"You want us to clear a C-rank gate," Belle said slowly, as if testing each word for hidden traps. "As first-years."
"I want you to participate in a C-rank clearance under controlled conditions with proper oversight," Vale said. He started pacing again, restless energy rolling off him in visible waves. "The academy's approved it as a special evaluation opportunity. Two teams enter as one unit. You clear the gate together. You split the rewards together."
"Together," Blair repeated. The word came out like she'd bitten into something rotten. "You actually expect my team to work with them?"
"I expect both teams to stop acting like children having a sandbox dispute long enough to survive what's inside that tear in reality," Vale shot back. He stopped moving and locked eyes with Blair in a way that made her actually take a step back. "Or I suppose you could keep nursing your grudges while Sapphire runs away with the championship this year. Your choice, really."
