"You're running the field. Stretch it out so we can start, kids," Instructor Williams barked, voice gravelly but clear. "By the end of your first month, you need to be hitting five laps without issue. So, get used to it we're doing this every other day."

Their instructor was a middle-aged man named Williams, a retired lieutenant who had lost his creature in the war and never bonded with another. He now taught at the academy, living a quieter life especially since he'd lost an arm along with his summon.

Biron started his run with a steady pace. Mirelia tried her best to keep up, and when he noticed her struggling, he slowed slightly. Williams gave him a hard stare but said nothing.

By the fifth lap, however, Mirelia was wobbling with every step. Biron ended up tugging her along by the wrist to help her finish.

They were only granted a quick water break before the next round of drills simple but effective stretches. In this, Mirelia easily outperformed him, her movements fluid while Biron stiffly followed along.

About half an hour passed before the call came.

"Center field! Summons out, now!" barked another instructor.

The students hurried to obey, forming a wide line as they brought out their companions.

"Same drill as you did in your first summoning class," Williams added, walking the line with his one hand clasped behind his back. "But this time, you're being evaluated. The army's watching. They want to know who's worth their time."

Each pair was tasked with striking a warded training dummy while two instructors observed and took notes.

This exam was far more detailed than anything the academy had offered before. Biron and Torch were scanned thoroughly body size, stance, aether flow, and attack form all assessed before they were cleared to begin.

"They'll give you a single aether core," one instructor said as he passed it to Biron. "Use it well."

Torch snapped up the core eagerly and let out a sharp trill as his body lit up faintly. His first strike was strong but his second, post-core, was noticeably better. His eyes glanced hopefully at the instructor.

"Don't expect a second one," the man smirked.

Torch let out a disappointed squeak before Biron called him back into its realm.

Williams finally approached and gave a rare nod of approval.

"Good. Real good for a first-year," he said, as his assistant began scribbling something on his slate. "You've got solid potential. Nearly a 25% increase after one low-quality aether stone? That's the kind of growth we can work with."

After Biron, it was Mirelia's turn. As always, she stood nearby, quiet but focused. She hurried through the setup, determined to match his performance.

The warded dummy trembled under the force of her Buddling's new strength. Its seed projectiles hit with greater impact now that the creature had grown slightly its limbs thicker, its glow brighter.

Once the strike was done, one of the cadets handed her creature a core, but there was no noticeable surge in power. The instructors exchanged a quick glance.

"Already evolved," one of them murmured, jotting something down.

"Seems you're feeding it well," the second added, looking at Mirelia. "We might not be able to push it much further here, but if you keep this up, you'll be one of the few cadets we send early into the labyrinth as part of a team."

Mirelia's eyes widened just slightly. The praise caught her off guard, and she allowed herself a small smile. Just a few days ago, she'd quietly thought her Buddling was a disappointment.

From across the line, Biron gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up a gesture that had become oddly popular ever since the humans arrived.

"Nice one, Mirelia," he called out. "Told you that little one was going to get stronger. Now if only Torch could keep up."

The two looked on as the remaining students took their turns.

Paul's water serpent unleashed a sharp jet of water, impressively accurate for its range.

Another boy brought out a squat stone golem that stomped forward with surprising stability.

A girl followed with a sleek black fox that fired two bolts of shadow one of the few attacks that made the instructors nod in approval.

And finally, a short boy stepped forward, summoning what looked like a stubby crocodile that hurled a ball of mud at the dummy.

At first, the creature didn't seem all that threatening.

After all, how dangerous could mud be? But as the instructors paid closer attention, it became clear: the beast was a dual wielder land and water fused to manipulate mud.

While its elemental techniques weren't especially strong, its jaw strength was another story entirely.

One glance at those powerful jaws made it clear anything that got too close would likely be bitten clean in half.

"That's all, kids. You can rest and clean up now. Showers are that way make it quick. School closes in twenty," called Williams, still overseeing the last group with a sharp eye.

Biron and Mirelia both felt a spark of hope like maybe, just maybe, they had a real shot here.

The only problem now wasn't the exam… it was standing. Neither of them felt like moving after the grueling workout, and they both feared what their muscles would feel like tomorrow.

Fifteen minutes later, the six of them were already showered and waiting by the gate.

Paul had joined them, along with Yuri the girl with the fox, Max the golem user, and Warren the one with the crocodile summon.

They all looked equally drained, dragging their feet slightly as they walked.

"I think we've got a good setup here," Paul said, wiping his face with a towel draped around his neck. "Firepower, ranged, speed, and defense. If we can show we work well together, we might just form a solid six-man unit. What do you say?"

Biron sighed. He could see right through it Paul clearly wanted to talk to Mirelia. This time, he gave the boy a subtle glare.

Paul caught it and raised his hands slowly in surrender. "Alright, alright. Just putting the idea out there."

"We might join," Biron replied, voice calmer now. "But doesn't it depend on the instructors? Can we even sign up as a group?"

"They'll review the balance, yeah," Paul said, "but it's encouraged. A team of friends who trust each other is better than strangers you have to figure out mid-fight. We four already know each other, so it's just you two."

Biron glanced at Mirelia, who gave a small nod. After a brief pause, he returned it.

"Alright. We'll think about it."

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