Actually, their reputation didn't precede them at all.
The Terrible Three were basically nobodies—at least, at this point in the story. Even though Lancet knew they eventually grew into much higher, more dangerous roles in the novel, they were still just bottom-feeders compared to others.
'Others' in this context were the people they were desperately trying to work for: the Serpent Society, a highly secretive and illicit faction of Awakeners operating within the school's shadows.
At this current point in the timeline, Linzley, Muskard, and Caelem were just trying to build their names.
They had only unified a few weeks ago in the Summoner-C homerooms, entirely out of necessity. They were the outcasts. The misfits.
This was because amongst others with their majestic Summons, theirs were downright terrifying.
In the world of Awakener Supreme, Classes weren't completely identical. One Swordsman didn't have the exact kind of power as another despite having the same Class.
