We went on our merry way after that, and finally stopped on some planet just outside our system. After the Aether density reached a level where we could perceive it 973 years ago( that level universally called the First Wave.) it kept blew up exponentially, by almost 1000 times in the first year, from there, due to Changings increasing the rate at which the density increases.
The influx of Aether also caused the amount of matter and energy to increase just as rapidly. Random stuff just appeared all over the void of space, in the form of small planets, to solar flares and random creatures. The things that already existed were amplified, deserts became much hotter and drier, rain became more wet, forests became jungles, fires became infernos, a summer breeze could become a hurricane, stuff like that.
The point being that our little corner of space was several times more full and vibrant, making it really easy to find a place for our test.
"So, my Lord... what will this test consist of?" Fire asked me, the flame that made up his eyes brightened in expectation.
"Do you know the reason why I chose this place, Fire? It's because there is currently a hostile species, which no one bothered to name, that is trying to turn this planet into massive Aether conduit that would allow them to communicate to the rest of them so they can invade us. You don't need to worry about any of the logistics of how we know this." I explained. "Now you may ask, why let them go along with their plan? It's because they decided to use an off-system search-and-destroy as this session's Advanced Military Training Final Examination, or just AMT Finals, which is the final assessment for all military aspiring students taking the course this far. All Elysium students are required to learn it, so in about a week, this place will be the site for a massive military operation run by a bunch of teenagers, including me."
I turned to the metal giant and smiled, "Your task, and therefore test, is to make this assessment as hard as possible for every student taking it except for the Asuras."
He looked confused, so I explained further. "Me and the Asuras will become an actual asset of the military after graduation, as we all decided. It is really the place where the Empire puts most of its focus. As the squads before us did, although they don't hold a candle. With an astounding performance on this, it will be easier to climb the ranks, which means more goodies for us."
He just shrugged, and I absentmindedly pondered the implications of him using a human gesture. Either way, I had more than assured my passing the AMT Finals, so I could plan more towards the future.
It was about to be a long week.
***
"Lucas Moore, Class Z12, Disembark." The disembodied voice sounded from somewhere above him. There were multiple copies saying the same thing but with different names. It was Z12's turn.
Lucas was hyped.
As he got out of the pod and jumped out of the dropship along with the rest of his class, he thought about all the ways he could become a famous high-ranking general of the Empire's army.
His fantasies ran away with him for a second, before he got his head back in the game and used his comm to call in his supply drop.
BOOM!
A second later, a metal box dropped from the sky and landed right next to him. Lucas opened it and brought out his custom made daggers. They were almost too large to be called daggers, actually, at 9 inches of steel and leather.
He twirled them in his hands, enjoying the feeling of the grip and reminiscing about all the kills he had made with them.
He was about to call out to his teammates and coordinate an attack plan with them when he saw a black blur flash by him. The blur was visible for almost a second, where it turned and smiled at him. The blue and gold eyes twinkling in amusement. During that second he felt himself die, could almost smell his own demise. Fear made him nearly go mad, then brought him back from the brink just to suffer even more.
Something about that... thing, it horrified him.
Then he was gone.
'Focus, Lucas. It's just your classmate. Get yourself together.' He chided himself, taking deep breaths. What if his sister saw him now? She would surely laugh until she could laugh no more. He opened his eyes and they sharpened with focus.
"Alright, Let's do this."
***
"I'm calling a retreat. Our information was woefully wrong, and we are ill-equipped to deal with this, sir." General Foman said.
"What about it was wrong, and why do you think this changes the chances of operation success?" His superior asked back. There was a digital tinge to his voice, since he was taking through a video call.
"The creatures on this planet were supposed to be First Deviation average humanoid insects. Instead, we are faced with Second and Third Deviation hybrid fire elementals. They also have control and coordination high enough to suggest a hive mind, as well as a massive Aether signature at the center of the tunnels. The students are getting torn apart sir."
"Do you believe you have anyone on site to finish this?"
"Of course, sir."
"Then call for retreat, send the elites in, do what needs to be done."
"Yes, sir."
His superior smiled and cut the call. He turned away from the holographic screen and connected to the channel all the Elysium comms shared.
"All students. This is General Foman. I am calling a partial retreat, effective immediately. The operatives exempt from this order are the Asura Squad. They are to stay and finish this mission to the best of their ability. Doing so will earn you a bonus amount of credits dependent on your performance. Foman out." He said. After he had given the order, his shoulders slumped. He was tired, and just wanted to go back home to his wife. But there was work to be done, and the Empire needed him.
He pondered his decision. Those kids.... they were some of the most powerful Deviants that have ever been seen, and have some of the fastest improvement times. But he knew that all it took was a single mistake, the slightest miscalculation, and even the brightest of lights could be snuffed out in an instant.
He just prayed that they knew that too, and he hadn't just sent the best of the next generation to their deaths.