Martian Archer

Two weeks had passed.

Leon stood at the window of his dorm, staring at the academy courtyard.

The same academy that had let students die.

His fists clenched.

Felix was dead. Tanya was dead. Elise was dead.

Elise…

He still saw her face in his dreams.

The quiet girl who had stood by him. Who, like him, was called useless.

And now, she was gone.

The academy had let it happen. Encouraged it, even.

Leon gritted his teeth.

"What kind of place allows a test like that?"

But more than his anger at the academy…

He was furious at himself.

"I was weak. I couldn't protect her. I couldn't do anything."

He looked at the bow beside his bed.

Slowly, he reached for it.

"Never again."

He gripped the bow tightly.

"Never again will I be helpless."

He turned back to the academy, eyes burning with renewed determination.

This time, he wouldn't just survive.

He'd win.

Meanwhile, in another part of the academy, Hugo sat in front of a holographic screen, frowning.

Something was wrong.

Before, there was always a strict rule against killing in entrance exams.

But this year, that rule was gone.

And then—a terrorist attack.

That couldn't be a coincidence.

He pulled up the academy's staff records.

No new staff had been hired this year.

That meant…

"Someone inside the academy secretly changed the rule."

Hugo's fingers tightened around his spear.

"This was planned."

He shut the screen off, his mind racing.

"But why?"

Before he could dwell on it further

A loud announcement echoed through the academy.

> Attention, all surviving exam candidates!

"The entrance exam will restart with a new format."

Hugo sat up.

"Each team will consist of:

1 Archer

1 Tanker

1 Attacker (Swordsman or Spearman)"

"Teams will meet before the exam for strategy and physical training."

Hugo's eyes narrowed.

"They're pushing for team combat now?"

This wasn't normal.

Something was seriously off.

Leon pulled on his new Earth-style clothes courtesy of Hugo.

"This'll help you blend in better, Martian." Hugo had smirked.

Leon didn't argue.

It was time for a fresh start.

As he stepped outside, his heart pounded.

"Who will be on my team?"

His tanker…

"Could it be her?"

"Iris?"

The friend he'd been searching for since he arrived on Earth.

The chapter ended with Leon holding his breath as he prepared to meet his teammates.

Was it really her?