Chapter 63: Assigned (Part 1 of 2)

  Assignment

  The hall was used only because it had walls.

  No one stood at the front. No podium. No voice calling for order. The students were guided inside and left facing a long slate board mounted into the stone. It had already been filled.

  Squad assignments.

  Laurent moved forward with the others, eyes scanning in quiet habit. Not searching for preference—just for placement. For something that would fix the shape of the coming term.

  He found it midway down the board.

  Squad E–3

  Instructor on Duty: Eira Calenor

  For a moment, the name did not connect.

  Then it did.

  Calenor.

  There was a subtle pause around him. A fraction of stillness as the name settled into memory. Aila’s eyes lingered. Selin blinked once. Even Cael’s attention sharpened slightly.

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  So that was her full name.

  No one had ever said it aloud.

  Laurent’s gaze dropped to the list beneath.

  Members:

  Cael Morithe

  Aila Renareth

  Laurent Michael Setiawan

  Selin Marovar

  Linae Moralen

  Joran Velisar

  Someone nearby slowed as they read Laurent’s full name, eyes tracing it twice before moving on. Not confusion—just recognition of something foreign made official.

  It passed.

  Cael exhaled softly through his nose, almost amused. He leaned just enough for Laurent to hear.

  “Told you.”

  Laurent didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.

  The shape of the squad had already taken hold.

  A tall student stepped closer to the group, confidence easy and unguarded. “Joran Velisar,” he said, glancing back at the board. “Looks like that’s us.”

  A quiet voice followed. “Linae,” the girl beside Laurent said. “Moralen.”

  Joran nodded once. “Good to know.”

  Only after most eyes had finished reading did Eira step forward—not to announce, but to confirm.

  “If your squad is listed,” she said calmly, “remain with your unit.”

  Two fourth-years waited near the wall. One stood broad and grounded, shield resting easily against his leg. The other was leaner, posture loose, eyes moving more than his feet.

  A smaller plaque beneath the board clarified their presence.

  Senior Overseers Attached:

  Neric Avolan

  Tovin Kersane

  Introductions ended there.

  No speeches followed. No explanation was offered.

  The board had already done its work.

  As the hall began to empty, Laurent felt the last of the abstraction fall away.

  This was no longer possibility.

  It was assignment.