Heartbeat in the Shadows

[Location: Nova Academy Simulation Arena – Midday]

The central zone trembled as a simulated explosion rocked the eastern side of the arena. Artificial dust clouds rose, creating limited visibility between the virtual buildings. The roar of combat drones and the blasts of plasma turrets filled the air, crafting a small-scale war atmosphere far too realistic for just a training session.

Cadets from various teams scattered, trying to form new formations while enduring the pressure of virtual enemy attacks. Today's simulation wasn't just testing strength—it was testing the ability to think amidst chaos.

I took cover behind the ruins of a replica communication tower, trying to stay unnoticed. As I lowered my body position, I glanced at the screen inside my helmet. Team 9's status was relatively stable—Kael was still enthusiastically firing at the simulated enemies like usual, Ryn had already secured a tactical position on the left flank, and Nayra... was still observing. Always observing. As if every move I made was being stored in her own private database.

"Why do I feel like a walking lab experiment," I muttered, letting out a long sigh.

Kael activated the voice channel with his usual excitement. "Bro! That other team surrendered. Did you see that? They couldn't handle the heavy drones! We're actually holding out!"

Ryn chimed in, his voice calm but sharp. "Focus. Team 5 is rotating west, trying to encircle the control zone. We need to hold for 10 more minutes. Deren, can you hack their entry gate system?"

I quickly typed on the panel in my hand, accessing the simulation system through backdoor gaps I knew all too well. The holes were still unpatched since I helped prototype the thing a while back. The academy had been too busy polishing the visuals, forgetting the core system was still raw.

"Done. But don't ask why the door's opening and closing like a mouse trap," I replied, lazily—but deep down, I knew things were starting to get a little too intense.

[Location: Observation Room – Upper Level, Nova Academy]

Nayra stood, no longer seated with the other evaluators. The light from the holographic screen cast a glow on her calm yet calculating face. Her eyes locked onto Deren's figure—always avoiding the spotlight... yet unintentionally revealing effective strategic openings with every move.

"He's not trying to win," whispered one of the analysts sitting behind her while jotting notes.

Nayra nodded slowly. "Exactly. But he's making sure his team doesn't lose. And that... is dangerous."

She turned to another screen displaying system interaction diagrams. One of the combat drones stalled briefly—right after Deren reaccessed the terminal in the central zone. Not enough to warrant an official penalty, but enough to raise suspicion... especially for someone who was technically just an ordinary cadet.

Data started flowing across Nayra's screen. She saved it all.

[Location: Eterna City – Eidolon Headquarters]

Far from the arena, in the underground command room of Eidolon HQ, Clarice stood with arms crossed, watching a large screen displaying signal flows from Nova. One familiar encryption pattern lit up the simulation network—not because Deren wanted to, but because he had no choice.

"He's starting to use the old scripts," she murmured, eyes narrowing.

An Eidolon operator—a young man with a headset full of tangled wires and rapid data displays—turned to her. "Should we intervene?"

Clarice shook her head, slow but firm. "Not yet. But prepare a diversion. If they start digging inward... we need to keep them busy outside."

She then pressed a panel and activated a sleeper agent embedded in the communication sector of the Hyra faction. While all eyes were on Nova, Eidolon was setting its own pieces into motion.

[Location: Simulation Arena – Final Seconds of the Session]

Team 9 managed to hold off the final wave. A simulation flare shot into the virtual sky—signaling the end of the session. The red skies turned to soft blue as the system began its reset.

Cadets dropped to the ground, exhausted. Some sat panting, others exchanged compliments. Kael lay on his back laughing in satisfaction, his helmet lying beside him, sweat dripping from his forehead.

"Insane! We didn't just survive—we almost became the top team!"

Ryn put away his communicator, his expression still calm, though a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Our tactics… weren't bad. Or maybe it was just Deren's luck."

I immediately looked for a shaded spot, leaning my back against a replica container wall. My body wasn't that tired, but mentally? It felt like finishing a marathon while being chased by a surveillance drone.

I removed my helmet and closed my eyes for a moment. I thought I could finally enjoy five minutes of peace—

Footsteps approached. Steady, unhesitating. And I knew who it was without even looking.

Nayra walked toward me, her steps purposeful. Amid the crowd of cadets relaxing, she was like a cold wall in a warm room.

"Deren Arkwright," she called.

I turned slowly, still not standing. "If the answer is 'yes', can we delay the question?"

She stared at me with an intense gaze, like unraveling invisible threads.

"Do you realize how you make all this... look like coincidence?"

I shrugged and grinned. "Maybe because it is coincidence?"

She didn't respond immediately. But her gaze shifted. No longer just suspicion like before.

Now... there was curiosity. Analysis. Caution. And maybe... a hint of respect she wasn't ready to admit.

And that, to me, was far more dangerous than any suspicion.