Chapter 470:Discussions.

Chapter 470: 470:Discussions.

Three days later, the Academy was considerably less peaceful.

"Thirty students?"

Caleb stared at the announcement displayed across the classroom screen.

Peter stood at the front of Room 4A, looking completely unbothered by the increasingly noisy reactions of his students.

"Thirty," he confirmed.

Mina raised her hand.

"Sir, there are thirty-one students in Class Four," she quietly said.

"I’m aware."

"Then what happens to the last person?"

"One student will serve as reserve and command support. That individual will remain at the designated command station unless reassigned under the competition’s emergency deployment rules."

Caleb frowned.

"So we’re not all fighting?"

"Correct."

Several students immediately began discussing who would receive the reserve assignment.

Silver leaned back in his chair, studying the screen.

[FIRST-YEAR CLASS-VERSUS-CLASS COMPETITION]

[Competition Format: Territory Control]

[Active Participants: 30 Per Class]

[Reserve and Command Support: 1 Per Class]

[Primary Objectives: Capture and Maintain Strategic Checkpoints]

[Secondary Objectives: Secure Supply Points, Protect Communication Routes, Complete Hidden Missions]

[Combat Restrictions: Academy-Approved Training Equipment]

[Victory Conditions: Final Territory Score and Objective Completion]

Silver smiled faintly.

This was a full-class competition something that most of them had not expected, but he was looking forward to it since that would change everything.

Peter waited until the classroom quieted.

"Your previous assessment tested whether small squads could complete objectives under pressure. This competition will test whether an entire class can operate as a coordinated fighting unit," he firmly said.

He changed the screen and a large map appeared.

The simulated territory was enormous, containing residential districts, industrial buildings, elevated roads, warehouses, underground passages, open courtyards and several reinforced checkpoints.

"Each class will enter from an opposing deployment zone. You will have access to limited ammunition, medical supplies, defensive equipment and communication resources. Your objective is to accumulate more territory points than the opposing class before the competition ends."

A student raised his hand.

"Sir, can we just defeat everyone?"

Peter looked at him before his lips curved into a smirk.

"You can try."

Several students smiled.

He continued.

"However, defeating an opponent does not automatically secure a checkpoint. Captured positions must be activated and maintained. Abandoned checkpoints may be retaken. Supply points provide additional resources, while certain hidden objectives offer substantial score bonuses."

Silver studied the map.

Several locations were marked. There were five primary checkpoints, three supply stations, two communication towers, and a large central command structure, but portions of the map remained concealed.

He narrowed his eyes.

They were clealy hidden objectives which would complicate things.

Peter continued.

"Students eliminated during the competition will be removed from active participation. Depending on the circumstances, certain eliminated students may be eligible for redeployment after a designated delay, but don’t assume that option will always be available."

Caleb raised his hand.

"Sir, who are we fighting?"

He smiled slightly.

"Class Six."

A few students immediately began whispering. Silver looked toward Ravenna who was sitting beside him, her expression thoughtful.

"Class Six," she murmured.

Silver nodded.

"Gareth’s class."

She smiled faintly, her excitement visible.

"He’s strong but not stronger than you."

He looked at her, a smile on his lips.

"That doesn’t mean his class is weaker," he said.

She considered, then nodded.

"True."

Peter tapped the screen.

"Class Six performed well during the previous assessment. Their overall squad coordination was particularly strong, and several of their students demonstrated excellent defensive capabilities." He looked around. "Do not underestimate them."

Silver nodded slightly.

That was probably the most important warning Peter had given them.

A class-versus-class competition wasn’t simply a contest of individual strength. One powerful Contractor could dominate a small fight but thirty coordinated Contractors were another matter entirely.

Even Silver couldn’t be everywhere at once. Especially when the battlefield covered several kilometers.

Peter continued.

"Your class will be responsible for selecting its command structure. I will observe and evaluate. I will not make your decisions for you."

Helena raised her hand.

"Sir, are we allowed to establish multiple squad leaders?" She asked.

"You’re expected to," he replied.

"How many?"

"That’s your decision."

She nodded.

Peter looked toward Silver.

"Ruddington."

He straightened.

"Yes, sir."

"Your spatial abilities make you particularly valuable in reconnaissance and rapid support."

He nodded.

"Understood."

"However, I strongly advise against assigning yourself responsibility for every threatened position."

Several students laughed while Silver smiled awkwardly.

Peter continued.

"You performed well during the previous assessment, but you also demonstrated a tendency to personally intervene whenever another student encountered difficulty."

His smile faded slightly.

He already knew that.

Peter looked toward the rest of the class.

"Your job is not to become dependent on one capable student. Your job is to function as a unit."

The classroom quieted.

"Remember that."

The planning session began immediately after Peter left.

For the first time since entering the academy, Class Four had been given complete responsibility for organizing a large-scale operation.

And it became obvious within ten minutes that thirty-one students could produce an astonishing amount of disagreement.

"We should rush the center," one students said.

"No, that’s stupid," another countered.

"Why?"

"Because everyone will rush the center."

"Then we get there first."

"And lose our supply points?"

"Why would we lose them?"

"Because someone has to defend them!"

Silver sat near the back of the room, watching the argument unfold. Caleb was standing beside the map. Mina had her arms crossed. Elias was quietly studying the elevated routes. Rowan remained near the window.

Ravenna sat beside him, occasionally offering comments whenever someone proposed something particularly reckless.

Shirley was seated several rows away, listening with an unusually pleasant expression.

Helena finally stood.

"Everyone."

Nobody stopped until she raised her voice.

"Everyone!"

The room quieted.

She exhaled.

"We’re wasting time."

Caleb crossed his arms.

"We’re discussing strategy," he said.

"We’re arguing," she replied.

"Same thing."

Mina hit his arm and Caleb laughed.

Helena pointed toward the map.

"We need a command structure before deciding anything else."

Silver nodded.

"Agreed."

Several students looked toward him.

One raised his hand.

"Why don’t we make Silver commander? He’s ranked first."

He immediately shook his head.

"No."

The student eyes widened.

"Why?"

"Because being ranked first doesn’t automatically make me the best person to command thirty people."

Helena looked toward him as he continued.

"My abilities are more useful if I’m moving between positions, scouting and supporting whoever needs help. If I’m responsible for directing the entire class, I’ll spend half the competition trying to do two jobs at once."

Mina nodded.

"That makes sense."

Caleb looked disappointed.

"I thought you’d be good at it."

He smiled.

"Maybe. But Helena’s already shown she can coordinate a squad under pressure."

Her expression morphed into one of slightly shock as several students turned toward her.

She looked at Silver.

He shrugged.

"You did well during the assessment."

Ravenna nodded.

"I agree."

Mina raised her hand.

"Same."

Elias nodded.

Rowan followed.

After a brief discussion, Helena was selected as the overall commander. She looked slightly overwhelmed by the responsibility, then straightened.

"All right."

Silver smiled.

"Congratulations."

She looked at him.

"I’m blaming you if this goes badly."

"Okay."

She immediately began assigning roles.

Class Four would operate through several coordinated groups rather than one large formation.

The defensive group would protect captured checkpoints and maintain communication routes.

The offensive group would pressure enemy positions and create opportunities for capture.

The reconnaissance group would gather information, identify hidden routes and locate enemy movements.

A smaller reserve group would remain available for reinforcement.

Silver was assigned as a mobile scout and flexible support fighter. Ravenna was placed among the offensive leaders.

Helena would coordinate the overall operation while remaining close enough to reinforce threatened positions with her barriers.

Mina would assist reconnaissance through vibration sensing. Elias would provide ranged observation. Caleb and Rowan would support defensive positions.

Shirley volunteered for infiltration which caused several students exchanged glances.

Ravenna looked toward her.

She smiled politely.

"My ability is suited for it."

Helena considered.

"She’s right."

Ravenna said nothing.

Silver noticed her expression and leaned closer.

"She’s useful."

Ravenna sighed.

"I know."

"Then let her be useful."

She looked toward him.

"You’re enjoying saying that."

"A little."

She elbowed him.

He laughed.

The discussion continued for nearly two hours.