Picking Sides

Tobias' POV

Tuesday morning came colder than expected. The air had that clean, sharp feel of winter, but no snow—just frost webbing the windows of the dorm. I blinked awake to the hum of the overhead heater, struggling like everything else in this place.

My roommates were already up, muttering over a tablet that projected leaderboard stats in faint blue light against the wall. The tallest one—Erik or Alec—looked over.

"Yo, Anderson," he said, voice too loud for how early it was. "You wanna squad up for the trials? Could use someone like you."

I sat up slowly, running a hand through my hair. I hated the cold, it drains the life out of me. I didn't feel like wasting energy on rejections this early.

"Sure," I said. "Why not."

They lit up like they'd won the lottery.

"Seriously?" Milo asked.

I shrugged. "Don't make it weird."

There weren't that bad so I didn't mind teaming up. If I found someone better, I could always swap out without hesitation. Nothing was locked in—not really.

The dorm hallway was dim and half-awake, cold seeping through the concrete beneath my socks. Some students were already buzzing with energy, rushing to secure teammates or brag about who they'd locked in. Others, like me, moved quietly, eyes sharp.

I took a turn down the east wing and saw Lucas up ahead—blonde, smug, already flanked by two followers. He spotted me, eyes lighting up like he was about to launch into one of his monologues.

I pivoted fast, took the stairs down instead. Didn't need the headache.

Liam was waiting near the common hall entrance, arms crossed, looking like he hadn't slept. He wore the academy blazer over a hoodie, too formal and too casual at the same time. Typical.

"You're late," he said.

"By five minutes, cut me some slack."

He gave me a look, then smirked. "You pick anyone yet?"

"Working on it. I reviewed yesterdays' virtual hellscape so I have a few in mind"

We stepped into the main hall. Glass skylights above us let in gray morning light. The floor was polished tile, already scuffed from a dozen students sparring or showing off their abilities. Sound bounced off the high walls—laughter, insults, footsteps, bursts of kinetic energy.

A screen on the far wall displayed the active leaderboard. Names were shifting minute by minute as students registered their teams.

We had an unspoken agreement not to register any teams till this morning but half of the applicants had already joined teams. I guess five minutes matters a lot.

I made my way toward the center where Alice stood, arms folded, talking to Anna and some tall guy I didn't recognize.

"Alice," I said. "You look imposing, as usual."

She glanced back, amused. "What do you want?"

"Join my team."

She didn't miss a beat. Just laughed, sharp, dismissive and turned away.

Liam just stared at me dumbfounded, "Did you miss the part that she hates your entire being."

"It was worth a try," I said with a smirk.

I turned to Anna. "You?"

She shook her head. "Already with Alice."

Figures.

I scanned the room. Crowds shifted like puzzle pieces, students moving fast. I needed strength, but not noise. Loyalty was optional—function was not.

Toward the edge of the hall, leaning against the wall like she didn't care if anyone approached, was a girl near the top of the board—#9. Her gaze tracked movement like it was instinct.

She stood out in group three, I wouldn't want to take a hit from her. Her only shortcoming was her teamwork, but we could work with that. We walked over.

"We need a close range dealer," Liam said. I guess I wasn't the only one doing research.

She looked at me sideways, unimpressed.

"You're direct," she said.

"You didn't look like the talkative type, figured I should skip the formalities."

A faint smirk. "Fine."

That was it.

Next came #10. I remembered her from test—terraforming the ground in the gallery with a flick of her wrist. Didn't talk much. Liked corners.

She joined with a nod. No questions.

The rest of my options were already taken—so we went to get my roommates. Not my first draft picks, but they'd have to do.

That made seven.

I didn't smile. Didn't react.

Just nodded to Liam as the team list locked in on his tablet.

Sides were forming. Lines being drawn.

And the trials hadn't even started yet.