Chapter 82: Something To Fight For.
The rest of 12-B were already dropping in.
One after another.
Figures emerged from trees. Dropped from branches. Stepped silently from concealed positions.
Every trap was avoided flawlessly.
The pits. The wires. The falling logs.
Every single one.
And in the next moment, 11-D found themselves surrounded.
Soraya moved immediately. Positioning herself between her squad and the approaching seniors.
Without being told, the rest of 11-D unconsciously backed up.
Until they were standing directly before Vault Three.
Two students stepped forward from the ranks of 12-B.
One of them was tall. Handsome.
Charismatic.
Recognition rippled through the juniors instantly.
Winsley Ackerman.
Echelon’s Student Council President.
The mere sight of him visibly shook what little confidence remained.
The second student was Garrett.
The Gopher.
Garrett slowly surveyed the area.
The traps. The vault. The nervous juniors.
Then he chuckled.
"You juniors are really something." He gestured toward the forest. "Did you honestly think a few amateur traps could hold us down until seventeen hundred?"
Several members of 12-B laughed.
Ackerman didn’t.
Garrett glanced sideways. "You don’t find that funny?"
Ackerman’s attention remained fixed on Soraya.
"What really interests me," he said calmly, "is the amount of effort required to construct all this in such a short period."
He regarded Soraya coolly.
"I assume you are squad leader."
Soraya gave a curt nod.
"Permit me to ask," he spread a hand lightly. "How did your squad manage to arrive here early enough to prepare all of this?"
Soraya stood straighter.
"We are not on Academy grounds." Her voice was firm. "So I am under no obligation to answer your questions."
A smirk touched Ackerman’s lips.
"Fair enough." He tilted his head slightly. "I was merely admiring your leadership."
His eyes lingered on her.
"You should come see me after Trials. We could discuss a thing or two."
Soraya didn’t respond.
Ackerman’s gaze drifted across 11-D. Studying every face.
Curious.
Evaluating.
Then he spoke again.
"I was informed that the transferred Zero was placed in your class."
His eyes swept across the students once more.
"I don’t see her."
A pause.
"Where is she?"
At the mention of that, 11-D became visibly anxious.
Soraya gave a dry smile.
"Like I said before, we are on trial grounds now. Squad matters are none of your concern."
Ackerman nodded with a smile to match hers.
"Fair enough."
Garrett stepped forward.
"And now, back to the actual business of the day." He said and jerked his head casually toward the side.
"Move."
The word was delivered so casually it sounded like he was asking someone to make room in a hallway.
Nobody moved.
Some students lowered their eyes. Others clenched trembling fists.
Garrett sighed.
"Move aside."
Still nothing.
He took another step.
A hand landed on his shoulder.
Ackerman.
Calm as ever.
Garrett stopped.
"This is a Trial, Garrett." Ackerman said. "Not Academy hierarchy."
His gaze shifted to the juniors.
"Everyone deserves a fair opportunity."
A few members of 11-D looked up.
"Considering the effort they’ve invested, I think they deserve the chance to fight for their vault."
A laugh rang out.
The senior who had portrayed the illusion of Yesu.
"Winsley Ackerman." He said. "Always the champion of fairness."
He shook his head in amusement.
"I really commend your efforts, President. But unfortunately, these juniors don’t stand a chance anyway."
His grin widened.
"Because you see..."
His eyes swept across the half trembling juniors.
"A squad member of theirs disappeared." His smile became almost unbearable. "And the Scales disappeared with her."
Silence.
"So even if they somehow managed to defeat us, which is nearly impossible I may add, and claim the vault..." His eyes gleamed. "What exactly are they going to submit?"
The words struck like a hammer.
Several members of 11-D visibly stiffened.
Garrett burst into laughter, completely amused.
"Really?"
No one said anything.
"How on earth..." Garrett wiped away a tear from laughing so hard.
"You juniors never cease to amaze me. Seriously."
Immediately Garrett said those words, 11-D looked even more downcast.
Several students lowered their heads. Others avoided eye contact entirely.
Garrett eventually stopped laughing. His amusement faded.
Then he blinked.
Looking genuinely surprised.
"You guys are still here?"
Nobody answered. Nobody moved.
The juniors stood like statues before the Vault.
Garrett brought a hand to his forehead.
"Seriously?" He sighed heavily. "Just move aside, would you?"
His tone wasn’t even threatening anymore.
It sounded tired.
"Before things get ugly."
Soraya stepped forward. Her expression was calm.
"You said it yourself." She said, looking toward Ackerman. "This is a Trial, not an Academy hierarchy and everyone deserves a fair opportunity."
She straightened.
"So whether we fight for the Vault or retreat from it will be our decision."
Her eyes swept across 12-B.
"Not yours. Not anybody else’s."
The silence that followed was profound.
11-D stared at her. Half shocked. Half horrified.
12-B looked equally confused.
Was she brave?
Or simply stupid?
The juniors had no Scales. What exactly were they planning to fight for?
Someone from 12-B laughed.
"Absolutely not."
Another shook his head. "I refuse to spill junior blood on the second day."
Several others voiced their agreement.
Then—
Ackerman raised a hand. The discussions died instantly.
He looked at Soraya. Still smiling.
"Very well." He said. "At Echelon Academy, perhaps the most important skill we are taught is common sense."
His gaze drifted across the gathered students.
"Without it, all Abilities are worthless."
Then his eyes flickered briefly toward Garrett’s watch.
Only ten minutes left till seventeen hundred.
He looked back at Soraya.
"You have five minutes to decide."
Soraya nodded.
The squad immediately gathered together.
Farida spoke first.
"Let’s retreat."
Nobody argued.
"We don’t have the Scales." She continued. "There’s no point fighting."
Agreement came instantly.
"She’s right."
"Exactly."
Isaiah nodded. "There’s no way Yesu might suddenly appear with the Scales."
His shoulders slumped.
"And even if she somehow did, there’s no way we can take them on. The traps are useless now too. So I think it’ll be best if we sit this one out."
Carrots folded her arms. "Certainly. Wouldn’t want to repeat what happened yesterday."
A few students winced.
Another nodded.
"We should rest and prepare for tomorrow instead."
For once, the class was united.
Soraya looked around the circle. Then gave a small nod.
She turned and walked back toward Ackerman.
"My squad has decided to withdraw."
Garrett snorted.
"Took long enough." He shook his head. "Good to see you’re at least capable of using your brains."
The words stung.
11-D was even more dejected. This would be their second failed Trial.
But then—
A ripple distorted the air beside the Vault.
Everyone turned.
A girl appeared out of nowhere. Teleported.
Elsie.
The insignia of 12-A was clearly visible on her jacket.
Confusion spread immediately.
Why was she here? She wasn’t even part of the pairing.
Even Ackerman looked mildly interested.
Then Elsie faced 11-D, smiling her gentle smile.
And lifted a familiar pouch.
"Did someone lose five Scales?"
