Chapter 4:The Grand Trail begins

The air inside the academy's vast training arena was thick with tension. The steel-walled chamber stretched for miles, its high ceilings crisscrossed with glowing blue energy conduits. Hovering platforms drifted at various heights, forming an intricate battleground designed to push students beyond their limits—testing agility, endurance, teamwork, and above all, courage.

More than two hundred Grade 8 students stood in rigid formation, their expressions a mix of excitement and dread. Every class from 8A to 8O had been gathered for what could only be described as a baptism by fire.

Perched above them on an elevated platform, the seniors of Grade 12 watched like hawks. These were the academy's elite, the students who had spent years honing their skills. Their final test was to prove their worth as future mech pilots by training and evaluating the newcomers. Only the strongest, the smartest, and the most adaptable among them would pass.

And then… there was Yuki.

Among the assembled first-years, Yuki groaned softly, rubbing his temples. "Okay, I have a really, really bad feeling about this."

Mia shot him a deadpan look. "You just figured that out?"

Mark crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Let me guess—you forgot this was happening."

Yuki hesitated, glancing at the towering seniors, the gleaming training mechs standing ominously in the distance, and the obstacle courses designed to break even the toughest students. "I wouldn't say I forgot exactly—"

"You absolutely forgot," Thalos interrupted.

"Fine! Maybe I got a little distracted—"

Before Yuki could finish, a voice cut in. "Are these your new friends, Mark?"

Mark turned to the newcomer, eyes narrowing. "And you are?"

The boy smirked. "Thalos Arctur. I'm in the same class as Yuki."

"Nice to meet you," Mark replied, though his tone carried a hint of skepticism. "You're in the special class?"

Thalos tilted his head. "Yeah, why?"

Mark folded his arms. "No offense, but usually, the A–F classes are for the smartest and most capable ability users. G–I are for those who excel in controlling their abilities, and J–O… well, they struggle with both."

Thalos blinked. "Are you saying I don't look smart?"

"You don't exactly give off that vibe," Mark admitted.

Thalos chuckled. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

A new voice chimed in, slightly haughty. "And I am Edward Randolph," the noble boy introduced himself grandly, only to be promptly ignored as Mark and Thalos continued glaring at each other.

Mia rolled her eyes. "Alright, enough of this."

Mark sighed. "I didn't mean it as an insult. It's just that most students in your class don't really act like geniuses. Take Yuki, for example—would you believe he's in that class?"

Yuki groaned. "Are you still mad about that? I was exhausted! I pulled an all-nighter, and my brain just—was not braining to day."

Mia's patience snapped. "Oh, don't even start! You spent days bragging about how you wouldn't get caught, how you'd outsmart the Academy! And then you go and—"

"Look, sleep is important, Mia."

"WE COULD HAVE PASSED WITH A 50%! YOU MORON!"

Edward and Thalos both stared, shocked. "Wait… aren't you supposed to participate in this trial?" Edward asked.

"Technically, yes."

"Then how—?"

Thalos caught on first. "Wait, you mean—?"

Yuki smirked. "The academy has a rule. If a student is capable of avoiding capture, it means they've demonstrated skills beyond what the test requires. So, they get a free pass."

Edward's mouth fell open. "That's absurd!"

"No, it's logical," Yuki said, shrugging. "The academy prides itself on security and its students' abilities. If someone can evade detection, they clearly have what it takes. It's a loophole, but a valid one."

Thalos narrowed his eyes. "How do you even know that?"

Yuki suddenly looked sheepish. "Uh… let's just say some friends and I used to sneak into restricted areas."

Mia quickly cut in. "That's enough questions."

Before anyone could press further, a booming voice shattered the chatter.

"ATTENTION, GRADE 8 STUDENTS!"

All eyes snapped toward the elevated stage. A tall, broad-shouldered man with graying hair and a mechanical right arm stood at the forefront. This was Commander Sigrun, one of the Black Ray Lancers, the academy's greatest mech pilot of his era and the overseer of the trials. His presence alone commanded absolute silence.

"Your initiation begins now." His voice rattled through the steel walls. "You will be placed into teams of five. Each team will be assigned a Grade 12 senior, who will oversee your training and evaluate whether you have what it takes to survive in this academy."

A murmur rippled through the students.

"To survive?" Yuki whispered. "That sounds a bit dramatic."

Mark shot him a look. "You're in an elite military academy. It's not supposed to be a daycare."

Commander Sigrun continued. "The trials ahead will test your courage, resolve, and ability to trust your team. Those who fail will not be expelled, but you will be deemed unfit for real-world missions."

A heavy silence settled over the group.

Then, a new voice chimed in from the back. "Okay, okay, enough with the dramatics. Let me clarify—students deemed 'unfit' will take extra classes to improve the skills they lack in."

Lillian wat are you doing involving stakes will make them work harder and give it their all and the headmaster wants to see that.

Well i think you're wrong there still kids so be easy on them.

A few heads turned to see Lilian, a senior with a casual stance and an amused smirk.

Sigrun frowned. "Lilian, what are you doing here anyways you said you wouldn't bother babysitting?"

"Got bored."

"Just go sit at the back."

"Fine." She waved a lazy hand and complied.

Sigrun cleared his throat. "As I was saying—"

At his cue, the seniors stepped forward. Clad in academy combat gear, they exuded confidence. Years of training had shaped them into formidable warriors.

Edward watched in awe. "Look at them," he whispered. "So disciplined. So honorable. The finest students of our generation."

Yuki gave him a blank stare. "…Are we looking at the same people?"

Because sure, some seniors looked professional. But others? One was yawning. Another was texting. A girl was cracking her knuckles with a menacing grin. And worst of all—the one who had interrupted Sigrun's speech was now lounging with her feet up.

Edward's faith visibly cracked. "…Surely they wouldn't allow undisciplined individuals to oversee something as important as this."

"You sweet, naive summer child," Yuki sighed.

Thalos chimed in, i think you must still be under their control he said sarcastically.

Edward ignored them. "They are the academy's finest, and I shall place my trust in them."

As if on cue, the senior with the sandwich took a loud bite and gave a lazy thumbs-up to no one in particular.

Edward's smile twitched.

Commander Sigrun clapped his hands. "TEAM ASSIGNMENTS BEGIN NOW."

The Trials Begin

The teams were quickly sorted students from their respective classes were assigned together.Yuki,Lira,Jaxon,Eryndra, and Thalos were grouped together under the watch of Sergeant Alric,a Grade 12 student with sharp green eyes and a military-like demeanor. His uniform was pristine, his posture impeccable.

Edward, standing nearby, practically beamed. "Now this is what I expected from a proper senior!"

Mark, standing with his own team, smirked. "Looks like we're splitting up, Yuki. Good luck—you're gonna need it."

Yuki groaned. "Oh, that's just great. Hey, Mark, quick question."

Mark raised an eyebrow. "Shoot."

Yuki pulled him aside, his usual casual demeanor giving way to something more serious. "What was that back there?"

"What?"

"Thalos. The way you reacted to him—it wasn't just skepticism. You know something."

Mark hesitated for a second before leaning in. "There's something about him. I don't know what it is yet, but… something about that guy doesn't sit right with me."

Before Yuki could press further,"Sergeant Alric turned to them, his expression unreadable. "Your trial begins immediately. Follow me."

Yuki sighed, Mark's words still lingering in his head.

Trial One: Survival

The massive steel doors at the far end of the arena hissed open, revealing their battleground.

A sprawling cityscape stretched before them—abandoned buildings, cracked pavement, distant fires flickering in the ruins. Towering skyscrapers loomed overhead, their shattered windows reflecting the neon glow of emergency lights. Training mechs stood scattered around, inactive but menacing, their lifeless metal forms resembling sleeping giants.

Alric gestured toward the ruins. "Your first test: Survival. You are dropped into hostile territory with no supplies. Your objectives: locate resources, secure weapons, and defend against enemy attacks. No powers allowed." His gaze lingered on Jaxon. "That includes you."

Jaxon looked genuinely offended. "But that's unfair! My handsome face grants me special privileges—"

"Not today, it doesn't."

Jaxon sighed dramatically."I expected more of a reaction seniors…"

Your power won't work on me now stop before you and all of your teammates are disqualified.

His smirk fading.

Yuki clapped Jaxon on the back. "Tough break, buddy."

Suddenly, a realization hit. "Wait… aren't we missing some teammates?"

A voice called from the shadows. "I was already here. You guys just took your sweet time getting started."

Lira stepped out from behind a ruined car, arms crossed, her golden eyes sharp with impatience. Beside her.

Jaxon whistled. "Damn, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed."

Lira shot him a glare. "Just stay out of my way, deadweight."

Jaxon placed a hand over his heart, mock-wounded. "Oh my, we got a feisty one, guys."

Yuki ignored the bickering. "Okay, so about a plan—"

He was promptly ignored.

Thalos cracked his knuckles. "So, what exactly are we up against?"

Alric's smirk widened. "Mechs. Controlled by us."

At that moment, the sleeping giants awoke.

With a thunderous whirrrr, the mechs' red eyes flickered to life, casting an eerie glow over the ruined city. The ground trembled as their heavy metallic limbs groaned into motion.

Yuki's stomach dropped. "Oh, come on."

Jaxon adjusted his glasses. "Gentlemen and lady, I propose we run."

"Agreed," Yuki muttered.

The first mech lunged.

The team scattered.

The Test of Courage and Trust

Ducking behind a wrecked car, Yuki panted. "Okay! New plan! We hide until they get bored and leave!"

Eryndra promptly threw a broken piece of debris at his head. "That is not a plan!"

Jaxon peeked over the wreckage. "I propose we charge forward like real men and fight with valor!"

A mech promptly fired a laser that narrowly missed his head.

Jaxon screamed. "RETREAT!"

Yuki deadpanned. "Wow. That plan lasted five seconds."

Thalos tapped his earpiece. "There's an abandoned weapons cache east of here. If we can get to it, we stand a chance."

Yuki nodded. "Move. Now."

They sprinted through the crumbling city, dodging falling debris and evading the relentless pursuit of the mechs. Explosions lit up the night sky as lasers ripped through buildings.

Yuki huffed. "I'd really like to have powers right about now!"

Finally, they reached the weapons cache—only to find the doors wide open.

And inside?

Empty.

Jaxon groaned kicking a rock. "That damn rose with thorns got here first. And the other one's nowhere to be found."

"We've been running without a plan," Thalos muttered. "We need one."

"You think?"Yuki's eye twitching.

No you two can make a plan on your own.I'm not gonna let her score higher then me.

"Oh, great. And now we're down to two people actually listening. You got a plan, Yuki?"

Yuki cracked his knuckles, turning to Thalos. "What do you say, partner? You in?"

Thalos grinned. "Better than doing nothing."

They fist-bumped.

The Counterattack

Lira, Jaxon and Eryndra abandoned us, heading in their own directions. That left me and Thalos it's safe to assume that going west would be optimal since there's no sign of a battle that broke out.

"West," Yuki said. "There's another weapons stash. If we time it right, we can lure the mechs into a choke point."

They ran. The mechs pursued.

Reaching the second cache, they threw open the doors. This time, success—energy rifles, EMP grenades, and shock batons lined the walls.

Thalos tossed Yuki a rifle. "Here."

Yuki frowned. "Do I look like I know how to use this?"

"You'll figure it out."

And then… the mechs found them.

The ground cracked as the hulking machines landed, surrounding them in a tightening circle.

Thalos raised his fists dramatically. "Then we shall go down fighting!"

Silence.

Yuki turned to him. "Plan B?"

Thalos sighed. "EMP grenades. Now."

They lobbed the grenades. The electromagnetic pulses detonated in a burst of blue light, sending waves of static through the air. The mechs staggered, their systems glitching, red eyes flickering as their joints locked up.

Panting, Yuki wiped sweat from his brow. "Did we… did we win?"

Thalos frowned. "That means they already got rid of the ones in the east, south, and west. That was fast."

Yuki squinted. "Did you say something?"

"No." Thalos was still catching his breath.

A voice crackled over the intercom.

"Well done. Round two begins now."

Yuki groaned. "Oh, come on!"

And the nightmare continued.