The academy grounds buzzed with energy as students gathered for the Wilderness Program. Dozens of teams from both the Super Academy and the Human Academy stood at attention, waiting for instructions.
Logan, William, Matthew, and Jessica stood in their designated spot. Unlike the other teams chatting away, their group remained calm and composed.
Matthew adjusted the straps on his gear. "Man, I still think this is unfair. How come the humans get to keep all their gear,but we get nerfed?"
William chuckled. "Cause they'd get obliterated otherwise."
Jessica smirked. "Sounds like someone's scared."
Matthew scoffed. "Not scared—just pointing out the obvious. We're at a disadvantage."
Logan, standing slightly apart from the group, stared at the forest ahead. Unlike his teammates, he wasn't thinking about the humans or the restrictions.
He was thinking about Elsa.
Her words still echoed in his mind. "Stop treating me like we're in a romantic relationship."
He exhaled sharply, shaking it off. Now wasn't the time.
A voice boomed through the speakers, pulling him back to reality.
"ATTENTION, STUDENTS!"
---
A senior instructor, Professor Daniel, took the stage.
"Welcome to the Annual Wilderness Survival Program!"
Cheers erupted from some students, but Logan remained silent.
Daniel continued, "For the next seven days, your abilities will be restricted. Your goal? Survive. You will be given a map, a knife, and limited rations. Your task is to navigate the terrain, hunt for food, build shelter, and complete hidden challenges along the way."
Matthew groaned. "No abilities, no tech—this is gonna suck."
Daniel smirked. "And just to make it interesting, this year we have a special twist: The Human Academy will be joining us."
The super students exchanged looks. Everyone already knew, but hearing it announced made it feel more official.
Daniel continued, "Unlike you, the human students will not have any restrictions. You may choose to work with them or against them—but be warned, some of them may not be as friendly as they seem."
Darius Cross and his squad stood among the human students. His eyes locked on Logan's, and he smirked.
---
Soon after, the students were escorted to the drop zone—a large clearing at the edge of a vast forest. Helicopters hovered above, preparing to scatter teams throughout different sections.
As Logan and his team boarded their assigned helicopter, Matthew grinned nervously.
"Anyone else feel like we're about to get dropped into a battle royale?"
Jessica rolled her eyes. "Try not to get eliminated first."
William cracked his knuckles. "Don't worry, I'll carry you both."
Logan remained silent, scanning the other teams. Across from them, Darius Cross and his squad boarded a separate helicopter. Darius made a hand gesture—a mock salute—before the doors shut.
---
The helicopter descended rapidly, kicking up dirt as it hovered a few feet off the ground.
"GO! GO! GO!"
The team jumped out, landing in knee-high grass. The moment they touched the ground, the helicopter lifted away, leaving them alone in the wilderness.
Jessica pulled out the map. "Alright, we need to find water and set up camp before nightfall."
William pointed to a ridge. "Higher ground first. We need a vantage point."
Logan nodded. "Agreed."
They moved swiftly through the forest, making minimal noise. Logan's instincts from months as a mercenary kicked in—scanning the terrain, checking for tracks, keeping an eye on movement.
After an hour, they found a small waterfall leading into a stream. The area was clear, with large trees providing cover.
Matthew sighed in relief. "Perfect. We set up here."
Jessica started gathering firewood while William worked on a shelter using vines and branches. Logan handled securing their perimeter, setting up simple traps in case someone—or something—tried to approach.
As they worked, a faint rustling came from the trees.
Logan's eyes narrowed. "We're not alone."
Jessica tensed. "Animals?"
William shook his head. "Too coordinated. This is something else."
---
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows.
It was Darius Cross.
He walked forward confidently, arms crossed, with three members of his squad behind him.
Matthew whispered, "Told you it was gonna be a battle royale…"
Darius smirked. "Not bad. You guys actually know what you're doing."
Logan didn't move. "You spying on us?"
Darius chuckled. "More like scouting. We're figuring out who's worth aligning with. You've got a solid team."
William raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Darius glanced at Logan. "I want to see if you're as good as they say."
Logan smirked. "You want a fight?"
Darius shook his head. "Not yet. But eventually, yeah. No powers, no advantages—just skill against skill. When the time comes, don't disappoint me."
He turned to leave, but then looked back at Jessica. "Oh, and you—Jessica, right? You're the shifter that can transform into something unique."
Jessica narrowed her eyes. "Yeah?"
Darius grinned. "Can't wait to see what that is."
With that, he and his squad disappeared into the forest.
Matthew exhaled. "Okay, that guy is way too confident."
William grinned. "I kinda like him."
Jessica crossed her arms. "He's testing us. We should be careful."
Logan remained silent for a moment, then simply said, "Let him test. He'll find out soon enough."
With the first day ending and the real challenge ahead, one thing was certain—this was going to be a long week.
As the last traces of sunlight faded, Logan and his team finished setting up their shelter. William had built a sturdy lean-to, reinforced with branches and vines. Jessica had managed to start a fire using a flint stone from the supply bag, while Matthew set up a basic alarm system using thin wires and empty cans.
Logan double-checked their surroundings. The wilderness was eerily silent—too silent.
"We need to take turns keeping watch," he said. "I'll take the first shift."
William nodded. "I'll go after you."
Jessica stretched her arms. "I'll take third."
Matthew groaned. "Guess that leaves me with last shift…"
Logan smirked. "Try not to fall asleep."
Matthew shot him an offended look. "Pfft. As if."
---
A few hours into Logan's watch, he heard movement. Something—or someone—was close.
He signaled to William, who silently grabbed a makeshift club he'd carved earlier. Logan motioned for him to stay low as he crept toward the noise.
Near the edge of the clearing, he spotted two figures sneaking around their camp.
Scouts? No… they're too unorganized.
One of them—a tall, lanky guy with night vision goggles—was whispering to the other. "You sure this is the right team?"
"Yeah," the shorter one replied. "I saw them setting up here."
Logan exhaled slowly. They were from the Human Academy—probably trying to steal supplies.
He gave William a quick hand signal: Flank left.
William nodded and vanished into the darkness.
Logan stepped forward, deliberately snapping a twig under his boot. The two intruders froze.
"Looking for something?" Logan asked, his voice calm but firm.
The tall one immediately grabbed a knife. "Shit, we've been made."
Before he could react, William tackled him from the side, slamming him into a tree.
The shorter guy turned to run—but Logan was already on him.
He grabbed the guy's wrist, twisting it just enough to make him drop his weapon. The guy yelped, struggling, but Logan forced him to his knees.
Jessica and Matthew woke up from the noise. Jessica immediately reached for her knife, but Logan shook his head. "We got them."
Matthew yawned. "Already? Damn, I was hoping for a bit more action."
William held the tall guy in a headlock. "Who sent you?"
The guy hesitated before sighing. "No one. We were just trying to swipe some extra rations."
Jessica crossed her arms. "And you thought we'd just let you?"
The shorter guy looked at Logan. "You're Holt, right? The esper?"
Logan raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. Why?"
The guy smirked. "Darius Cross said you'd be tough to mess with."
Matthew groaned. "That guy again? Is he sponsoring people to test us or something?"
The shorter guy shrugged. "He's watching. That's all I know."
Logan glanced at William, who gave him a look that said, What do we do with them?
After a moment, Logan sighed. "Take your friend and leave. But if I catch you snooping around again, we won't be so nice next time."
The two quickly scrambled up and disappeared into the woods.
Jessica shook her head. "I don't like this. Darius is playing a game."
William smirked. "Then let's make sure we win."
---
The next morning, the team packed up and moved deeper into the forest.
According to the map, their first challenge was located near an abandoned watchtower about four miles west.
Matthew groaned. "Why couldn't we get a challenge that involves sitting down?"
Jessica rolled her eyes. "Because that's not how survival works."
As they neared the watchtower, they spotted three other teams already there—including Darius Cross's squad.
The challenge was posted on a wooden board near the base of the tower.
Challenge 1: The Tower Trial
One member must climb to the top and retrieve the flag.
The others must defend against rival teams.
No weapons, just hand-to-hand combat.
William grinned. "Well, this just got interesting."
Darius, already at the tower, turned and smirked at Logan.
"I was hoping you'd show up."