Suspicion
A boy with blue hair and a physique rivaling Ruslan's. He was none other than Theo, one of only two shield mantis clansmen in our cohort alongside Ruslan.
That guy?
I recalled the usual Theo. Unlike Ruslan, he had a rather affable personality. He often approached me without hesitation and struck up conversations. Thanks to that, Theo was quite popular among the trainees.
Some even followed him around because they liked him so much.
Though he didn't measure up to Ruslan or me, Theo had the chops to place third in the survival exam. As a shield mantis clansman, his innate physical prowess was the best here aside from Ruslan's.
"Ho! Theo, you're applying for interim team leader too?"
"Yes. I want to lead the team to victory as team leader."
"Kahaha! Excellent. Now you'll be competing with Aleck for the interim team leader spot."
Norton seemed delighted that Theo had thrown his hat in the ring. He was probably thrilled at the prospect of watching the rivalry between Theo and me unfold.
Always like this...
I shook my head with a sigh and glanced toward Theo. Just then, Theo looked my way too.
Our eyes met. Theo gave me his usual gentle smile. It felt awkward to outright ignore it, so I returned a half-hearted one.
"Right, at least two people should apply for team leader. That way, the team members can make a more objective evaluation."
With that, Norton snapped his fingers at Bardwin. Bardwin headed back into the training prep room.
Kiiik, kiiik.
The sound of something heavy being dragged echoed.
"...!"
The trainees' eyes widened at what Bardwin brought out. Mine did too.
That's... a mechanism formation!
Mechanism formation. A device that installs mechanisms in a specific space, enhanced with formations to attack or defend according to the installer's intent.
Are they planning to train us with that?
"You've all heard of mechanism formations. From today, we'll train using this one."
Good lord. My guess was spot on. He was dead set on training us with the mechanism formation.
I couldn't help but admire Norton's boldness. Even for a small-scale setup limited to this training ground, the cost would be astronomical.
"The reason this instructor prepared this for training is simple. For the next month and a half, you'll train in teams. I figured this was perfect for team training under a team leader's commands."
His explanation made sense on the surface. To train properly inside that mechanism formation, the team leader's judgment and teamwork among members would be crucial above all else.
"Aleck and Theo have applied for interim team leader, so they'll alternate leading the training. After a week, the team members will honestly evaluate which leader was better."
A stunned silence fell over everyone as Norton's explanation ended. Most had only heard the name "mechanism formation" but never seen one in person.
"Aleck! Instructor Norton's got some serious guts, huh? I heard mechanism formations are super expensive... Man, I never dreamed we'd train in one."
Kind spoke up beside me with barely contained excitement. I could only click my tongue inwardly at him.
The intensity of mechanism formation training would far exceed whatever he was imagining. No doubt he'd feel all previous sessions were a paradise in comparison.
"Rest until the mechanism formation is set up."
Norton flashed a gentle smile at the trainees. Most relaxed into it, but I alone knew better.
How sinister that smile truly was.
Thud, rumb-rumble-thud.
A loud commotion erupted in the training ground. Norton and Bardwin were installing the mechanism formation.
Once finished, Norton immediately announced its name.
"This mechanism formation is called the Fivefold Assault Formation."
Fivefold Assault Formation. A formation composed of five attack types.
I'd heard of it before. It had a solid reputation as a mechanism formation. Training there consistently would surely boost skills.
The interim period is a week. I need to earn the team members' approval in that time.
I might be at a disadvantage from the start. Because of the image Theo had built up.
Theo had often played the role of encourager and morale booster among the trainees, so he had a solid base of support.
And this has nothing to do with individual prowess.
Even with my standout performances, that was just me shining alone.
I'm ace material, but I haven't shown leadership as a team leader.
Plus, I was from the lesser mantis clan. Some trainees still unconsciously looked down on us.
Undoubtedly, some would resist taking orders from a lesser mantis.
Guess I'll have to give it my all.
In the end, I'd have to prove it directly. If I showed solid leadership, most would choose me.
"So, who wants to lead the first training?"
"I'll go first."
Theo raised his hand with a confident smile. No trace of tension despite leading thirty for the first time.
That was innate caliber.
Shield clan lineage, big vessel... So why haven't I heard the name Theo before?
Someone with that talent should've made a name later on. I felt puzzled but focused on the training for now.
Let's see just how good he is as a leader.
We gathered in the center of the training ground with Theo at the lead. Norton shouted from outside.
"Everyone ready? The mechanism formation activates soon—brace yourselves!"
Theo's eyes sharpened at Norton's words. A serious glint I'd never seen.
"The first mechanism is a throwing-related formation. Expect stones, darts, arrows, harpoons—projectiles from all directions. Let's block 'em!"
Vroooom!
The mechanisms whirred to life. A chilling aura spread as floors opened, revealing iron puppets.
The iron puppets varied: burly adults, small children, hunched elders—human shapes, and even weapon-like throwers.
"Wh-what?"
"Ugh..."
The atmosphere tensed as groans escaped the trainees. Chaos loomed.
At this rate, the first session would end without proper response.
Theo stepped up.
"Everyone, relax! As the instructor said, it's a ranged attack formation. Form a circular formation! Don't panic—lethal force won't be used."
With a soft yet charismatic tone, he rallied and directed them smoothly. His handling of the disorder was flawless.
As the formation took shape, the first mechanism fully activated.
Pssshhh!
Iron puppets launched poison needles, arrows, stones. Projectiles blackened the sky in massive volume.
Thankfully, at level 1, power was low, and rubber projectiles prevented serious injury.
"Baker! Support Geri on your side—more attacks there."
"Ogmen's good—keep the pace."
"Geri! Focus. Your misses are hitting Mackshane. A gap there spells disaster."
"As expected of Ruslan, Robed, Aleck—flawless. Great job!"
From the center, Theo surveyed and balanced the team masterfully.
Level 1 was manageable with formation alone, but his commands undeniably elevated teamwork.
Thus, the first mechanism training ended smoothly.
"Got the feel? That's how it'll go. Now the rest in sequence."
Norton activated the remaining two: ambush and sensory disruption. Difficulty rose even at level 1, but Theo's leads saw it through.
Three of five mechanisms experienced.
"Aleck, sure you don't wanna try interim leader?"
"Nah, tomorrow."
"Alright."
Theo nodded and stepped back. Continuing now with everyone fatigued wouldn't beat his results.
Mission accomplished anyway.
I'd aimed to gauge each trainee's skill and team dynamics before leading.
Thanks to Theo, I got it all.
Back at the dorm, strategize mentally, then lead properly tomorrow.
But some misinterpreted.
"Theo's got a wide view, huh."
"No wonder he's shield clan."
"Theo as leader? Fine by me."
"Yeah, he could lead right away."
"Aleck probably thinks so too—why else refuse earlier?"
"Maybe."
My sharp hearing caught it, but I filtered the assumptions. Tomorrow, I'd show them.
"See you tomorrow, everyone!"
The day's training ended.
"Catch you tomorrow, Aleck! Good work, all!"
Robed headed to the women's dorm.
"I'll train more at the private ground."
Ruslan went his way.
Kind remained.
"Aleck! Got an errand out tonight."
Even Kind left separately. Finally, I walked back alone.
Come to think of it, that time Motenson ambushed me, it was a solo return like today.
Passing the spot, memories surfaced—I chuckled.
Later heard Motenson got heavy discipline, dragged to the mantis education camp.
That place is hell. Rest in peace.
Notorious for "training" that killed some. Few emerged reformed; most broken.
Bit harsh, though...
Usually for rebels against Mantis Hall. Overkill for Motenson—probably Norton's doing.
As I tsked at Motenson's fate—
Vwoooosh.
A fierce gust whipped by. Windy day, common this season.
But.
This?
A faint scent on the wind. Barely detectable, but my wind ether awakening caught it.
From Theo earlier.
When he asked if I wanted interim leader. Faint pachysandra leaf scent from him.
No such plants nearby—odd then.
Now carried on the wind.
What the...?
I muted my presence and quick-stepped toward the source.
Soon, Mantis Hall's outer fence. In the deserted spot, a figure moved stealthily.
That guy's...
Recognizing the boy moving like a thief spider, my eyes narrowed.
What're you doing there?
He was Theo—shield mantis clansman, fellow trainee we'd just trained with.