"...Kai Norths have been removed from the list of trainees for having three consecutive absences. If any of you encounter Mr. Norths, please inform him of his removal from this training." After challenging Claire a few days ago, Kai completely disappeared. Oficials have assumed this to be a form of quitting as there's no trace of Kai to be found.
Only Claire knows what happened to him, and it seems like the only way to figure the mystery behind Kai's disappearance was for Claire to speak up. It was unlikely for her to say anything though, whatever Claire did to Kai, she made sure that he won't ever be seen again.
"In relation to this incident, the higher ups have recommended me to make a brief discussion for all of you trainees to remind you of the purpose of our training." 2nd lt. Franklin continued. "For years, we have been training and preparing to become fighters for the ideals and mission of the Earth Defense League. Can any of you please reiterate those ideals and mission goals so that we are all fully aware and determined in our mission?"
One of the trainees raised his hand, 2nd lt. Franklin gestured for him to answer. "We all fight for the restoration of the planet, making it habitable again for humanity."
"Precisely! We're all fighting for that very purpose! We believe there is still hope in restoring this planet and revert the peaceful lives we used to live." However, most of the individuals in this generation have never known about the peaceful life they kept referring to. Perhaps individuals of older age knows about it, and the younger ones blindly inherited their ideals of the future of humanity.
Franklin's face became displeased as he mentions the name of their enemy. "Though we struggle to proceed with the implementation of our plans in restoring Earth when the Insterstellar Expedition Alliance is in our way. By all means, we must push to accomplish our primary goal, to get them out of the way!"
He slammed his hands loudly on the desk, startling everyone. Glaring at all the trainees present, he spoke with authority and seriousness. "The future of Humanity lies on our hands, this isn't something to be taken lightly. So to anyone here who dares to foolishly follow Kai Norths in his footsteps, my fists will gladly guide you out of here."
The trainees freaked out by Franklin's threatening speech, though afterwards they all proceed to their daily training activities. Claire remained in her best spot among the trainees, and most of them admired her for that.
"Ugh, the guys in our batch are so lame, you're way cooler than them Claire. If you were a boy, I won't hesitate to ask you out!" Anne, fellow female trainee, giggled as she was having lunch with Claire. They were currently on a 30 minute break, eating their lunch at the cafèteria.
"I'm sure you'll find a great guy around here, so don't go drooling on me." Claire laughed along.
Then her fellow trainee noticed. "Huh, you barely touched your food. Aren't you hungry after that intense training earlier?"
A light shudder passed through Claire's body." "Oh, I uhh, I'm just not that hungry."
"Ehh, is that so? You know, you might—wait! Omigosh!" Anne suddenly got distracted when she saw some of the top fighters from the Special Infantry Troop pass by. She pulls in Claire and pointed at their direction. "Look, look! It's them!!"
"Huh, what exactly are we looking at?" Claire asked.
"Don't you know? It's them! The top fighters from the Special Infantry Troop!! They're all so amazing, especially Leon, he's really my type! Leon's really cool, he's just so strong and good looking! He's also the 4th strongest!" Claire finds Anne's fangirling kind of annoying, but the group of people she was pointing at have caught her attention.
"Hmm, what about that guy? Do you know his name?" Claire points to the guy that seemed the most serious and scary-looking. Somehow that person felt familiar to her.
"Eh!? You really don't know? That's Raphael Novick, the number 1 strongest in the troop. H-He's kinda scary when you look at him, others said he's a ruthless beast on the battlefield so we better be careful around him, I think it won't be good to piss him off." While Anne was talking, Claire finally remembered Raphael.
"Ah, that guy!" As far as she can remember, Raphael was the one who was there for her when she was at the medics. He was also the guy who saved her from falling during her battle with Captain Wright. "What is it Claire? Do you know him?" Anne asked.
"Ah y-yeah, he was the guy I've heard from those rumors."
"Oh, so you did heard of them!"
"I just don't really pay attention to rumors that much." Claire lied.
"I see." Anne nods. "I've also heard that you only have a few days left until you can proceed to the final stage of our training. You're so lucky! You'll be getting deployed earlier than the rest of us."
"Yup, I'm really looking forward to that." Claire was quite excited about it, this is a step closer to accomplishing her personal plans.
"When you become a part of the special troop, please don't forget about me! Also, be careful if you're ever around Raphael as well." Claire grins at the sight of Raphael. Number 1 strongest? Soon enough she'll be the one to take his place, is what she thought.
Right after a few days, Claire was finally able to proceed to the last stage of training. 2nd lt. Franklin congratulated her. "You've done very well for the past two weeks. I can see a bright future ahead of you, young lady."
"T-Thank you very much sir." She bowed her head. "But about the final stage, uhm, will it be someone else to guide me?"
"Yes, the Captain himself have volunteered to do that part. So you may proceed to his office and show him this document of completion of the first two stages of training. Best of luck, Ms. Claire." Once again, Claire must face against the Captain of the Special Infantry Troops. How will the last stage of training will go?!