Case Zero [Part-2]

[Rank 1-5 Dorm]

[Ace - Rank 1]:.....

[Luna - Rank 2]: We've got the top room. Pretty sweet, huh.

[Noah - Rank 3]: Yeah, but it means we'll have to keep up our game. No slacking off here

[Sofia - Rank 4]:....

[Ethan - Rank 5]: .....

[Rank 6-10 Dorm]

[Zara - Rank 6]: Not bad, second top room. It could be worse.

[Levi - Rank 7]: We're still in the top ten. That's an achievement.

[Nora - Rank 8]: True. But let's aim to break into the top five next time.

[Oliver - Rank 9]:.....

[Grace - Rank 10]: We'll get there. I need to stay focused.

[Rank 11-15 Dorm]

[Mason - Rank 11]: Middle of the pack, huh? Not great, but not terrible.

[Lucas - Rank 12]: We're in a good spot to improve. Let's make the most of it.

[Elena - Rank 13]: Agreed. There's always room to move up.

[Isaac - Rank 14]: Let's help each other out. We can all improve.

[Avery - Rank 15]: Sounds like a plan. We're not far from the top.

[Rank 16-20 Dorm]

[Logan - Rank 16]: We're close to the middle. It could be better, could be worse.

[Harper - Rank 17]: Let's focus on climbing the ranks. We're not far off.

[Elijah - Rank 18]: Right. We need to push a bit harder.

[Sophie - Rank 19]: We can do it. You just need the right strategy.

[Rank 21-25 Dorm]

[Eamk - Rank 21]: Okay, lower middle. Time to step it up.

[Liam - Rank 22]: We've got the potential. Let's work on our weaknesses.

[Emily - Rank 23]: ...

[David - Rank 24]: We'll get there. Just need to put in the effort.

[Aiden - Rank 25]: We've got this. Let's support each other.

[Rank 26-30 Dorm]

[Mia - Rank 26]: Almost at the bottom. Not where I wanted to be.

[Emma - Rank 27]: .....

[Lucia - Rank 28]: Let's use this as motivation. We can do better.

[Crash - Rank 29]: Hey, Dek. How did I end up in the same dorm as you?

[Dek - Rank 20]: Guess luck was on your side, Burnt Head.

[Crash - Rank 29]: Don't get cocky, Mophead. I'll climb up soon enough.

[kah - Rank 30]: Let's focus on improving, not bickering. We all want to move up.

[Crash]: Why do I always get stuck with you, Dek?

[Dek]: (groans) Maybe because you're always at the bottom, Crash.

[Crash]: (smirks) Burnt Head at your service, Mophead. Still better than being a frosty grump like you.

[Dek]: (sighs) Whatever, let's just get out of here. This dorm is suffocating.

[Crash]: Finally, something we agree on. Fresh air sounds good.

(They leave the dorm, walking down the corridor)

[Crash]: You know, I don't get why they even paired us together. It's like they enjoy watching us bicker.

[Dek]: Probably. Or maybe they think you'll learn something from me. Unlikely, though.

[Crash]: (laughs) As if I'd want to learn how to be a silent, brooding ice block.

[Dek]: (rolls eyes) And I'm dying to learn how to be a loud, obnoxious flamehead.

[Crash]: Hey, at least I have personality!

[Dek]: (sarcastic) Yes, and it's terrible.

[Crash]: (grins) Ouch, Mophead, you wound me.

[They continue walking, with Crash making expressive gestures and Dek looking increasingly annoyed]

[Crash]: So, seriously, how do you think we did in the rankings?

[Dek]: (shrugs) We made it. That's what matters. Just need to improve now.

[Crash]: Improve? Speak for yourself. I'm a rising star. Just you wait.

[Dek]: (mutters) Rising like a spark about to fizzle out.

[Crash]: What was that?

[Dek]: Nothing. Just keep walking, Burnt Head.

[Crash]: (sighs dramatically) Mophead, why must you be so... mopheadish?

[Dek]: Mopheadish? Really?

[Crash]: I'm making up words to keep myself entertained. Deal with it.

[As they turn a corner, they suddenly stumble into something invisible]

[Crash]: (startled) Whoa, what the—

[Dek]: (reaches out) What is this?

[Crash]: Feels like... something solid but invisible. You feeling this, too?

[Dek]: (nods, looking concerned) Yeah. It's like a barrier.

[Crash]: (pokes it) Weird. Think it's some kind of prank?

[Dek]: (frowns) Doesn't feel like a prank. More like... a security measure.

[Crash]: (grins) Guess we stumbled onto something we weren't supposed to.

[Dek]: (serious) We should report this. It's not normal.

[Crash]: (playfully) Afraid of a little mystery, Dek?

[Dek]: (glares) Not afraid. Just cautious. Unlike some hotheads.

[Crash]: (smirks) Hothead and Mophead, the dynamic duo. Let's figure this out.

[Dek]: (annoyed) Fine. But if something happens, it's on you.

[Crash]: (winks) As always. Now, let's see what we've got here...

[Crash]: Whoa, what the—

[Dek]: (reaches out) What is this?

[Crash]: Feels like... something solid but invisible. Are you feeling this, too?

[Dek]: (nods, looking concerned) Yeah. It's like a barrier.

[Crash]: (pokes it) Weird. Think it's some kind of prank?

[Dek]: (frowns) Doesn't feel like a prank. More like... a security measure.

[Crash]: (grins) Guess we stumbled onto something we weren't supposed to.

(Suddenly, the invisible barrier falters, and a figure materializes before them. It's Instructor 1, but they briefly glimpse his true face)

[Crash]: (whispers) Did you see that? Who was that?

[Dek]: (whispers back) I don't know, but we must follow him.

(They quietly follow the figure down the corridor, keeping a safe distance. The figure talks on a phone in hushed tones)

[Figure]: (on the phone) I've infiltrated the facility. The selection is going smoothly, but we need to act quickly. They're suspicious.

[Crash]: (whispers) Did you hear that? He's a spy!

[Dek]: (whispers) Quiet! We need to hear more.

[Figure]: (on the phone) I'll handle it. No one suspects a thing. Hadrian Mylore, out.

[Crash]: (shocked, whispers) Hadrian Mylore? The light elemental spy?

[Dek]: (whispers) Case Zero. This is bad.

(Dek tries to activate the alarm, but it doesn't work)

[Dek]: (whispers, frustrated) It's hacked! We're on our own.

[Crash]: (whispers) Great. And he's got weapons. What now?

(The figure turns, spotting them. His eyes narrow as he recognizes them)

[Hardian Mylore]: (sneers) Well, well. Looks like we've got some eavesdroppers.

.