*The Endurance.*
*Present time.*
In a single training room adjacent to the 7th Squad's main training hall, Hades, clad in the most basic combat attire and wielding a standard-issue scythe, stood next to the training cage.
The veteran—whom Hades later learned was named Blanca, the commander of the 7th Squad's second team—stood beside him, armored in a Mk2 power suit.
A muffled voice emanated from Blanca's helmet, "Once you defeat this combat servitor for the first time, come find me."
Hades was taken aback. Shouldn't the training start with learning to use the meltagun or at least some tactical phrases?
He watched as the gray hemispherical barrier rose, enclosing the arena. The combat servitor, half a meter taller than Hades, descended from above, landing with a dull thud.
Blanca, seemingly uninterested in Hades's confusion, gestured for him to enter the cage. "Combat simulation α-3, medium lethality."
The cylindrical servitor activated, its indicator light glowing ominously red. Six chainsaw-like blades emerged, humming menacingly.
Hades readied his scythe, preparing for what he assumed was a hazing ritual. He had fought his way out of xenos hordes on Barbarus, after all.
But Blanca remained unfazed, his voice echoing once more, "Defeat this, then come find me."
Hades was left alone, facing the hulking machine. He thought, *Underestimating me, huh?*
Later that day, a bruised and battered Hades made his first appearance in the 7th Squad's apothecary medical room.
Apothecary Leo, seemingly prepared for this, applied medical gel to Hades's wounds, which looked more severe than those typically inflicted by a standard combat servitor.
Hades was frustrated. The second servitor was at least three times faster than the first. Its speed was even more astonishing than the strike from Necarey he had once evaded.
Unbeknownst to Hades, Blanca had expected him to struggle against the first servitor for a week. But after witnessing Hades's nonchalant demeanor, he decided to give the recruit a taste of real challenge.
If Hades truly defeated the Mk3 servitor, then Blanca would have successfully trained a true warrior. But the veteran was also curious about the recruit's potential. Who wouldn't want the Emperor's angels to be even fiercer in battle?
Blanca disliked these new recruits, always boasting and acting superior. Yet, if there was a recruit who could truly fight, Blanca hoped they would take up the mantle and shine for the Imperium.
As Hades was about to leave, the medical room's door burst open. A pale, gaunt figure, clearly of Barbarus descent, entered. His wounds, inflicted by chainsword, were already scabbing and healing rapidly.
Hades's eyes widened in recognition.
*Isn't that Vox? Finally, a familiar face!*