The training room for A1 recruits was sealed shortly after they finished their interviews. They were led by Kaido, who, to them, appeared as a figure of power within the Military system. Without hesitation, they followed him until they reached an empty room, illuminated by a strip of light on the ceiling and two energy barrels, one in each corner. The recruits were lined up against the wall, and then Kaido spoke.
"There are no cameras in here. Everything is sealed, and what happens here won't be recorded in any report." He took his communicator from the Alliance and, in front of them, threw it down and crushed it underfoot. "I won't treat you like toys."
Kaido knew two things: One, the kids were probably wondering what kind of academy they had entered. And two, they didn't know who was in charge there... so his greatest advantage was his anonymity. He understood, seeing their expressions change from discomfort to a more serious and formal demeanor, that they were catching on.
Afterward, a weary and pained-looking man entered through the doors, which, when closed, completely sealed the room.
"This will be your instructor for the practices that will take place at the academy. Wallace Everett; a renowned general from the battles of Ricochet." Ricochet was an Alliance system, one far from the public eye, which had been besieged for two whole months by demonic troops. After that, those who survived the attack were thrust into the public eye, so the recruits recognized him instantly. Wallace approached with a slight limp, a tired expression on his face. It was evident that the battles of Ricochet had physically and emotionally drained him. He eyed the recruits with narrowed eyes, then turned toward Kaido.
"Lieutenant Kaido," he said in a raspy voice. "Are you sure these are the right candidates? Some of them barely look out of their teens."
Kaido nodded firmly. "Don't judge them by their appearance, General. These recruits have demonstrated exceptional abilities that will be invaluable on our battlefield. With the proper training, they'll become one of our deadliest squads."
Wallace frowned, clearly skeptical, but nodded reluctantly. "Very well, if you say so. But I warn you, I won't go easy on them. I'll push them to their limits. Those who can't cut it will be discarded without hesitation."
"There's no time for introductions; the general has read through each of your histories. Even yours, Kai—you'd better keep whatever you have in your shoes to yourself. We don't want any trouble here," Kaido said sternly.
Kai froze, trying to hide his discomfort at Kaido's mention of his secret. The tension in the room was palpable. The recruits, still processing the drastic shift from a television set to military reality, began to grasp the gravity of the situation.
Wallace Everett stepped forward, limping slightly, and his severe gaze swept over each of the recruits. He took a deep breath and began to speak in a firm, authoritative voice.
"Listen up, recruits. This isn't a game or a show for the cameras. Here, it'll be decided whether you have what it takes to face the demons and protect the Alliance. I'm not going to sugar-coat reality: many of you won't survive this training if you don't give it your all. If you think you can breeze through this, you're in for a rude awakening."
He paused, letting his words sink into each of their minds. Then, he continued:
"Now, I know you have a lot of questions. I'll give you the chance to ask them, but understand there's no time for nonsense. Ask what you need to know about your training, your abilities, and anything else relevant to your survival."
The recruits exchanged nervous glances before Reiko tentatively raised her hand.
"General Everett, can you tell us what specific type of training we'll receive here? How will it relate to our individual abilities?"
Wallace nodded, satisfied with the question. "Good question, Reiko. Each of you has unique abilities that you'll need to hone and adapt for real combat. We'll focus on three main areas: hand-to-hand combat, weapons handling, and control of your special abilities. Each session will be grueling and demanding. It's not just about mastering your skills, but learning to use them under extreme pressure."
Takemichi's trembling hand went up next. "Sir, is there any chance we won't have to... kill the demons? Takeru mentioned not all of them are evil..."
"With all due respect to your family, Miss Windrider," Wallace cut in sternly, "the demons are a threat we cannot underestimate or treat with compassion. On the battlefield, any hesitation can cost you and your comrades your lives. Here, you'll learn to face that reality."
His answer left Takemichi pale, and Takeru squeezed her hand, offering some solace. The room's atmosphere grew even tenser, the gravity of their situation increasingly evident.
Dustin, ever the nonchalant one, raised his hand. "General Everett, I have a question. How will we be evaluated? I mean, what are the criteria for being considered fit?"
Wallace eyed him piercingly. "You'll be evaluated based on your performance in simulated missions and intensive training. We need to see that you can work as a team, make swift decisions under pressure, and above all, survive. Those who don't meet the standards will be expelled from the program, no exceptions."
Ren stepped forward eagerly and asked, "General Everett, what's the most powerful spell that exists?"
The other recruits shot him annoyed looks, feeling the question was inappropriate given the serious context. Wallace frowned, clearly irked by Ren's lack of seriousness, but after a moment, his expression softened slightly, perhaps recognizing the youth's genuine curiosity.
"The power of a spell doesn't merely depend on its destructive capacity," the general explained, "but on how and when it's used. The most potent spell is the one cast at the opportune moment, turning the tide of battle. Instead of obsessing over a single powerful spell, learn to adapt and use your magic strategically."
Ren nodded, understanding the wisdom behind the general's words, though his enthusiasm for learning more remained undimmed.
Seizing the opportunity, Kaido interjected, "If you seek to know the most powerful spell that exists, it's the 'towers' spell. Legend speaks of its devastating might, capable of razing entire cities to the ground."
The recruits gazed upon Kaido with a mixture of awe and fear at the mention of such a destructive spell. Even Wallace seemed ill at ease over the revelation.
"Lieutenant Kaido, I'm not sure it's appropriate to discuss forbidden magic with the recruits," Wallace warned sternly.
"The A1 recruits are the Military's finest," Kaido clarified, noting Wallace's momentary pallor. "To have a comprehensive view of the war, they must understand everything about magic, including the history of Magika, to avoid repeating past mistakes."
Kaido crossed his arms, continuing, "The 'towers' spell was used by ancient mages during the Thousand Years' War. A millennium ago, when humanity lacked advanced technology, archaic magic was our only defense against demons. Mages back then used seals to contain higher-level demons, manifesting as towers – the taller the tower, the more powerful the demon."
Wallace grew visibly uneasy, aware of where the conversation was headed. Kaido paused, allowing the recruits to process the information.
"However, this 'seal' could be undone with a release spell. In fact, the Military once used this spell as an exam for Magika recruits, before the Ricochet Incident occurred."
The mention of the "Ricochet Incident" cast an uncomfortable pall over the room. The recruits exchanged nervous glances, aware they were treading dangerous ground. Wallace frowned, clearly displeased.
"Lieutenant Kaido, I think that's enough for today," Wallace intervened firmly. "These recruits' training doesn't require revisiting past tragedies."
"The danger of the towers spell," Kaido disregarded, "is that you never know which tower you'll invoke. It could be a low-level one like 12 or 24. Or... a world-destroying one, like in the Magika exam at Ricochet."
Ren broke the tension, asking fearfully, "What... what level was the tower at Ricochet?"
"Approximately level 700."
The recruits were horrified by Kaido's revelation. Ren paled, barely processing the magnitude of such destructive power.
"700? Are you sure?" Ren asked, his voice trembling. Wallace closed his eyes in sorrow, overwhelmed by the memories.
"It's correct," Kaido confirmed gravely. "Tower 701 was accidentally summoned during the Magika exam at Ricochet. Its power was unimaginable..."
"Stop, Kaido!" Wallace urged, rising with clenched fists. "Enough! It's inappropriate to continue discussing that matter here. We're here to train these recruits, not dwell on unrelated past tragedies."
Kaido frowned at Wallace's interruption, his eyes sparking with determination. "Wallace, these recruits need to know the real consequences of the magic they're learning. Ignoring the past leaves us blind to future dangers."
The tension was palpable. The recruits looked from Kaido to Wallace, unsure who held authority.
Takeru stepped forward, his gaze firm. "With all due respect, General Everett, Lieutenant Kaido, I think it's important that we understand the risks and dangers we're facing. Only then can we be truly prepared."
Takemichi and Reiko nodded in support.
Wallace sighed heavily, running a hand through his graying hair. He looked between Kaido and the recruits. "Very well. You're right to want to understand the dangers in depth. But promise me you won't take this lightly. What Kaido described was a devastating event that claimed countless innocent lives. Never forget the price of arrogance and unchecked power."
The recruits solemnly nodded, their youthful faces etched with understanding. Kaido relaxed slightly, satisfied his point had hit home. He paced around them, his evaluating gaze sweeping over the group. "Remember, magic is a potent tool, but a perilous one too and only the Military can teach all of you how to control it. You must master it completely, or risk being consumed." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Your training here will be grueling, but it will forge you into warriors capable of facing any threat."
A slight smile tugged at his lips. "Now rest up. Tomorrow, the real challenge begins. And trust me, you'll wish you'd heeded my warnings."
With that, Kaido and Wallace exited the chamber, leaving the recruits alone with their thoughts and apprehensions. A heavy silence hung over them as they grappled with what they had just witnessed.
Finally, Dustin let out a low whistle, breaking the tension. "Well, looks like we've gotten ourselves into something much bigger than we thought, eh comrades?"
Most regarded him warily, still shaken by what they had heard. "Tough crowd..." he muttered as the recruits eventually filed out towards their dormitories, an air of unease hanging over the strangers.
Kurosawa entered her room, her mind still reeling from the intense meeting with Kaido and Wallace Everett. She shrugged off her uniform jacket, hanging it on the back of a nearby chair. That's when she noticed the unexpected change – a second bed had been placed across from hers, the sheets freshly made and a lump under the pillow indicating someone had already claimed it.
A frown creased her brow. Were they assigning her a roommate? She couldn't recall being informed about that. She had assumed she would have the room to herself.
Kurosawa scanned the space, searching for clues about her new roommate. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, except for a small, worn duffel bag at the foot of the second bed. She approached cautiously, inspecting the frayed stitching and patches on the dark blue bag.
"I don't think it's very polite to go snooping through other people's things," a voice behind her spoke up. Kurosawa turned to find Reiko standing in the doorway, a serene smile on her lips.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry," Kurosawa replied, stepping back from the bag. "It just caught me by surprise finding another bed in here."
Reiko nodded understandingly. "Yes, it seems we've been assigned as roommates. The Military decided to house us in pairs to foster comradeship and communal living. I hope you don't mind sharing quarters."
Kurosawa's frown deepened slightly. The idea of having a roommate didn't entirely sit well with her – she valued her privacy greatly. But she didn't see a way around it. "No, it's fine," she said with a slight shrug. "I suppose I'll have to get used to it."
Reiko entered, a sympathetic nod accompanying her stride as she made her way to the bed. Sitting on the edge, she stroked the worn duffel fondly. "This bag belonged to my father. It's one of the few mementos I have left of him," she explained wistfully. "I hope you don't mind I brought it. It means a lot to me."
"'Course it doesn't bother me. It's your space too, you can bring whatever you want," Kurosawa replied, feeling a pang of regret for her earlier rudeness.
An awkward silence hung between them, interrupted only by the occasional sound of other recruits passing by in the hallway. Finally, Reiko broke the quiet. "So...what'd you think about what Lieutenant Kaido said regarding the Tower Spell? That was a pretty earth-shattering revelation, don't you think?"
Kurosawa's brow furrowed as she recalled the tension of that moment. She hesitated before replying, "Truth is, I don't know what to think. Seems there's a whole lot more going on behind the scenes of this academy than they've let on."
Reiko reflected for a few moments before speaking. "I think Lieutenant Kaido is right that we need to know the real dangers we're facing. But I also understand General Everett's concern. That kind of knowledge is a heavy burden for raw recruits like us." She brushed a stray lock of raven hair behind her ear. "Though I suppose it's better to be prepared than live in ignorance."
Kurosawa nodded slowly, weighing Reiko's words. Through the window, the setting sun painted the dorm room in blue hues. "Best we stay vigilant and don't let our guard down. I've got a feeling this is just the beginning."
Reiko flashed a slight smile and rose to her feet, smoothing the wrinkles from her standard-issue fatigues. "Well, I think we ought to rest up while we can before the real training kicks off. Got a hunch we've got a long road ahead of us."
Kurosawa nodded silently, watching as her new roommate finished unpacking her belongings. Despite her initial distrust, there was something about Reiko's serenity that put her at ease. Maybe having a roommate wouldn't be so bad after all.
The two recruits settled in to rest, braced to face the challenges awaiting them come morning light. As Kurosawa slid beneath the covers, she couldn't help but wonder if she had what it took for the trials to come. But for the first time in many years... she didn't feel completely alone.