"Time!" Valerie called out, signaling the end of the drill. She lowered her weapon, a satisfied smile on her face. "Well done, everyone. You've made significant progress in a short amount of time."

The students relaxed, their breaths coming in heavy pants as they wiped the sweat from their brows. Adrian glanced around at his temporary teammates. They had worked hard and pushed themselves to their limits, and it showed.

"Remember the lessons from today," Valerie continued, her tone both stern and encouraging. "The Five-Point Star formation is just one tactic, but its principles of communication, adaptability, and mutual support apply to all team strategies. Keep practicing, and you'll only get better. Learning and mastering this will also help you to get better at any other teamwork tactic or formation."

"Yes."

"And now, let me give you feedback on your performance," Valeria stated her gaze landing on the five. "Though you quickly grasped the concept of the Five-Point Star formation and demonstrated good teamwork, there are areas where you can improve."

Valerie walked around the group, telling them about their mistakes and flaws while not forgetting to praise them.

"And lastly, the biggest mistake you had, in my opinion, was you all were too dependent on Adrian's orders."

"While Adrian's leadership was commendable, relying too heavily on a single person's direction can make you vulnerable," Valerie continued, her gaze steady and serious. "In a real battle, if your leader is incapacitated or unable to give orders, you need to be able to adapt and make decisions on your own. Each of you must be prepared to take the lead if necessary."

The students nodded, absorbing Valerie's feedback.

"Now, start practicing on your own. I will inspect and correct you as I walk through."

The students spread out across the training hall, forming smaller groups to practice the Five-Point Star formation on their own. Adrian and Aria reunited with their original team, they all exchanged understanding glances, ready to refine their teamwork and improve their individual skills.

As they resumed their practice, Valerie walked among the groups, offering guidance and corrections. She pointed out areas where they could tighten their formation, improve their communication, and better anticipate each other's movements. The hall echoed with the sounds of clashing weapons and the hum of magic, each group striving to perfect their coordination.

Adrian felt the weight of Valerie's earlier feedback. He knew he had a natural tendency to take the lead, but he also understood the importance of fostering a more balanced dynamic within the team. As they practiced, he made a conscious effort to encourage his teammates to voice their strategies and make quick decisions independently.

"Kairen, you call the next switch," Adrian suggested during one of their practice rounds. Kairen hesitated for a moment, then nodded, stepping into the role of decision-maker.

Valerie watched with a keen eye, noting their progress and the growing confidence in each member's leadership abilities. The hour passed quickly, filled with intense focus and determination from all the students.

"Time!" Valerie called out once more, signaling the end of the practice session. The students stopped, breathing heavily but with a sense of accomplishment in their eyes.

"Gather around," Valerie instructed, her tone serious yet encouraging. The students formed a semicircle around her, eager to hear her final remarks.

"You've all shown great improvement today," Valerie began, her gaze sweeping across the group. "Your dedication and hard work are evident. Remember, the Five-Point Star formation is just one tactic. The principles you've learned today will serve you well in many other team strategies."

She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "Now, I have an important announcement. While the joint class event is significant, there's another challenge on the horizon. At the end of the semester, the Arcane Academy's official annual competition will be held. It's the Annual Arcane Academy Championship Tournament."

A murmur of excitement rippled through the students.

"This competition includes various events, one of which is the 5-on-5 team matches," Valerie continued. "It's an opportunity for you to showcase your skills, not just as individuals but as a cohesive unit. The competition will be fierce, and the stakes high, but with the right preparation, you can achieve great things and rewards."

The students' eyes lit up with a mix of anticipation and determination. The annual competition was a prestigious event, and the chance to participate and win was a significant motivator.

"I expect you to continue practicing as a team," Valerie said, her voice firm. "Use the time between now and the competition to hone your strategies, build your teamwork, and support each other. The more you train together, the stronger you'll become."

Adrian felt another headache coming in at the mention of the competition. It would be the start of his downfall if he didn't find a solution after all.

"Now, you all are dismissed," Valerie concluded, offering them a rare smile. "And remember, greatness is achieved through perseverance and unity. Keep pushing your limits."

The students dispersed, buzzing with energy and the promise of the upcoming competition.

Adrian and his team directly headed to the cafeteria after leaving the Combat Training Hall.

Surprisingly, it was Adrian himself who suggested to eat together. The rest naturally agreed as it was rare for Adrian to eat in a cafeteria.

As they sat down and started eating, the atmosphere was light and filled with laughter. Adrian, who usually kept to himself, seemed more relaxed than usual, and his teammates took the opportunity to talk more and bond.

"Woah!"

"WuW!"

But their moment of camaraderie was interrupted by a sudden commotion at the entrance of the cafeteria. Heads turned, and whispers spread through the room like wildfire. The cause of the disturbance became clear as a group of second-year students strode in, their presence commanding immediate attention.

These were not just any second-years; they were members of the seven elites they fought just the day before yesterday.

"Here they come..." Adrian muttered placing the spoon on his mouth while his gaze landed on the two leading figures.

It was none other than the young man named Hardin who fought against Emeric and Reina who had a grudge against them.