CHAPTER 106: DIFFERENT TEAMS

Jian Ci glanced at Yu Xi, irritation already simmering in his chest. "Which team are you in?" he asked.

Yu Xi checked his communicator and replied calmly, "Team C."

When Jian Ci saw his own assignment—Team A—his annoyance spiked. His jaw tightened, and he muttered under his breath, already imagining himself storming to the chancellor’s office to get ut changed. The thought of being separated from Yu Xi gnawed at him, and he was ready to cause trouble right then and there.

Yu Xi, sensing the storm brewing, stepped closer and coaxed him gently. "We can handle this later. For now, just go to your team leader."

Jian Ci bit his lower lip, visibly unhappy, but after a tense pause he turned away and went to find his team. Yu Xi did the same, moving toward Team C.

As Jian Ci joined his group, a familiar voice called from behind. "You are in Team A too." It was Alarna.

Jian Ci pursed his lips, his tone clipped. "Yeah."

Something about it unsettled him. Deep down, he felt there had to be some sort of conspiracy at play.

Before he could dwell on it, Elias rushed over, squeezing himself between them with a grin. "We are in the same team, awesome!"

Jian Ci’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the faces in his team. A sudden realization struck him. Every single one of them was the child of a high-ranking official. His stomach twisted with irritation. This wasn’t a coincidence. It felt orchestrated. He glanced across the training grounds, spotting Yu Xi in the distance. Yu Xi was speaking with the guide Alarna had been with yesterday, and the sight only deepened Jian Ci’s unhappiness. He clenched his fists, itching to complain.

Meanwhile, Yu Xi was quietly unraveling inside. The moment he realized Jian Ci had been placed in the same team as Alarna, it felt like a blade had pierced his chest. The pain was sharp, but he masked it well, his expression calm, betraying nothing. Rowland stood beside him, talking incessantly, but Yu Xi barely heard a word, his mind consumed by Jian Ci’s closeness to Alarna.

A tall woman approached, her striking face framed by the crisp lines of her instructor’s uniform. Instantly, the group stood at attention. She smiled warmly, her expression friendly, and said, "At ease." The tension eased slightly, though her presence carried authority.

Her gaze swept over them before she asked, "Where is Vigil?"

At the mention of that name, Yu Xi sighed inwardly. He had no desire to be anywhere near Vigil, but fate seemed determined to test him.

Moments later, Vigil strolled over, arrogance dripping from his every step. He moved like a spoiled brat who always got what he wanted, his smirk daring anyone to challenge him. The air thickened with unease as his presence settled over the group.

Vigil’s temper had flared the moment assignments were announced.

As soon as he came face to face with the instructor he was ready to explode. His voice was sharp, his posture aggressive as he confronted the instructor. "Why wasn’t I put in Team A?" he demanded, his tone dripping with entitlement.

Instructor Jenn’s expression remained calm, her authority unshaken. "You can take it up with the captain later. For now, don’t make trouble."

Vigil snorted, clearly dissatisfied, but when his eyes landed on Yu Xi, his demeanor shifted. A smirk spread across his face. "I will stay," he said, his voice low and mocking. "This just got very interesting."

He strode over, shoving Rowland aside to stand next to Yu Xi. "Hey!" Rowland protested, but one look at Vigil’s stern expression silenced him instantly.

Jenn clapped her hands lightly, reclaiming the group’s attention. "Good. Now that everyone is happy, I am Instructor Jenn, and I will be your instructor for this semester. Get to know your teammates... they will be the closest people to you, well, except for your roommates if you have them."

Her tone softened, though her words carried weight. "At the end of the semester, you will go on a mission together. Your performance will account for sixty percent of your final grade, so you must learn to work together as a team."

She smiled, easing the tension. "Now, we should pick a team name and a team leader."

The group murmured among themselves, agreeing to think about the name overnight and vote tomorrow. But when it came to choosing a leader, the decision was unanimous. Yu Xi was chosen as team captain—and even Vigil, with his smirk and arrogance, voiced his support.

After the meeting, the cadets were ordered to begin their first training exercise. The task was simple in theory but grueling in practice: run across the campus as teams, no psychic power allowed, and keep pace with one another. The chill of dawn clung to their skin as their boots pounded against the stone paths. Yu Xi was at the front, his stride steady, setting the rhythm for Team C.

Vigil, unwilling to be left behind, surged forward until he was running beside Yu Xi. "Hey," he said with a smirk, "shouldn’t you be thanking me for helping you become team leader?"

Yu Xi didn’t even glance at him. He hadn’t wanted the role in the first place, but Instructor Jenn had looked ready to beg him if he refused.

Vigil pressed on. "How about you buy me breakfast and we will call it even?"

Yu Xi kept running, silent.

"Tsk," Vigil scoffed. "You’re so ungrateful." His tone sharpened as he added, "Just curious—what’s your deal with Tenth? You two are so close that even Jian Rui would defend you."

Yu Xi’s pace didn’t falter, but he shifted slightly toward Vigil. At first, Vigil didn’t notice. Then, suddenly, he was tumbling into the bushes, branches snapping as he struggled to get back up.

From the rear, Jenn’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "Get up, Cadet! Otherwise I will make you run five more rounds."

The team chuckled under their breath, while Yu Xi kept his eyes forward, pace unbroken, as though nothing had happened at all.

Vigil was furious, his pride stung from being shoved into the bushes earlier, but he still forced himself back onto his feet and continued running. His breaths came ragged, his body straining.

Running without psychic power was brutal—if you didn’t have a strong physique, you were left behind. Most Espers had grown so dependent on their psychic abilities that they neglected their physical strength and endurance. Vigil was one of them, and now the weakness showed with every pounding step.