Squad 10: Poison Moth Tribe. Susei.
Susei. He was walking a path of success in his own right. Admission director at Chung Hak Gwan. That title was a signboard that earned respect wherever he went.
"No matter how I look at it, it's a great position."
He was thoroughly pleased with the spot he'd climbed to. It drew envy from many, sure. But there was a bigger, main reason.
'The side income is juicy.'
The admission director's role wielded massive influence over entry into Chung Hak Gwan, a place countless applicants dreamed of joining. Inevitably, requests and favors poured in.
'Can't take anything against regs, but within discretionary bounds, no big issues.'
It was the same now. The mid-sized mantis clan before him had come via Mantis Hall dispatch, so he couldn't mess with their admission lightly. But in special cases like this, he could flex his discretion.
'They said he's loaded, right?'
He'd overheard staff chatter by chance. Talk that this dispatched mid-sized mantis seemed rich. They'd shelled out for the accompanying king mantis's admission and tuition without batting an eye—initially thought to be Mantis Hall funds. But eavesdropping revealed it was their own pocket money.
'Director, we have a problem.'
But what was this? A whole honey pot rolling in.
The issue was with that mid-sized mantis's admission.
'In cases like this, we could just slot him into a growth-stage class.'
He'd insisted on a physical exam anyway.
'Pretty tall for a mid-sized mantis... but still hits the innate limits typical of his kind.'
If this Aleck failed the physical and got barred from Chung Hak Gwan?
What state would his mind be in?
'No need to say it. He'd cling like a larva.'
If he extended a tempting hand then? Pay a fee, get normal admission?
Could he refuse?
'Heh heh, been a while since a nice bonus crawled in.'
Susei was certain. It'd play out as expected.
But.
"Here are Aleck's physical exam results."
'......?'
Susei doubted his own eyes for a moment.
"Wh-what is this...?"
He rubbed them and checked the sheet again. Impossible numbers stared back.
Estimated Grade C-. C-grades were for maturity stage and up. Theoretically and practically, growth-stage should max at D-grade range (21~30).
Chung Hak Gwan's estimates were based on upper-clan stats. Exceeding them was rare, even among top tiers like the four great clans.
"This has to be an error! He molted on the way here, right?"
He gawked at the staffer who'd brought it, incredulous. A growth-stage mid-sized mantis hitting C- strength? Absurd. Agility and durability already brushing D-grade ceiling.
And he'd molted just a month ago, en route to Chung Hak Gwan.
'Who applies by downgrading themselves...'
Application records showed juvenile stage—no error there.
'Even elite clans like longhorn beetles or stag beetles need extreme training in growth stage for these numbers. How?'
Obviously a glitch. But.
"We... reran it three times thinking error. Same results."
"Then the machine's busted!"
"Tried alternatives, even hands-on ourselves. No issues."
"......"
Susei was speechless.
'Among new growth-stage admits, Hercules and Caucasus—strongest clans—hit 32 and 31 strength. Caused a stir as freak highs.'
Now this topped them.
'Ha ha ha.'
Any schemes to squeeze Aleck for cash? Wiped clean. He just stared blankly at the guy sipping tea casually, chuckling in bewilderment.
* * *
"Assigned to Growth-Stage Squad 10."
The admission staffer processed my class-skip request with newfound deference.
'High exam scores?'
I hadn't gone all-out during testing. A hunch it'd spike abnormally.
'Body feels near early Maturity Stage 1 from my past life.'
Especially strength. All logged D+, but I felt it—strength far outpacing speed and durability.
On molting to growth-stage, strength hit D+ first. Limit Break trait then boosted others to match. Grade labels aside, all amplified via trait.
Held back strength, still got Chung Hak Gwan's C-—above D.
'Full power? Disaster.'
This alone drew eyes. All-out? Unimaginable scrutiny. Might've spotlighted me to the four great clans.
Good call holding back.
"Oh! Aleck, made growth-stage!"
Entered Squad 10 lounge. Katt greeted me.
"Yeah, sorted it out."
I replied, scanning the room.
"That guy's a mid-sized mantis?"
"Another one?"
"Hmmm......"
Nine figures eyed me with mixed vibes.
'Emperor scorpion, camel spider, poison moth, roly-poly, witch spider, giant dragonfly, samurai ant, water strider, grima.'
Plus Katt and me. Eleven total—Squad 10 dispatch crew.
Creak.
Door opened as I sized them up. Familiar face entered.
"Hello, everyone. Meet again."
"Cicada instructor!"
"Add the honorific, roly-poly buddy? Mutual respect."
"Instructor... sir!"
Our cicada tour guide from admission.
"Formal intro: Phines, your Squad 10 instructor for the year."
Phines—tall cicada—stood out.
'Complete Body, looks like.'
Patterns finalize in growth-stage; no visual change post-maturity. Couldn't eye-rank precisely, but my hyper-senses pinged him as at least Complete Body powerhouse.
'Such a heavy hitter as instructor?'
Ten growth-stage squads total. Not all get Complete Body leads. Him on us dispatch temps? Curious.
'Key figure slipped in here?'
Rescanned squad.
'Not Katt... Emperor scorpion, witch spider, samurai ant. Those three most likely.'
If Phines handpicked for someone big, one of them.
"No intros yet? Quick round: name, clan, dispatch origin."
Phines clapped. We went one-by-one.
"Hanks, emperor scorpion from Scorpion Hive."
Emperor scorpion Hanks first.
"Leriya, poison moth from Toxilerius."
Sole female, poison moth Leriya.
"I-I'm Comji... grima. Fr-from Golden Stream Forest..."
Tiny, frail-looking grima Comji.
Witch spider Gosling from Webworv. Giant dragonfly Hems from Golden Wing Sanctuary. Intros flew fast.
"Aleck, mid-sized mantis. Same Mantis Hall as senior Katt."
"Weirder seeing weaklings like mid-sized mantises here."
Hanks muttered post-intro. Quiet, but room small—everyone heard.
"Oh, weakest's that goldbug?"
Goldbug—grima slur. They nest near gold veins.
"That guy's been..."
Katt scowled at Hanks. He'd dissed frail water strider and grima on sight. Now me too? Katt steamed.
"I'm fine."
Hanks glared indifferently at Katt's stare. Katt heating up, I intervened.
Emperor scorpions were tough. Four great clans-tier frontal fighters. Bad odds against Hanks.
Katt knew, swallowed anger at my nudge.
"Hanks, cut the squadmate disses."
Phines interjected.
"Survival of fittest, weak eat strong, scorn the weak. Continent's creed, no?"
Hanks snarked rebelliously.
"Hanks."
Phines called low, face blank.
Chill—
Cold hit like gooseflesh blizzard. Everyone froze.
'This.'
Hyper-senses screamed. Face stiffening—not just me. All felt it. Arrogant Hanks paled, lips sealed.
'Knew Complete Body, but this level...'
Misjudged Phines. Top-tier Complete Body.
"I want squadmates friendly. Can do?"
"......Yes."
Hanks nodded, cowed. Instinct screamed Phines' might.
Indeed. Power crushed all. Abian ran on might-makes-right. Even he bowed to superiors.
"Everyone else too."
"Yes."
"Got it."
Phines relaxed. Pressure lifted.
"Now, pick squad leader?"
Squad leader. I tuned out.
One priority: fossil research access.
Why skip to growth-stage otherwise?
Leader meant hassle-dumps. No time.
'Need 50 miles.'
Miles: Chung Hak Gwan reward points for top performance.
Vital currency here. Trade for elixirs, pills, talismans, treasures, weapons.
Especially: 'Repository' fossil loans/research cost 50 miles.
'Gotta farm miles. Leader spot obviously...'
Right then.
"Note: Leader gets 20 miles credited. Volunteers?"
"Me!"
I shot my hand up before Phines finished.