I grow stronger by making my wife happy.

Chapter 395: 395:Teamwork in progress

Leon explained his ability next.

”Defensive reinforcement. I can harden parts of my body and reinforce against impacts. Short duration if I concentrate it heavily.”

”Front line,” Gareth said.

Leon nodded.

Rebecca tapped her spear.

”Close and middle-range combat. My core control is better than my raw output.”

Antony smiled.

”I can confirm that. She survived pressure fifteen with eleven.”

Gareth looked impressed.

”Good.”

Rebecca looked at Antony.

”I didn’t ask for advertising.”

”You’re welcome.”

Gareth finally looked toward Antony.

”Transformation.”

He raised an eyebrow.

”You read yesterday’s board?”

”Some of it.”

”Male form prioritizes strength. Female prioritizes agility.”

”Transformation cost?”

”Energy each time.”

”How many switches before it becomes a problem?”

He thought for a moment.

”Depends on how much power I’m using elsewhere. Enough that I shouldn’t change forms every five minutes because I feel like it.”

Gareth nodded.

”Versatile.”

”That’s what the examiner said.”

Gareth finally explained his own ability.

”Impact reinforcement. I can strengthen physical attacks by channeling power from my core into the point of impact. Sword, fist, kick, anything physical. Higher output means higher consumption.”

Antony nodded.

”So you’re basically very good at hitting things.”

He looked at him for a few seconds before grumply replying.

”Basically.”

”Excellent. I understand you completely.”

Mira laughed.

The squads became quiet when the whistle sounded. An officer stood before them.

”Mission briefing.”

Screens activated and a wilderness map appeared. The academy grounds weren’t shown, this was outside them. A vast controlled zone of forest, rocky terrain, streams and artificial military installations.

”Your squads will deploy into Training Wilderness Sector Three.”

The screen zoomed.

”Your mission begins at 0630.”

A route appeared.

STARTING POINT

Then another marker.

OBSERVATION POST FOUR

Then extraction.

”Primary objective: reach Observation Post Four.” The officer continued. ”Retrieve the designated military data unit.”

The containment cases suddenly made sense.

”Return the data unit to the extraction zone before 1400.”

Antony looked at the distance, it was long although not impossible.

”Your map contains the approved operational routes.”

Mira unfolded theirs.

”Your communication device connects to academy command frequencies. Use it only when necessary.”

Gareth checked theirs.

”Emergency medical evacuation automatically terminates the evacuated candidate’s examination. It does not necessarily terminate the squad’s.”

Antony glanced toward the others; that was important.

”Beasts inhabit the training sector.”

Of course they did.

”Expected threat level ranges from Tier One to controlled Tier three.”

Someone in another squad groaned.

The officer ignored it.

”You are not being evaluated on kill count.”

Antony smiled, at least they’d finally said it directly.

”You are being evaluated on mission completion, judgment, teamwork, resource management, adaptability and individual conduct.”

The officer looked across them.

”Do not assume every problem requires combat.”

Antony glanced toward Gareth, who noticed.

”Why are you looking at me?”

”You said you’re good at hitting things.”

”So?”

”Just making sure you heard him.”

Rebecca covered her face.

Gareth stared at Antony, then, unexpectedly, laughed.

”You’re going to be irritating.”

”I’ve been told.”

The officer continued.

”Squads have ten minutes to finalize internal organization before movement to deployment vehicles.”

Gareth immediately looked toward the group.

”We need someone coordinating decisions.”

Mira nodded.

”Agreed.”

Leon said nothing. Rebecca looked between them.

Gareth continued.

”I’ve done wilderness operations before. My family runs Contractor teams outside sanctuary territory. Nothing this structured, but I know basic navigation, threat assessment and field movement.” Gareth glanced around. ”I also have the highest Soul Capacity here, although that’s not the reason I’m asking.”

That was better than Antony expected.

”Anyone else have actual squad leadership experience?”

Silence filled the air.

Antony shook his head.

”Former military?”

Nobody.

”Contractor team command?”

Nothing.

Gareth nodded.

”Then I’ll lead unless someone objects.”

Antony shrugged.

”Fine.”

Gareth looked at him.

”That easy?”

”You gave an actual reason. If you’d said ’I havefifteen, therefore I’m king,’ I might have laughed.”

Gareth smiled.

”I was tempted.”

”Good thing you resisted.”

Rebecca nodded.

”I’m fine with Gareth coordinating.”

Leon finally spoke.

”Same.”

Mira nodded.

”Fine.”

Gareth adjusted the communication device against his vest.

”Then we’re not doing anything complicated. Mira handles navigation and detection. Leon stays close to her if combat starts. Rebecca covers middle range. Antony moves wherever we need strength or speed. I’ll take forward combat.”

He raised his hand.

”Question.”

Gareth sighed already.

”What?”

”Who gets the rifle?”

Gareth looked toward the weapon, then toward everyone.

”Best shooter.”

Antony expected Gareth to take it; instead he asked, ”Scores from yesterday?”

Rebecca answered first.

”Eighty-four percent.”

Leon: ”Seventy-eight.”

Mira shook her head.

”Sixty-nine.”

Gareth said, ”Eighty-one.”

They looked at Antony.

He smiled, almost smugly.

”Ninety.”

Rebecca stared for a good frw seconds without blinking.

”You didn’t tell me that.”

”You didn’t ask.”

Gareth picked up the rifle, then handed it to Antony who looked at him in both confusion and amusement as he took it.

”Seriously?”

”You’re the best shot.”

”You don’t want it?”

”My ability works better close.”

He accepted the rifle and started to examine it. It had four magazines.

Gareth looked at him.

”Don’t waste it.”

He smiled.

”Now you sound like the quartermaster.”

At 0615, Squad Seventeen boarded a military transport with three other squads. Antony sat against the metal interior wall on uncomfortable benches as the vehicle moved.

The academy buildings disappeared behind them. Nobody spoke much; Mira studied the map, Gareth watched over her shoulder, Rebecca checked her spear, Leon sat with his eyes closed, and Antony inspected the rifle.

The vehicle passed through a security gate, then another. When the rear doors finally opened, cool morning air entered.

Trees surrounded them, an actual forest. The road behind them was rough.

A military instructor stood outside.

”Squad Seventeen.”

They climbed down.

The instructor scanned their cards.

”Mission time begins when you cross the marker.”

A painted line stretched across the dirt. Beyond it, a narrow trail disappeared into the trees.

Gareth looked at the squad.

”Final check.”

Mira raised the map.

”Ready.”

Leon touched the medical kit.

”Ready.”

Rebecca adjusted her spear.

”Ready.”

Antony checked the rifle.

”Ready enough.”

Gareth nodded.

”Then let’s move.”

They crossed the line. A tone sounded from their communication device.

[SQUAD 17 - MISSION ACTIVE.]

[TIME: 06:31]