The day before the second phase of the exam arrived, the atmosphere at the training camp changed drastically. While many cadets had been exhausted after the first exam, now they all seemed more determined—or rather, panicked.
Most cadets chose not to rest, instead throwing themselves into intense training on the field. Some looked frustrated over their failure to defeat Tier 3 in the previous exam, while others were still bitter about not earning enough points.
"Ugh! If only I had defeated a Tier 3, I wouldn't have to work this hard now!" one cadet complained, slashing a training dummy with all their strength.
Meanwhile, amidst the chaos of desperate training, Deren was strolling casually, hands in his pockets, watching his fellow cadets as they drenched themselves in sweat.
"I don't know what's scarier," he muttered, observing Kael and Ryn practicing on the other side of the field. "The Metavores, or these guys suddenly turning into training maniacs."
Kael, who was practicing his shooting, turned with an irritated expression. "Deren! Why are you just walking around?! You should be training too! This is an exam, not a vacation!"
Deren shrugged lazily. "I'm already prepared. Besides, we only need to reach 100 points, right? No need to overdo it."
Ryn, who was sharpening her combat techniques, gave Deren a suspicious look. "Are you sure? Don't end up being a burden during the exam."
"Me? A burden?" Deren chuckled. "You'll be surprised at how energy-efficient I am in combat."
As Deren was about to leave the training area, a cold voice called out to him.
"Deren!"
He turned and saw Selene standing with her arms crossed, her sharp gaze locked onto him. Behind her, the other team members—Orvan, Mikhail, and Diana—stood with serious expressions.
Deren sighed quietly. I can already tell this is going to be a hassle...
"What?" he replied nonchalantly.
"Train with me," Selene ordered firmly.
Deren tilted his head, pretending not to understand. "Train? Why would I need to do that?"
Selene's irritation was evident. "Because we're on the same team. You haven't trained at all, even though this exam will be much harder than the last one."
Deren let out a long sigh. "I don't think I need extra training. I already have my own plan."
Mikhail raised an eyebrow. "A plan? So far, your plan just looks like 'walking around and hoping the team does all the hard work.'"
Orvan nodded in agreement. "We all need as many points as possible, and you should be helping the team."
Diana—who had been quiet until now—finally spoke. "Yeah, Deren. We need to make sure we survive and get enough points. If we don't work together, we could fail."
Deren stared at them with a blank expression, then turned his gaze back to Selene. "I don't need to defeat a Tier 4 or 5. We only need 100 points. If we take down enough Tier 2 and 3 Metavores, we can pass without unnecessary risks."
Selene scoffed. "That might be enough for you, but not for me."
Deren raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
"I want to defeat the Tier 5 Metavore," Selene declared firmly.
Silence fell over the group. Even the nearby cadets who overheard turned their heads in shock.
"Tier 5?!" Mikhail nearly choked. "Are you serious?"
"Tier 4 is already tough," Diana added, "and you want to take on a Tier 5?!"
Selene nodded, her eyes burning with unwavering determination. "Yes. This is my chance to prove my strength."
Deren frowned. Prove your strength? Why is she so ambitious?
Of all the cadets in the academy, Selene was always recognized as strong and talented. But her obsession with taking down a Tier 5 in a cadet exam seemed excessive. Was she chasing something? Or was there another reason behind her ambition?
Deren sighed. "You can prove yourself without hunting a Tier 5. Why make things harder for yourself?"
Selene's sharp gaze pierced through him. "If you don't want to train, at least don't get in my way."
Deren raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I won't interfere. If you want to chase after a Tier 5, go ahead. I'll stick to my own way."
Orvan turned to Selene. "But if we're going after a Tier 5, we'll need a solid strategy."
Mikhail nodded. "And for sure, we can't just rely on luck."
Diana looked at Deren. "So, you're really not going to train?"
Deren smiled slightly. "I am training... in the form of observation. I'll be watching you all."
From a distance, Kael—who had been listening in—shouted. "Deren! That's not training, that's just being lazy!"
Deren chuckled. "Minor details."
Selene let out a long sigh before refocusing on her training. "At the very least, don't slow the team down during the exam."
Deren shrugged. "No need to worry. I'll do my part... in my own way."
While the others intensified their training, Deren sat comfortably at the edge of the field, watching his teammates. He still couldn't shake the question from his mind—why was Selene so obsessed with defeating a Tier 5?
And with that, the preparations for the exam heated up.
Nightfall at Nova Academy Training Camp
As the sun set over the Nova Academy training camp, the day of intense preparation came to an end. Many cadets, exhausted from hours of rigorous training, started making their way back to the barracks. However, in some corners of the camp, the sounds of clashing metal and weapons slicing through the air still echoed, from those who were still unsatisfied with their progress.
As usual, Deren walked at a leisurely pace through the training area. Unlike most cadets, who were drenched in sweat and struggling to keep themselves upright, he looked as fresh as ever—as if he'd just woken up from a nap rather than spent a day in a military camp.
At the far end of the field, Selene was still training relentlessly. She swung her sword with speed and precision, slicing through the training dummies with impressive accuracy. Each movement was efficient, powerful, and full of unwavering determination. Meanwhile, her teammates—Orvan, Mikhail, and Diana—were also busy refining their combat techniques.
Deren let out a quiet sigh. "Why are they taking this so seriously? Wouldn't it be better to save their energy for tomorrow's exam?"
Just as he was about to head back to the barracks, Kael and Ryn suddenly appeared behind him, staggering from exhaustion. Their training clothes were soaked in sweat, and their breathing was ragged, as if they had just been through hell itself.
"Deren! You have to see this!" Kael gasped, grabbing Deren's arm with the last bit of strength he had.
Deren raised an eyebrow. "See what?"
Ryn pointed toward the training field. "Selene's team... they're insane! They're preparing like they're about to enter an actual war!"
Deren glanced over and observed Selene's team moving in perfect sync. They were practicing against simulated attacks from multiple angles, swiftly adjusting their positions whenever one of them moved. Selene led them with sharp, calculated strategies, ensuring that every team member adapted to unpredictable combat situations.
Kael crossed his arms. "I don't know if I should admire them... or feel sorry for them."
Ryn chuckled. "Feel sorry? Why?"
Kael pointed at himself and Ryn. "Because we just got dragged into one of Revand's insane training sessions! He's completely merciless!"
Deren raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Ryn sighed. "Yeah. We already knew he was a perfectionist, but this time, he really pushed us beyond our limits. He wants us to be able to survive against a Tier 4—even if that means training until we nearly collapse."
Across the field, Revand was still training with unrelenting intensity. Sweat dripped from his face, but his eyes remained sharp and unwavering. With quick, aggressive movements, he shattered a training dummy as if it were a real enemy. Every strike was precise, every movement intentional. Even other cadets watching him kept their distance, afraid of disrupting his focus.
Deren let out a small chuckle. "So now you understand?"
Kael glared at him. "Hey! At least we're trying! Unlike someone who's been walking around like a tourist in a training camp!"
Deren simply shrugged. "I just don't see the point in wasting energy before I actually need it."
As they continued their conversation, Selene suddenly approached them, her steps firm and deliberate. Her eyes narrowed, and her expression was anything but pleased.
"Deren."
Already expecting this, Deren turned to her with his usual calm demeanor. "Yes?"
"Tomorrow is the exam. I don't want any mistakes. Make sure you don't slow our team down," she said sharply.
Deren sighed, then smirked slightly. "Trust me. I won't make any mistakes."
Selene stared at him for a few seconds before finally turning back toward the training field. Orvan, Mikhail, and Diana exchanged glances before refocusing on their training.
Kael patted Deren's shoulder while laughing. "I have no idea how you can stay so calm after being stared at like that."
Deren chuckled. "It's easy. I'm used to dealing with people who take things too seriously."
However, deep down, his mind was still occupied with something. Why was Selene so determined to win? What exactly was she after?
With many unanswered questions in his mind, Deren finally decided to head back to the barracks, while Kael and Ryn dragged their exhausted bodies after enduring Revand's brutal training session. In the distance, Revand was still training alone, slashing through training dummies with a focused and ambitious expression—as if nothing mattered more to him than becoming the strongest.
Some cadets still lingering around the training grounds began whispering about Revand and Selene—two cadets with extreme ambition, yet vastly different approaches.
"I heard Selene wants to defeat a Tier 5 in tomorrow's exam," one cadet murmured.
"That's insane. That's nearly impossible for a cadet," another responded.
"And Revand? He's even harsher than some of our instructors."
"I think he wants to make sure his team is the best—even if it means breaking himself in training."
Meanwhile, the night grew deeper, and the final day before the exam ended with countless cadets still making last-minute preparations.
The Morning of the Exam
The long-awaited morning had finally arrived. The sun had barely risen over the horizon, but the training camp was already buzzing with tension. The cadets gathered in the main training field, fully geared up and ready to face the second phase of the exam. Some of them looked excited, while others still showed signs of exhaustion from the previous day's intense training.
Deren, as usual, stood among the crowd with a relaxed expression. He let out a small yawn, unfazed by the tension surrounding him. While other cadets checked their weapons and armor with absolute focus, Deren simply stood there, as if this was just another routine event.
On the other side of the field, Selene meticulously inspected her weapon, ensuring there were no issues before the exam began. Her eyes were sharp, filled with determination. Her teammates—Orvan, Mikhail, and Diana—were also making their final preparations, checking their armor and weapons. There were no signs of exhaustion on their faces—only a firm resolve to win.
Kael and Ryn, who had just joined their team lineup, looked far more nervous than they had the day before.
"My muscles still feel stiff after that insane training," Kael groaned as he stretched his arms.
Ryn nodded while loosening her shoulders. "I barely got any sleep. This really feels like we're being sent into an actual battlefield."
In the distance, Revand stood with his arms crossed, his eyes burning with confidence. His team, consisting of other skilled cadets, looked fully prepared for whatever awaited them in the arena. Some cadets even glanced at Revand's team with nervous expressions, knowing just how ambitious and relentless he was.
The Instructors' Announcement
Soon, Instructor Vargan and Lieutenant Seraphina stepped onto the main podium. The entire training field fell silent as the cadets turned their attention toward them.
"Cadets," Vargan's voice echoed across the field. "Today, you will face the team exam. This is not just a simulation. You will be fighting against a large number of Metavores, and only teamwork will ensure your survival and success."
Seraphina followed up, her tone calm yet firm. "Each team will be placed in a designated combat zone. Points will be awarded based on the level of Metavores you defeat. If your armor's energy is depleted or if it is completely destroyed, you will be automatically removed from the battlefield. This is for your safety. Do not act recklessly."
Some cadets swallowed nervously. Even though this was an exam, they understood that every mistake could have serious consequences. Unlike the previous exam, this time, they would have to work as a team and survive for an extended period of time.
"Remember," Vargan added, his sharp gaze sweeping across the cadets. "This is your chance to prove yourselves. Use your brains, rely on your team's strengths, and do not act foolishly. You have all been trained for this moment."
The tension grew heavier as a large screen behind the podium lit up, displaying each team's designated starting location within the exam battlefield.
Team Assignments & Deployment
"Team 7—Selene, Deren, Orvan, Mikhail, Diana—will be placed in the southwest sector."
Deren sighed. "Of course... far from the exit," he muttered lazily.
Kael chuckled. "At least you have Selene on your team. That's like having a free insurance policy."
Deren smirked. "Yeah... unless she decides to abandon me completely."
As cadets exchanged final remarks, the teleportation preparations began. One by one, teams stepped into the teleportation chambers, ready to be transported into the simulation battlefield. Some teams discussed last-minute strategies, while others simply stood in tense silence.
The second phase of the exam was about to begin.
As Deren and his team stepped forward for their turn, Selene turned to them, her expression serious.
"We need to stay together and act quickly. Do not go off on your own, understand?"
Mikhail nodded. "Understood."
Diana added, "The most important thing is not to panic. We just need to gather points efficiently."
Deren shrugged. "Yeah, yeah, I'll try not to get lost."
Within seconds, a blue light enveloped them, and the world around them shifted. The moment the teleportation completed, they found themselves standing in the middle of a dense forest, surrounded by towering trees and the ruins of ancient structures covered in moss.
The air was colder, and the sound of rustling leaves mixed with the distant, low growls of Metavores lurking in every direction.
Deren glanced around lazily. "A forest? Why does it have to be a place like this..." he muttered in annoyance.
Selene gripped her sword tightly, her sharp eyes scanning the battlefield ahead. "Focus. We need to move before the Metavores reach us first."
Mikhail checked the scanner on his armor. "I'm detecting multiple heat signatures moving around us... more than ten."
Diana swallowed hard. "That means we're about to be attacked."
Deren let out a long sigh, stretching as if this was just part of his daily routine.
"Alright, then..." he paused for a moment before glancing at his team. "You guys go ahead. I'll wait to see the first reaction before I bother moving."
Selene glared at him sharply. "Don't even think about slacking off, Deren. This isn't the place for laziness."
Deren only smiled calmly, while the growling sounds grew louder from multiple directions.
In the shadows of the trees, figures began to move, signaling that the real test was about to begin...