*** A few weeks later on the day of the 3rd Wave ***
Ace put a hand on a steep rock face. With a heavy grunt, he pulled himself over a craggy ledge and collapsed onto the plateau. He looked to his left. Both Silas and Bell had already finished the climb. The other trainees weren't far behind.
Instructor Gawain was to his right, standing at the ledge while looking at his watch with a frown. As the last trainee hobbled onto the plateau, he turned to the group.
"Take a break. We will be staying up here for a while. The third wave is about to start, and this is the perfect chance for you guys to get a good look."
A trainee raised their hand.
"What do you mean Instructor? Get a good look at what?"
Gawain pointed to The Wall off in the distance.
"Do you guys think The Wall defends itself during the waves? No. That isn't that case. Just watch, you'll see what I mean."
Ace looked around at the other trainees, nearly everyone seemed relaxed, as if they were completely unconcerned about the oncoming wave of Sever Beasts. He knew the Wall was strong but the idea of sitting leisurely on a mountain plateau as millions of people were ripped to pieces was... unsettling.
He pondered the moral implications of his own actions. Was he a hypocrite for retreating to safety while his old community members were brutally killed? Was he a coward? What would his family say?
Lost in thought, he almost didn't notice the storm clouds rapidly forming in the sky. Their reach grew at an alarming rate, turning regular clouds gray with only a touch.
Before long, the entire sky over GQC-1 was covered in gray clouds that were crackling with electricity.
At the same time, Talos and everyone's wardens shimmered into existence. The message was the same for everyone.
[The Third Wave of GQC-1 Has Begun!]
Hearing those words, Ace turned his attention back to The Wall. Despite the darkness from the cloud cover, he could see tiny black dots off in the distance.
They approached rapidly, amalgamating into a massive blob. He squinted his eyes. The beasts couldn't be made out individually but multiple guide entries appeared in his vision anyways.
Mutated Ravens, Pigeons, and Woodpeckers? He didn't recognize the names of the second two flying creatures but he assumed they were stronger than the Ravens. Concerned start to blossom deep in his heart.
He had yet to see another Golden Eagle, even it was Grade One. And what about the Mutated Black Bear? The lack of their presence only told him that things were going to get much more difficult.
Dismissing the beast guide entries, he turned his attention back to the horde of flying Sever Beasts.
Before he could blink, a bright streak of light fell from the clouds above. It lit up the surrounding area, temporarily banishing the darkness and blinding him. A second later, a loud cracking sound ripped through the air and shook the entire mountain, causing many trainees to cover their ears in pain.
When his vision returned, Ace looked for the horde of flying creatures.
'huh?'
He couldn't find them, they were... gone. It was like they weren't there in the first place.
Off in the distance behind him, he could see multiple flashes of lightning and hear other bouts of thunder.
Before he could even process what had happened, another horde had already began its approach. This time, they tried to descend into the slums at the base of The Wall. Once again, a bolt of lightning rained down, erasing evidence of the hordes existence.
Completely mesmerized by the lightshow, Ace and the other trainees watched in amazement as the clouds and their lightning bolts mercilessly repelled the third wave of Sever Beasts.
***
[Congratulations, you have survived the Third Wave of GQC-1!]
Quickly dismissing Talos's message, Ace looked to Instructor Gawain. All the other trainees followed suit.
Their was only one question on everyone's mind.
"Instructor... what was that?!"
Taking a second to look at dissipating storm clouds , Gawain smiled wistfully.
"That... was the Monarch of Lightning. His strength is undeniable, as you have just witnessed. Unfortunately... he is also our greatest enemy. The only reason he is kept in check is because of the leaders of other Houses. Now, that's enough of a rest! Back down the mountain Trainees!"
Ace and the others complied, easily descending the craggy peaks and completing the 40 mile run that followed.
After a month in the program, only 100 trainees remained. They were the best of the best... physically speaking.
From a mental standpoint... they were perhaps the worst. Much to Ace's dismay, some of them still carried an air of superiority which had only been magnified by their continued survival in the program.
He did his best to avoid them and only talked with Bell and Silas. Every meal he ate with them only served to strengthen their growing bond.
Finishing lunch, Ace quickly ran to the forest clearing to practice his swordsmanship. There were 15 people who remained in his group.
They had progressed through all the basic movements including thrusts and all the directional slashes. Now, they were being taught the most simplest style of swordsmanship, the Basic Steel Style.
It was one that combined the basic movements in a seamless manner, allowing a Notched swordsman to fight at the lowest level. It wasn't flashy but was well suited to novice warriors who lacked experience.
For Ace, it felt stifling. He wasn't a combat expert by any means, but could simply tell the style wasn't meant for one with a physical disposition such as his. The style relied on heavy offense and left little room for imagination or defense. With one arm, that wasn't something he could accept.
There had to be something better suited for him, but he wouldn't be allowed to learn a more complicated form until officially becoming a knight.
Dissatisfied, he begrudgingly finished up the drills for the day and headed to the main practice field to meet up with Silas for their daily spar.
As he walked through the forest, he couldn't help but pump himself up. Over the past 20 days, he had earned a record of 9 wins and 10 losses vs Silas.
'I have to even up the score!'
With thoughts of victory on his mind, Ace breached the tree line and saw two figures in the field. Once he got close, he struggled to hide his surprise.
"Bell? What are you doing here?" He asked.
She only shrugged her shoulders.
"Beats me, my supervisor told me to come here after finishing my drills."
In response, Ace raised his eyebrow and looked at Silas. He only shrugged his shoulders in return.
Then, suddenly, a familiar voice broke the silence
"Its because the rules of the Selection Tournament have been changed for this year."
Whipping around on a dime, the trio turned around only to find themselves face to face with Larcet. He had somehow snuck up on all three of them without making a sound. A feat made even more impressive by his size and full plate armor.
Too shocked to speak, the trio could only wait for an elaboration.
Taking a second to tighten his gauntlets, Larcet continued.
"Instead of using a large bracket with hundreds of entrants, there will be two phases to the tournament."
He paused to ready his shield and hammer.
"The first will be a four way battle in which teams of four enter a large and artificial arena and fight teams from other houses. Each House can field fifteen teams with one of them being the premier team. The premier teams will contain the young Lawless of the House they represent. They will also carry a special marker which makes them stand out from other teams. The two Houses than are left standing at the end will then fight each other in a series of one-on-one battles in the next phase.
The victor of each bout will stay on the field until they lose, similar to a gauntlet. The last team standing will be deemed the winner. I shouldn't have to say this, but this means it is in your best interest to not run around like a bloodthirsty maniac. You will tire yourself out."
Staring nervously at Larcet's readied weapons, Ace asked a follow up question.
"What's the reason for the change?"
Larcet sighed, clearly tired of speaking. Nonetheless he answered the question.
"The House Leaders decided it was a better representation of each House's strength. They were most likely dissatisfied with the Lightning Monarch's son winning every year. Any more questions?"
Ace looked at his partners.
"Where is our fourth?"
Larcet didn't answer but instead pointed a finger behind him at the mountain.
Jumping from perch to perch was a lightly armored figure shining in the moonlight. Their descent was fast, only lasting a few seconds. She crossed the valley in seconds, stopping behind Larcet.
"Brother..."
Larcet heard her words but only pointed at Ace, Bell, and Silas.
"Hurry up and make your introduction. We have work to do."
Stellis coughed embarrassingly before introducing herself to Bell and Silas. She then fell into line with the trio, completing their team.
Ace eyed Larcet's hammer suspiciously.
"So what now?"
He put on his helmet.
"What happens now? You all do your best to defeat me. Feel free to use your abilities, your chisels, cheap tactics... whatever you want. Everything will be allowed in the tournament. If you can manage to beat me... you will at least make it to the second phase. Now, get ready!"
With those words, he bashed his hammer against his shield, sending out a shockwave that separated Ace from his companions.
The last thing he remembered seeing was an armored fist rapidly approaching his face. The world went dark after that.