Part 1 — Six Days Remaining
The Academy woke before sunrise.
The eastern horizon glowed faintly beyond the towering walls as the first morning bell echoed across the campus.
Today...
There were six days remaining before deployment.
For the first time since arriving at the Academy...
No classes awaited them.
No examinations.
No arena matches.
Only preparation.
David adjusted the straps on his white tactical coat as he stepped out of Dormitory One.
The cool morning air carried the scent of dew-covered grass.
He wasn't surprised to find someone already waiting outside.
Castiel leaned casually against the stone wall.
Arms folded.
Shadow Blade resting across one shoulder.
Silver hair catching the first rays of sunlight.
He looked over.
"...Morning, D."
David smiled.
"Morning, Cass."
"You sleep?"
"A little."
"You?"
Castiel shrugged.
"...Enough."
David chuckled.
"...That's not an answer."
"...It rarely is."
Footsteps echoed behind them.
Nyra stepped through the dormitory doors carrying her twin Wind Crest Swords across her back.
Her silver hair shifted gently with the morning breeze.
She smiled when she saw them.
"Good morning."
"Morning," David answered.
Castiel nodded once.
"...Morning."
A familiar voice called from inside the dorm.
"...Wait!"
June burst through the doorway while trying to finish a piece of toast.
"I almost missed breakfast."
Lucian walked out behind him.
"You overslept."
"I was strategically recovering."
"You ignored three alarms."
"...That also happened."
Mira exited last.
She looked at June.
"...You have jam on your face."
June instinctively wiped his cheek.
"...Where?"
"The other side."
He wiped again.
"...Still there."
June frowned.
"...You're enjoying this."
"...A little."
Everyone laughed.
David looked toward the distant Combat Hall Seven.
"Ready?"
Lucian answered first.
"Always."
Nyra adjusted the straps holding her swords.
"I'm ready."
Castiel pushed himself away from the wall.
"...Let's go."
June sighed dramatically.
"...I was hoping someone would suggest another week off."
Lucian looked at him.
"You've had a week."
"...I know."
"I'm asking for another."
David laughed.
"You can request one after Kharos Vale."
"...See?"
June pointed at David.
"Our fearless leader understands negotiation."
"I don't think that's what he said."
"...Close enough."
Together...
Gamma Squad crossed the Academy grounds.
Students stepped aside as they passed.
Some offered respectful nods.
Others wished them luck.
David still wasn't used to it.
He returned every greeting with the same small smile.
Nothing more.
Nyra noticed.
"You still don't like the attention."
David shook his head.
"...Not really."
June looked over.
"I'll take some if you're giving it away."
Lucian sighed.
"...Of course you would."
"I've worked very hard to become moderately famous."
Castiel answered without looking over.
"...Moderately."
June looked offended.
"...That hurt."
"...Good."
"I walked into that one."
"...You usually do."
Even Mira laughed.
The six of them reached Combat Hall Seven.
The massive reinforced doors were already open.
Commander Vance stood waiting inside.
Major Holt beside her.
She looked up as Gamma Squad entered.
"Good."
"You're early."
June looked around the room.
"...Can we all pretend we were exactly on time?"
Commander Vance raised an eyebrow.
"Were you?"
"...No."
"I appreciate the honesty."
"I figured lying wasn't going to work."
"It wasn't."
The corners of David's mouth lifted slightly.
Commander Vance stepped toward the center platform.
"Today isn't about learning new techniques."
"You already possess those."
She looked at each of them in turn.
"It's about making your new equipment feel like it has always belonged in your hands."
Major Holt activated the central training controls.
The floor shifted.
Dozens of reinforced practice pillars rose from beneath the arena.
Moving targets unfolded from the walls.
Mechanical constructs emerged from concealed compartments.
The entire hall transformed into a living obstacle course.
Commander Vance folded her hands behind her back.
"Kharos Vale won't wait for you to think."
"It won't pause while you adjust your footing."
"It won't care that your equipment is new."
Her eyes settled on David.
"So..."
"By the end of today..."
"It shouldn't feel new anymore."
David looked around at Gamma Squad.
Everyone understood.
This wasn't about becoming stronger.
It was about making six new weapons...
Feel like old friends.
Commander Vance nodded once.
"Begin."
Without another word...
Gamma Squad spread across the enormous training hall.
Six different directions.
Six different fighting styles.
One shared goal.
By the time the sun set...
Their weapons would no longer feel issued by the government.
They would feel...
Like extensions of themselves.