Lieutenant Chen's kind eyes crinkled at the corners as she logged their cores into the base's storage system. The automated counter pinged with each deposit, creating a rhythm that matched her thodical movents.
"Everyone," she called out warmly, "gather around. I have so news to share."
The students ford a loose semicircle, still sweaty and dirt-covered from their hunt. Noah noticed the Lieutenant's gentle smile fade slightly – a tell he'd learned ant serious information was coming.
"The Harbingers have been pushing hard on multiple fronts," Chen explained, her tone caring but firm. "High Command has ordered a mass deploynt in two days. Most of our forces will be reassigned to active combat zones."
Kelvin's hand shot up. "Ma'am, what about the beast threats here?"
"Cannadah remains relatively secure," she assured him. "A skeleton crew will maintain our foothold here. But you all," she gestured to the students with maternal affection, "will be returning to Earth Academy."
A mix of groans and excited whispers filled the room. Noah kept his face neutral, though his mind raced. 'Perfect timing. Two hours since the absorption. Just need to make it through this briefing.'
"However," Chen's voice brightened considerably, "I've arranged sothing special for your last day with us."
She activated the holographic display, showing a topographical map of the surrounding territory. Red markers blinked at various points across the landscape.
"Tomorrow, all first-year classes will participate in a capture the flag tournant. 1A, 1B, and 1C will deploy to the sa drop zone. Your mission is simple – secure as many flags as possible."
Noah's tactical mind imdiately began mapping possibilities. 'Three-way competition. Multiple objectives. Internal team rivalry too.'
"The class with the most flags wins," Chen continued, her eyes twinkling, "But here's the fun part – within each class, the team that contributes the most flags to their class's total gets... well, let's call it a surprise worth fighting for."
A girl from 1A leaned forward. "What kind of surprise, Lieutenant Chen?"
"Now, now," Chen laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "What fun would it be if I told you? Just know it's sothing I personally arranged for the winners."
As she detailed the rules and boundaries, Noah felt a familiar energy pulse through his system. 'Two competitions in one,' he thought. 'Beat the other classes while outperforming our own teams. Leave it to Chen to turn this into both a challenge and a farewell gift.'
The briefing concluded with Chen wishing them all good luck, her pride in their progress evident in her expression. Noah maintained his calm walk until he reached the container tent's bathroom. Once inside, his composed facade cracked into a grin.
'Now then,' he thought, checking that he was truly alone. 'Let's see what an Azure Storm Wyvern looks like.'
Tomorrow would bring its own challenges – team dynamics, rival classes, whatever thoughtful reward Chen had prepared. But right now, in this mont, Noah had a more imdiate concern: eting NYX's new neighbor.
'A capture the flag tournant,' he mused while preparing to check his void domain. 'With everyone giving it their all before heading ho. This should be...' His grin widened, 'interesting.'
****
The sun was setting over Cannadah's base, painting the stacked containers in shades of amber and gold. Four figures stood atop the highest container, while a fifth sat at its edge, legs dangling carelessly over the side, his presence sohow both part of and separate from the group.
"These first-years," Kane started, running a finger along his scar, "are sothing else this year."
"Depends which class you're talking about," Xavier adjusted his glasses, red scarf catching the evening breeze. "1A is... exceptional."
Sienna's cold laugh cut through the air. "You would say that, Xavier. You got lucky with your assignnt."
"And you didn't?" Kane raised an eyebrow. "You have the vice headmaster's son, don't you?"
"Adrian?" Sienna's dark lips curved slightly. "He's... capable. Good form, excellent technique. His only flaw is that hero complex of his." She brushed imaginary dust from her gothic attire. "Though I suppose with that face, it's hardly his fault. The constant swooning must be exhausting."
"At least you both got functional teams," Xavier sighed. "My 1C group... I've seen sleeping cats with more ambition."
"That bad?" Kane smirked.
"They treated a Category 2 hunt like a picnic. A picnic." Xavier pushed his glasses up in frustration. "I had to physically drag them away from setting up actual lunch arrangents."
"Micah?" Kane turned to their fifth-ranked mber. "You've been quiet. How's your team?"
Micah crossed his arms, frowning. "Subordination issues. Every single one of them. Cora's practically feral – good hunter, but zero patience. Kelvin treats everything like a science experint. And Lila..." He shook his head.
"And Eclipse?" Sienna's question carried a sharp edge.
"I didn't ntion Eclipse."
"Exactly."
Before Micah could respond, a lazy voice drifted up from the container's edge. "Heard there was another Category 3 incident today."
The four turned toward their previously silent companion. Even sitting casually, legs swinging like a child at play, Lucas Gray carried an undeniable presence. Short brown hair, average build all round, that was him.
The Academy's number one hadn't earned his rank through intimidation like so – if anything, his perpetually relaxed deanor made his power all the more impressive.
"Yes, sir," Micah answered, his tone shifting to sothing more formal.
"How'd that go?" Lucas didn't turn around, still watching the sunset.
"Surprisingly good." Micah paused. "Maybe too good."
"Oh?" Now Lucas did turn, interest flickering across his usually carefree features.
"The beast – a Bore Mole variant – it didn't just die." Micah's words ca faster now. "Part of it was... gone. Not destroyed, not damaged. Just absent, like soone had erased it from existence. And Eclipse, standing there with so story about burning out his Ravager core..."
"You're obsessed, Micah," Kane cut in. "We all know you've been tracking the kid since he picked you in the ballot."
"His ability is listed as Perfect Echo," Micah continued, ignoring Kane. "Non-combat. Yet sohow—"
"Tomorrow," Lucas interrupted, standing with fluid grace. "We'll all be at the sa drop zone, won't we?"
The others exchanged glances.
"If what Micah says is true," Lucas stretched lazily, a smile playing at his lips, "then I suppose we'll all get to see for ourselves." He turned to face them fully. "After all, nothing brings out soone's true nature quite like a little competition."
The sun finally dipped below the horizon, leaving the five figures silhouetted against Cannadah's darkening sky. Below them, sowhere in the barracks, Noah Eclipse prepared for tomorrow's challenge, unaware that he'd attracted the attention of the Academy's most dangerous students.
'Competition' might have been an understatent.
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