The Extra Who Will Swallow The Plot-Chapter 127: Teams A & Team B

Raze found Fedora and Darius at the kingdom’s center, both seated at a makeshift planning table someone had constructed from spare materials. Papers were spread before them, handwritten notes tracking kingdom member capabilities, resource allocations, and scheduling considerations that would keep thirty people productive without overwhelming anyone.

He approached quietly, observing their work before announcing his presence. The organizational structure they’d developed was thorough, categorizing people by cultivation rank, combat specialization, and demonstrated capabilities during the beast horde defense. Color-coded sections indicated who needed additional combat training versus who required cultivation guidance versus who would benefit most from tactical instruction.

’They’ve put genuine thought into this,’ Raze noted, scanning the documentation with approval. ’Not just arbitrary assignments, but strategic placement based on actual assessment of individual strengths and weaknesses. That’s the kind of leadership that builds functional kingdoms rather than just collections of people following orders without understanding why.’

Fedora noticed him first, looking up from her notes with an expression that suggested she’d been expecting his arrival. "We’ve finished the initial organizational framework. Everyone has assigned responsibilities, meal schedules are coordinated to prevent Mess Hall overcrowding, and we’ve established rotation for perimeter patrol duties."

Darius gestured to the papers before them. "We also compiled a preliminary assessment of who needs what kind of training focus. Some members are solid combatants but weak cultivators, others have strong cores but poor technique application. The variation means one-size-fits-all training won’t be optimally effective."

"Good work," Raze said, settling into a position where he could review their documentation properly. "Show me what you’ve developed."

They spent the next twenty minutes walking through their organizational structure, explaining the reasoning behind various decisions and highlighting areas where they weren’t certain about the optimal approach. Raze listened carefully, offering occasional suggestions but mostly letting them present their complete vision before providing feedback.

The framework was solid. Not perfect, there were inefficiencies and oversights that would need correction, but substantially better than he’d expected from people with minimal leadership experience. Fedora’s Precognition had clearly informed several decisions, her ability to see potential futures allowing her to avoid approaches that would create problems down the line. Darius’s analytical mind had optimized resource distribution and scheduling with precision that suggested natural talent for logistical planning.

"This is functional," Raze confirmed once they’d finished their presentation. "Implement it as designed, monitor for issues, adjust as needed based on what actually works versus what we think should work. Theory and practice don’t always align perfectly, so stay flexible."

He stood, moving to a position where he could address the gathered kingdom members who’d congregated near the center after finishing their meals. His posture shifted subtly, bearing changing from casual to authoritative in ways that immediately drew attention even before he spoke.

"Everyone, gather closer," Raze called, voice carrying across the area without needing to shout. "We need to discuss how this kingdom will function going forward."

The kingdom members assembled quickly, forming a loose semicircle that provided clear sightlines while maintaining reasonable personal space. Conversations died as attention focused on their King, anticipation visible across multiple faces about what he might announce.

Raze waited until everyone was settled before beginning, his expression serious but not grim.

"I’ve made changes that will bolster our growth as a kingdom," he said, voice clear and measured. "Purchased infrastructure that provides training capabilities beyond what we’d have access to otherwise. Enhanced our defensive positions to withstand stronger assaults than the basic walls could handle. These investments consume Kingdom Points we earned through collective success during the beast horde defense, resources I’m allocating toward making all of you stronger rather than hoarding for personal benefit."

He paused, scanning faces and noting who looked grateful versus who looked like they’d expected such treatment as their due.

"I’m not certain what the Academy staff are planning," Raze continued, tone shifting toward something more cautionary. "But I can guarantee they’re observing everything we do, noting our strengths and weaknesses, designing tests specifically to challenge whatever structures we build during this grace period. That’s how competent instruction works. You don’t test students on what they’re already good at, you find their vulnerabilities and force improvement through targeted pressure."

Several kingdom members shifted uncomfortably at that assessment, clearly not having considered that the two-day rest period might be strategic observation rather than genuine kindness.

"So we’re going to prepare," Raze stated flatly. "Train harder than other kingdoms, develop capabilities they’re not expecting, build redundancy into our structures so single points of failure don’t collapse everything when challenged. And we’re going to do it through organized team structure rather than individual training that doesn’t account for how you’ll need to function during actual tests."

He gestured toward Fedora and Darius.

"I’m splitting the Westia kingdom into two teams. Team A will be led by Fedora, Team B by Darius. Whichever team you’re assigned to, that’s where you function. You train together, fight together, develop chemistry that makes coordinated action instinctive rather than requiring constant communication. We’ll have matches periodically, team clashes that let you practice against opponents who know your capabilities and are actively trying to counter them."

Interest sharpened across the assembled group, competitive spirits clearly intrigued by the prospect of structured internal competition.

"I’ll also train with you when circumstances allow," Raze added. "Though my schedule includes King-specific classes that will occupy substantial time. When I’m available, I’ll rotate between teams, provide direct instruction, techniques you should be incorporating into your own practice."

He pulled up his bracelet interface, reviewing the preliminary assessments Fedora and Darius had compiled.

"Team assignments are based on balancing overall capability rather than just putting all the strongest members together. Each team needs a mix of cultivation ranks, combat specializations, and tactical approaches. The goal is creating functional units, not stacking one team to dominate the other."

Raze began reading names, alternating between Team A and Team B with deliberate attention to maintaining rough parity. Fedora’s team received slightly more members with defensive specializations, reflecting her authority’s effectiveness at controlling space and protecting allies. Darius’s team skewed toward aggressive fighters, complementing his technique’s offensive applications.

Helena went to Team A, her spear work and defensive mindset fitting well with Fedora’s leadership style. Garrett joined Team B, his rapid response capabilities matching Darius’s preference for mobile aggressive tactics. The other Pieces were distributed to balance leadership across both teams, ensuring neither group was over-supervised while maintaining adequate command structure. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The general members were assigned with similar attention to balance. Julian’s stealth capabilities went to Team B where Darius could incorporate intelligence gathering into offensive operations. Lysa’s scholarly background placed her with Team A where Fedora could utilize her analytical skills for strategic planning. Each assignment had reasoning behind it, though Raze didn’t explain all his logic aloud.

"Those are your teams," Raze concluded once all thirty names had been assigned. "Memorize who you’re working with. Start developing familiarity with their capabilities, communication styles, and tactical preferences. The better you know your team, the more effectively you’ll function when circumstances don’t allow time for detailed coordination."

He closed the interface and returned his attention to the assembled kingdom.

"Tonight, rest properly. Eat well, sleep adequately, let your bodies recover from this morning’s conditioning. Because starting tomorrow, training intensifies beyond what you’re probably expecting. I purchased a Master rank Training Ground that provides enhanced mana density for cultivation advancement and golem sparring partners for combat practice against Authority users. We’ll be utilizing that facility extensively, pushing everyone toward capabilities you don’t currently believe you possess."

The mixture of excitement and apprehension across various faces suggested his message was landing as intended. Some people were eager for the challenge, others were nervous about what "training intensifying" might actually mean in practice.

"Questions?" Raze asked, though his tone suggested he wasn’t particularly interested in lengthy discussion.

A hand raised tentatively from the middle of Team B. Cole, his young Pawn, looking uncertain but determined to speak anyway. "My King, will the team structure be permanent or will you rotate assignments periodically?"

"Permanent for now," Raze replied. "Rotating would prevent you from developing the deep familiarity that makes teams effective. If specific individuals demonstrate they’d function better in different teams, we’ll make adjustments. But the default assumption is that these assignments stick unless a clear reason emerges to change them."

Another hand, this one from Team A. One of the general members whose name Raze was still cementing in memory. "What happens if our team loses during the matches you mentioned? Are there penalties or consequences beyond just losing?"

"Losing is consequence enough," Raze said bluntly. "You’ll know you were weaker, slower, less coordinated than the opposition. That knowledge should motivate improvement without needing artificial penalties. Though I may offer small rewards to winning teams, Academy Points or priority access to training resources, just to add stakes beyond pride."

A few more questions emerged, mostly clarifications about scheduling and logistics that Darius and Fedora handled since they’d been managing those details. Raze let his Pieces field the easier inquiries, stepping in only when questions touched on strategic decisions requiring his direct input.

"Dismissed," he finally said when the questions dried up. "Rest well. Tomorrow will be demanding."

The kingdom members dispersed, conversations breaking out immediately as people discussed team assignments and speculated about what training would involve. Raze caught fragments as they moved away, a mixture of excitement and concern that suggested healthy respect for the challenges ahead without paralyzing fear.

Fedora and Darius remained behind, both clearly recognizing there was more to discuss.

"Team structure makes sense," Fedora said, reviewing her assigned members. "We’ll need to establish internal communication protocols, make sure everyone understands their roles within team tactics. My Precognition will help coordinate complex maneuvers, but only if people trust my instructions during combat."

"I’ll work on integration drills," Darius added. "Get Team B comfortable fighting in coordinated formations rather than as individuals who happen to be near each other. Breathflow methodology emphasizes efficiency, which scales well to group tactics when everyone’s synchronized properly."

"Good," Raze approved. "Start that work tomorrow after I’ve run initial training sessions. I want a baseline assessment of current capabilities before you begin team-specific development. No point optimizing group tactics if individuals are too weak to execute them effectively."

They discussed logistics for another few minutes before Raze dismissed them to handle evening preparations. The sun was setting, painting the kingdom’s territory in orange and gold that made everything look more peaceful than it actually was.

Raze spent the evening hours reviewing the Training Ground’s specifications again, familiarizing himself with control systems and available options so he wouldn’t waste time fumbling with interfaces tomorrow. The facility offered extensive customization, terrain types ranging from open plains to dense forest to urban environments, golem configurations spanning all six basic elemental authorities across full cultivation rank spectrum.

’I should test it myself first,’ he decided, planning tomorrow’s schedule. ’Understand the facility’s capabilities and limitations before subjecting kingdom members to training I haven’t personally verified is appropriate. Plus it’ll give me a chance to practice without Asura’s assistance, develop my base capabilities further before relying on a merger for serious threats.’

The night settled over the Academy’s territories, stars emerging overhead in patterns that looked almost too perfect to be natural. Raze returned to his quarters, finding Bephe already curled up outside the door in what had apparently become the prehistoric predator’s preferred sleeping location.

"Tomorrow you’re staying here," Raze informed the creature, scratching behind his ear ridge. "I need to test the Training Ground alone, assess what I can handle independently versus what requires your assistance. Understand?"

Bephe made a grumbling sound that might have been protest or acknowledgment. Hard to tell with a prehistoric predator whose communication consisted primarily of rumbles and growls.

Raze entered his quarters and prepared for sleep with the same methodical efficiency he applied to everything else. Quick wash, comfortable clothes, stretching to maintain flexibility despite the day’s accumulated minor strains. His bed was exactly as he’d left it that morning, simple functionality that provided adequate rest without unnecessary comfort.

Sleep claimed him quickly, consciousness fading into darkness that brought neither dreams nor nighttime training sessions with Asura. Just pure rest, body recovering from exertions while mind processed the day’s events and prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.

He woke before dawn, internal clock calibrated through months of maintaining a strict schedule regardless of circumstances. The kingdom was still quiet, nobody else stirring yet in the pre-dawn darkness. Perfect timing for what he intended.

Raze dressed in his Academy tracksuit, the practical garments comfortable and non-restrictive. He considered bringing Bephe, then decided against it. The prehistoric predator would want to participate, and this session was specifically about testing his own capabilities without assistance from bound companions or ancient entities dwelling within his consciousness.

He slipped out of his quarters silently, leaving Bephe sleeping across the doorway. The creature stirred slightly but didn’t wake, apparently trusting that his master could handle a short absence without requiring constant supervision.

The Training Ground stood at the kingdom’s eastern sector, exterior unchanged from yesterday but somehow more imposing in the pre-dawn gloom. Raze approached the entrance, that simple doorway without an actual door, and stepped through into whatever waited beyond.

Space distorted immediately, reality folding around him in ways that defied normal geometry. The sensation was disorienting for just an instant before his mind adjusted, accepting the impossible transition from exterior entrance to interior space that shouldn’t exist within the building’s apparent dimensions.

He materialized in a singular room suspended in void. The space was vast, easily a hundred meters across in all directions, with a floor that felt solid despite appearing to float on nothing. Walls didn’t exist in the traditional sense, just boundaries where the floor ended and infinite darkness began. Above, the void stretched upward indefinitely, creating the impression of standing in a bubble of reality surrounded by primordial emptiness.

’Compartmentalized feature,’ Raze realized, understanding the Training Ground’s spatial configuration. ’Thirty individual rooms like this existing in separate dimensional pockets, all accessible through the same entrance but isolated from each other. That’s how it accommodates multiple simultaneous users without interference or space constraints.’

The isolation was complete. No sounds from outside, no awareness of other kingdom members who might be using different compartments. Just him, the void, and whatever training scenarios he chose to create.

A control panel manifested against the far wall, a crystalline interface that responded to his approach by lighting up with available options. Beside it, motionless and inert, stood rows of humanoid golems. Dozens of them, identical in basic form but clearly designed to activate with different capabilities based on user selection.

Raze studied the control panel, navigating through menus that offered extensive customization. Terrain selection showed every environment type he’d seen listed in the facility specifications: plains, forest, mountains, desert, urban, arctic, volcanic, aquatic. Each with sub-options for weather conditions, time of day, visibility levels.

Golem configuration was equally detailed. Cultivation rank from Novice through Master Peak, selectable in precise increments rather than broad categories. Authority assignment choosing from Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Lightning, or Ice, each with complexity settings that determined how sophisticated the golem’s elemental techniques would be.

Combat behavior offered aggressive, defensive, balanced, or tactical options. Intelligence scaling from basic pattern recognition to sophisticated strategic thinking. Even physical appearance could be modified, though that seemed purely aesthetic rather than functional.

’Let’s not ease into this,’ Raze thought, making his selections with deliberate challenge in mind. ’I need to understand my actual limits, and that requires pushing hard enough to find where capability ends and failure begins.’

He set the terrain to a desert, harsh environment with minimal cover and intense heat that would test endurance alongside combat skill. The ground beneath him transformed immediately, solid floor becoming sand that shifted underfoot. Heat washed over him, temperature spiking from comfortable to oppressive in seconds. The void’s darkness was replaced by merciless sun overhead, light so bright it made eyes water.

For the golem, Raze selected Master Peak rank. The highest available setting, representing an opponent that should be substantially stronger than his Master Low cultivation suggested he could handle. Then he assigned Lightning Authority, choosing one of the more dangerous elemental types specifically because it would force him to fight carefully rather than relying on superior attributes.

Combat behavior set to tactical, intelligence maximized to sophisticated strategic thinking. He wanted an opponent that would adapt to his techniques, counter his strategies, force genuine problem-solving rather than just mechanical execution of practiced patterns.

’This is dangerous,’ he acknowledged, finalizing his selections. ’Master Peak golem with Lightning Authority and maximized intelligence could legitimately kill me if the fight goes badly. But the security protocols should prevent permanent damage, and I need to know if I can handle threats at this level without Asura’s assistance or merger activation.’

The control panel confirmed his selections and asked for final authorization. Raze pressed the confirmation, and reality responded immediately.

At the desert terrain’s center, one of the golems activated. The construct was humanoid in general shape but clearly artificial, a body composed of what looked like polished stone etched with glowing patterns that pulsed with internal energy. Its form was athletic rather than bulky, built for speed and precision rather than raw power. Eyes blazed with electric blue light that crackled with barely contained voltage.

The golem moved, and even that simple motion demonstrated the vast difference between Master Peak and Master Low capability. Its speed was extraordinary, crossing twenty meters in eyeblink to take position at the desert arena’s center. Lightning arced across its body, corona of electrical energy that made the air smell of ozone and created static charge that made Raze’s hair stand slightly on end despite the distance between them.

The construct settled into a combat stance, studying him with intelligence that suggested genuine tactical awareness rather than simple programming. It was evaluating threat level, cataloging his cultivation rank and visible equipment, probably already developing strategies for how to approach this fight based on apparent capability differential.

Raze drew his katana, the blade sliding free with soft metallic sound that was almost lost in the desert’s ambient noise. He moved into his own stance, weight balanced and ready to trigger Void Step at the first sign of attack. His expression remained neutral, poker face firmly in place despite the nervousness he felt internally about challenging opponents this far above his supposed cultivation level.

’No Asura,’ he reminded himself. ’No merger, no transformation. Just my base capabilities enhanced by my bloodline and refined through training. Either I’m strong enough to handle this independently, or I’m not and the security protocols save me from my own overconfidence.’

The golem’s eyes flared brighter, electrical discharge intensifying around its form. It was preparing to engage, tactical intelligence having completed initial assessment and developed opening strategy.

Raze’s anticipation peaked, every sense sharpening to combat readiness as he prepared for what would either validate his development or reveal he still had substantial distance to cover before approaching genuine competence.

The Master Peak Lightning Golem surged forward.