The main hall soon fell into chaos, the best students being fought over like they were cattle. It didn’t take much for the situation to devolve into an auction where people would attempt to bribe or blackmail their targets.

Friya sneered at all those that had previously acted all high and mighty, drowning her daily with their venomous words, now fighting among themselves without a shred of dignity, like hungry wolves over a slab of meat.

When Kippa, a girl that had been particularly obnoxious to Friya in the last month, had the gall to ask for her help, Friya gently smiled to her and politely refused. Friya even gave her a small bow, right before punching Kippa in the face, smiling the whole time.

“Our group may be quite unbalanced but I trust your skills, and more importantly I trust all of you as persons. In a life or death situation, I couldn’t ask for better teammates.”

Phloria said extending her arm with the open hand in the middle of the group.

“Indeed.” Yurial was the first to place his hand above hers.

“If there is no supervision, trust and teamwork are of paramount importance to survival. That’s what we learned from the mock exam. Knowing the Headmaster, I doubt firepower will be essential. It’s probably another learning experience more than a test of pure strength.”