Teams of Four: Aiming for the Top
Even so, the group exams were a bit much, but just as Abel had anticipated, the academy proceeded quietly without any major incidents. Of course, there were the four-man crew's squabbles and the subtle tension between Seria and the two duchesses along the way, but nothing on the level of the academy being attacked, so Abel brushed it off coolly. Far more important events were looming on the horizon, so he needed to stay sharp.
"First-years, you all know exam season is coming up, right? No written tests, but the practicals will go ahead as planned, so get ready. You don't need me to tell you how crucial the first exam is."
The faculty, who usually just exchanged greetings whenever they crossed paths, were dropping these reminders every time they saw the students. It wasn't like some university where flunking meant academic probation. With students gathered from every nation, bombing an exam didn't just hurt you—it dragged your family and country down too. It was the seniors' seasoned advice to keep everyone on their toes.
The second-years and above, already acclimated to the pressure, dove straight into the training grounds for intense practice. You could feel it: no way in hell were they letting the guy next to them outscore them. Yeah, this was the academy. In a world of ability users, infinite competition was the only way it made sense!
Abel clenched his fist, ready to head to the training grounds himself.
"Oh, and by the way, this year's first-year practical will be group tests, not individual ones. Keep that in mind."
"...?!"
Group tests. The sequel to group projects. No, something even worse had reared its head. He could hardly believe his ears. Why the hell was something worse than collective jump-rope showing up here out of nowhere?
Just as Abel was about to shout in confusion, the faculty member continued.
"Additionally, the group tests will be in teams of four. These four will form one unit and tackle various challenges—that's the core of this practical exam."
Teams of four. Not two, not three, but a whopping four per group. The moment he heard it, the first things that popped into his head were Seria and the four idiots... no, the four male leads.
He'd figured originally it would be five per team, naturally clustering them together. Or maybe pairs forming up, leading to endless rivalry among the four. But with only four per team, one was guaranteed to get left out. That could mean dropping out of the romance line, but there hadn't been any signs of that yet, right?
...What if this setup completely sidelines Seria?
He knew it now. This place was an ability user story that wasn't quite one. A romance fantasy that wasn't entirely that either. Some parts were predictable, but others had blown past expectations by a mile.
As Abel glanced around, his eyes locked with Seria's—she'd been staring right at him. She whipped her head away in a hurry, pretending not to notice, but her flushed cheeks gave her away. Yeah, watching that, it didn't seem like she'd end up in the four-man crew's group. At the very least, whoever joined Seria for this practical... well, realistically, the odds of it being Abel himself were sky-high.
"The professors have already set the team assignments! Go check them out!"
"Wait! What if we're unhappy with our teammates? If it's arbitrary assignment, people are bound to complain!"
"If you all picked your own teams, you'd hear even more gripes. That said, if you're that dissatisfied, dropping the exam early isn't a bad option!"
They were ability users, sure, but back home, they had to toe the line when told. The Supremacists had bailed because they hated that; the rest stayed, accepting it. So this exam wasn't just testing ability—it was checking obedience to orders too.
Or so Abel firmly believed.
First things first: check the teams. He had a hunch about one member, but confirmation was key.
The crowd of students buzzed. Rather than shoving in, Abel opted to hang back, squinting for a better look. He was taller than most anyway, and a little focus sharpened his vision just fine...
"Abel."
"Abel."
He looked down to find two girls barely reaching his chest. Irshu and Tarshu.
"Can you see our names?"
"If you do, tell us too."
"Wanna see, but can't."
"Can't see."
Got it, Abel replied, refocusing on the team sheet. Exactly three seconds later, he let out a groan, pinching his forehead.
I figured, but still...
First up: Seria. Then himself. The other two? He'd half-expected it.
"Irshu, Tarshu. You're both on my team."
"Really?"
"For real?"
"That's what it says. What a coincidence we've ended up tangled like this again."
The combo wasn't bad, though. Abel up front. Seria on mid-range. Irshu and Tarshu splitting offense and defense with their powers. Other teams looked similarly balanced. The professors had clearly aimed to avoid overlapping roles.
His team was set. What about the others?
Scanning further, Abel let out another sigh.
There, lower down: one team's list. Kalligo, Flam, Portus, and Rel. The four-man crew, all together.
Putting those four in one team? Wait, won't that cause backlash?
The top three ability users, plus Kalligo—who was "average" on paper but surely hiding his true strength. Packing the first-years' aces into one group? First place was a lock. No one could complain about that.
"What? That team has Kalligo, Flam, Portus, and Rel?"
"Whoa... Isn't that unfair? They're guaranteed first, right?"
Yep, the murmurs started. The professors couldn't be clueless—why do this?
"Eh? Actually, that might be better for the rest of you. Think about it: one of them on your team? How would you even act? You couldn't lead anything. And as a regular teammate? Pitching ideas would feel impossible."
"I'd be worried too. What if I drag them down? That stress could make me mess up worse."
"Ah... yeah. The skill gap would make fair judging impossible..."
Ah. Right. That made sense. Abel nodded. The professors weren't just stacking raw power. They'd considered individual potential, growth room, and social dynamics they could handle.
The empire's third prince. Republic prime minister's son. Sons of top ability users. Only they could check each other. No other first-year could stand with them. Even upperclassmen lacked that caliber. It looked absurdly stacked, but grouping them beat splitting them up.
And unspoken but key: no guarantee those four would sweep first. No one knew the test details.
It was just "practical exam" and "group test." The rest was speculation. The professors weren't idiots—they wouldn't rig it for certain winners.
Worried about the empire? Fathers' influence? If they caved to that, the Continental Academy wouldn't exist.
"Lord Abel."
Seria sidled up, having checked the sheet. She seemed inwardly thrilled at their team-up, relieved to escape the burdensome four. But spotting Irshu and Tarshu glued to his side, sparks flew in her eyes for a split second.
People's hearts were unknowable. Still, Abel hoped it wasn't wariness or jealousy. Just competitive spirit. A drive to prove herself better. That much was fine.
Overzealous rivalry breaks unity, but the right amount spurs growth for all.
Abel thought so, at least. Aimless folks were useless. Even if the fire burned hot, if it pushed forward, that was enough.
"So we're teamed up."
"...Yeah. I saw."
"Fun."
"Intriguing."
No point griping now—it was done. Abel led Seria and the two duchesses straight to the training grounds. Time until the exam meant one priority: syncing up.
The air was tense. He knew. But what could he do? Own it. Teams were set, and this was a real exam, not a measurement drill. Everyone, heads up.
"First off, we don't know exactly how the test will go."
"No mention of the type at all?"
"Right, Seria. Just 'group test.' That's it."
Irshu and Tarshu tilted their heads in unison.
"Suspicious."
"Something's up."
Spot on. Even Seria had to agree with the duchesses this time. Assign teams but stay mum on the format? Then, unthinkingly, she glanced at Abel, wondering his take.
"Let me say it upfront. Seria. Irshu. Tarshu."
Here it comes. He must have a plan. Classic Abel. Reliable...
"Our goal is first place."
Ah. That direction. Seria paused, then shouted a hearty Yes! like it didn't matter.