Chapter 10

  The task was to create a formation that could defend against a wave of arrows while still leaving room for offense.

  Sera, deep in thought, muttered, “A triangle formation is best for blocking arrows…”

  The delinquent chimed in, “But if you want defense and some offensive power, then square formation #2 is the best option.”

  She frowned. “But… the triangle and square #2 formations can’t be combined.”

  As Sera pondered this, Rei leaned back in his chair, eyes half-closed, watching them with a lazy expression.

  “Don’t worry, my dear teammates!” Serena declared, adjusting her glasses with confidence. “You have me—Serena Frosta—the best formation strategist among the first-years!”

  She stepped forward and smiled. “Yes, triangle formation is ideal against arrows, and square #2 is strong for defensive offense. True, they can’t be fully combined. But…”

  She swirled her hand over the soldier pieces on the table with sharp precision. “We can borrow elements from both.”

  In just a few swift motions, Serena crafted a new formation. The others watched, jaws dropped, as she pieced together a hybrid layout that perfectly balanced defense and attack.

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  “Ohh, that’s the perfect formation for the problem I gave!” the teacher praised, impressed. “Serena, you really are something else!”

  “You’re the best!” Sera grinned proudly.

  “Hmph. Not bad for a twerp,” the delinquent muttered, folding his arms.

  Rei, as usual, just watched with his laid-back expression, offering no reaction.

  The Ms.Elina continued the lesson with two more formation problems. This time, with minimal help from Sera and the delinquent, Serena almost solved both entirely on her own.

  “I knew you were good at strategy,” Sera said, astonished, “but this is something else. You’ve improved so much!”

  “For a shrimp, this level of strategizing is impressive…” the delinquent added with a smirk.

  Serena flushed, waving her hands. “No, no—you guys praise me too much!”

  But the teacher stepped forward and smiled. “Not at all, Serena. You truly are the top student in this subject. No one else in the academy can match your tactical sense at your age.”

  The teacher turned back to the board. “Now, for your final task—create a formation that can counter the legendary ‘Chakraview’ formation. A near-invincible tactic used in ancient warfare.”

  Rei raised a hand. “Sorry to interrupt, Ms.Elina, but as you just said—if it’s ‘invincible,’ then doesn’t that mean it has no weakness?”

  The Ms.Elina narrowed her eyes with a smile. “Why don’t you take some time… and think clearly.”

  “But teacher, I’m almost 100% sure the Chakraview formation has no weakness,” Serena said confidently.

  “Haa… this is your only weakness, Serena,” the teacher replied with a sigh. “You’re brilliant, but you get overconfident and forget to think outside the box.”

  Rei finally sat up properly, stretching his arms lazily. “Serena, you’re right. There’s no formation of soldiers that can counter Chakraview…”

  Then suddenly—he swept all the soldier pieces off the table, letting them scatter to the ground. Only one piece remained.

  “…But a formation of a single soldier does.”

  Everyone froze.

  Serena looked stunned. “What… what are you talking about, Rei? That’s literally impossible! Even entire armies fall before Chakraview, and you’re saying a single soldier—?!”

  She turned toward the teacher—only to see her nod silently.

  “Don’t tell me…” Sera whispered.

  Rei’s face darkened.

  “Yes,” he said coldly. “I was the single soldier who broke the Chakraview formation.”

  His voice dropped.

  “And in the process… killed the one thousand soldiers I’m so infamous for.”

  Silence.

  The entire room was frozen in shock.

  Sera noticed Rei's face as if filled with not fear or anger but somewhat.....similar to guilt?