The Elite Force Selection Tournament Annouencement

A week had passed since the whispers about Elias had reached their peak, and yet the tension in the academy had only grown. The cadets could feel something building, an undercurrent of anticipation just waiting to be revealed.

Then, the announcement came.

Academy Training Grounds – General Assembly

Hundreds of cadets stood shoulder to shoulder in the open-air parade ground, the morning sun casting long shadows as they waited for the command staff to speak. Officers in crisp military uniforms lined the platform, their expressions unreadable. It wasn't often that the academy called for a full assembly like this, and when they did, it was always for something major.

The murmurs spread through the ranks like wildfire.

"Why bring everyone out here for an announcement?"

"Maybe another war game? Last time they pulled something like this, it was a week-long survival drill."

"Shut up, Dax. This is bigger."

In the front row, Bao and his team stood together, each of them watching with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

"I swear to god," Aiden muttered, rubbing the back of his head, "if they're about to tell us we're getting an extended training block, I'm walking into traffic."

"Relax," Jiro replied dryly, adjusting his glasses. "They wouldn't pull every single cadet out just to mess with us. Something's going on."

"Special missions? Extra privileges?" Vivian guessed, her arms crossed. "Or maybe a fast track to officer status?"

Bao said nothing, but he had a bad feeling. Something was different this time.

A sudden booming voice silenced the whispers.

Colonel Duvall stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back, his presence commanding instant respect. His gaze swept over the assembled cadets, and when he spoke, his voice carried over the entire grounds.

"Cadets. Today marks the beginning of an opportunity unlike any offered before. An invitation into the unknown. The Elite Force Selection."

A ripple of surprise moved through the crowd.

Duvall continued, "For years, the academy has trained its cadets to serve in structured military roles—infantry, command, logistics. But times are changing. War is changing."

A weight settled over the cadets as his words sank in.

"The winning team of five will be granted immediate entry into a classified special operations program. Those selected will not be soldiers any more. They will be something more"

The parade grounds erupted.

"Special ops?!"

"This isn't just about rank—this is direct recruitment into black operations!"

"That's insane! They never let cadets into something like this!"

Bao's mind was already working. Special operations. A new way to fight war. And Elias…

There was no doubt in his mind. This had everything to do with Elias and the strange treatment he had been receiving. And if Bao wanted to know why, he had to get in.

Desmond exhaled, already rolling his shoulders. "This is big."

Aiden grinned. "Now this is the kind of thing I signed up for."

Vivian's eyes gleamed. "Sounds dangerous. I like it."

Jiro adjusted his gloves. "The competition will be brutal. I wouldn't be surprised if they designed this to break most of us before it's even over."

Bao finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "Then we won't break."

Duvall raised a hand, silencing the crowd.

"The tournament will be conducted in three phases. Phase One: Combat Trials. Phase Two: Tactical Simulations. Phase Three: Live Operations. There will be no second chances. You either prove yourselves, or you fail."

The cold finality of his words sent another wave of tension through the cadets.

"Each team must consist of five members. You have until midnight to register your teams. The tournament begins at sunrise."

With that, Duvall turned, stepping away as the officers began dismissing the crowd.

Bao's group didn't move.

For a long moment, none of them spoke. Then, finally, Aiden smirked.

"Well, looks like we have a tournament to win."

Academy Training Grounds – Sunrise next Day

The morning air was crisp, carrying with it an undeniable sense of tension. Hundreds of cadets stood in tight groups, each team of five mentally preparing themselves for what lay ahead. The makeshift arena had been set up overnight—an enclosed battlefield complete with obstacles, cover, and high-rise platforms for tactical positioning.

The first phase of the Elite Force Selection Tournament was about to begin: The Combat Trials.

A loudspeaker crackled to life, and the commanding voice of Colonel Duvall filled the grounds.

"Phase One of the tournament will test your ability to engage in direct combat. You will fight in a controlled battlefield scenario, team against team. No lethal force. Training weapons only. But expect pain."

That last sentence earned a few nervous chuckles from some cadets, but Bao and his team remained serious.

"Victory conditions: incapacitate the opposing team. Surrender is permitted. Failure means elimination from the tournament. The last sixteen teams standing move on to Phase Two."

Tension spread through the ranks as the implications sank in.

Only sixteen teams would advance. That meant that out of the forty teams competing, more than half would be eliminated by the end of the day.

Aiden smirked, slapping Desmond on the back. "Alright, let's go break some egos."

Desmond rolled his shoulders. "As long as you don't get cocky and take a hit to the face."

Vivian spun her combat knife between her fingers. "I almost hope we get matched up against Markus. Seeing his stupid face when we wipe the floor with him would be chef's kiss."

Jiro adjusted his gloves. "Markus will get himself disqualified by sheer stupidity before we even get to him. I'd be more concerned about the teams that actually know how to fight."

Bao remained quiet, scanning the competition. His mind wasn't on Markus or even on the tournament itself. It was on the opportunity this tournament provided. If this special force program was connected to Elias, then he had to be part of it.

A chance like this would not come again.

A buzzer sounded, and the first set of matchups appeared on a large digital board. Names flashed across the screen, and cadets craned their necks to see who they'd be fighting first.

Jiro spoke first, reading their match. "Team 12 vs. Team 4."

"Vickers?" Aiden whistled. "That's the team with the twins, right? Fast but not too bright?"

"Sounds like they'll fall apart under pressure," Desmond said, stretching his arms.

Vivian grinned. "Let's make this quick, then."

A voice called from the speakers. "Match One, prepare to enter the arena."

Bao and his team walked forward, stepping onto the artificial battleground. The terrain was built like a miniature war zone—concrete barriers, steel crates for cover, and scattered debris that provided plenty of opportunities for ambushes.

Across from them stood Team Vickers, five cadets who looked confident but not particularly disciplined.

"Remember the plan," Jiro said under his breath. "Speed and coordination. Don't give them time to think."

Bao's eyes flicked toward the instructors watching from above. Among them, he spotted Colonel Duvall, his arms crossed, his gaze piercing.

They're studying us.

The buzzer rang.

The fight began.

The Battle Begins

Vickers' team moved fast—just as expected. Two of them immediately sprinted for high ground, while the other three took defensive positions behind cover.

"They're trying to control the map," Jiro observed. "We need to cut them off before they get set up."

Bao didn't hesitate. "Vivian, Desmond—go left, flank their snipers. Aiden, with me—right side. Jiro, suppressing fire from center."

They moved instantly, their coordination near perfect. Speed and precision. That was their advantage.

Jiro fired a burst from his training rifle, forcing the enemy snipers to duck. Vivian and Desmond dashed low across the battlefield, using the scattered wreckage as cover.

Aiden and Bao cut right, circling wide. Bao's mind was already running through possibilities. Vickers' team was aggressive but predictable—they prioritized positioning over awareness. If they overcommitted to high ground, it would be their downfall.

"Vivian, Desmond—now!"

Two muffled thuds echoed as Vivian and Desmond took down the first sniper, stunning him with precise baton strikes before he could react.

One down.

Aiden smirked. "That's our cue."

Bao and Aiden rushed the distracted frontliners, weaving through gunfire as Jiro provided cover. Bao ducked low, sweeping the legs of one opponent while Aiden cracked another across the chest with a well-aimed strike.

Within seconds, three of Team Vickers were down.

The remaining two tried to retreat, but Desmond cut off their escape.

A single moment later, the match was over.

"Winner: Team 12."

Aftermath

As the buzzer sounded, Bao straightened up, shaking out his arms. It had been a flawless victory.

Vivian grinned. "Well, that was almost disappointing."

Aiden smirked. "You guys saw how fast they panicked? They knew they were outclassed."

Jiro exhaled, checking their surroundings. "Keep focus. This was just round one."

Bao remained silent, his gaze drifting toward the observation deck.

Among the officers, he saw Duvall nod slightly before turning away.

The tournament wasn't just about winning. It was about proving something.

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