"Each SSS student will be responsible for their class."
Professor Halden frowned.
"Responsible in what sense?"
"Every sense that matters."
I began counting.
"Training coordination."
One finger.
"Battle formations."
Another.
"Team selection."
Another.
"Resource decisions."
Another.
"Strategy during competitive exercises."
Another.
"Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of their classmates."
I lowered my hand.
"And most importantly, consequences."
Darius's expression changed slightly.
I continued.
"There will no longer be an individual Academy ranking for their year."
The admissions director stared.
"No individual ranking at all?"
"No."
"Then how will we determine access to higher-tier resources?"
"Class ranking."
That landed.
Selene smiled slowly.
Now she could see the entire structure.
Darius could too.
His skepticism was disappearing.
I continued.
"Five classes."
I pointed toward the papers.
"Five rankings."
"First through fifth," Selene said.
