Halfway through

But what was the point of staying at the center, staying lukewarm in a hot or cold world?... He was still regarded as an average cadet with little chance of breaking the roof set by the geniuses and talents of Guardian Academy.

The best he could hope for was that he wouldn't be used as cannon fodder once it was his time to get sent down to the blue planet.

He dreaded the expedition but he couldn't back out even if he wanted to.

He had already gotten in and leaving wasn't an option, thus he could only bid his time until he was finally kicked out for being too average.

In all honesty, he felt invigorated after learning about the prodigy that was Nathaniel Holt.

A fellow cadet that didn't fit into the talents and geniuses of their generation.

In fact, he couldn't be regarded as an average cadet. He was worse than mediocre and his stats made it clear that no matter what, he would never be able to be better than mediocre.