Theodore Selaris watched the deployment debriefing from the observation gallery, his expression carefully neutral.
He'd positioned himself here specifically to assess the joint operation. To observe how Republic and foreign students interacted under combat pressure. To identify vulnerabilities he could exploit in his ongoing campaign.
What he observed was… problematic.
Mara's performance had been exceptional. Undeniably, frustratingly exceptional.
His intelligence network had classified her as low priority. Still Fledgling. Technically skilled but lacking the raw power to be threatening. Someone who could be pressured through resource denial and social exclusion without significant risk.
That assessment was now catastrophically outdated.
She'd integrated a rare core. Advanced to Initiate. Demonstrated combat capability that impressed even Ashmar students who'd spent weeks establishing dominance over Republic recruits.
