Chapter 3: mission begins

We were paired up with random partners, and I found myself with a girl named Sophia. She was a Rank C student, and she looked like she had some experience with combat training.

Ivan was paired up with a boy named Marcus, a Rank B student who looked like he was eager to prove himself. Luna was paired up with a girl named Ava, a Rank C student who seemed quiet and reserved.

As we began the training exercises, I couldn't help but notice that Ivan, Luna, and I were being watched closely by Captain Orion and the other instructors. It was as if they were waiting for us to slip up, to reveal our true abilities.

But we didn't. We went through the motions, pretending to struggle with the combat techniques. Sophia, my partner, seemed to buy it, and she tried to offer me tips and advice.

As the training session went on, I found myself gathering more and more information. I overheard snippets of conversation between the instructors, and I caught glimpses of strange equipment and technology being used in the training exercises.

Ivan, Luna, and I exchanged glances every now and then, our eyes locked in a brief moment of understanding. We were all thinking the same thing: this was just the beginning.

As the training session came to a close, Captain Orion gathered us together again.

"Good job, students," he said, his eyes scanning the group. "Tomorrow, we'll be moving on to more advanced techniques. Be prepared."

With that, the training session was dismissed, and we were free to head back to our dorms.

As we walked back, Ivan, Luna, and I fell into step together, our eyes scanning the surroundings.

"What did you learn?" Ivan asked, his voice low.

"I overheard something about a secret project," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not sure what it is, but it sounds big."

Luna nodded. "I saw some strange equipment being used in the training exercises. I think it might be connected to the project."

Ivan's eyes narrowed. "We need to dig deeper."

We reached our dorm room and closed the door behind us, making sure we were alone.

"Okay, let's review what we've learned so far," Ivan said, pulling out a small notebook and pen.

Luna and I sat down on our beds, our eyes fixed on Ivan as he began to scribble down notes.

"We know that there's a secret project going on here," Ivan said, his voice low. "And we know that it's connected to the strange equipment we saw in the training exercises."

I nodded. "I also overheard something about a 'subject' being moved to a secure facility. I don't know what that means, but it sounds important."

Luna's eyes narrowed. "I think I might have seen something related to that. I was walking past one of the restricted areas, and I saw a group of guards moving a large crate. It was labeled 'Project Elysium'."

Ivan's eyes snapped up. "Project Elysium? That's the name of the secret project."

We all fell silent, our minds racing with possibilities.

Suddenly, Luna spoke up. "I think I know how we can get more information."

Ivan and I turned to her, our eyes curious.

"What is it?" Ivan asked.

Luna smiled, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"I think we should sneak into the restricted area and see what we can find.

Ivan's eyes narrowed. "That's a risk. If we get caught, we'll be in serious trouble."

Luna nodded. "I know, but think about what we could learn. We might be able to uncover the truth about Project Elysium."

I spoke up, my voice firm. "I'm in. Let's do it."

Ivan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, let's plan this carefully. We'll need to create a diversion to draw the guards away from the restricted area."

Luna grinned. "Leave that to me. I've been watching the guards' patrol routes, and I think I can create a diversion that will give us enough time to sneak in."

We spent the next few hours planning and preparing, our excitement and nerves building.

As night fell, we set our plan in motion. Luna created a diversion near the east wing, setting off a fire alarm and drawing the guards away from the restricted area.

Ivan and I slipped away, making our way to the restricted area. We moved quickly and quietly, our hearts pounding in our chests.

As we reached the entrance to the restricted area, Ivan produced a keycard and swiped it through the lock. The door slid open, revealing a dimly lit corridor beyond.

We exchanged a nervous glance, then stepped inside.

Ivan, Luna, and I approached the container, our hearts racing with anticipation. We had finally found what we were looking for.

But as we reached the container, we were met with a surprise. The container was surrounded by a thick layer of glass, and inside, we saw a figure floating in a liquid-filled tube.

The figure was a girl, her eyes closed, her face peaceful. But what caught our attention was the strange symbol etched into her forehead.

Luna gasped. "What is this?" she whispered.

Ivan's eyes narrowed. "I don't know, but I think we're looking at the key to Project Elysium."

Suddenly, we heard footsteps echoing from the corridor outside. The guards had found us.

"We have to get out of here, now!" Ivan whispered urgently.

Luna and Wesley nod

We slipped back into our dorm room, locking the door behind us. We had managed to sneak out of the restricted area without being seen.

Ivan leaned against the door, his eyes scanning the room. "That was close."

Luna nodded, her face pale. "We can't let our guard down. We don't know who might be watching."

I took a deep breath, my mind racing with what we had seen. The girl in the tube, the symbol on her forehead... it was all so mysterious.

"What do you think it means?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ivan's eyes narrowed. "I don't know, but I think we're just scratching the surface of something big."

Luna nodded. "We need to keep digging. We need to find out what's really going on at this school."

I nodded, determination burning within me. We were in this together, and we were going to uncover the truth, no matter what it took.

We spent the rest of the night pouring over our notes and trying to make sense of what we had seen. The symbol on the girl's forehead seemed to be some sort of code, but we couldn't crack it.

As the night wore on, our eyelids began to droop. We knew we had to get some rest, but our minds were still racing with questions.

"I'll keep working on the code," Ivan said, his voice yawny.

"I'll see if I can dig up any more information on Project Elysium," Luna added.

I nodded. "I'll try to gather more intel from the other students. See if anyone's heard anything."

We nodded, our eyes already closing. Tomorrow was going to be a big day.

As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. I knew it was just my imagination, but the feeling lingered.

Little did I know, our every move was being monitored. And tomorrow, our actions would set off a chain reaction that would change everything.

We trudged into the training grounds, our footsteps echoing off the walls. Captain Orion stood at the front, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"Today, you'll be choosing your weapons," he announced, gesturing to a table laden with various guns, swords, and other deadly instruments.

The Rank A students rushed forward, eager to claim the most powerful weapons. The Rank B and C students followed, choosing their weapons with care.

Ivan, Luna, and I hung back, observing the chaos with a mixture of disinterest and wariness. We knew we wouldn't be able to compete with the higher-ranked students, but we didn't need to.

Just as we were about to choose our weapons, a boy with glasses and a messy mop of hair approached us. He looked nervous, but determined.

"H-hi," he stuttered. "M-my name is Desmond. I'm Rank D, just like you guys."

Ivan raised an eyebrow. "What do you want, Desmond?"

Desmond swallowed hard. "I was wondering if I could join your group. I mean, it's four to a group, right? And I don't really know anyone else."

I smiled, feeling a pang of sympathy for the nervous boy. "Hey Desmond, you're welcome to join us. We could use a fourth member."

Desmond's face lit up with relief. "Thanks, Wesley."

Ivan shrugged. "Fine. But don't expect any special treatment."

Luna nodded in agreement, but I could see a hint of a smile on her face.

With Desmond by our side at least for now, we reluctantly approached the table to choose our weapons.

Captain Orion's eyes swept across the room, his gaze lingering on each team. "Your first challenge will be a simulated combat scenario. You'll be divided into teams and dropped into a virtual battlefield."

Ivan, Luna, and I exchanged glances , while Desmond was just looking nervous and sweaty. This was it. Our first real test.

Captain Orion continued, his voice dripping with excitement. "The team that emerges victorious will earn bonus points and a special reward."

Kelly, Jake, Sage, and Chase were already forming an alliance, their confident smiles a

Ivan, Luna, and I hung back, our expressions neutral. We knew what we were capable of, but we didn't need to advertise it.

Captain Orion's eyes glinted with amusement as he surveyed the room. "Let's get started, shall we?"

Captain Orion's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Alright, teams! Let's get started. Please step into the simulation pods."

Kelly, Jake, Sage, and Chase eagerly stepped into their pods, their confident chatter filling the air.

Ivan, Luna, and I followed suit, our expressions calm and focused.

Desmond hesitated, looking uncertain. "I-I don't know if I can do this," he stammered.

Ivan turned to him, his eyes narrowing. "What's wrong, Desmond?"

Desmond swallowed hard. "I've never been good with simulations. I get motion sickness."

Luna's expression softened. "Don't worry, Desmond. We'll help you through it."

But Captain Orion's voice cut in, his tone firm. "Sorry, Desmond. You'll have to sit this one out. We can't have you compromising the team's performance."

Desmond's face fell, and he nodded reluctantly. "Okay... sorry, guys."

Ivan, Luna, and I exchanged glances. We knew we had to focus on the challenge ahead, but we also knew that Desmond's absence could put us at a disadvantage but we still need him on our team