DUALITY [Part-2]

[In the health room, Rank 28, Lucia, lay unresponsive. Instructors 5, 6, and Supervisor 009911 stood by, concerned but unaware of the true nature of the situation. The other instructors believed Instructor 9 had stepped out for water.]

Instructor 5: (checking Lucia's pulse) His vitals are stable but completely unresponsive.

Instructor 6: (frowning) This isn't normal. Something's very wrong.

Supervisor 009911: (nodding) We need more eyes on this. Call for more instructors.

[Within moments, Instructors 8, 7, and 3 arrived, their faces mirroring the concern of those already present.]

Instructor 8: (examining Lucia's eyes) Pupils are dilated. It's like he's in a deep trance.

Instructor 7: (running a scanner over Lucia's body) No physical injuries, but his brain activity is off the charts.

Instructor 3: (looking at the readings) This could be some form of mental manipulation. But who could have done this?

Supervisor 009911: (grimly) We need to figure this out quickly. Instructor 9 should be back soon; he might have some insights.

[Meanwhile, Instructor 9 was chasing after Ace, who had just disappeared from his sight. Panting heavily, he frantically searched the corridors, his mind racing.]

Instructor 9: (breathing heavily, scanning the area) Where did he go?

[Suddenly, Ace appeared at the end of the hallway, strolling leisurely. Instructor 9 ran towards him, determined to stop whatever sinister plan Ace had in mind. But as he closed the distance, Ace vanished before his eyes.]

Instructor 9: (spinning around, frustrated) Damn it! Where did he go?

[A cold shiver ran down his spine as he felt a presence behind him. Before he could react, Ace's voice whispered in his ear.]

Ace: (mockingly) Looking for me, buddy?

[Instructor 9 turned, only to find Ace holding a modified device in his hand. Before Instructor 9 could react, Ace placed the device on the back of his ear.]

Ace: (smirking) I've made some changes. Let's see if this works the way I want it to.

Instructor 9: (struggling to stay conscious) What... what are you doing?

Ace: (calmly) Just a little experiment. I need to test a theory.

[Instructor 9 felt a wave of dizziness wash over him as the device activated. His vision blurred, and he could feel his body losing strength.]

Instructor 9: (gasping) You... won't get away with this...

Ace: (laughing softly) Oh, but I already have. Now, relax and enjoy the show.

[Instructor 9's knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, his mind slipping into darkness. Ace stood over him, watching intently.]

Ace: (muttering to himself) Fascinating. This should yield some interesting results.

[Ace stepped back, admiring his work momentarily before turning and walking away, leaving Instructor 9 on the cold floor. He hummed a tune, his mind racing with new ideas and plans. The modified device had performed exactly as he'd hoped, and now he had more data to refine his methods.

Back in the health room, the other instructors continued to work on Lucia, unaware of the confrontation that had just taken place. They were focused on reviving him, their efforts growing more desperate by the minute.]

Instructor 5: (urgently) We must find a way to wake him up. This isn't natural sleep.

Instructor 6: (frustrated) If only we knew what caused this...

Instructor 3: (determined) We'll figure it out. We have to.

Supervisor 009911: (resolute) Keep at it. We can't let this go unresolved.

Instructor 9's pursuit of Ace had gone unnoticed.....

[In the training room, the cadets were gathered around a holographic display, listening to a recorded voice memo explaining pressure points and their applications in combat.]

Voice Memo: (through the hologram) ...and targeting specific pressure points on the body, you can hinder your opponent or manipulate their movements. Remember, precision and timing are key in pressure point techniques.

[As the memo played, Crash was seen goofing around, mimicking the pressure point moves exaggeratedly, much to Dek's annoyance.]

Crash: (playfully jabbing at imaginary pressure points) And here's the ancient art of making your opponent giggle uncontrollably!

Dek: (rolling his eyes) Can you please take this seriously? We're here to learn, not to play around.

Crash: (grinning) Oh, lighten up, mophead! It's just a little fun.

Dek: (sighing) Fun is fine, but not when we're supposed to focus on vital training.

Their banter continued as Crash continued to joke around, much to the amusement of some cadets and the exasperation of others.

Voice Memo: (continuing) ...keep in mind that pressure points can be highly effective but should be used with caution and restraint.

Dek: (pointing at Crash) See, even the memo agrees with me.

Crash: (winking) Hey, I'm just adding a bit of flair to the lesson.

[As the memo concluded, the cadets began practising the pressure point techniques under the watchful eye of their instructors. Now more focused, Crash joined in the drills, albeit with a mischievous grin hinting at his playful nature.

In a brief pause during the training session, Rank 8 Nora approached Dek with a curious expression as she glanced at his hair, which had started turning grey due to his ice elemental abilities.]

Nora: (smiling) Hey, Dek. Your hair looks... unique. Is it related to your elemental powers?

Dek: (chuckling) it's a side effect of my ice element. Sometimes it surprises even me.

[Their conversation caught Crash's attention, who was nearby, overhearing their exchange.]

Crash: (teasingly) Oh, look at that! Nora's got a thing for the grey-haired dude. Who knew frosty hair could be so attractive?

Nora: (lightly blushing) Oh, hush, Crash. I was just curious.

Instructor: (noticing the distraction) Crash, enough. Focus on the lesson or leave the training area.

Crash: (grinning) Got it, Instructor. I'll take a breather and come back with even more enthusiasm tomorrow!

[As Crash returned, he spotted Ace, who wore a strange, almost eerie smile that caught Crash's attention.]

Crash: (grinning) Hey there, ace! Skipping classes again, huh? Must be living the dream.

[Ace turned to look at Crash, his smile not reaching his eyes, giving off an unsettling vibe.]

Ace: (muttering to himself) Shut it, you red bug. Pests like you ruin my food.

[Crash didn't hear the muttered comment but sensed Ace's disdain. They walked past each other, the tension is palpable in the air, with Crash wondering about Ace's cryptic behaviour but deciding to focus on his own training for the day.]