After the remaining preparation days passed and the new round opened on its announced schedule, the selection site had three entrances and a queue at every one. In the intervening days the team returned the one-week loan support on time; the supplier refunded the incorrect delivery and delivered the inspected replacement before selection.
Guild teams arrived with equipment cases bearing matching insignia. Military recruits stood in rows while an officer checked their names against a clipboard. Independent teams carried whatever they could afford: new packs beside old carts, polished shields beside patched jackets, medical bags held shut with tape.
Eli’s group joined the independent queue. Kellan pulled their cart behind him. Sera had the route-marking kit, Tessa carried the medical bag, and Eli held the folder containing their conditional acceptance and screening documents.
“Four people, one cart,” the attendant said. “Any additional equipment goes through the inspection table.”
Kellan pointed to the physical ropes and supports. “Those are all ours. The ropes have inspection tags.”
The attendant checked the tags and sent them to the next table. A military recruit ahead of them had to unpack a sealed case because the label did not match the contents. His officer watched without intervening while the recruit explained the mistake.
