Rise of the Crusader

As the students in the year-1 elite division received the new mission alert, and the date that was proposed, everyone began making preparation immediately.

They were going to be leaving the academy premises tomorrow.

A few hours had passed since the notification, and once it was evening, the students all gathered in the classroom for the class they were having.

"I'm Nora Stinson, and I will be taking your business course," A middle-aged woman putting on a black blazer, white shirt, and a black pantsuit stood in front of the students.

The woman's eyes were blue, and her brown hair was cut into a flare cut. Though she had a fairly broad-shouldered torso, she possessed a buxom figure. Additionally, she was wearing a pair of earrings on her ears.

"Let me tell to four things about myself and how I expect my class to be. I'm not your friend, you listen attentively in my class, you speak when I say you should, don't try to play any silly game with me in the class. And lastly, I don't play fair." Nora said.

"You said four… But, that's five things!" It was Jackson that spoke.

And in response, Nora's lips curved slightly, "See? Not playing fair already. And I'm just getting started."

"I have heard a lot of comments about you from Emily, and while Emily and the others might be able to tolerate your behaviors, I won't. I can be painfully vindictive, and I also expect you to get to my class ten minutes before I'm here."

Nora had just finished her word when four students appeared in the classroom. As the four of them entered the classroom, two gave her a slight nod, and for the remaining two, sat on the chairs with a smile on their face.

Nora's eyebrows were lowered, and then pulled together when she saw the four students that just appeared in her classroom.

"Devon, Raphael, Aiden, and Bane right? I have been told that being late is a common habit for the four of you." Nora said, "But you see that wouldn't be happening next in my class because if you do so each of you will be paying a sum of five hundred thousand points."

"What?!!!!!!!!" Bane exclaimed when he heard what Nora had just said.

Nora, however, simply raised an eyebrow, "You can test me out, and see whether I'm joking or not… Don't also think if you don't have that amount, you will be spared. All the items you own will be confiscated until you provide the points."

A deep frown couldn't help but appear on the four of their faces when they heard Nora. Aiden and Bane stared at Devon, and it was as though the both of them wanted to pounce on them.

This time around, it wasn't Raphael who didn't come out of the room on time, but instead, it was Devon who delayed.

"It doesn't only apply to the four of them, but also all of you!" Seeing the smile a few of the students had on their faces, Nora's voice rang out.

The smiles which were on their faces vanished the instant they heard Nora, and a cold expression emerged right away.

"Now let's get down to business. I believe you have all received the mission notification," Nora said, and receiving a nod from a couple of them, she said, "But, this time around, the academy has decided to adopt a new set of rules."

"You will still be taught in the same classes, but when working on the mission, you will be in a different squad. As according to the rules within the universe, three-man squads are optimal. So in this case, twenty-one students would be arranged into seven squads."

"Or, better still, seven teams. It's more or less like what you did during your previous mission, but instead of you all forming the teams, that would be done by the academy."

As Nora spoke, she brought a piece of paper from her pocket. "I won't repeat my word, so you should listen attentively."

"Team 1 – Mason, Becky, and Melinda!"

"Team 2 – Norma, Camille, and Jackson!"

"Team 3 – Savannah, Sean, and Bane!"

"Team 4 – Ethan, Edward, and Levi!"

There were all sorts of reactions from the students when they heard their teammates. And after Nora announces the fourth team, she paused and then stared at Levi and the twins.

"The academy was impressed by the three of your performance in your previous mission, and as such, they arranged you altogether," Nora said.

A proud smile appeared on Levi's face when he heard Nora. He folded his hands across his chest, as to him, Nora had indirectly told him that the academy had eyes on him.

"Team 5 – Sylvia, Devon, and Xavier!"

As Nora got down to the final six, Melinda and Becky's hands were clenched into a tight fist. The both of them were seriously hoping that the academy would pair their friend and one other person together because only that way would things become smooth.

However, both of them were left shaken, when Nora's voice rang out.

"Team 6 – Aiden, Elisa, and Martha!"

"Team 7 – Aliyah and Dwayne and Raphael!" A second after Nora announced the sixth team, she called the seventh team immediately.

Melinda and Becky's eyes twitched when they heard who the members of team seven were. Their hands were placed on their head, and they were left dumbfounded.

As for Raphael, his eyebrows furrowed, and as he stared at Dwayne and most especially Aliyah, he heaved a deep breath. "The universe is really toying with me," Raphael mumbled in a low voice.

Nora, who was in front of the class was completely oblivious to all that was going on, "Each team was chosen based on performances and compatibility."

"Th-" Nora paused as Melinda stood from her seat.

"Are you certain they aren't a mistake somewhere!" Melinda abruptly said.

Nora glared at Melinda for a few seconds before then shaking her head. "The teams weren't just chosen based on the mission performance, but it was also recommended by the teachers who tutored you all both in class, and training."

"There is no mistake in the selection!!! I say you stick with the arrangement because there won't be a change occurring anytime soon… Well, except if one of you dies!"

As Becky and Melinda heard Nora, a demonic smile appeared on their face as they stared at Aliyah.

"Y-You…" A few seconds after a blade made of bones appeared on Melinda's base knuckles, the bones shrunk back immediately. Melinda shifted her gaze towards Elisa, and seeing her shaking her head, Melinda heaved a deep breath.

Becky also heaved a deep breath, before then focusing her attention back on Nora.

"Let's move to the next phase." Nora said, "Each team is assigned different missions, but the missions are related to the business course in some cases. so I will be educating you on what you should expect in the field.

Nora took the black marker on the desk and then wrote the following word on the whiteboard.

"Analytics ability!"

"In the missions, you would take during your next few years in the academy, some of you would be encountering powerful businessmen, and some might even get the chance to work with them."

Nora said then began walking around the classroom, "I won't dismiss that before absolute strength, all attempts are in vain. But they are some cases whereby, with wits and studying theories, you can achieve the impossible."

"The academy has entrusted me to impart to you all the various range of business skills."

"Most people have failed to realize the true beauty of business. The power that comes with becoming a successful businessman or woman is so astounding that you can rule the world if you like."

As Nora spoke, the students were all quiet, they listened attentively, as some words weren't false. A human might be powerful, but if he doesn't have communication and people skills, he will suffer in this petty world.

"There are generally infinite ways of solving problems in the business world, and these ways can also be applied in the real world."

"Today's class will be focused on analytical thinking and credible reasoning." Nora said, "I can assure you that when we are done with the range of skills, even if you do not become the most powerful metahuman in the world, you won't be far away from there."

"With excellent strategizing ability, quick decision-making, and terrific planning, I would like to see how you wouldn't have a spot in the world," Nora uttered with her hands folded across her chest.

The next few minutes were spent with Nora teaching all there is to know about both analytical thinking and credible reasoning.

Thinking practically and applying theory to experiences was what the analytical thinking was based on, and with Nora's persistence, the students were able to understand the notion.

RING!

"That will be all for today, I wish you good luck on your mission. Goodbye!" With that said, and Nora left the classroom.

The students also started leaving the classroom, as they would be leaving the academy very soon.