Part 3
The tactical map dissolved into countless points of light before disappearing entirely.
Silence settled across the briefing room.
Commander Vance looked around the room one final time.
"The strategic briefing is complete."
A pause.
"We now move to operational preparation."
She turned toward the rear doors.
"Major Holt."
The heavy doors slid open.
Six Planetary Defense Command armorers entered in perfect formation.
Each carried a long matte-black case reinforced with steel corners.
The silver crest of the Planetary Defense Command gleamed across every lid.
No one spoke.
The armorers stopped before Gamma Squad.
One by one...
The six cases were placed carefully upon the briefing table.
**Click.**
Every lock disengaged at exactly the same moment.
Even June remained quiet.
Commander Vance spoke.
"Following your performance at the Academy..."
"The Planetary Defense Command has authorized new combat equipment and weapon refinements for Gamma Squad."
Major Holt stepped beside the first case.
"We'll begin with Squad Leader David Wyn."
---
The armorer opened the first case.
Inside rested David's Claw Gauntlets.
Black.
Elegant.
Every mechanical plate had been refinished until it reflected the briefing room lights.
The five retractable claws rested beneath each finger exactly as David remembered.
They looked unchanged.
Yet...
Different.
Major Holt activated the tactical console.
A holographic information panel appeared beside the open case.
---
**🟣 EPIC TIER**
**Weapon:** Claw Gauntlets
**Forged From:** Epic Core
**Refinement:** Authorized
**New Attribute:** Predator's Step
**Effect:**
*Every successful strike grants a brief burst of speed and agility.*
*The effect may chain together during continuous combat.*
---
Major Holt looked toward David.
"Your gauntlets have been recalibrated to support the Predator's Step refinement."
David reached into the case.
The metal settled comfortably around his forearms.
He flexed his fingers.
The claws extended.
**Shhk.**
Retracted.
**Shhk.**
Smoother.
Faster.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"...Feels good."
Commander Vance nodded.
"It should."
---
The second armorer stepped forward.
His case opened slowly.
Nestled inside rested a beautiful pair of swords.
Long.
Elegant.
Silver blades engraved with flowing wind crests that shimmered beneath the overhead lights.
Nyra's eyes widened just slightly.
"...They're beautiful."
Major Holt smiled.
"They're yours."
Another holographic panel appeared.
---
**🔵 RARE TIER**
**Weapon:** Wind Crest Swords
**Forged From:** Rare Blue Core
**Issued By:** Planetary Defense Command
**New Weapon Skill:** Wind Dance
**Effect:**
*Successfully evading an enemy attack empowers the next strike.*
*The attack gains increased speed, cutting power, and forward acceleration.*
---
Nyra lifted one sword carefully.
Before anyone spoke...
She balanced it across her palm.
Her thumb shifted slightly along the grip.
"...The balance point moved."
Major Holt nodded approvingly.
"It has."
"The blade responds faster during directional changes."
Nyra smiled.
"...Perfect."
David wasn't surprised.
She had noticed the smallest difference almost instantly.
---
The third case opened.
Inside rested a magnificent crimson longsword.
Dark polished steel.
A refined crimson edge.
Elegant.
Powerful.
Lucian stepped forward.
Another hologram appeared.
---
**🟣 EPIC TIER**
**Weapon:** Bloodcrest Blade
**Forged From:** Epic Core
**Refinement:** Authorized
**New Attribute:** Crimson Momentum
**Effect:**
*Each successful strike strengthens the next attack.*
*The effect continues building until combat ends.*
---
Lucian rested one hand upon the hilt.
He didn't draw it.
Instead...
He bowed his head respectfully.
"A worthy refinement."
Major Holt inclined his head.
"The Bloodthrone forging masters approved the adjustment personally."
Lucian nodded once.
"I expected nothing less."
June leaned toward David.
"...You think he practices sounding cool?"
David smiled.
"...Probably."
Without looking over...
Lucian replied.
"I do not."
June blinked.
"...That's somehow even cooler."
A few quiet laughs spread through the room.
---
The fourth case opened.
Inside rested a blade darker than midnight.
Its polished surface seemed to absorb the surrounding light.
Castiel stepped forward.
Without hesitation.
Without excitement.
He simply looked.
The hologram appeared beside him.
---
**🟣 EPIC TIER**
**Weapon:** Shadow Blade
**Forged From:** Epic Core
**Refinement:** Authorized
**New Skill:** Shadow Rend
**Effect:**
*Every successful strike leaves lingering shadow energy within the target.*
*Additional strikes against the same wound release the stored energy, dramatically increasing damage.*
---
Castiel quietly lifted the blade.
Its balance hadn't changed.
Only its potential.
He gave one small nod.
"...Efficient."
June folded his arms.
"...That's all?"
Castiel looked at him.
"It kills things faster."
"...Fair enough."
David chuckled.
"Cass."
Castiel glanced over.
"...Yeah, D?"
"I think that's the longest explanation you've ever given."
"...Probably."
Even Commander Vance allowed the hint of a smile.
---
The fifth case opened.
Inside rested two sleek short blades.
Compact.
Perfectly balanced.
Their polished edges gleamed beneath the lights.
Mira stepped forward.
A new hologram appeared.
---
**🔵 RARE TIER**
**Weapon:** Twin Fold-Out Blades
**Forged From:** Rare Blue Core
**Issued By:** Planetary Defense Command
**New Attribute:** Prediction Link
**Effect:**
*When Predictability identifies an opponent's opening...*
*The blades instinctively align for maximum precision and armor penetration.*
---
Mira picked up one blade.
She didn't swing it.
She simply balanced it.
Turned it once.
Then smiled.
"...Lighter."
"The response will be faster."
Major Holt nodded.
"Exactly."
June looked over.
"...That's it?"
Mira looked at him.
"...I'm smiling."
"...Right."
"...Forgot."
---
The final case opened.
Inside rested a sleek black baton.
Its polished frame looked nearly identical to June's current weapon.
Only finer.
Cleaner.
More refined.
June's grin appeared immediately.
"Oh..."
"...Now that's nice."
The holographic display appeared.
---
**🔵 RARE TIER**
**Weapon:** Fold-Out Energy Baton
**Forged From:** Rare Blue Core
**Issued By:** Planetary Defense Command
**New Skill:** Acceleration Burst
**Effect:**
*Landing three consecutive strikes stores kinetic energy.*
*The stored energy may be released to perform an explosive burst of movement.*
---
June immediately picked it up.
**Click.**
The baton extended instantly.
He spun it once.
Twice.
Caught it behind his back.
Commander Vance raised an eyebrow.
June slowly stopped spinning it.
"...Quality assurance."
Lucian sighed.
"You wanted to play with it."
"...Also true."
Mira laughed quietly.
June pointed at her.
"See?"
"I have one supporter."
"...Temporarily."
"I'll take it."
Even David laughed.
The room felt lighter.
For just a moment...
They weren't preparing for war.
They were simply six friends admiring new equipment.
Commander Vance allowed them a few more seconds before speaking again.
"You have six days."
"Learn your equipment."
"Refine your teamwork."
"Prepare yourselves."
Her gaze moved across Gamma Squad.
"The Academy has taught you how to fight."
"Kharos Vale..."
"...will teach you how to win."
No one answered.
No one needed to.
Each member of Gamma Squad closed their weapon case.
One after another.
The metallic clicks echoed through the room.
Commander Vance gave a single nod.
"Dismissed."
Gamma Squad gathered their equipment.
As they stepped into the Academy corridor...
June broke the silence.
"...So..."
Everyone looked at him.
"...Anybody else suddenly feel underprepared?"
Nyra laughed.
David smiled.
Lucian shook his head.
Castiel looked at June.
"...You were underprepared before the briefing."
June considered that.
"...That's actually fair."
Mira laughed again.
Together...
Gamma Squad walked down the corridor.
Six cadets.
Six friends.
And in six days...
They would return to Kharos Vale.