Third Year

"Squad leader Han's psychic power evolved to a C+ rank."

The agenda of today's conference moved onto Han. The executives and drill instructors looked glum and their expressions were dark.

The True Group's attack killed many students of Ark. Nobody was allowed a day of grievance and was expected to swiftly return to work because they couldn't waste a second longer. It wouldn't be too late to pay tribute to the deceased after the end of the war.

"It wouldn't be an overstatement to consider him a B rank due to the amount of telekinetic control he has. He just barely makes the minimum required rank to pilot psychoframes. At the same time, he has not awakened any unique psychic skills yet."

"Still, I think we should transfer him up into the third year. There's nothing that Han would gain remaining in second year. He would just pointlessly win squad mock battles. What this youth needs is real life experience."

"Third year is a place for psykers to train! Han does not meet the basic psychic requirements. He should remain in second year a little longer…"

The two sides would not come into agreement.

"The results and data Han has accumulated is enough to justify his transfer into third year. Currently, there are no youths in the second year with a better resume than Han. We don't need just raw data and statistics, we need someone who can produce results."

The group who wanted Han to transfer up continued to strongly pressure the other side without signs of wavering.

"It's better to transfer him up if you can't choose a side. We can't afford to let anyone with potential slip from our hands."

This was the deciding hand for Han's transfer, and was made official.

The second year drill instructors summoned Han. They handed him a pile of documents and spoke.

"Congratulations on your transfer into third year."

Han's eyes momentarily shook. This came sooner than he thought. The decision was passed during the scheduled conferences that Ark held. Han nodded and received the documents.

Han also agreed that he no longer had anything to gain in second year. All he could do now was listen to the same lectures and continue to participate in the same sort of mind numbing squad battles.

They've also placed Simon and Kuro into third year, but the two were still in the recovery ward. So, they would remain in second year for a short while longer and transfer after they've made a full recovery.

It was highly probable that the two would be transferred with the next batch of transfer students.

"Only me?"

"Yes. Do you need some time to settle things in second year? We won't rush you. It would be fine to remain in second year for about a week longer."

The transfer process of second years was drastically different to when he used to be a first year. The drill instructors considered Han's circumstances a great deal more.

'Is this my graduation?'

Han understood the title of third year was more symbolic than anything. With this transfer, he would become a reserve soldier. This was the real role of third year students. The endless qualifying examinations were over.

"One day will be enough." Han said and returned to his dorms.

Squad 13 was gathered together, playing cards.

Most of the squad members sat around with gauze wrapped around random parts of their bodies due to their injuries from battle.

"Jose and Canute. Come with me for a moment."

Jose and Canute followed Han, pausing their game of cards. The two were already aware that the drill instructors summed Han. Jose already guessed what this would be about and spoke first.

"You've been transferred, right?"

Han nodded while Canute's eyes widened.

"When will you leave?"

"Tomorrow."

Han sat down and opened various programs on his data bracelet. He passed the files he had compiled all this time during his second year to them. All of Han's observations were recorded in this file. This file included all the battle tactics he had been keeping a secret. The data in these files would be useful for their future mock squad battles.

'He made this all by himself?' Canute's eyes widened. Han always kept himself busy. He didn't let himself rest in his own room and forced himself to work on other tasks. He slept later than everyone, and woke up earlier than everyone.

"The next Squad 13 leader should be one of you guys. This is also my present to you before I go. Whether you decide this by rock, paper, scissors, or whatever, squad leader and second in command position is up to you two to decide."

"You can do it, Jose." Canute lightly punched Jose's chest. Canute didn't have much interest in being the squad leader.

Squad leaders needed to maintain a bird's eye view of the battle. Canute enjoyed his role as the vanguard, so trying to calculate the ins and outs of battle would be too troublesome. Han understood that it would be a long while before he would be able to meet the two again.

Many people he had come to know since the first year of Ark were now gone. The higher he climbed up the pyramid, the less room there were for others.

'I will become the best in Ark.'

Han thought that his own words were quite daring. He didn't know a single thing about Ark when he had said those words.

The only thing Han had going for him at the time was his malicious tenacity. He literally had nowhere left to go.

"Haa."

Han woke up early the next day and opened his window. The cold morning air blew in thickly. He was now used to Ark's weather.

All he had to pack was his writing utensils, notebook, and photo. Everything else would be provided for him in the new dorms.

Han walked out of the dorms. He saw heavy equipment being moved all over Ark. Ark was undergoing reconstruction at full speed.

Han walked in the direction that his data bracelet pointed to find the third year zone. He had visited the place before when Team Whiskey was formed.

"So you're the new transfer. You've come very early." The guard in charge of security said while yawning. He checked Han's identity and guided him inside.

"The new rookie is Asian? How rare." A person passing by remarked.

There were a lot of reserve soldiers in the third year zone. Drill instructors did not control this place.

Everyone looked relaxed and at ease. Everyone was on standby until the next military operation. There were some people brushing their teeth and shaving outside.

"Isn't he that kid from before? So he managed to be transferred up after all. What a cute brat"

There were many third years and reserve soldiers, and the majority of them recognized Han.

He was led to the very last building of this place. The building was labeled, A8. The inside seemed quiet; each door were labeled with a soldier's name and rank. Second generation psykers and first generation psykers didn't have a specific rank, and were instead addressed as 'PF's (Psychic Forces).

"It seems everyone is still asleep. You will be guided by Silence, your predecessor. Conversing with him may be a bit of a pain, but in the future, if you have any questions about this place, you should go ask him."

"Silence?"

"Do you know him? The higher ups usually assign the predecessors to be someone you are familiar with."

Any first and second years who cannot adjust are weeded out. The third years are those who have graduated from this system.

They prioritize deploying the reserve soldiers to get them accustomed to real battle as soon as possible. Han couldn't get used to the polite way they spoke to him.

"Then I'll see you later. Good luck, rookie."

Han was left all alone in the room. He watched the door shut.