Two weeks after my meeting with Professor Blackthorne, the Academy's attention on my development had evolved from professional interest to active monitoring. I discovered this when Elena mentioned overhearing conversations between faculty members about "the Veridian situation" and "appropriate response protocols for anomalous development patterns."
System Analysis had been tracking the escalating scrutiny, providing daily assessments of risk factors and mitigation strategies. The skill was proving even more valuable than I'd anticipated, offering insights into everything from optimal study schedules to the political implications of dining hall seating choices.
[Current Status Assessment]
Level: 1 (EXP: 167/100) - Ready for Level 2
Academy Standing: Top 15% of Advanced Track
Risk Profile: Elevated - Multiple monitoring protocols active
Strategic Priority: Maintain excellence while providing plausible explanations for capabilities
"You seem distracted lately," Lydia observed as Team Beta gathered for our weekly strategy session in the Academy library. "Everything okay?"
I glanced around the study area, using System Analysis to identify potential eavesdroppers or surveillance methods. The skill indicated three separate magical monitoring spells within range, though none seemed specifically targeted at our conversation.
"Just thinking about long-term development priorities," I replied carefully. "We've been successful with our current approach, but the Academy's going to start expecting even higher performance levels."
"Because of our dungeon exercise results?" Marcus asked. "I heard Professor Martinez has been using our tactical coordination as a case study for other teams."
Elena leaned forward, her Scout instincts clearly detecting something in my tone. "There's more to it than that, isn't there? You've been analyzing everything even more intensively than usual, and that's saying something."
I made a decision based on System Analysis projections about team loyalty and discretion capabilities. These three had proven themselves trustworthy, and hiding information from them was becoming counterproductive.
"The Academy's paying very close attention to my development," I said quietly. "Apparently, my performance patterns don't match normal progression curves, and they're trying to understand why."
"Because of your Title abilities?" Lydia asked.
"Partly. But also because I'm demonstrating capabilities that should require more experience to develop." I paused, then added, "The problem is that the attention isn't just coming from Academy faculty anymore."
Marcus frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Hunter Association representatives have been asking questions. Corporate recruiters are making inquiries. And according to Professor Blackthorne, there are other organizations showing interest as well."
Elena's expression became serious. "How much attention are we talking about?"
System Analysis provided a comprehensive threat assessment based on observed surveillance patterns and information requests I'd become aware of through various sources.
"Moderate but increasing," I replied. "Nothing immediately dangerous, but the kind of scrutiny that could become problematic if my abilities continue developing faster than expected."
"Which they will," Lydia said with certainty. "Your analytical capabilities are clearly still growing, and if your Title grants progressive enhancement, the performance gap will only become more obvious."
She was right, of course. System Analysis was becoming more powerful as I gained experience with different types of challenges, and my next creation would likely be even more impactful than the first.
"So what's the plan?" Marcus asked. "Because we're not going to suggest you start underperforming. That would be both suspicious and wasteful."
I smiled, appreciating their immediate assumption that we would face this challenge together rather than suggesting I handle it alone.
"Information management," I said. "We continue demonstrating excellence, but we provide plausible explanations for why that excellence is developing so quickly. Family resources, intensive study, natural talent, whatever works for specific situations."
"And we make sure you have allies who can provide protection if the attention becomes problematic," Elena added. "Both within the Academy and in the broader Hunter community."
"Exactly. Which brings me to something I wanted to discuss with all of you." I pulled out several documents I'd been preparing. "Advanced Track students can form permanent teams starting in their second year. Official recognition, shared resources, coordinated mission assignments."
Lydia's eyes lit up as she scanned the team formation paperwork. "You want to formalize Team Beta? That's a significant commitment—permanent teams are bound by Academy regulations and Hunter Association protocols."
"It's also protection," Marcus pointed out. "Official team members have certain rights and responsibilities that make it harder for outside organizations to recruit or pressure individual members."
Elena nodded slowly. "And it would give us legitimate reasons to coordinate closely and share information that might otherwise seem suspicious."
System Analysis confirmed their assessments. Formal team registration would provide both practical benefits and political protection, while also establishing a foundation for long-term cooperation beyond Academy graduation.
"There's one more consideration," I said. "Permanent teams are eligible for advanced mission assignments and specialized training programs. Including some that provide access to restricted Academy resources."
"Such as?" Lydia asked.
"Advanced magical research facilities. Historical archives with information about rare abilities and unusual phenomena. Direct mentorship from Master-level Hunters." I paused for emphasis. "Resources that could help us understand and develop abilities that don't fit standard classification systems."
The implication was clear—formal team status would provide legitimate access to information and training that could help me optimize my unique capabilities while maintaining institutional protection.
"I'm in," Elena said immediately. "This team works better than any group I've ever been part of, and having official recognition would make everything easier."
"Same here," Marcus agreed. "Besides, permanent teams get priority access to high-level dungeon expeditions. The experience opportunities alone would be worth it."
Lydia was quiet for a moment, studying the paperwork with her characteristic thoroughness. Finally, she looked up with a grin. "When do we file the registration?"
An hour later, we submitted our permanent team formation request to the Academy Administration. Team Beta was officially becoming more than just a class assignment—we were establishing ourselves as a coordinated unit within the Hunter community.
[Team Formation Complete]
[New Status: Official Academy Team Beta]
[Members: Aldric Veridian (Leader), Lydia Chen (Magical Specialist), Marcus Webb (Defensive Coordinator), Elena Frost (Scout/Reconnaissance)]
[Benefits Unlocked: Advanced resources, priority mission access, institutional protection]
The response to our team registration was immediate and revealing. Within hours, we received congratulatory messages from several Academy faculty members, mission offers from local Hunter Guilds, and recruitment inquiries from corporate entities I'd never heard of.
"Popular team," Elena observed as we reviewed the various communications in our newly assigned team coordination room. "Some of these offers are remarkably generous for first-year students."
System Analysis evaluated each inquiry, categorizing them by legitimacy, potential value, and hidden agendas.
[Recruitment Analysis]
[Legitimate Opportunities: 60% - Standard Hunter Guild outreach]
[Corporate Recruitment: 25% - Research positions, unusual focus on analytical capabilities]
[Suspicious Inquiries: 15% - Sources unclear, objectives ambiguous]
"Most of them seem standard," I said, "but there are a few that feel like fishing expeditions rather than genuine opportunities."
Lydia picked up one of the more suspicious messages. "This one claims to be from a 'Strategic Development Initiative' but doesn't specify which organization they represent. They're specifically interested in students with 'unconventional problem-solving approaches.'"
"Classic intelligence gathering," Marcus said with certainty. "My father dealt with similar inquiries when he was developing his defensive techniques. Organizations that won't identify themselves are usually looking for information rather than offering genuine opportunities."
Elena examined several of the corporate messages. "These are more straightforward but still concerning. Multiple companies asking specifically about team leadership methodologies and analytical enhancement techniques. Someone's been talking about your capabilities to people outside the Academy."
The realization was troubling but not unexpected. System Analysis had projected that formal team registration would increase visibility, but the speed and specificity of the external interest suggested more active information sharing than I'd anticipated.
"We need to be more careful about operational security," I said. "Assume that everything we do in Academy facilities is being monitored and reported to various interested parties."
"Which means what, exactly?" Lydia asked.
"We continue normal activities and maintain our performance standards, but we avoid discussing anything sensitive in monitored locations. Real strategic planning happens in private, secure environments."
Elena grinned. "Good thing one of us is a Scout with training in counter-surveillance techniques."
As the day progressed, the implications of our new status became clearer. Team Beta had gained official recognition and institutional support, but we'd also become a more visible target for organizations interested in acquiring or monitoring exceptional talents.
The game was escalating, and we needed to be prepared for whatever came next.