Hunters School did not tolerate weakness for long.
That morning, the instructor stood before the class, arms crossed behind his back.
"From today onward, you will operate in fixed squads. Five members. Outside the walls, individuals die. Units survive."
The yard filled with murmurs.
Narukaze's chest tightened.
Five members…
Names began to echo across the training field.
"Ren."
Ren stepped forward casually.
"Hakari."
She moved with quiet confidence, sunlight catching in her hair.
"Narukaze."
He stiffened and stepped forward quickly.
Then—
"Kaito." "Mira."
The five of them stood side by side.
A squad.
The Members
Ren — relaxed smile, natural leader energy.
Hakari — sharp, composed, controlled. Calm eyes that missed nothing.
Kaito — tall, quiet, spear resting against his shoulder. Analytical gaze.
Mira — twin daggers at her waist. Blunt expression. No patience for weakness.
And then…
Narukaze.
Support.
Again.
First Squad Drill
Objective:
Clear simulated threats near the inner wall perimeter.
Formation decided quickly.
Ren — Front assault.
Hakari — Mid control.
Kaito — Precision strikes.
Mira — Flank and mobility.
Narukaze — Supplies and rear support.
He adjusted the heavy pack on his back.
Luggage.
Again.
The drill began.
Ren charged smoothly, cutting through the first target.
Hakari followed, movements efficient and balanced.
Kaito eliminated distant targets with perfect timing.
Mira slipped through blind spots like a shadow.
Narukaze ran behind them.
Breathing heavy.
Watching.
Every time he tried to step forward—
A target was already down.
Zero kills.
Again.
But then—
An instructor dropped into the field unexpectedly, simulating a high-threat ambush.
Ren overextended.
Mira shifted too aggressively.
The formation cracked.
For a split second, there was chaos.
Narukaze saw it.
"Kaito, right flank! Hakari, step back two meters! Ren, reset!"
They hesitated—
Then reacted.
Formation restored.
Ambush neutralized.
Silence.
The instructor studied them carefully.
"Who called that?"
No one answered.
Mira tilted her head slightly toward Narukaze.
"Him."
All eyes landed on him.
Ren blinked.
Hakari's gaze sharpened slightly.
Kaito finally spoke.
"You read positioning fast."
Narukaze felt heat rush to his face.
"I just… noticed."
After the drill, they gathered under the shade of a tree.
Ren flopped onto the grass.
"Guess our support isn't useless."
Mira crossed her arms. "He's weak. But he sees."
Kaito gave a small nod. "That's valuable."
Narukaze glanced at Hakari.
She was looking at him.
Not mocking.
Not pitying.
Evaluating.
Then she smiled softly.
"You kept us from failing."
Simple words.
But they hit harder than any praise he'd ever received.
For the first time…
He didn't feel like dead weight.
He felt like part of something.
A squad.
Five people.
A unit.
And as the sun dipped behind the city walls, Narukaze allowed himself a small, hopeful smile.
He didn't know it yet—
But this squad would shape him.
One way or another.