Chapter 842: The First Impression
Chapter 842: The First Impression
Chris stood confidently at the center of the eastern training arena, the sunlight falling over him like the stage had been prepared for his arrival.There was no nervousness in his posture. No hesitation in the way he held himself before the gathered students. He looked calm, proud, and almost polished beneath the open sky, as if this moment had not happened by accident but had been shaped carefully long before anyone else understood what was taking place. His academy uniform was neat, his shoulders squared, and his smile carried just enough restraint to seem controlled rather than openly smug.
After greeting the crowd, he let the silence stretch for a moment longer than necessary.
Then he spoke again, his voice loud enough to carry through the open arena without sounding like he was shouting. "I am certain some of you are wondering what this gathering is about, especially our juniors, who may not yet understand why so many second-years have come here after finishing one of our theory papers."
That drew the first-years in immediately.
The ones seated in the higher rows leaned closer to one another, whispering beneath their breath with visible curiosity. A few had likely followed the crowd because any gathering involving second-years was more interesting than returning to their own exam preparation. Others looked excited simply because they had been given a chance to witness upperclassmen drama while pretending it was educational.
The third-years, scattered in smaller groups around the arena, remained quieter. They watched with the calm, measuring attention of students who already understood how quickly a public dispute could become something more.
Chris looked around, clearly pleased that he had gained them.
"Do not worry," he said smoothly. "It will make sense soon. In five days, I and my fellow second-years will be sent—no, deployed—into an external realm, where we will survive and operate as one unit for fourteen days. The Bastion Assessment is not a simple test. It is a mission-like deployment, and if we do not approach it properly, then our year will suffer for it."
The arena became more attentive.
Even the first-years who did not understand the full structure of the assessment could hear the weight in the words. Fourteen days. Another realm. One unit. Those were not details that needed much explanation to sound serious. Around the second-year sections, several students exchanged looks. Some already knew what Chris was doing. Others were beginning to understand.
"But before that day arrives," Chris continued, "we need someone to lead us."
A ripple passed through the seats.
"There it is," Asher muttered beside Liam.