Theo's POV
The academy felt… restless.
Not chaotic.
Not loud.
But charged.
Like something important was about to begin.
Students moved faster.
Talked more.
Speculated.
Because one word had spread across the entire academy—
Raiders.
When I entered the classroom, everyone was already there.
More focused than usual.
Even Kairo.
"…This is it," he said the moment I sat down.
"You feel it too, right?"
"…Yeah."
Mira glanced at both of us.
"Stop acting dramatic."
But even she looked more serious than usual.
The door opened.
Professor Drayke stepped in.
Silence fell instantly.
"As of today," he began,
"you will begin official raider preparation."
No one spoke.
But the tension in the room tightened.
"You've trained individually."
"Now you will learn to survive as a team."
His gaze swept across the class.
"Because inside a gate…"
A brief pause.
"…you don't get a second chance."
He turned and wrote a single word on the board.
FORMATION
"Raider teams will be assigned today."
That got a reaction.
Students immediately began whispering.
"Teams?"
"Already?"
"Based on what?"
Drayke raised a hand.
Silence returned.
"Teams will consist of five members."
"Balanced roles."
"Magic compatibility."
"Combat synergy."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"This is not a friendship exercise."
Kairo leaned toward me.
"…So we're definitely getting split."
"…Probably."
Mira didn't look pleased.
Drayke began calling names.
One by one.
Groups formed.
Some students looked relieved.
Others… not so much.
Kairo's name was called.
"…Kairo Venn."
He froze.
"…Don't say it."
"…Assigned to Team Three."
He sighed in relief.
"…Not Theo."
"…And Mira Solen… Team Three."
Kairo blinked.
"…Wait."
Mira exhaled slowly.
"…Of course."
Then—
"Theo Virel."
The room went quiet for a moment.
Even now, my name carried weight.
I stood.
"Team Five."
I waited.
"…Sera Vale."
"…Dain Hollow."
"…Luna Keres."
"…Bran Orik."
I memorized the names instantly.
Five people.
One team.
We were instructed to gather.
Team Five stood together near the back.
No one spoke at first.
Then—
"…So you're Theo."
A girl stepped forward.
Short black hair.
Sharp eyes.
Confident.
"Sera Vale."
I nodded.
"…Theo."
She crossed her arms.
"You're the one everyone's talking about."
"I know."
A tall boy beside her scoffed slightly.
"…Hollow," he said. "Dain Hollow."
His expression was unimpressed.
"Don't expect me to believe the rumors."
"Then don't."
He frowned slightly.
"…Tch."
A quieter girl stood slightly behind them.
Silver-blue hair.
Avoiding eye contact.
"…Luna."
Her voice was soft.
"Luna Keres."
I nodded slightly.
The last one—
Large build.
Calm presence.
"Bran."
That was all he said.
Sera looked around the group.
"…Alright."
"No point standing here awkwardly."
She looked at me again.
"You're the strongest one here, right?"
Dain scoffed.
"Based on rumors."
Sera ignored him.
"…Well?"
I paused.
Then answered simply.
"…No."
That caught them off guard.
Sera raised an eyebrow.
"Honest."
"I lost."
Dain smirked slightly.
"See?"
"But—" I continued.
"I won't stay weak."
Silence.
Sera studied me for a moment.
Then—
"…Good enough."
Professor Drayke's voice cut through the room.
"Teams finalized."
He turned to face us fully.
"Your first assignment will be a simulation gate."
Excitement and tension exploded across the class.
"A controlled dungeon environment."
"Low-risk."
"But not safe."
His gaze sharpened.
"Monsters will be real."
"So will the consequences."
The room went completely silent.
"Your objective," Drayke continued,
"is simple."
"Enter."
"Survive."
"Clear the core."
Kairo whispered from across the room.
"…That doesn't sound simple at all."
Drayke looked at all of us one last time.
"Preparation begins now."
"You have three days."
"Use them wisely."
The class was dismissed.
But no one moved immediately.
Because now—
Everything had changed.
Sera turned to us.
"…We should meet later."
"Figure out roles."
"Strategy."
Dain crossed his arms.
"I'll join if this doesn't turn into a mess."
Bran nodded once.
"…I'll be there."
Luna hesitated slightly.
Then—
"…Me too."
They all looked at me.
I nodded.
"…I'll come."
As we began to leave—
I felt it again.
That quiet pressure.
I turned slightly.
From the upper level—
Arielle Virel was watching.
Just like before.
Her gaze met mine briefly.
Then she turned away.
I exhaled slowly.
Teams…
Dungeons…
Real combat.
My hand tightened slightly.
Water formed faintly—more stable than before.
Then disappeared.
This was it.
The next step.
Not training.
Not sparring.
But real progression.
And this time—
I wouldn't just keep up.
I'd prove it.