The main building was filled with visitors and regular students from different faculties. They'd all gathered here to watch the director's presentation and all five chosen classes.
We stood behind the stage, which Mr. Kronen had just stepped onto. He had his back to me, and through his jacket I could clearly see some otherworlder wire running to his pants—what did he need it for? Something inserted in his ear, he was listening to something?
The director began his speech by announcing the new training format. He spoke about how important it was to test students' readiness for real threats, about the need to adapt to a changing world. The "Five Pillars" tournament was meant to show which teams could work in extreme conditions. Prizes weren't named, but the director hinted at "special opportunities" for winners and "program reassessment" for losers.
Kronen turned to us and nodded.
"Third specialized class—Vanguard."
A group of five students in impeccable uniforms stepped onto the stage. A tall guy with a serious face walked ahead of the others. The hall met them with muted applause. Classic team: nothing special, but reliable.
Marcus Greyden bowed slightly and led the team aside.
"Fourth specialized class—Archive."
The next group moved more cautiously, as if analyzing every step. The girl in the center with a strict hairstyle carried herself like a reconnaissance commander. The hall reacted with restraint but respect. Everyone knew the analysts' reputation.
Elara Codex didn't even bow, just nodded and stepped back.
"Fifth specialized class—Omega."
This team appeared almost unnoticeably. The red-haired leader smirked, looking at the hall. Most students shrugged. The weakest class, and everyone understood this.
Rico Velden waved his hand and disappeared behind the curtains.
"First specialized class—Chosen."
The hall exploded with applause. Selena walked in front, keeping her back straight as befitted a princess. Behind her—Elliot, Cassandra, Darius, Reynor. And that girl who was always near my brother.
I noticed how Elliot looked in our direction for a second. His expression was strange, as if he'd seen something unexpected.
Selena bowed gracefully, and the team stepped back to a new wave of applause. Kronen paused longer than usual. The hall grew quieter.
"Thirteenth experimental class."
No one applauded. There were whispers, a couple of snickers. Someone loudly asked what kind of class this was.
"Thirteenth? There wasn't one last year."
"Those are outcasts from different faculties."
"What are they even doing here?"
Kronen turned to us. For a second, strange interest flickered in his eyes, almost predatory. The wire in his ear blinked green slightly. He heard something and nodded almost imperceptibly.
"Experimental class of special designation,"
He added, though this name hadn't existed before.
I led the team onto the stage, feeling the gazes of hundreds of people. In the front rows sat the professors. Professor Tyler watched with concern. Next to him, several people in business suits were writing something on tablets.
Val walked beside me with a stone face, but I saw how tense his shoulders were. Kyle clenched his fists, ready to pounce on anyone who dared laugh. Mira looked at the hall as if studying every spectator and memorizing faces. Tara pressed her potion bag to herself, trying not to stumble. Aris was barely visible in the shadow cast by the curtain.
To the left of the stage stood the already introduced teams. Vanguard watched with professional interest. Archive discussed something in whispers, probably analyzing our composition. Omega openly smirked.
The Chosen stood apart. Selena watched attentively, but when our gazes met, her cheeks slightly reddened. She quickly turned away, pretending to study something in her notes.
Elliot looked straight at me. There was something strange in his gaze. Not support, but not mockery either. Rather... concern?
Aura smiled softly and even waved when she noticed me looking at her. Childhood friend, friendly as always. But something cold flickered in her eyes, evaluating. As if she was studying prey.
Cassandra stood slightly apart from the others, and something like sympathy could be read on her face. Reynor looked completely indifferent, examining his nails.
Darius wasn't looking at us at all. His gaze was directed at the director, and poorly concealed anger could be read in it. Lips compressed, hands clasped behind his back. Something about what was happening clearly displeased him.
Someone in the hall snorted loudly.
"Seriously? These rejects are going to participate?"
"Let's see how quickly they break."
"I bet half won't make it to the third stage."
The laughter in the hall became meaner.
"And that tall one, isn't that the same Сaers? Who appeared out of nowhere recently?"
Whispers spread through the hall, growing louder. I felt my ears burned with anger.
Kronen raised his hand, calling for silence.
"Each team received equal opportunities for preparation."
He looked at us again, and I noticed the corner of his lips twitch in a semblance of a smile.
"The tournament will show the true value of each approach to training."
I didn't bow. Just looked at the hall, met gazes with several mockers in the front rows, and stepped back.
But before leaving, I noticed how one of the people in suits quickly wrote something on a tablet, looking specifically at me.
Kronen made a theatrical pause and pointed toward the large windows.
"Please, look at the Five Pillars arena."
The hall turned to the windows. Behind the glass opened a view that took your breath away.
The enormous territory had been transformed into a real labyrinth of five levels. Each stage was located higher than the previous one, like giant steps leading to the top of a hill.
The first level was a massive building of dark stone with many windows. Next to it rose metal constructions with huge crystal screens. Projections of interior rooms already flickered on them.
The second level was a real miniature city. Narrow streets wound between stone houses, creating a labyrinth of passages and dead ends. The decorations looked so realistic it seemed like looking at a real quarter of the capital. Empty streets were divided into five long zones, winding somewhere into the distance.
Higher was located a huge round building with a dome, where all paths from previous stages led. Its walls were covered with strange runes, flickering with weak light. The fourth and fifth levels were hidden behind artificial fog, but their silhouettes could be guessed in the distance. And above all this magnificence circled airships.
Closer to the arena floated large vessels with glass cabins. Professors sat in them with tablets and magical crystals for observing what was happening. On board the largest airship, antennas and projection equipment could be seen.
Around the arena at different heights flew smaller observation airships. Their open decks were filled with spectators. Noble families, academy graduates, merchants, and simply curious. Everyone wanted to see this spectacle.
On the ground along the arena's perimeter stood stands for those who preferred solid ground under their feet. Steam mechanisms raised and lowered seating sections, allowing spectators to choose the best viewing angle.
Metal pipes and cables stretched everywhere, connecting projectors, airships, and control panels into a single network. Steam burst from ventilation openings, giving everything happening an absolutely fantastic appearance.
I involuntarily opened my mouth: the academy really hadn't spared expense on this show.
"Impressive, isn't it?"
Kronen watched our faces with undisguised pleasure. In his eyes could be read the hunger of a predator studying prey.
"Otherworlder technologies combined with our traditions. The future of education."
During the couple hours while we took positions, they explained the rules of the first stage.
Professor Tyler gathered us in a separate classroom. On the table lay sealed envelopes and strange metal bracelets with crystals.
"The stage is called 'Mind.' Your task is to analyze the situation and create an action plan."
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He pointed to the bracelets.
"Each team will receive a district map and disaster description. Earthquake, fire, demon attack. Details are in the envelopes."
Mira took one of the bracelets, turned it in her hands.
"But the information will be incomplete. Each team has its own data. To get the full picture, you need to exchange information through these communicators."
Val snorted.
"And what's stopping us from just lying to the others?"
"Nothing. Moreover, part of the data in your packets is false. You'll have to verify everything through multiple sources."
Tara raised her hand.
"How much time?"
"An hour for analysis and plan creation. Then you present the solution to the judges."
Kyle crossed his arms.
"And how do they determine the winner?"
Professor Tyler shrugged.
"Criteria aren't announced. Act intuitively."
Aris asked quietly.
"And if other teams don't want to cooperate with us?"
"Then you'll have incomplete information. And the plan might be incorrect."
I looked at the team. We could barely agree among ourselves, and here we needed to work with strangers.
"Any questions?"
No one answered.
"Then take positions. The stage begins in ten minutes."
We descended to the prepared room in the first level building. Five tables, five chairs, a communication panel on the wall. Everything simple and functional.
The room was triangular, behind the tables and projector was a door leading to the middle of the building. Apparently, there was a meeting room or transition to another level.
Val examined the room with a displeased look.
"So, sit in a cage for an hour and play at being detectives."
"Better than fighting golems."
Everyone settled in their places, and I opened the envelope before my chair.
"Three hours for a city evacuation plan. Begin."
The commentator's voice faded, and we were left alone with the sealed envelopes.
"I don't understand anything."
Tara leafed through her papers in panic.
"I have hospitals, but where they're located is unclear."
"I have roads blocked, but which ones specifically isn't indicated."
Kyle threw the sheets on the table.
"And I have tunnels without exits," Aris added barely audibly.
I quickly reviewed my documents. Map with gaps, resource list without details, contradictory numbers.
Clear. Classic trick: incomplete information to force teams to interact. But why organized exactly like this? What's the catch?
"They deliberately gave everyone different parts."
Mira was first to understand the essence.
"Can't make a plan without exchange."
The communicator blinked. First message from Archive.
"We'll exchange with other teams."
I looked at the team.
"And if they deceive us?"
Tara stared fearfully at the blinking screen.
"Then we deceive first."
Val smirked.
"Or we'll be honest."
Mira shook her head.
"And what, just say: give us all the data?"
Kyle snorted.
I typed a response to Archive: "Agree to exchange. Our district maps for your transport data."
The answer came: "First show the quality of your maps. Send one as a sample."
Clever. They want to get something for free.
New message from Vanguard: "Proposing alliance against the others. Combine data."
Marcus playing teamwork. But what if he's planning to use us?
"Responding that we're considering the offer."
Third message from Omega: "Meeting of all leaders in half an hour. Neutral territory. Discuss fair rules."
"Too many offers at once."
Mira frowned.
"Everyone wants to get something, giving nothing."
The next twenty minutes passed in fruitless correspondence. Archive demanded guarantees. Vanguard insisted on a personal meeting. Chosen were silent. And time ticked inexorably.
Aris quietly pointed to the timer. The game wasn't going to wait for us, so we had to act.
"Fine, I'll agree to meet with Omega."
Everyone cried out in unison.
"Luten, are you crazy?!"
"And you want to waste time here for three hours without results?! We've already spent half an hour unable to properly bargain for anything. This exam only pretends to be intellectual!"
Everyone was silent: it was hard to think rationally with such excitement.
"I'll meet with their leader, what's his name... Rico. We'll see what he wants, exchange data on the spot and done. In direct confrontation their team should be weaker."
Everyone shook their heads unhappily, but Val and Kyle stood up with me.
"Can't let you go to a meeting alone."
Nodding, I headed to the door.
Behind it was a strange room: five doors on one side and five on the other. From the far corner came a guy with red hair and an insolent smile.
"Luten Сaers! Finally."
Rico Velden looked too confident for the leader of the weakest class. Next to him stood a girl with short dark hair, tense like a spring.
"Rico. Maya, if I'm not mistaken."
I nodded to them both.
"I suggest we get straight to business. We all lack data."
"Of course. But first show what you brought."
Rico extended his hand.
"I'll show if you show."
"Fair."
He pulled out a folder with documents but held it so I couldn't see the contents.
Val and Kyle stood on either side of me, ready for trouble. Something in the atmosphere was wrong.
"Listen, where's the rest of your team?"
Maya nervously shifted from foot to foot.
"Stayed in the classroom. Working with what we have."
"Reasonable."
I pulled out my maps but also wasn't in a hurry to show them.
"Maybe we just honestly exchange? No games."
Rico smirked, but something strange flickered in his eyes. Almost... apology?
"Luten, did you read the tournament rules carefully?"
Kyle reacted.
"There seemed to be one point missing..."
"Which?"
"What happens to the team that takes last place."
Rico pressed his lips together.
"The director explained to us separately. The losing team... gets disbanded. Everyone's transferred to regular classes."
I felt a chill in my chest. So the stakes were higher than they seemed.
"And they also told us..."
Rico's voice wavered.
"That rules only prohibit magic during negotiations. Nothing said about the rest."
"Maya, ready?"
The girl nodded, rubbing bruises on her arms.
The room plunged into darkness, wrapped in light fog. Noticing the attack from the corner of my eye, I managed to grab someone's fist.
"Rico?!"
But before me was another guy. Dark hair, different face.
"Weren't you just across from me?"
"Who told you that was Rico?"
If Rico specialized in disguise, then the other... Sam. He was the one pretending to be a golem at training yesterday morning, exactly.
While I was thinking, another blow from Maya flew toward me.
"Why do you hit again and again, these blo—"
Why do I always have to open my big mouth? Before I could finish, accumulated power exploded in her fist. The blow threw me into the wall so hard I heard my own ribs crack.
Well, hopefully Tara will heal me if I make it back. A taste of blood appeared in my mouth. Maya was getting faster and stronger with each second.
"Phew, made it. And from you, Luten, it really is easiest to accumulate energy."
I coughed. Now it was clear. She absorbs the force of blows dealt to her or near her. Each of my misses at her body made the next blow stronger. Clever.
"And what was that?"
"Yeah, like I'd tell you."
The fog didn't make them invisible, but it made eyes water and everything was blurry. Somewhere in the background, sounds of the others' fights could be heard. I understood their plan. Sam distracts with conversation, Rico imperceptibly wraps the room in fog, Maya accumulates power from my blows. Coordinated. They had a more cohesive team: if this continued, they'd take all my scrolls.
I noticed movement from both sides, attacking simultaneously to knock me out. Oh no you don't!
The images surfaced by themselves. White laboratory walls. Karl with his calm voice: "You're just an instrument, Luten."
Enough playing by their rules!
With a sharp lunge I threw myself at the opponent on the right, it was Rico after all, he didn't expect aggression from me.
"You're gonna—"
I grabbed Rico by the uniform and threw him into the opposite wall. He hit his back with a sickening sound, the surface cracked in a spiderweb pattern. Rico slid down the floor, leaving a red stripe on the stone. Groaned, trying to catch his breath.
Maya threw herself at me from behind, but Kyle intercepted her wrist. Sharply turned and threw her face down. She hit the stone floor with her whole body, and I heard a painful exhale. Tried to get up but coughed blood.
"Enough!"
Sam jumped out of the illusion, but Val was already waiting for him. The first tried to create another illusion, but Val didn't give him time. A blood whip wrapped around the illusionist's throat. Sam grabbed at his neck, trying to tear off the magical noose, but Val pulled. Crack. The illusionist fell unconscious next to his comrades.
Silence. Only heavy breathing and groans. Three beaten teenagers lay on the floor. Blood, dust, stone fragments. I wiped blood from my split lip and looked at my team. Kyle rubbed his knuckles. Val brushed dust from his uniform as if nothing had happened. We won. And I liked it more than I should have.
The fog dissipated. In the corner of the room lay scattered documents and several sealed scrolls.
I approached Rico, who was trying to get up.
"We need the data."
"Take it."
He nodded painfully at the scrolls.
"Our plan was calculated for surprise. Quickly knock you out and take all the data. Didn't work."
I gathered all the scrolls. Every one. Strange satisfaction spread through my chest. We won by force, not cunning. Took everything we wanted. Why did this feeling seem so right?
"Hey! Leave at least something!" Maya tried to stand.
"Why? You clearly didn't bring everything with you, surely hid the most important stuff."
I looked at them without regret. The system taught me to take everything that could be taken.
"You have a brother in Chosen. Connections. And we only have this." He pointed to the academy uniform. "If we lose special class status, we'll have nothing."
Kyle snorted.
"We don't come from money either."
"But at least you can fight."
Sam got to his feet, swaying.
"And we can only hide and deceive."
I looked at Omega's team. Beaten, desperate, but not broken.
"You had every chance to win. Good luck on other stages."
Rico paused.
"Though now the chances are even less."
We returned to the classroom with a couple scrolls and bruises. An hour and a half remained on the timer.
"So how'd it go?"
Mira looked up from her notes.
"Get anything?"
"Partially."
I spread out what we'd captured. Diagrams of underground utilities, shelter locations, data on tunnel capacity.
"This complements our maps."
Tara studied the new data.
"Now it's clear why certain districts are marked as priority."
Aris nodded from his corner.
"The tunnels lead exactly there."
We worked silently, cross-referencing information. The picture came together incomplete, but sufficient. Main evacuation routes, critical points, approximate timelines.
A signal outside the window. Time was up.
"Plan ready?"
I looked at our final document. Three pages of calculations, route diagram, resource distribution.
"Not ideal, but workable."
"Better than nothing. And better than Omega's."
Val smirked without warmth.
"They got what they deserved for naivety."
We submitted the plan to the judges and left the building. First stage complete. Not a victory, but not a failure either.
"Think we passed?"
Kyle rubbed his bruised shoulder.
"We'll find out tomorrow."