The days following the Proving Simulation felt different for Rael. Every time he walked through the Academy corridors, the looks from other students weren't the same—longer, more focused, with many now whispering about him. It wasn't the kind of attention he desired, but it was the new reality he had to face, especially from students of House Auctoritas, who now seemed to regard him as a threat.
Among them, Mira Kasari stood out as the loudest in her discontent. Known for her arrogance and her belief that Auctoritas was the preeminent house in the Academy, with all others merely shadows, Mira appeared particularly unsettled by Rael's performance in the simulation. Wherever Rael went, Mira's gaze wasn't far, watching his every move with special attention, perhaps planning her next move.
A few days later, all Inferus students from every house were gathered in the grand hall. A sense of unease filled the space, with whispers rippling among the students, curious about the purpose of this assembly. Rael, seated among them, felt something different. Unlike their usual gatherings, the atmosphere today was charged with tension.
Lord Caius Vernal stepped forward, his posture strong, his gaze cold. Every movement radiated authority, and as he began to speak, the murmurs in the hall instantly quieted.
"You all performed well in the Proving Simulation," Lord Caius announced, his voice reverberating to every corner of the hall. "But to prepare you for the real world, we are introducing an Integrated Training Programme known as the Preparatory Network. This programme is designed to test resilience, strategy, and teamwork in simulations that demand much more."
His words struck every student. Rael could hear murmurs around him, whispers filled with excitement but also anxiety. The Preparatory Network was well-known for its rigorous endurance tests, reserved for those showing exceptional talent. He felt a new drive within—a motivation to push forward and test his limits.
Lord Caius continued, "In the Preparatory Network, you will be grouped into small teams comprising students from different houses. Together, you will face simulated threats, including dangerous creatures like Vilehounds and Graveclaws in a constructed field. This is no longer about theory or basic training. This is preparation for real threats."
Rael looked around, curiosity rising as he studied the other students. Who among them would join him in this mission? While he hoped deep down to be paired with Eira from Umbra, he realised that the team composition would be different this time.
The following day, Rael received the notification of his team members. He would be placed in a team with Mira Kasari from Auctoritas, Tyra from Bellator, and Asher Montreux from Ingenium. Immediately, his emotions mixed. Mira—the hard-headed leader from Auctoritas, who had shown clear dissatisfaction with him. Asher, a meticulous strategic genius, and Tyra, an accomplished marksman from Bellator with an impressive reputation.
In the designated training room for simulation preparation, they gathered for the first time. Mira stood tall, her face exuding confidence, her gaze fixed sharply on Rael, her usual air of cynicism clear. Tyra was busy inspecting her equipment, checking her ammunition and assessing the strategic angles of the training area. Meanwhile, Asher remained silent, his gaze locked on the simulation field map displayed in front of them, studying every detail intently.
Rael observed them one by one, realising that he needed to take the initiative to ensure team cohesion. "We all come from different houses, so communication and cooperation will be key," he said with a serious yet calm tone. "Let's make sure to maximise each house's unique strengths during this mission."
Mira rolled her eyes slightly, smirking. "Fine, Rael. You're from Umbra, so your role is obvious. Take the lead and signal if there's any threat. I don't fancy being attacked from behind."
Rael restrained himself from replying, knowing that provoking conflict wasn't wise in this situation. Instead, he nodded, signalling that he accepted her directive.
Tyra lifted her rifle confidently. "Long-range and cover are my specialties," she said, her voice steady and assured.
Asher, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke with a low but clear tone, "And I'll handle information and monitoring. Let's make sure we stay in constant communication so we can respond to any situation changes quickly."
After outlining their strategy, they entered the simulation area, which had been set up to resemble Dominion's borders, with artificial forests, building ruins, and realistic natural obstacles. The dim lighting and the rustling of leaves created an eerie, immersive atmosphere that kept them all on high alert.
Rael led his team forward, their steps slow and careful as they navigated the narrow path winding through artificial trees in the simulation arena. The sombre atmosphere, with the limited light from the simulated sky casting an illusion of thick fog, heightened their sense of danger. In the oppressive silence, a low growl suddenly echoed from the distance, reverberating like a whispered threat.
Rael immediately raised his hand, signalling his team to halt and remain silent. They obeyed instantly, each assuming a defensive position. Ahead, only a few metres away, two Vilehounds were patrolling the narrow path. The Vilehounds, with their dense black fur and sharp, prominent fangs, possessed exceptional hearing and an attack speed that often caught opponents off guard.
Rael glanced back, gesturing to the others to move right, away from the Vilehounds' patrol route. He knew that without extreme caution, the Vilehounds could detect them in an instant.
Behind him, Mira frowned. She scoffed, clearly unaccustomed to a strategy of evasion. However, for once, she chose to follow Rael's direction without complaint, though her expression betrayed her impatience.
Slowly, they crept in the direction Rael indicated, moving with utmost care along a more concealed edge. Rael held his breath as they nearly cleared the area without attracting the Vilehounds' attention. However, amid the tense silence, the crack of a dry twig sounded under Tyra's foot. Though faint, it was enough to make the two Vilehounds stop immediately and turn their attention towards the team.
Without hesitation, the Vilehounds fixed their gaze on Rael's team, growling menacingly. The creatures then charged toward them with incredible speed, ready to attack.
"Attack!" Mira commanded, her voice firm and decisive.
Tyra quickly raised her rifle, positioning herself and locking onto her target. Before the first Vilehound could get close, she fired a precise shot, the bullet piercing the creature's head. The Vilehound staggered momentarily, then collapsed motionless.
Rael and Mira immediately confronted the second Vilehound. Rael moved deftly, stepping forward and baiting the creature's attention with swift, agile movements. Each of his steps was calculated, keeping his distance yet maintaining a position that allowed Mira to attack from the other side. With perfect timing, Mira swung her tactical hammer with full force, striking the Vilehound's head with a satisfying crack. The creature fell, unmoving.
Mira exhaled and smirked. "Not bad," she said, though her tone carried a touch of reluctant praise.
Rael nodded calmly, choosing to stay focused and ignore Mira's comment. He knew they had only just begun, and there were still many challenges awaiting them ahead.
A few minutes later, they continued deeper, moving into a part of the simulation set up with building ruins surrounding narrow passageways. Rael led the way, using his skills as an Umbra to detect nearby enemy movements. The atmosphere grew more tense, with the shadows of broken structures casting a dark and ominous presence.
Behind him, Asher, who was monitoring his detection device, suddenly raised his hand, signalling them to stop. His expression was serious as he looked at the small screen on his device. "There's a Graveclaw nearby," he whispered, low enough for only his teammates to hear.
A Graveclaw. Rael felt his breath catch for a moment. A massive creature with razor-sharp claws and immense physical strength. He knew that confronting it in an open area was a huge risk, and he needed to quickly find a safer tactic.
"We can't fight it in the open. Graveclaws are too powerful," Rael whispered to the others. "I suggest we lure it into this narrow passage. Tyra can shoot from the back while Mira and I engage it up close."
Mira narrowed her eyes, appearing to evaluate the plan, then nodded in agreement. "Fine, Rael. Asher, keep your detector active. If anything else approaches, alert us immediately."
They took positions according to Rael's strategy. Tyra stepped back slightly, positioning her rifle for the best vantage point. Mira held her tactical hammer firmly, standing by Rael, ready to draw the Graveclaw's attention towards them. Rael steadied himself, taking a deep breath before moving into action.
With careful steps, Rael advanced, making a small knock on the wall and swift movement to attract the Graveclaw's attention. The massive creature turned, its gaze fixing on Rael, its eyes gleaming with deadly intent. The Graveclaw let out a loud roar, adding to the tension within the narrow passageway.
As soon as the Graveclaw entered the passage, Tyra, positioned at the rear, fired her first shot at the creature's eye. Her shot hit its target precisely, causing the creature to roar in pain. At that moment, Mira charged forward with a powerful swing of her hammer, striking the Graveclaw's head while it was focused on Rael.
Moving quickly, Rael plunged his blade into the creature's weak spot on its side, delivering the final blow. The Graveclaw collapsed to the ground, motionless.
They were all breathing heavily, but beneath the fatigue, there was a sense of satisfaction and pride. Successfully taking down such a powerful creature through solid teamwork was proof that they could function as a cohesive unit.
Asher nodded at Rael with quiet respect. "Solid strategy," he commented briefly, yet his tone carried appreciation. "We worked well together."
When they finally reached the simulation's endpoint, the team regrouped in the safe zone. Relief and satisfaction filled their faces, realising that the teamwork they had built had successfully tackled the intense challenges.
An instructor stood at the exit, greeting them with a look of approval. "You did well," he said, his voice low but filled with authority. "Remember, teamwork is the key to success in every mission. Continue to sharpen your skills and strengthen your mental resilience."
That night, as Rael returned to his room, the pride and satisfaction from the day lingered. This wasn't just a training exercise to deepen his abilities but also an opportunity to get to know his teammates better. He now understood each of their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the dynamics that made them a strong team despite being from different houses.
Yet, beneath the satisfaction, a deeper feeling began to grow. Every step in the Academy, every training and simulation he completed, felt like it was peeling back layer upon layer of a mystery he had yet to fully understand—a secret about himself and about Dominion, which seemed to hold many things hidden from common knowledge. Rael's gaze drifted to the window, looking towards the towering Aegis Wall in the distance, as though the wall was a barrier not only against the Gloomspawn but also to a greater truth.
"This Dominion… there's more to it than meets the eye," Rael whispered to himself. And with a resolve that grew stronger, he promised to continue seeking the truth, no matter the obstacles.