Another Day In The Academy

Kyle adjusted his glasses, frowning. "You're missing the point. Formations aren't about being neat; they're about maximizing your group's effectiveness. If you go into a fight thinking only about yourself, you're dead before you even draw your weapon."

"Yeah, yeah," Marcus replied dismissively, twirling the knife. "I'll stick to what I know — being fast and stabbing things."

Ren chuckled, shaking his head. "You're hopeless."

Kyle turned his gaze to Elias, his expression curious. "What about you, Elias? How was your day?"

Elias let out a groan, throwing an arm over his eyes. "Stressful," he admitted. "I got lost on my way to magical theory, barely made it to survival tactics without falling asleep, and now my body feels like it's been run over by a beast."

The others laughed, and even Elias found himself smiling faintly despite his exhaustion.

"Welcome to the Academy," Marcus said with mock sympathy. "Get used to it, because it only gets worse from here."

Elias chose not to mention the mental probe from Celeste.

That was something he'd rather keep to himself for now. The last thing he needed was more questions or unwanted attention.

The conversation shifted naturally, as it often did in groups like this. Before long, they'd moved from complaining about classes to discussing brigades.

"So, have you guys thought about which brigades you're going to join?" Ren asked, setting his book down.

Marcus grinned. "I'm aiming for the Shadow Fangs. They're fast, they're deadly, and they've got the best success rate on high-risk missions. Plus, their leader is a legend."

Kyle raised an eyebrow. "The Shadow Fangs are notorious for their cutthroat mentality. They're not exactly team players."

"Exactly," Marcus said, as if that proved his point.

Ren shook his head. "I'm thinking of trying out for the Iron Vanguard. They're solid, disciplined, and their gear is some of the best out there. I'd rather be in a brigade that knows how to work together than one that's full of lone wolves."

"What about you, Kyle?" Elias asked, genuinely curious.

Kyle hesitated, polishing his gauntlet for a moment longer before answering. "I haven't decided yet. There's a lot to consider. A brigade's reputation, its mission success rate, the kind of training they offer... I want to make sure I pick the right one."

Elias nodded thoughtfully. He already joined the Cobra Brigade though but not like he was going to say it.

As the conversation lulled, Marcus's grin returned, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Alright, serious topic now," he said, leaning forward. "Who do you think is the hottest girl in the Academy?"

Ren groaned. "Really? We're doing this?"

"Of course we are," Marcus replied, unbothered. "Come on, we've been here long enough to get a sense of the talent."

Kyle rolled his eyes but didn't protest, which Elias took as silent agreement.

"Well, if we're going there," Ren said reluctantly, "I'd say Maria from combat tactics. She's strong, confident, and she doesn't take crap from anyone."

Marcus whistled. "Solid choice. She's a bit scary, though."

"That's part of the appeal," Ren shot back.

Marcus turned to Kyle. "What about you, glasses? Got a crush on anyone yet?"

Kyle flushed slightly but kept his composure. "I'm not here to gawk at girls, Marcus. I'm here to become a Hunter."

"Oh, come on," Marcus pressed. "You're telling me there's no one who's caught your eye?"

Kyle hesitated before mumbling, "If I had to pick... maybe Beth. She's intelligent, and she seems... nice."

Marcus smirked. "Beth, huh? The quiet ones are always full of surprises."

Finally, Marcus turned his attention to Elias, who had been content to stay out of the conversation. "Alright, Elias, your turn. Who's the hottest girl in the Academy?"

Elias blinked, caught off guard. "Uh... I don't know. I haven't really thought about it."

"Liar," Marcus said with a grin. "Come on, spill it."

Elias sighed, realizing he wasn't going to get out of this. "Fine. If I had to pick... maybe Celeste."

The room went quiet for a moment, and then Marcus let out a low whistle. "Bold choice," he said, clearly impressed.

Ren frowned. "Celeste? You mean that Celeste? The one who broke the record during the willpower test?"

"Yeah," Elias said simply.

Kyle adjusted his glasses, his expression thoughtful. "She's... intimidating. I've heard rumors that she has mental abilities."

Elias stiffened slightly but kept his expression neutral. "She seems... interesting, that's all."

Marcus grinned. "Well, good luck with that. She's probably way out of your league, but hey, aim high."

The conversation drifted to other topics after that, but Elias found himself thinking about Celeste again. She was certainly intriguing, but there was something about her that made him uneasy.

He couldn't shake the memory of that mental probe, the way she had seemed so curious about him.

As the others continued chatting, Elias leaned back on his bed, closing his eyes. His body still ached, but the easy camaraderie in the room was comforting in its own way.

Elias woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed, the ache in his muscles from the day before having faded to a dull memory.

He stretched, listening to the quiet creak of his bed frame, and glanced out the small window near his bunk.

A pale light filtered through the dense clouds above the Academy grounds, casting a muted glow over the sprawling facility.

He quickly dressed, pulling on the sleek black uniform he'd been issued. The insignia on the chest gleamed faintly, a small but constant reminder of the responsibility that came with wearing it.

Slinging his simple bag over one shoulder, he ran a hand through his messy hair and headed out.

The hallways of the dormitory were alive with activity. Students rushed past, some chatting animatedly about their plans for the day, others quietly focused on their own thoughts.

Elias joined the flow, moving with purpose toward the main counter at the heart of the outer academy.

The counter was one of the busiest spots in the Academy. Positioned at the intersection of several corridors, it served as a hub for student inquiries, updates, and assignments.

The attendant behind the counter was a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor. Despite the chaos around her, she seemed unfazed, her movements efficient and precise as she managed the steady stream of students.

Elias approached her, his boots clicking softly against the polished floor.

"Name?" she asked without looking up, her fingers flying over a small console.

"Elias," he replied, holding his bag strap tightly.

Finally, she glanced at him, her sharp gaze briefly assessing him before nodding. "Extend your watch," she instructed, gesturing toward her own.

Elias raised his arm, turning his wrist so that the face of the small, rectangular device on his uniform was visible.

The woman did the same, and the moment their watches aligned, a faint glow emanated from both devices.

A soft chime sounded as the transfer began.

"Your schedule is being updated," she said. "You'll find all your class times, locations, and instructor information there. This also includes any changes to your assignments or timetable throughout the week."