11 The Teams

The students from other majors trickled into the arena after their groups finished updating IDs. Most of the students who joined were interested in the first-year team arrangements and in the changes that had been made to the other LegendSlayer teams. The remainder were here to see the so-called hero.

Some came to support friends, or out of curiosity, or guilt for leaving their friends to fight while they pursed a safer occupation.

This was also an opportunity for the gangs to stealthily collect bets on team compositions. But it wasn't just students and gang members that came. The academy news agency was present along with several of the news agencies based in Laserath. As long as a city didn't fall tonight, the team compositions would be on the front page of every news outlet in the city.

After all, these teams would be the defenders of the human communities. And most of the third-year teams would remain together after graduation.

"It is time to present the new teams. I know at least one person who was so anxious about learning who her teammates are that she has been trying to steal the list for the entirety of spring break. Just this morning she tried to steal it while completely missing the fact that I had left it sitting on my desk." Liza groaned and glared at her grandfather. "Ah, but I should be telling you the team compositions, not rambling about my granddaughter. First up, James would you please come down."

James grinned at his friends and said, "See you soon," before he bumped fists with DJ.

Headmaster Raven Clof shook James' hand. He'd shake hands with every student he called to the arena floor. As the quantity of students increased his hand ached more by the end of the ceremony.

"Andray and Syra Florence." Andray and Syra headed down. And happily, greeted James.

DJ grabbed Centra's hand and held it tight. They were waiting – hoping they'd be on the same team as James.

"Melissa Toll."

That was not DJ or Centra's name. The two of them couldn't – wouldn't be on the same team as James.

And Melissa was shocked. She had to have miss heard what Raven Clof had said. She wasn't good enough to be on that team. Surly, he meant someone else.

"Melissa Toll would you please come down," Raven Clof repeated as he looked for her in the stands.

Melissa stood on shaky legs as she made her way to Raven Clof.

And DJ glanced at Centra. He was worried how she'd handle being on a team without him. And he was worried how he'd handle not being able to back her up. How he'd handle it if he lost her. She'd switched from communications so they could spend time together on missions. So, they wouldn't have to go thought the weeks to months of time away from one another.

Centra smiled at DJ. She loved him and wanted to help keep him safe. She wanted to spend more time with him. But she'd take him being safe in place of being on the same team as him.

Raven Clof said the name of the final team member, "C-"

"No! You have to put us on the same team!" DJ shouted as he leapt to his feet.

Raven Clof glared at DJ. "If you would let me finish DJ. I was going to say Casey Lupine."

"Oh. Sorry." DJ meekly reclaimed his seat with his flushed cheeks.

Centra smiled and gave DJ's cheek a kiss.

"As always, you have until tomorrow morning to decide who your team's leader is," Raven Clof said as he returned to the list in front of him.

James' teammates glanced at each other.

Then Andray said, "There's no need, James is our leader."

"Are you pups sure about this?" James asked.

"Yep!" Syra said.

"Alright then. If you would follow Miss Alicia to your spot." Raven Clof said, "Next, we have Ren Perdita-"

"Who is she?"

"Have your head her name before?"

"No."

"Maybe she transferred?"

"There are rumors about there being several transfers this year."

"She must be a new transfer."

"I wonder why she came here?"

Raven Clof had to raise his voice to be heard over his audience, "Amity Miltiades."

Amity and Ren joined Raven Clof on the arena floor. "Caleb Slayder and Rick Melson."

Quickly followed by, "Ana Romanoff."

"I look forward to seeing what your team can do," Raven Clof added before he moved on to the next team, "Kyrie Say."

Kyrie looked up from his holo-watch when he heard his name. He'd heard several people say his name as he waited. As such he glanced at those around him. Everyone was watching him.

So, Kyrie closed his holo-display. And stopped gathering every scrap of dragon lore he could. He stopped wondering if there was something more – something different that he could have done. But it was only for now. The fall of Avalon had loomed over him from the moment it happened.

Raven Clof watched as Kyrie looked up and said, "If you would please come here, Kyrie."

Kyrie felt his cheeks warm as he stood and made his way to Raven Clof.

"Thank you, Kyrie. DJ if you would join us as well," Headmaster Raven Clof said.

DJ nervously glanced at Centra as he got up. Please let her be on the same team as him.

Centra smiled at DJ. At least he'd be on a team with Kyrie. Someone with Kyrie's strength should be able to keep his team safe, right?

"Jasper Glyph."

Jasper groaned. He was stuck on the same team as that interloper. At least Centra wasn't on it. He loved her like a sister but being on a team with a telepath would be… hard.

"Liza Frost," Raven Clof was smiling as he called his Granddaughters name.

Liza startled another group of students as she released her ability. Liza's ability required other people. So, she would use events like this assembly to practice her ability.

DJ was anxiously shifting as he waited. There was one spot left on the team. And so many students to choose from.

Raven Clof spoke slowly as he watched DJ, "Cen-tra Livence." Originally Raven Clof was going to call Centra and DJ's names at the same time.But he changed his mind after DJ interrupted him.

♢ ♢ ♢

Raven Clof said, "Congratulations on making it here. Good luck on your missions and in this year's tourney selections."