The next morning, the academy buzzed with energy as students gathered for the briefing on their real-world test. The massive training hall, usually used for combat drills, had been transformed into a strategic war room. A giant holographic map of the city flickered above the stage, displaying a sector that had been marked off with red warning zones. This was where their test would take place.
Aiden and Riko stood in the crowd, their expressions serious as they listened. The instructor, a tall woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor, stood at the front.
"This will be your first major real-world test," she began, her voice commanding absolute attention. "This is not a controlled simulation. You will be deployed into an active danger zone. Your mission is to neutralize threats, assist civilians if necessary, and make it out alive. There will be no instructors guiding you. You'll be monitored, but you're on your own."
A murmur ran through the crowd. No instructors? That meant if something went wrong, it was up to them to figure it out.
"The creatures in this sector have increased in number over the past few weeks," the instructor continued. "We believe a nest has formed, but we don't know its exact location. Your secondary objective is to gather intel. If you locate the nest, report it and do not engage. Understood?"
Aiden clenched his fists. He wasn't afraid of a fight, but the idea of facing an entire nest of creatures was daunting.
"You will be split into groups of three or four," the instructor went on. "Your team assignments will be given out shortly."
Aiden and Riko exchanged glances. They were a duo, and their teamwork had only grown stronger. Hopefully, they wouldn't be split apart.
One of the academy staff members began reading off names. "Aiden Kuro, Riko Hayashi… and Celia Vaughn."
Aiden frowned. Celia? He didn't know much about her except that she was in their class. She had a reputation for being quiet, but when she fought, she was fierce.
A girl with short white hair and piercing violet eyes stepped toward them. She was lean, dressed in a fitted combat uniform, and carried herself with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how strong she was.
"So, we're a team," Celia said, crossing her arms. "Let's just get through this without any screw-ups."
Riko smirked. "Not much of a team player, huh?"
"I prefer efficiency," Celia replied flatly. "The stronger we are, the less we need to rely on each other."
Aiden sighed. This was going to be an interesting test.
Deployment
An hour later, the teams were geared up and ready for transport. The academy used high-speed dropships to send them into the city's danger zones. Each student wore a communicator linked to the academy's monitoring system, but there would be no outside help unless it was a life-or-death emergency.
Aiden, Riko, and Celia sat inside the dropship as it cut through the sky. Below them, the city stretched out in all directions, a mixture of towering skyscrapers and abandoned districts where creatures roamed freely. Their designated drop zone was near the outskirts of the containment area.
"You two better not slow me down," Celia muttered, checking the twin daggers strapped to her thighs.
Aiden rolled his eyes. "We'll try to keep up."
The pilot's voice crackled through the speakers. "Dropping in thirty seconds. Brace yourselves."
The doors of the dropship slid open, revealing the cityscape below. The three of them stood up, readying themselves.
"Three… two… one… drop!"
Without hesitation, they leaped from the ship. The wind roared past Aiden's ears as he activated his teleportation, blinking through the air to land smoothly on a rooftop below. Riko followed, using his gravitational manipulation to slow his descent, while Celia flipped midair and landed effortlessly.
As soon as they touched down, their mission had officially begun.
Aiden's eyes scanned the area. The streets were eerily quiet, but he knew better than to trust the silence. The creatures could be anywhere.
"Alright," he said. "Let's move."