...
The Council of Ten gathered in a dimly lit room, their faces illuminated only by the soft glow of holographic screens. "Gentlemen, ladies, we have a situation on our hands," Said Councilor Amara, her voice firm but concerned. "The first year students of this year are progressing at an alarming rate. Some have even completed their suits in just a week, we all know how long it takes even a normal student to complete an apprentice tier suit, showing how talented each one of them is."
"That's impossible," scoffed Councilor Ryker. "They're just lucky, that's all."
"Lucky?" Councilor Amara raised an eyebrow. "These students are talented, Ryker. And we need to acknowledge that. Take for example Kai Gravitas, that boy complete his in just a day, were you that talented when you were his age, Ryker?"
Her words shut Ryker up as he stared hard at the floor, avoiding her cold gaze.
"But what's the point of pushing them so hard?" asked Councilor Zora. "They're just going to get themselves hurt, they just started a week ago after all."
"The point is to prepare them for the real world," said Councilor Amara. "You think the battlefield will go easy on them?" She ended coldly.
The rest of the Council members kept quiet, taking in her words, some agreeing with her.
"For this reason, I propose we allow them to participate in missions, like the other higher level students." Councilor Amara concluded.
"Have you gone crazy, it's too early for that? Even the second year students just go on low level missions, and you want to send this…children alongside with them?" one of the councilors voiced out as he stood up, hitting the table with force which made a loud bang, his voice very distressed.
And just with those words, the room erupted into a heated debate, with some councilors arguing for the motion and others against.
Just as it seemed the discussion was going nowhere, Councilor Kaida spoke up.
"Enough. We have bigger problems on our hands. The Krillians have been making moves. It's been five years since their last attack, If not for them, they're would have been another massacre. And we know they're due for another. We need to prepare these students for every possible outcome."The room fell silent, the weight of Councilor Kaida's words sinking in.
…
Meanwhile, at one of the schools many arena's, the students gathered to watch the highly anticipated fight between Aria and Sheila.
The arena was packed, after all unlike other fights, this one was between two among the top ten in the first year ranking. Many students had already started placing bets on who might win.
"I don't think Aria stands a chance," said one student. "Sheila's suit is amazing, and her earth control abilities are top notch."
"But Aria's natural abilities are incredible," argued another student. "He's been holding his own against us, the lower ranked students even without a suit."
"Yeah!" Another agreed, "I mean did you watch the stream of the battle royal, bro took out twenty guys without breaking as much of a sweat."
A heated discussion was going on in each betting group, each student putting down their points on why they think either of them might win.
The arena suddenly got quiet as Sheila walked in, her silver hair dancing in the wind. She was wearing a black tight fitted suit which hugged her body, showcasing her body and her different curves. Her fan base composed of male students kept showering her with praises.
"Our beautiful goddess! Please marry me" One student shouted
"No marry me! Others are undeserving of your name." Another added.
The male students in her fan base had already started acting like classic stalkers.
Sheila in the meantime stood confidently in the arena, ignoring the constant remarks from the delusional male students. The black suit shimmered in the light as if alive. With a subtle movement, she raised her hand, and the suit responded.
The black suit began to glow a soft blue light as she poured her inner energy into it, like a gentle hum. The glow rapidly spreading enveloping her body in a warm embrace. The black suit seemed to melt, flowing like liquid into a new shape.
Her arms and legs encasing themselves in a shimmering silver armor. The material hardened, taking on a metallic sheen. Intricate patterns etched themselves into the surface, like circuitry or ancient runes.
The armor molded to her body, accentuating her muscles and curves. A silver helmet unfolded from the collar, encasing her head in a protective shell. A visor slid down, casting a blue tint over her vision.
The transformation was seamless, like a second skin. Sheila's armor was a testament to her skill and creativity, a fusion of technology and art. She stood tall, her eyes gleaming with excitement, ready to face her long awaited battle.
The crowd watched in awe, mesmerized by the transformation. They had seen armor, they all had one, but never have they seen one like this. Sheila's suit seemed alive, an extension of her very being. They knew they were in for a treat, a battle unlike any other they had seen. Sheila had just opened the show with her display.
"Sheila's armor is amazing," whispered one student. "I don't think Aria stands a chance."
The students then sat down quietly, expecting Aria's arrival, but even after an hour he still hadn't shown up, and the crowd was growing restless.
"Where is he?" demanded one student. "Is he a coward or something?"
"Well what do you expect? I bet he was scared out of his wits after seeing goddess Sheila's suit" Another added.
Sheila's face fell, her eyes clouding with disappointment.
Kael and Lirien exchanged worried glances.
"Where the hell are you, Aria?" Kael muttered under his breath.
Little did they know, Aria was in the armory class, pouring all his energy into completing his suit? The material glowed a bright blue, then red, then gold, as Aria's inner energy surged through it. Lieutenant Leina watched in shock in the background as the armor entered its final stages.
"How is this possible?" She breathed. "His material is of the knight tier…and yet he completed it in a week." She herself knew how hard it was to create an armor of that caliber and yet he had done so within a week, what talent.
Lieutenant Leina had grown quite fond of Aria, he is the one who showed the most dedication in forming his suit unlike the rest of the student. It's not like his progress was slow, he could've finished this armor a long time ago in fact, if not for the fact that he spent so much time working on each and every detail.
Aria stood in the room, his eyes closed, his mind focused. He imagined the armor, piece by piece, layer by layer. He envisioned the metallic plates, the intricate mechanisms, the glowing gold lines that would pulse his energy.
As he imagined, his inner energy responded. A warm glow began to emanate from his body, like a gentle hum. The air around him seemed to vibrate, as if the molecules themselves were aligning to his will.
The glow intensified, taking on a life of its own. Aria's body began to shimmer, like the surface of a pond on a summer day. The shimmering grew more intense, until his body was a blur of light and color.
And then, in an instant, the armor materialized. Plates of black and golden outlines slid into place, forming a suit that seemed both fluid and solid. The glowing blue lines etched themselves into the surface, pulsing with an otherworldly energy
The armor seemed to breathe, as if alive. It flexed and moved with Arias body, like a second skin. A mask which covered his mouth and nose formed last, encasing his face and amplifying his senses.
Aria opened his eyes, gazing at his reflection in awe. The armor seemed to glow from within, as if his very essence had been poured into its creation. He looked like a ninja, except wearing an advanced sort of armor. He raised his hand, and the armor responded, moving with a fluid grace that belied its metallic nature.
He immediately grabbed the white body hug lying beside him and put it on, the armor then incorporated itself to the body hug, transforming into a black and gold body suit which outlined his athletic body. He then put on his black and gold uniform which matched the color of the body suit.
"It's time to face Sheila," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.
And with that he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Lieutenant Leina staring after him in awe and surprise.