With the exam officially underway, tension filled the cavern.

  Everyone understood that the first few minutes would determine the flow of the entire battle.

  Conrad stood slightly apart.

  It did not take long for someone to step forward to take a leadership position.

  A tall woman wearing dark leather armor cpped her hands sharply, the sound echoing across the stone chamber.

  "Now."

  Her voice was firm and trained.

  "I don't know how many of you have experience working in teams."

  She scanned the group without hesitation.

  "But I do. I was a major in the Kakin Kingdom before I left."

  A few eyebrows rose at that.

  "I've led soldiers into battle. Real battle. Not mock exercises," she continued.

  "If anyone here believes they are more qualified to lead this team, raise your hand."

  A few applicants exchanged looks, but none stepped forward.

  Conrad observed quietly.

  No immediate challengers.

  That meant either she carried natural authority or no one else wanted responsibility.

  "I think the reason is both of those two choices." Conrad thought, as he did not mind.

  For him both were acceptable.

  She nodded once.

  "Good."

  "My name is Elicia."

  The introduction was short.

  "In events like this, the biggest mistake is chaos. We will divide into roles."

  She raised three fingers.

  "Attacker Team."

  "Defender Team."

  "Guardian Team."

  Some applicants shifted closer to listen more carefully.

  "The Attacker Team will consist of twenty people. Their objective is simple: push forward, engage the enemy, and capture the red fg."

  She lowered one finger.

  "The Defender Team will also consist of twenty people. They will form yered defensive positions between our base and midfield. Their role is to intercept enemy attackers and slow any advances."

  Another finger lowered.

  "The Guardian Team will consist of ten people at most. They will remain within five to ten meters of our fg at all times."

  She turned slightly toward the blue fg pnted firmly on the stone ptform.

  "If the enemy breaks through, the Guardians must hold long enough for reinforcements."

  Conrad nodded subtly.

  "She is not bad," he thought.

  Elicia continued.

  "Communication is critical. If you engage and cannot win quickly, retreat. This is not about individual glory."

  Her eyes hardened slightly.

  "If you get knocked unconscious, you're dead weight. Control yourselves."

  A burly man raised his hand.

  "And what if their strongest fighter charges alone? Do we colpse on him?"

  Elicia answered without hesitation.

  "If one person advances recklessly, five intercept. We should expect distractions and bait from the other team if they have a capable leader and strategist."

  Another applicant, a thin man with sharp features, spoke up.

  "And what about betrayal? What stops someone from intentionally sabotaging the team?"

  He observed others and added more.

  "In the end, if one of the other team members knows anybody in this team, they can offer them money to leave the exam..."

  A murmur spread briefly.

  Elicia met his gaze.

  "Nothing."

  The honesty surprised some.

  "But betrayal benefits no one on the losing team. If we lose, all fifty fail. Other than being careful, we have no way to stop those betrayals right now."

  Conrad considered her words carefully.

  "She is competent and did not lie on her resume most likely..." he thought.

  Conrad knew that competence was not everything because of location and the area.

  This cave system was narrow.

  If Team A mirrored their formation, the battle could stagnate.

  "Anybody who has comments?" Elicia asked.

  Silence lingered for several seconds.

  Then Conrad stepped forward not too prominently, but enough to be heard.

  "Your structure is banced, but if both teams commit twenty attackers, the center becomes a choke point."

  Several heads turned toward him.

  Elicia studied him briefly.

  "Go on."

  "If they concentrate force and push with thirty instead of twenty," Conrad continued, "our Defenders could be overwhelmed before reinforcements arrive."

  Elicia crossed her arms slightly.

  "So what do you suggest?"

  "Flexible rotation," Conrad replied. "Attackers must be prepared to fall back instantly. Defenders should not remain static. Mobility wins narrow terrain engagements."

  "Defenders should be in the middle, supporting the attackers if we are winning or supporting the guardians if they are attacking too heavily."

  "A mobile team..."

  Elicia considered his words for a moment.

  Then she nodded once.

  "Fair point."

  She turned to the group.

  "Defenders will operate in mobile pairs. No one stands alone. The guardian team will include two fast responders who can reinforce midfield within minutes."

  She looked back at Conrad.

  "Name?"

  "Conrad."

  "You seem composed. Where do you prefer to be?"

  He thought briefly.

  "I do not think I will reveal it now," he answered.

  Elicia nodded.

  "Fine. You'll anchor midfield rotation for the time being."

  -

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