Chapter 2: Bonds and Barriers
The adrenaline was just beginning to wear off as Talon and his team stepped out of the Rift Zone. The shimmering portal sealed shut behind them, leaving the rocky canyon and blood-red sky as nothing more than a memory. Back in the familiar training grounds of Vanguard Academy, the world felt quieter, more controlled—but the weight of the test still lingered.
A stern-faced instructor with a clipboard approached them, her silver braid gleaming in the sunlight. "Team C-17," she said, scanning the group. "Mission complete. No casualties. Average performance." Her gaze lingered on the group for a moment before jotting down a few notes. "You're dismissed. Report to Lecture Hall B for debriefing in one hour."
As the instructor walked away, Brant let out a loud sigh, yanking off his helmet. Sweat matted his short blond hair, and his cocky grin had returned. "Average performance? Did she see me body-check that manticore?"
"Yeah," Lira replied dryly, "and how it nearly impaled you five seconds later."
Edrik chuckled nervously, fiddling with the straps of his daggers. "At least we passed. That thing was tougher than I expected for an E-rank."
"You get used to it," Talon said, shrugging. His arms ached from the partial transformation, the golden fur and claws now fully receded. The Nemean Lion's power was a double-edged sword: exhilarating in the moment but leaving his body strained afterward.
Brant clapped him on the shoulder. "You're the real deal, man. Those claws? That speed? You're definitely carrying some serious shard power."
Talon's expression darkened slightly, though he masked it quickly. "Yeah, well, it's not enough yet."
Lira raised an eyebrow. "Not enough? You practically soloed the thing."
"Not enough to matter," Talon said, his tone clipped. "Not until I'm strong enough to take on A-rank dungeons. Maybe S-rank."
The group fell silent for a moment, sensing the weight behind his words. Brant broke the tension with a laugh. "Alright, Mr. S-Rank Aspirations. Let's see if you're still this cocky when we're knee-deep in the next test."
---
The debriefing in Lecture Hall B was led by a different instructor, a wiry man with sharp features and eyes that seemed to pierce through everyone in the room. He introduced himself as Instructor Velas, the academy's specialist in Rift analysis and tactical strategy.
"Listen closely," Velas began, pacing the front of the room. "Your performance in the Rift Zones today is just the beginning. Vanguard Academy isn't interested in flashy heroics. We measure teamwork, adaptability, and efficiency. The goal isn't just to survive—it's to dominate."
He tapped on a tablet, and holographic projections of various monsters appeared above the stage, rotating slowly. Among them was a manticore, its glowing green eyes and venomous tail frozen in mid-swipe.
"This was your test creature," Velas said. "E-rank. Dangerous in numbers, manageable alone. But remember: the Rift Zones don't play fair. You won't always be fighting things that match your skill level. Learn to strategize, or you'll end up another statistic."
Talon leaned back in his seat, absorbing every word. Velas's blunt delivery resonated with him. Strategy was where he needed to improve—where he could turn raw power into something unstoppable.
---
After the lecture, Talon found himself wandering the academy grounds. The campus was alive with activity: groups of students sparring in the training arenas, others poring over glowing textbooks in the open-air library, and a few lounging near the crystalline fountain in the central plaza.
He paused near the fountain, staring at the water as it cascaded in shimmering arcs. His parents' faces surfaced in his mind, unbidden. He could still hear their voices, still feel the weight of the shard they'd given him.
"I'll make it," he murmured to himself. "I'll make sure it wasn't for nothing."
"Talking to yourself already?"
Talon turned to see Lira approaching, her staff slung casually over her shoulder. Her glowing tattoos dimmed slightly in the daylight, but her sharp gaze was as piercing as ever.
"Just thinking," Talon said.
Lira smirked. "Dangerous habit. People might think you're brooding."
"Maybe I am."
"Fair enough." She leaned against the fountain, studying him. "You're serious about this, aren't you? The whole A-rank, S-rank thing?"
Talon nodded. "I have to be."
"Well, just don't burn yourself out," Lira said. "This place has a way of chewing up people with too much to prove."
"Good thing I'm not planning on getting chewed up."
Lira's smirk widened. "Alright, Leonhardt. Let's see if you can back that up."
---
As night fell over Vanguard Academy, Talon returned to his dorm room, a compact space with just enough room for a bed, desk, and a small training corner. The walls were lined with glowing runes that pulsed softly, providing both light and a subtle sense of security.
He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his hands. The power of the Nemean Lion shard was still there, thrumming beneath his skin. But it wasn't enough. Not yet.
A notification blinked on his desk terminal, and he leaned over to check it. The screen displayed a message:
Mission Log Updated: Initial Performance - Pass. Placement Exam Pending.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Just the beginning," he muttered. And with that, he began preparing for whatever came next.