The Days Following the First Official Mission
Though some time had passed since their first official mission, the atmosphere at Dominion Elite Academy remained charged. The Green Zone mission, while only an initial test, had left a deep impression on each student. The dining hall was filled with whispers and glances, some students holding their heads high while others seemed lost in the shadows of failure or disappointment. Rael sat with his friends from Umbra, trying to focus on the food in front of him, but his mind drifted. Something gnawed at him, a restless feeling, as if questions were stirring deep inside, demanding answers that remained elusive.
At the far end of the hall, Mira Kasari from Auctoritas sat proudly among the other Medius students, her air of confidence clear, especially following her promotion after the mission. Rael noticed her gaze drifting toward him at times—a glance that held a mix of curiosity and caution. Once again, Rael sensed the growing distance between them. They had once stood together in the field, but now Mira seemed more like someone driven by ambition and status than a teammate.
Rael exhaled slowly, glancing occasionally at his housemates. Eira, his loyal friend from Umbra, sat beside him, studying his face closely before asking, "What's on your mind, Rael?"
Rael started slightly. "Maybe… curiosity. About the mission. About everything happening beyond these walls." His voice was low, almost a whisper, but just enough for Eira to hear.
Eira nodded in understanding, offering a faint smile. "Everyone here is searching for something, Rael. Whether it's honour, power, or perhaps… answers."
At that moment, someone approached their table. Luca Valen from Bellator, known for his determination and discontent with the Holy Council, walked toward them with steady steps. His scarred face reflected resilience, yet his eyes held a new caution. Without preamble, he greeted Rael.
"Rael," Luca began, his voice low but firm. "I hear Master Elyon is pushing you all harder in Umbra. Don't let the pressure break you."
Rael offered a small smile, nodding in understanding. "I'm used to pressure, Luca. Besides, we're all carrying our own burdens here, aren't we?"
Luca returned the smile, but his gaze sharpened. "True," he said, his voice calm but edged with emotion. "But remember, in this Academy, our enemies aren't just the Gloomspawn. We're also fighting to keep hold of ourselves—to make sure we don't get lost in the shadows of this system."
Luca's words struck Rael deeply. He knew that within Luca lay a resentment toward the Holy Council, rooted in a loss he rarely spoke of. The more time Rael spent at the Academy, the clearer it became that their battles extended beyond the creatures outside to the confines of Dominion's own rules.
That afternoon, Rael and his fellow Umbra students were directed to a training area more challenging than usual. There, Master Elyon had arranged an intense session. Every Inferus student in Umbra was required to move in silence, evading delicate traps set to test their agility and composure.
Elyon stood firm at the centre of the room, his sharp gaze watching every student. "You may feel pride in your small success on the first mission," his voice reverberated across the room, "but don't let that blind you. In the real field, there's no room for even the slightest mistake."
Rael took a deep breath, calming himself. He stepped into the training corridor, his eyes focused, every muscle tense. On either side of him, alarms lay ready to sound at the smallest misstep. His gaze swept the floor ahead, ensuring each step was precise and calculated. He moved slowly, controlling his breathing with every step, balancing the quiet and composure needed.
At the back of the training room, Eira and Jarin watched Rael. Eira whispered to Jarin in admiration, "Rael's getting better—look at how he moves, barely a sound."
Jarin nodded, though his expression remained serious. "Yes, he's learning quickly, but this is just training. The outside world won't give second chances."
Rael finally made it through the trap-laden corridor with only one minor slip—a faint sound as his heel nearly touched a sensor. He held his breath, hoping the noise was too soft for Master Elyon to notice. However, Elyon merely looked at him with an impassive gaze, as though seeing beyond his steps to something deeper.
"Again," Elyon ordered coldly, his face showing no trace of leniency. "You must complete it without any mistakes."
Rael sighed deeply, but he didn't protest. He knew that in Umbra, perfection was the only acceptable path. He returned to the starting point, repeating the exercise with even greater resolve. Each step was now more measured, each breath quieter, and each movement made with utmost care.
Elyon watched him intently, his gaze dissecting Rael's form as if searching for something beyond mere agility. Rael felt the weight of that scrutiny but understood that this training wasn't just about testing his skill—it was a test of his mental endurance, his ability to withstand pressure and become a true shadow.
After a day of exhausting training, Rael walked slowly to the library. The sky had darkened, and the corridors were silent, allowing him to savour the tranquillity that gradually filled the quiet library. The library felt like a refuge—no scrutinising stares, no harsh commands, just him, ancient books, and the dim glow from hanging lamps.
Rael chose a seat in a corner by a large window overlooking the Aegis Wall. He opened an old book filled with notes on strategy and battle tactics, but his mind wandered. Beyond the book's yellowed pages, memories of their first mission in the Green Zone lingered. He could still feel the pulse of adrenaline, the grip of fear facing the Gloomspawn. Yet, beyond that tension, there was an unsettling sense that a deeper threat lay hidden, as though the real danger was more than just those creatures.
In the silence, he heard familiar soft footsteps approaching. Jasper Wren, the aged and mysterious librarian, appeared at his side, regarding him with a thin smile that concealed more than it revealed.
"Rael," Jasper whispered, his voice soft but laden with meaning. "Have you found what you're looking for?"
Rael closed his book slowly, looking at Jasper with eyes filled with curiosity and unease. "Found it? Not exactly, Jasper. This Academy… this place is full of secrets. It feels like every step we take is carefully orchestrated, and we're just pieces in a much larger game. I feel like something's being kept from us."
Jasper nodded slowly, his eyes gleaming with the wisdom of one who had observed much over time. "There's much hidden within Dominion's walls, Rael. But not everyone dares to seek it, nor the patience to understand it. You're young, still searching for the true meaning of your place here. There's nothing wrong with that."
Rael felt the tension in his heart ease slightly, as if Jasper's words had opened a path for his mind to find its answers. "Jasper, do you think… the Holy Council controls everything? What we do here… is it truly for Dominion's good?"
Jasper smiled faintly, a smile that held layers of meaning. "Truth, Rael, is a complex thing. The Holy Council believes they hold the ultimate truth, and in Dominion, they are the highest authority. But remember, not everything they believe or say is the only reality. The absolute truth may be something you'll have to seek on your own."
Rael fell silent, absorbing Jasper's words. The librarian's calm and steady presence offered him newfound strength, as though something hidden within himself had been stirred awake. He nodded slowly, understanding that the pursuit of truth would require unwavering resolve.
"Never stop questioning, Rael," Jasper advised before turning to leave, leaving Rael to his thoughts. Those words echoed within him, a wellspring of inspiration that would likely guide him in the days to come.
After Jasper disappeared from view, Rael gazed out the window at the towering Aegis Wall under the moonlight. His resolve solidified. There was a truth out there, something hidden behind Dominion's walls of power, and he promised himself he wouldn't give up until he found it.
The Next Day
The following morning, Rael awoke with a mixture of nerves and anticipation. Orders from the Holy Council had declared that selected Inferus students would undergo training alongside Medius students as part of a "potential evaluation." He knew this would be a big opportunity—to prove himself among those with greater experience.
When he arrived at the main training hall, he could feel the tension in the air. Medius groups from Auctoritas, Bellator, and Ingenium had already gathered, their faces displaying confidence and a hint of superiority. They stood tall, observing the Inferus group with sharp looks, as though assessing the capabilities of these lower-ranked students.
Mira Kasari, now a Medius in Auctoritas, stood among them. Her gaze fell on Rael, as if she were appraising whether he could measure up to her. With a smirk, Mira stepped forward, greeting him with a tone that blended mockery and arrogance. "Rael," she said, looking at him as though he were an opponent to be beaten. "Welcome to real training. I hope you're ready. Medius has higher standards, you know?"
Rael held back, responding only with a calm look and a slight nod. "I came to learn, Mira. I hope we can all show our best today."
Mira's smile widened slightly, but her eyes held an unmistakable glint of rivalry. He knew their relationship had shifted, and each meeting was now an assessment of who was stronger.
The day's training began with a simulation of a tougher terrain. The Medius students were assigned the role of defenders, while the Inferus team had to infiltrate the protected territory. Every move needed to be swift, precise, and tactical, as even the smallest mistake could lead to "death" in the simulation.
Rael moved with the composure of an Umbra member, calculating each step and movement carefully. In silence, he observed the training field, planning his strategy to avoid being trapped by the Medius defenders. Mira led her team with impressive tactics, but Rael focused on slipping past her, utilising all the skills he had learned to stay hidden in the shadows.
Whenever Mira or one of her team members came close, Rael quickly concealed himself behind pillars or moved among bushes with complete silence. At times, they almost caught him, but each time, he managed to escape with agility and purpose. He knew this was his chance to prove that an Inferus, especially from Umbra, could infiltrate even the most heavily guarded grounds.
By the end of the simulation, despite being tired and drenched in sweat, Rael felt a profound sense of satisfaction. Several times, he had nearly been caught, but he completed the exercise without a fatal mistake. He knew that, though unspoken, his performance today had caught the attention not only of Mira but also the instructors.