The clinic door creaked open, and a medic stepped out, clipboard in hand. "You three here for injuries?"
"Not me," Kieran said quickly, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I'm just here for the entertainment."
Elijah glanced at the medic. "We're fine, really. No injuries."
The medic's eyes narrowed. "Instructor's orders?"
Elijah and Visconti exchanged a look before nodding.
"Then come inside," the medic said, stepping aside. "We'll do a quick check-up."
The nurse finished her quick checks and sent them on their way, telling them to take it easy for the rest of the day. As they stepped back outside into the hallway, Kieran was still leaning against the wall, looking as if he hadn't moved an inch.
As Elijah and Visconti walked past, Kieran called out, "Try not to get grounded, heroes!"
Elijah shook his head. "You're insufferable."
Visconti glanced over at Elijah, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Well, since we're done here, I guess we better get back to training."
Kieran raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "What, already? You two are something else. Don't you get tired of fighting all the time?"
Elijah shot him a deadpan look. "Do you get tired of talking?
Visconti snorted beside him, unable to help but let out a brief laugh.
Time had passed quickly, and before anyone realized it, a month had gone by.
The routines of training, sparring, and occasional mishaps had settled into the cadets' daily lives, but today was different.
All the cadets were summoned to the main building early in the morning.
The air was buzzing with hushed conversations as they filed into the large hall.
The usually noisy group seemed unusually tense, their voices kept low.
"What do you think this is about?" one cadet whispered.
"Maybe they're reshuffling teams again," another suggested, frowning. "Or maybe it's a new evaluation."
"Could be a mission," Kieran muttered, leaning casually against a wall but clearly paying attention. "Why else would they call us all here?"
Visconti raised an eyebrow. "A mission? We're not even ready for one yet. Speak for yourself, though—maybe you're not ready."
Kieran rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. I'm more than ready. I was born for this."
Elijah, standing quietly near them, glanced around the room.
The unease among the cadets was palpable.
He could see some of them fidgeting, others looking up toward the stage where the instructor would undoubtedly appear.
"Whatever it is, it's big," Elijah finally said, breaking his silence.
Kieran turned to him, grinning. "What makes you say that?"
Elijah shrugged. "They don't usually call everyone together unless it's something important."
Before Kieran could respond, the doors at the far end of the hall swung open with a loud creak, and all chatter ceased instantly.
The head instructor strode in, flanked by two
other officers, their faces set in grim expressions.
The cadets straightened up, tension thickening the air as the instructor stepped up to the podium at the front of the hall.
His sharp gaze swept over the room, silencing even the smallest shuffles and whispers.
"Cadets," the instructor began, his voice echoing through the hall. "I'm sure you're all wondering why you've been called here today."
A murmur ran through the crowd, but it quickly died down under the weight of his piercing stare.
"There will be a group battle next week. I'm sure one of the instructor have mentioned it to you." the head instructor continued. "There will be three members per team, that means you wont draw new teammates.."
The hall erupted into chaos as the instructor's announcement sank in.
Cadets began talking over one another, their excitement and anxiety filling the room like a buzzing hive.
"A group spar? Finally!" Kieran exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air. "This is going to be epic!"
"Wait, what? That's next week?!" a cadet groaned. "They could've given us more notice!"
"Didn't they mention this a month ago?" another asked, scratching his head.
They did," Visconti muttered, crossing his arms. "But they conveniently left out the date, so of course everyone slacked off."
Elijah stood quietly amidst the chaos, processing the news.
A group spar. Three members per team. They wouldn't need to draw teammates, meaning teams had already been set.
His gaze flicked to Visconti and Kieran. So this is it. Us three.
The instructor's voice boomed through the noise. "Enough!"
The hall fell silent once more, all eyes turning back to the podium.
"I see some of you have forgotten," the instructor said, his tone dripping with displeasure. "This sparring event was announced a month ago. It's not our fault if you chose to ignore your training. Let this be a lesson—always be prepared."
A few cadets shifted uncomfortably, while others looked determined.
"The spar will test your teamwork, strategy, and adaptability," the instructor continued. "Winning isn't just about individual skill. If you cannot work as a team, you will fail. And failing here means you are not ready for what awaits you beyond these walls."
Elijah exchanged glances with Visconti and Kieran.
Visconti looked thoughtful, already strategizing in his head, while Kieran appeared more fired up than ever.
"We're going to win this," Kieran said confidently. "The three of us? Unstoppable."
Visconti raised an eyebrow. "Don't get cocky. There's more to a group spar than brute strength. We'll need a plan."
Elijah remained silent, but his mind was already turning. Teamwork, strategy, adaptability… This isn't just about me anymore.
The instructor gave a final nod. "You have a week to prepare. Make it count. Dismissed."