One day, we were all called to Hale's temporary office, which the military association had lent her.
Instructor Hale's office has always been tidy and meticulous, a perfect reflection of her personality. Today, it still looks as meticulous as ever. As we stepped inside, I felt a strange weight pressing down on the room. The air felt tense, thick with a quiet urgency that made my chest tighten.
Thalamik and Carmilla must've felt it, too. They moved quietly, cautiously taking seats alongside me.
Hale stood behind her desk, her face solemn, framed by the soft glow of sunset filtering through the window. She met our eyes one by one, finally sighing before speaking.
"I won't sugarcoat this. The war with the Demonfolk has grown beyond anything we've ever seen. The human army is no longer able to sustain the battle for long. The president finally signed a treaty with the other races as it's no longer possible for us to fight alone. For that... I am announcing that you've all been chosen for a special program."
She handed each of us an envelope embossed with unfamiliar insignia.
I opened mine carefully, scanning the letter inside. It was an invitation—no, a directive—to join something called the Vanguard Academy in Europe. It was a new establishment created specifically for training warriors from all races against the growing Demonfolk threat—not just humans, but elves, spirits, demi-humans, and fey creatures, too. All representatives trained together under one roof.
Training with elves? Other races?
But before I could voice my doubts, the door opened, and a tall man stepped inside.
He looked professional, his formal attire sharply contrasting our battle-worn uniforms.
"Allow me to introduce Mr. Diko," Hale said, motioning toward him. "He's the director representing humanity at Vanguard Academy."
Diko stepped forward, smiling warmly, extending a hand to greet us. "It's an honor to meet the trio that held their own against two Demon Envoys. The Academy eagerly awaits your arrival."
Carmilla and I rose as we politely shook his hand, murmuring a quiet greeting. But Thalamik remained unmoved, his gaze hard and unforgiving.
"You must be joking," Thalamik growled, ignoring Diko's outstretched hand rising as he slammed the paper down on Hale's desk.
"You're seriously sending us to train alongside elves and demi-humans—after everything they've done to us? You expect me to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with the elven race who slaughtered our families? I'd rather die."
"Thalamik—" Hale began sternly, but he cut her off, his voice rising in anger.
"What, Instructor? Isn't it enough that we're fighting demons? Now we're supposed to pretend elves are our friends? Why can't you train us like before? Why send us halfway across the world?"
Diko glanced uneasily between Hale and Thalamik. "Perhaps we should—"
"Please leave us for a moment, Mr. Diko," Hale interrupted softly. "I'll handle this."
He nodded quickly, exited the room without another word, and left a heavy silence in his wake.
Hale sighed deeply, her eyes unusually soft. "Thalamik, Raymed, Carmilla—sit. There's something I haven't told you yet."
We exchanged wary glances before taking our seats again. Hale hesitated briefly before slowly sat down, hands folded tightly on her desk. Her voice was uncharacteristically gentle, almost fragile.
"In truth... I won't be able to train you much longer."
I felt my heart lurch painfully. Carmilla's eyes widened in shock, and even Thalamik's expression softened slightly, confusion replacing anger.
Hale continued quietly, her voice steady but strained. "During the attack at L'arc Academy, I fought against Berith, one of the Demon Lord Envoys. I survived, but his mana invaded my body, mutating my cells. It's waiting inside me, slowly developing into something I can't fully control."
"A cancer..." Carmilla whispered softly, realisation dawning painfully.
Hale nodded slowly, a faint sadness lingering in her eyes. "Yes. Right now, my mana control is all that's keeping it in check. But it's only a matter of time before even that won't be enough. I've also been suffering necrosis ever since that fight. In a short moment, my cells will have mutated completely, possibly generating cancer cells in the process."
The silence that followed was deafening. Hale—our mentor, our stern but unwavering guide—was dying.
"Then... all this time..." Thalamik hesitantly asked. "You've been enduring this alone?" He continued as he clenched his fists.
"If you're concerned about the rigorous training we did. Don't be. I am a warrior through and through. I don't wish to stay in a hospital bed for the rest of my days. I'd rather train you three... The last survivors of L'arc academy. To be the best there is of humanity."
I swallowed hard, struggling to find words. "Instructor… How long do you have?"
"Months, perhaps a year if I'm lucky," she answered softly. "I can't guarantee how much longer I'll remain stable. But I can't afford to risk your future on uncertainty. Vanguard Academy will give you strength beyond anything I could offer alone. I trust Diko, and I trust this program. It's the best chance you have."
Thalamik looked away sharply. His voice was quieter now, layered with a deep ache of vulnerability. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?"
She smiled sadly, her expression filled with quiet strength. "Because I wanted to see you three grow strong without the burden of knowing my condition. I didn't want your training to be driven by pity or desperation."
"We wouldn't have—" Thalamik began, but Hale raised a gentle hand, stopping him.
"I know," she said softly. "But as your mentor, it was my responsibility to keep you focused on survival and growth and not to worry about my health. I've watched you become powerful warriors. I'm proud of that."
Carmilla stepped forward cautiously, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. "Instructor, there has to be something we can do—"
"There isn't," Hale gently interrupted, shaking her head. "I've accepted it. The greatest gift you can give me is to survive this war and protect humanity. Prove to me my teachings weren't wasted. Can you do that?"
Thalamik closed his eyes tightly, clearly battling his own emotions. "I... don't like how you say it, Instructor. But I'll do it."
Carmilla nodded softly. "We promise, Instructor. We'll make you proud."
Hale's eyes turned toward me. I felt my chest tighten painfully, but I met her gaze firmly. "I'll fight to protect what's left. Like you taught us."
She smiled warmly, relief briefly washing away the sadness. "Thank you. All three of you."
We stood, the atmosphere heavy yet filled with an unspoken bond of understanding. Thalamik hesitated briefly, then abruptly stepped forward, surprising everyone—including himself—as he wrapped Hale in a tight, fierce embrace.
"You've done enough, Instructor," he murmured softly, his voice shaking with emotion. "Let us carry the burden now."
For the first time since I'd known her, Hale seemed genuinely surprised. But then, slowly, she returned his embrace, eyes closing briefly.
"You three... you've always been my greatest students," she said quietly. "I couldn't have asked for better warriors."
Carmilla and I exchanged glances before stepping forward, joining them quietly. For a brief moment, the four of us stood together hugging, silently promising to carry forward everything she'd given us.
Eventually, Hale gently pulled away, composing herself again with a calm dignity that always defined her.
"Enough sentiment," she declared firmly, though her eyes were slightly misty. "Pack your belongings. Your journey to Vanguard Academy starts tomorrow morning."
As we turned to leave, Hale spoke again, softer this time. "And remember—wherever you go, whatever you face, I'm proud of you. All of you."
We left her office quietly, hearts heavy but spirits firm. Thalamik didn't speak, his expression stormy yet determined. Carmilla's eyes filled with a silent promise of strength.
Instructor Hale had always been our pillar—stern, unyielding, yet caring beneath her harsh exterior. And now, that pillar was crumbling.
But she'd given us all the strength we needed to stand firm on our own.
Vanguard Academy awaited us, a place of uncertainty and danger—but also hope.
It was our turn now. Our turn to protect, to survive, and to honor the sacrifices made by those who'd guided us this far.
And we wouldn't let Hale down.
Not now.
Not ever.
***
Surpisingly, later that evening, Hale surprised us with a short summons, this time away from her office. She wanted to meet at a roadside cafe near the outskirts of South Jaka City—the type of place that mainly remained untouched by the city's expanding skyline.
The sun had dipped below the skyscrapers, neon billboards glowing faintly against the darkening sky, while hovering transport drones and newly installed electric monorails hummed overhead.
When we arrived, the cafe's lanterns cast a warm, welcoming light across the open-air seating. It wasn't fancy—wooden tables, mismatched chairs, and a few old fans struggling to dispel the humid heat.
Hale was already seated, waving us over with a small smile. Seeing her there, outside her stern office environment, felt surreal—a rare glimpse of the person behind the disciplined instructor.
At first, none of us knew quite what to say. The gravity of her revelation earlier still clung to our chests like a lingering ache. Hale, sensing our hesitation, motioned for us to sit, calling out an order for four sweet iced teas.
"I wanted a moment outside the uniform," she said, leaning forward slightly. She was wearing a dress that looked so unlike her usual military getup. Her voice was gentler and less formal, though her posture remained upright. "Before you three embark on this new journey, I hoped we could… just talk. Like normal people, for once."
Thalamik, still grappling with what he'd learned, was uncharacteristically quiet. But he mustered a nod. Carmilla offered Hale a soft smile. "Thank you, Instructor," she said. "For everything today, and for this."
Hale shrugged lightly, a faint grin touching her lips. "You've all been through so much," she said. "A quiet meal… It's long overdue. We never had the chance to do this in L'arc, right?" Her gaze swept over us, pride shining in her eyes. "And after tomorrow, our paths might diverge faster than we'd like."
The food arrived, and conversation picked up haltingly, like carefully testing the waters. We reminisced about L'arc Academy—Thalamik's constant bickering with the staff, Carmilla's top scores in healing magic, the times I'd nearly dozed off during tactical class under Hale's watchful glare. Hale laughed more freely than we'd ever seen, occasionally wincing but waving off any concerned looks we sent her way.
Despite the laughter, an undercurrent of emotion ran through every word. Thalamik cleared his throat after a while, setting down his fork. "You know, Instructor, I always thought you were impossible to impress. The day you told me I'd done well, I almost fainted."
Carmilla giggled, nodding. "We might've gotten used to your scoldings, but I think that's what made us stronger."
Hale shook her head, fighting back her own grin. "I scold because I care. And because I know your limits are higher than you believe." She paused, a tenderness flickering in her eyes. "You've all surpassed my expectations countless times."
Darkness had settled over the city by the time we were finishing our meal. The hectic hum of cars and motorbikes in the distance began to wane, replaced by the flickering of neon lights across towering billboards. Somewhere far off, thunder rumbled softly—an early warning of South Jaka's late-night rains.
As we were about to leave, Hale stood, resting her hand on the back of her chair. "There's one last thing," she said.
"I want you to remember that no matter how far you go, or how different your path becomes, you three still have each other, and I'll will help you no matter what. Promise me you won't forget that." She continued.
One by one, we nodded.
Thalamik's expression had grown resolute. "We won't. We'll defeat the Demon Lord Envoys before you leave this world!" he vowed. Hale smiled, hearing his words as if she would remember them for a lifetime.
It oddly seemed concerning, but I might just be overthinking things.
I still can't believe that...
Tomorrow, we'd depart for an unknown future at Vanguard Academy.
Instructor Hale coughed a little before saying, "Tomorrow, let me accompany you towards the country's borders!"
"Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" We three responded in Unison.