how their week had been. For Isabela, nothing extraordinary had happened—just more and more training. The only major thing was that all field training had been canceled after the incident.

Alan explained that he had stayed at his family's house, where he continued training. He didn't go into details but mentioned he had plenty of time to spend at the beach and missed it.

Oliver had the longest story. He explained that he had gone to train with a former Ranger on Luna but didn't delve into details about the Trial Tower or his experience fighting others.

"But I can tell how much you've grown in a week. You're taller, right?" Isabela noted. "And that eye of a different color."

"I think so; I haven't had a chance to measure, but it can't be much," Oliver said.

"I think I've grown some, too," Alan chimed in, showing off the muscles he'd gained from his training.

"Um, I don't think so," Isabela quipped, cutting him off.

"Hey! Oliver?!" Alan exclaimed.

"You've grown, you've grown. Stop hurting the boy's feelings," Oliver joked, pretending to defend his friend.

Isabela laughed at the whole situation but wanted to get straight to another topic.

"Alright, let me tell you something that will really interest you," she said.

The two boys focused their attention, noticing the seriousness in her voice.

"I think I know who caused the incident during the exam."