Days passed with continued exercises and trainings. The trainees would still start the day with running, then continue with combat drills only to end with physical exercises and theoretical lessons after dinner. The free time they have left would be used for whatever they felt was lacking. Throughout the past three weeks, Group A-2 continued their meditation. They actually had made some progress despite the short time they had.
"Do you guys feel it too? I never expected for Ether to feel so euphoric. Is this how Evolvers feel all day?" (J)
"You feel that way because of the adrenaline and seratonin, you idiot. Ether doesn't feel different than the air you breathe." (K)
During the past three weeks the group made great progress, with now every one of them being able to feel the Ether. This pace greatly shocked Tyson, who knew how long it would take for most people. He didn't have much expectations when he first suggested practicing Ether Control, but now he was. So he gave his teammates some pointers to how to take control of the Ether. It was obviously the Ether in one's body, as controlling the Ether outside of one's body was not possible unless the person became a Savant. Savants could be called mages, as they were people with evolutions that could originate from outside their bodies and thus could utilize it. Although there were no definite way of becoming one, having high grade cores to engrave for the head cavity certainly helped. It was still a very long way for these six cubs though.
---
It was time for another theoretical lesson to end, but officer signaled for everyone to stay.
"Next monday you will receive your first missions, I want everyone in their peak, so use your free time wisely."
This surprised the trainees, as many of them only had two weeks of training. During the first week, remaining trainees arrived at the camp, bringing their number to over twenty thousand. But what surprised more was the mission would be outside of the camp, aboveground. Although the surface only had few abominations, the trainees haven't done their first engraving yet, would likely stay that way for six months.
"Why do you think we are getting a mission this early?" (S)
"I think it may be because of an incursion," Sean answered. "The military keeps the surface clean of powerful Abominations, but leave the weaker ones behind for training. If there was an Incursion, the number of Abominations would have increased, so they are deploying us to kill a few."
"Yeah, you should be right. And since we haven't Engraved yet, all barracks will probably move as a whole." (T)
"So~, do we continue with yoga or not? (J)
"I think it's time to give it a break, all of us here aldready sensed it after all. Sean and Latoya are also close to make it into a string. We can continue after the mission is over. What do you say Lat?" (T)
"Alright." (L)
"Then it's decided, let's hit the gym!" (J)
Group A-2 made their way to the training field, where the arenas were. They would fight each other like they did in the trainings, but before they could do that they were interrupted by another group.
"Hey, aren't you the Lazy Lads? Now you are in flap because of the mission? I don't understand how you were not discharged already."
Ignoring the annoying guy from the group they continued on their way. Although they were not worried like the guy said, it was true they didn't care as much for the physical training. It was why they have come here in a manner of a last minute cram. This time, they had no teams, everyone acted alone and attacked on whoever was at their front. It was chaotic and tiring, having to always check both your surroundings and front.
In the chaos was Sean, as the most close ranged of the group he was beaten black and blue. One time he tried to punch Samantha, Jayden had hit him with an arrow in his thigh, disrupting his momentum and made him move headstrong into Tyson's glaive's shaft. Blown back, Sean staggered backwards, only to find Latoya in front of him. Before he could pull himself together, Latoya swung her greatsword, and hit Sean with the flat side of it. It was him getting hit all over after that.
"I think we should go back to Ether control," Sean said on their way back to the barracks. "Or change how we train, I don't get how I'm the only one who gets bruised everytime."
"Like I said before, you are too focused on attacking. So we are beating this shit out of you." (T)
"Tch." (Sean)
'Well, I can't say it wasn't helpful. I certainly improved on my defense these last few days. I'm sure it will be helpful. Tomorrow is the big day, let's get a good night's rest today.'
It was as early as 4 a.m. when the group woke up. The was no sign of sun rising yet, and there wouldn't be as they were under ground. But that didn't prevent the trainees from looking up all the time. The camp had a holographic sky at the ceiling and lights that mimicked real light sources such as the moon and stars. It was one of the reasons that the trainees, or anyone in particular didn't feel claustrophobic. Everyone had gathered at the usual place of training field, but this time Captain Henry Hawks was also there. The trainees hadn't seen the man after the first week, everyone they interacted being either a Warrant Officer or a Sergeant at most.
"Listen up, trainees," Hawks began, his tone sharp and commanding. "Your first mission has been assigned. It's a reconnaissance operation. You'll be gathering intel on a new type of Abomination that has been spotted on the surface. The real things are more vicious and cunning then anything you've encountered in the training simulations so far. So stay alert and trust your instincts." He paused a moment for the trainees to digest what he said and understand the situation.
"Your objective," Captain Hawks continued, "is to observe and report. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary. We need to understand these new Abominations before we can effectively combat them. That means identifying their strengths, weaknesses, and any unusual behaviors. Remember, this is not a training exercise. The stakes are real."
He glanced around at the faces before him, gauging their readiness. "You'll move out in squads, and each squad will have a specific sector to cover. Your squads are the groups you were in since now. Stay in formation, communicate effectively, and above all, do not underestimate these creatures. Complacency will get you killed. You will return in four days. If you return earlier or later than that, we will consider you to have failed the mission. You will be given merit according to the info you've brought. Your mission starts at 0600 sharp," Hawks concluded. "Gear up, stay focused, and remember—this is your chance to prove yourselves. Dismissed."
Sean and his group exchanged glances, everyone determined to their best on their very first mission. They moved to the armoury to get their weapons, and a Staff Sergeant was in charge of their supplies. Getting everything they needed, they set off to the surface.
Way to the surface was not grand, an elevator bringim them closer to the surface where an hangar awaited them. In the hangar then they were placed on vehicles according to their sector, with each vehicle taking four squads. Group- Squad A-2 get on their vehicle with other three squads. All were in anticipation of seeing the real sky again after a month. Motors of the vehicles roared and they set off one by one.
When they got out of the hangar, the sun was just rising, blinding the few who were not expecting it to be so bright. Dust shrouds formed from all the vehicles moving, masking everything in a cloud of dust. Squad A-2 was assingned to a oasis type of place in this barren place. Many puddles of water and occasional trees could be seen even from a distance. The vehicle dropped them off before they got to the oasis though, as they had reached their location and turned back. Four days later they would come back the get the trainees.
"Are we lucky we are not in a compelete desert or unlucky because oasises would be more prone to have Abominations." (J)
"Depends on how bad the Abominations are. If we encounter a First Rank Red, I think we can manage ourselves pretty well." (Sean)
"Anything above Orange and we are probably dead." (K)
"Don't be such a foreboder, if we spot an Aberration it would give us enough merit to have our first Engraving." (S)
"How does that work, by the way? Can't we just Engrave here?" (J)
"If you want to risk your life with no potent medical care nearby, be my guest." (K)
They moved closer to the oasis as they inspected their environment, looking for any clues that would lead them to an Abomination. They would get what they wanted very soon.