"Dear residents of the Seventeenth Citadel, on this momentous day, I am pleased to welcome you all. Today, we present to the world a new generation of defenders for all of humanity!"
Once divided into two, the group came together. Standing in line and with their fists pressed to their chests, they felt the gazes of thousands of people on them.
Calmly raising his hand, the masked man gestured for the crowd to calm down.
*
In the large circular hall, soft white light evenly illuminated the space, reflecting off the perfectly smooth walls. Several holographic screens hovered in the air, broadcasting recordings of the ceremony.
At the center of the room stood a long table surrounded by austere yet elegant chairs. Several people had already gathered around it, their gazes fixed on the masked man, who was speaking to thousands at that very moment.
— "I think the presentation went at a decent level," broke the silence the man in military uniform. His short gray hair and heavy gaze revealed him to be a veteran of many campaigns.
— "The crowd is thrilled," confirmed a woman in a strict suit, lazily scrolling through data on her tablet. "The perception of the program is within normal limits, the indicators are stable."
— "Margaret, what do you think of these 'cadets'? Your first impression," asked a man in a white coat in a sarcastic tone.
— "S-sir... It's too early to judge them... But if I were to speak about my impressions—this is an ordinary generation," she said stammering, bowing at the same time.
— "I see... You may go," the man turned back to the holographic screens.
— "Well then," the masked man continued, "we can conclude our meeting."
One by one, the council members left the hall, leaving behind a barely noticeable tension hanging in the air.
*
— "Did you hear all those enthusiastic shouts? Never would have thought I'd be greeted by so many people!" Ryuji addressed his friend, almost skipping along.
— "Well, if anything, people were more likely greeting the masked man. But even so, it was quite inspiring," Sora adjusted his glasses slightly, catching an indignant look from his friend.
— "You really like to spoil the atmosphere, can't you just be happy?"
— "I didn't say I wasn't happy."
— "You know, sometimes you really annoy me."
The verbal sparring continued until someone from the group walking with them pointed ahead.
Looking forward, the group saw a female figure walking ahead. She was dressed in a special suit that matched perfectly with what the cadets wore at the ceremony. But the similarities ended there. In some places, there were visible chips, cracks, and several gaps revealing her pale skin. The energy channels emitted an orange hue.
Her straight dark platinum hair reached her shoulders, slightly fluttering as she walked. Her sharply refined, predatory facial features combined with dark blue eyes created a striking picture.
Chewing on a lollipop and not slowing her pace, she momentarily glanced at the group with a tired look and, passing by them, continued on her way.
Silence reigned until the girl disappeared around the corner.
— "Is she a pilot?" a slightly surprised female voice broke the silence.
— "Most likely yes, judging by the suit—it's unlikely she's a rookie," Ryuji replied to the pretty girl who had asked the question earlier.
— "I didn't think pilots... were so... cool! Did you see that cold look!? And she looks like a work of art! Will we become like that too?!" the girl cried out in a voice full of reverence, bouncing around and addressing everyone else.
Ryuji, who had answered her earlier, just smiled awkwardly.
— "What's with her suit?" Cassian wondered aloud.
— "If she piloted that nexus, I think it makes sense. The fight was intense; it's amazing she's in such good condition."
— "Can pilots get such damage?" came a somewhat worried voice from the crowd.
It was a rather tall girl with short green-dyed hair and brown eyes.
— "Why not? Who knows what happens in a fight with a nephilim. And we have no idea how everything works during piloting."
— "Don't be afraid!" the girl, previously drowning in excitement, said, patting the worried girl on the shoulder. "Maybe her suit looks like that not because of the fight, and her pale skin... Well, maybe that's just her feature," she moved even closer, being half a head shorter.
— "I'm not afraid... Just..."
— "Don't worry! Most pilots successfully complete their careers, and besides, if something goes wrong, just rely on me!" she exclaimed, proudly puffing out her chest.
— "Oh great heroine, tell us, mere mortals, your name, so we can glorify you until the end of our days," Ryuji said theatrically with sarcastic notes in his voice, immediately receiving a slap on the head from Sora.
— "What an original way to find out someone's name," she replied just as theatrically. "Alexa Phoenix, remember my name, oh 'mere mortal'."
— "Ryuji Takeshi," came the immediate response. "And this is Sora Natsuki," he pointed to the black-haired guy in glasses standing next to him.
— "So... you're from the second block?" Alexa asked.
— "No, we're from the third. Why?"
— "It's just that such names are common in the territory of the second block," she added.
— "Really?" came a surprised exclamation. "Actually, we just chose what sounded interesting. Hey, Sora, that means if we go to the second block, we'll pass for locals, can you imagine?"
— "Yeah, but it doesn't make a difference to us."
— "Well, whatever, at least we learned something new about ourselves. By the way... why haven't the others introduced themselves yet?"
A moment of silence ensued.
— "Cassian Tenebris. Eliana Frost," the male and female voices sounded simultaneously.
Immediately after them, the voices of other group members followed.
*
A hollow ringing echoed through the corridor as the heavy doors slid open. Before the cadets was a spacious hall with rows of capsules, each illuminated by a soft bluish light. The air was filled with the quiet hum of machinery and a faint smell of ozone.
— "Wow..." the whole group exclaimed in unison.
— "So, this is where our classes will be held?" Ryuji said, unexpectedly receiving an immediate response.
— "Yes and no. Mostly consultations will be held here, partially lectures, and important information will be announced. Oh, and they'll also reward those who have distinguished themselves."
In the far corner of the hall, leaning on an armrest and lazily looking at the group, sat Margaret. From the first moment, it was clear that the conversation would be less formal.
— "Miss Margaret? But you said we were moving under the command of Miss Lauren and Mr. Vincent," Alexa asked the still relaxed Margaret.
— "Well, yes, I said that, so what? I'm their boss, and also your chief curator and mentor. Do you really want me to run after you and listen to your complaints? No way, that's what Vincent and Lauren are for." She sat more comfortably and waved her free hand leisurely while expressing her thoughts.
— "Well, if we have this sorted out, stop standing at the entrance and take your seats. Soon that grouch will come and, seeing where you are standing, will start pecking my brains out," she pointed to the rows of chairs ahead.
Without asking who the "grouch" referred to, the group spread out around the room and took their seats.