Chapter 480:An example for everyone.

Chapter 480: 480:An example for everyone.

Several students received recognition for exceptional command, combat control, reconnaissance, defensive coordination, and adaptability.

Gareth Holler was praised for his offensive pressure and ability to hold Class Four’s strongest fighters in place long enough for Class Six to contest multiple checkpoints.

Mina received recognition for detecting underground movement and identifying enemy approaches during the final defensive stage.

Elias was praised for accurate ranged support.

Rowan received particular recognition for maintaining damaged defensive structures and restoring the communication tower.

Caleb was commended for holding his position against stronger opponents.

Then Helena’s name appeared.

[Outstanding Command Performance: Helena Seer - Class Four]

Several students immediately applauded. Helena looked surprised by the recognised.

Silver smiled.

Ravenna clapped enthusiastically.

The evaluator continued.

"Helena Seer demonstrated strong command recovery after Class Four’s communication network was disabled. Her willingness to delegate responsibilities, accept reconnaissance information, and reorganize her class’s defensive priorities was instrumental in their eventual victory."

She lowered her head slightly.

Silver leaned toward Ravenna.

"She’s going to be embarrassed."

She smiled.

"Very."

Then another name appeared.

[Outstanding Leadership Development: Antony Braille - Class Two]

Antony froze.

Rebecca smiled.

Silver turned and nudged him but he just stared at the screen.

The evaluator continued.

"Antony Braille demonstrated considerable improvement in command discipline, defensive coordination, and tactical flexibility. Despite being eliminated during the latter portion of the competition, his earlier decisions allowed Class Two to maintain a stable defensive formation and ultimately secure victory."

Silver smiled.

He slowly leaned back, then whispered, "That’s me."

Rebecca laughed softly.

"Yes."

He looked toward Silver who gave him a thumbs-up.

Antony grinned.

For once, he didn’t make a joke and simply looked pleased.

The screen changed.

[Outstanding Ability Control: Ravenna Arkland - Class Four]

Silver immediately turned toward her.

She was already smiling.

The evaluator continued.

"Ravenna Arkland displayed substantial improvement in her fire control. Her ability to restrict enemy movement, defend objectives, and coordinate offensive pressure without causing unnecessary damage to allied positions was particularly impressive."

A recording appeared.

She stood near the eastern checkpoint, directing a narrow wave of flames across the street while several classmates moved safely behind her.

Another recording showed her fighting Gareth, using controlled bursts of fire to force him into unfavorable positions rather than simply overwhelming the area with destructive output.

Silver smiled.

He couldn’t be any more proud than he was at the moment.

The evaluator continued.

"Her physical combat integration has also improved considerably, allowing her to maintain effectiveness even when opponents possess resistance to fire."

Her smile widened.

Hd leaned closer.

"Congratulations."

She looked toward him.

"Thank you."

He smiled.

"Very impressive."

Ravenna raised an eyebrow.

"Just impressive?"

Silver laughed.

"Extremely impressive."

She looked satisfied.

"Better."

Then the screen changed again.

[Outstanding Adaptability and Combat Support: Silver Ruddington - Class Four]

Silver looked forward as the evaluator continued.

"Silver Ruddington demonstrated exceptional adaptability throughout the competition. His spatial perception allowed Class Four to identify concealed movement routes, his rapid repositioning prevented the loss of critical infrastructure, and his ability to transition between ranged combat, close combat, and defensive support was among the strongest recorded during the exercise."

The screen displayed several recordings.

Silver eliminating the students guarding the communication tower. His Space Slash cutting through reinforced structures. His spatial barriers redirecting attacks.

His confrontation with Gareth and finally, his successful capture of the central command terminal.

The evaluator paused.

"However, his performance also revealed a significant weakness."

His eyes widened.

’Are you just going to hang me infront if everyone’

Ravenna looked toward him.

The recording changed and several moments appeared in sequence.

Silver rushing toward the communication tower. Silver attempting to reinforce the supply station. Silver considering abandoning the command terminal to support the western checkpoint.

The evaluator continued.

"Ruddington repeatedly attempted to compensate for weaknesses across multiple groups. While his abilities made this possible for short periods, his energy expenditure increased substantially whenever he acted without sufficient delegation."

Silver slowly nodded.

That was fair.

The evaluator looked toward the audience.

"A powerful Contractor who attempts to solve every problem personally can become a weakness in an otherwise capable team."

The auditorium became quiet.

’So I’m being used as the example?’

Silver listened carefully.

"Adaptability is valuable. But effective teamwork requires trust. If your teammates cannot operate without your constant intervention, then you have not built a strong team. You’ve built a dependency."

He slowly exhaled.

Ravenna glanced toward him.

He smiled faintly at her and she smiled back.

The evaluator continued.

"Ruddington corrected this tendency during the latter portion of the competition, particularly when he remained at the central command terminal rather than abandoning it to reinforce another checkpoint. That decision contributed directly to Class Four’s victory."

He nodded since he understood.

Then the evaluator concluded.

"Remember this lesson. Your individual strength matters, but the academy is training Contractors who may one day be responsible for entire teams, settlements, or military operations. Learn when to act, when to lead, and when to trust someone else."

Peter’s feedback later that afternoon was considerably less gentle.

Class Four had gathered inside Room 4A, where their instructor stood beside a large display showing the competition’s final tactical map.

He looked around.

"Congratulations."

Several students smiled but Peter continued without much ceremony.

"You won."

Caleb grinned.

"Thank you, sir," he cheerfully said.

Peter nodded.

"By twenty-three points."

The smiles weakened.

"Twenty-three!" He repeated, louder this time.

Caleb slowly lowered his head.

Peter pointed toward the map.

"Do you understand how close you came to losing?"

Nobody answered,not like anyone wanted to risk it.

Peter continued.

"If the western checkpoint had fallen ten seconds earlier, you would’ve lost. If Ruddington had abandoned the central terminal, you would’ve lost. If Seer had failed to reorganize your communication structure after the opening ambush, you would’ve lost." He paused. "Your victory was earned. But it was not comfortable."

Silver nodded.

Peter looked toward Helena.

"Seer."

She stood.

"Yes, sir."

"Good command recovery. Poor initial contingency planning."

"Understood."

"You assumed your communications would remain operational."

"Yes, sir."

"Never assume that."

She nodded.

Peter turned toward Ravenna.

"Arkland."

She stood.

"Yes, sir."

"Excellent fire control."

"Thank you, sir."

"Your improvement is significant. However, you allowed yourself to become too focused on Holler during the final engagement."

She considered it then nodded.

"Yes, sir."

"Remember that a powerful opponent can be used as a distraction."

"Understood."

Peter looked toward Shirley.

"Your infiltration was effective. You disabled a secondary defensive relay without exposing your position."

Shirley smiled politely.

"Thank you, sir."

"Your timing could’ve been better."

Her smile weakened slightly.

"Understood."

Peter continued through the class, and when he reached Silver, he stopped.

"Ruddington."

He stood.

"Yes, sir."

"How many positions did you attempt to reinforce during the first hour?"

He considered for a few seconds before responding.

"Three, sir."

"How many were you assigned to?"

"One."

Peter nodded.

"Interesting."

Several students laughed quietly.

Silver sighed.

Peter continued.

"You’re strong. You’re fast. Your spatial abilities allow you to move between positions more efficiently than most students in this class."

Silver listened.

"But that doesn’t make you responsible for everyone."

"Understood."

"Do you?"

Silver paused, then nodded.

"Yes, sir."

Peter studied him.

"Explain."

Silver considered his answer, then spoke.

"I was treating every problem as something I needed to fix personally. That meant I wasn’t trusting the others to handle their assignments, and I was wasting energy moving between positions that already had capable people defending them."

Peter nodded.

"Good."

Silver continued.

"When I stopped doing that, the class performed better."

Peter smiled faintly.

"Exactly."

He looked around the room.

"Strength without control is a liability. That applies to individuals and teams."

Silver smiled.

Peter continued without micing his words.

"Your next exercise will be harder," hevsaid, addressing the while class.

Caleb groaned.

Peter looked toward him.

"Something to say, Orson?"

He immediately straightened.

"No, sir."

"Good."