The Transformation

After the physical evaluations were done, Raith was stunned to see that the dining hall was already half full.

Everyone seemed to be devouring their food. Well, it was expected after what they had been through that day.

Raith looked around as he was planning to gather with his Outer Wards' group. He could see Officer Tansim standing at the very back, monitoring the Cadets. He seemed too serious.

The truth was, the officer's composure was barely holding together. He swallowed hard, throat tightening as his stomach let out a second, louder growl—just enough to earn a few side-eyes from the Cadets nearby.

And the smell in the air? That wasn't helping. Not one bit. Roasted meat, buttered rice, something sweet baking in the background—it was like standing inside a trap laid by hunger itself.

Tamsin shifted his stance, trying not to drool. 'The Chief really went all out,' he thought, half in awe, half in agony.

But this wasn't just generosity. It was a strategy.

Chief Warden Vale knew exactly what he was doing—turn Camp 70 into a place so impressive, so well-fed, that no one from the other camps would dare try poaching their S-grades.

Besides, by doing this, he wasn't just protecting the S-grades—he was raising the whole camp. Every Cadet would feel the ripple. Better food, better living conditions, better morale.

And who knew? Maybe that kind of environment was exactly what some of them needed to unlock their true potential.

Raith walked toward the serving line. He still looked around. Enjoying the atmosphere.

People laughed and chatted at the tables. The sounds mixed with the clatter of trays and cutlery.

Steam rose from the serving lines, where trays were stacked with grilled skewers, buttered vegetables, and a thick stew that smelled surprisingly good.

A few Cadets shuffled through with tired steps, collecting and finishing their meals before disappearing to whatever brief rest they could find.

Raith slid his tray onto a table near the far wall—an old habit. But instead of finding a new seat with Squad C-707, he waited.

Within moments, the others arrived.

Dane dropped his tray down first, clapping Raith lightly on the shoulder as he sat. "Knew you'd pick this spot."

Mira came next, already mid-sigh as she lowered herself into the seat beside them. "God. I feel like I've done a full week's worth of drills already, and we haven't even met our Wardens yet."

Kev was last, practically collapsing into his chair with a loud groan. "You think that's bad? Try surviving Golden Boy."

Raith blinked. "Golden Boy?"

"The one with the glowing hair and attitude to match," Kev muttered, stabbing at his food. "Arlan. Arlan Ferric. That A-grade Tuner from the Great Family of Ferric. You remember him, right?"

Dane raised a brow. "He's in your squad?"

"Unfortunately," Kev grumbled. "I swear, he thinks he's Bastion's gift to humanity. Talks like we're all just background extras in his origin story."

Mira snorted. "Sounds fun."

"Oh, it's a blast," Kev said dryly. "Tried giving orders five minutes into our physical test. I told him he could eat a rock."

Dane chuckled under his breath. "At least you're consistent."

"What about you, Mira?" Raith asked.

Mira hesitated, then leaned back in her seat. "They put me in a balanced squad. Two A-grades, one B, and one C. I'm the only S... but honestly?"

She looked down at her tray, expression unreadable. "I feel like the weakest one there."

The table went quiet for a second.

"You're not," Raith said.

"I know," she replied softly. "But still. They've got experience in combat. I've got… noise. I can't even aim it properly yet."

Kev leaned over and bumped her arm. "C'mon. We all sucked at first. Except Raith. He cheated."

Dane looked sideways. "Talking about that..."

Raith's shoulders tensed slightly. He knew what was coming.

"I saw your test," Dane said, not accusing, just curious. "You looked like you were using your Force, even when they told us not to."

Raith went quiet.

Mira looked over. "What?"

Even Elisa, who had arrived quietly and taken her usual seat at the end, lifted her gaze slightly.

Raith set down his utensils, his voice low. "That's the thing. I wasn't."

Dane frowned. "Then how—?"

"I've no idea." Raith raised his shoulders. "You all saw what Super Strength looks like when it's active. The pressure builds. There's a charge in the air."

He held out his hand slightly. "None of that happened. Not once."

Dane leaned in. "Then how did you do all that?"

"I don't know," Raith admitted. "It's like... my body's already different. Not just stronger and faster. Everything feels more… efficient. But I didn't activate anything. It just was."

Kev blinked. "So you're saying the Force rewired you? Like permanently?"

Raith nodded slowly. "That's what it feels like."

Dane crossed his arms. "You sure it's not just adrenaline? I mean, maybe your Force is always active at a low level now."

"No glow," Elisa said softly.

They all turned.

Elisa met Raith's gaze. "If a Force activates, even subconsciously, the Mark responds. I've seen hundreds of awakenings in the records. There are no exceptions."

Kev frowned. "So what? Raith's Force didn't turn on... it just became him?"

"I've no idea." That's the only response he could give.

Mira nodded, thoughtful. "Well… maybe it means you're adapting faster than most. So, it should be a good thing."

"Or maybe," Kev said, pointing a spoon at him, "you're turning into a monster, and we should be concerned."

Raith gave him a flat look.

Kev grinned. "Kidding. Mostly."

"You shouldn't overthink it," Dane said.

"What do you mean?" Raith asked, confused.

Dane leaned forward. His tone was calm, but his eyes made it clear that he was concerned about Raith. "You should be grateful that the power is adjusting your body. Most people would kill for that kind of natural adaptation."

Raith exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. I mean… it is nice. I didn't even activate the Force today, but I was still stronger and faster. But..."

He looked at the Mark on the back of his palm. He felt that it was no use anymore to say what was on his mind. "I think you guys are right. This is actually a good thing."

"Well, no matter how you look at it, this is much better because..." Kev added.

Even though everyone was waiting for him to continue, he scooped another bite of mashed roots into his mouth.

He swallowed everything in one go before adding, "Look, with your body getting stronger like this, you'll be okay without a healer."

He raised his spoon, full of another bite of mashed roots, toward Raith with a grin. "Back then, if Elisa hadn't been with us, you'd probably be carried by Dane out of the Shatterveil."

Everyone nodded. Somehow, what Kev said made a lot of sense.

At the mention of her name, Elisa paused. She'd been quietly finishing her meal, eyes down, expression unreadable as always.

But now, her fingers stopped.

She remembered what had happened earlier—just an hour ago, during her own squad's physical evaluations. One of her teammates had miscalculated his strength and pulled too hard during a weighted carry.

The strain tore through his shoulder.

Elisa had moved quickly, kneeling beside him, her palm already glowing. Without a word, she pressed her hand gently over the injury and began to heal.

Light flared—just like it had for Raith.

But this time... it was slower.

The bruising faded, but not all at once. The pain eased, but not with the same sharp, sweeping precision she remembered when she healed Raith inside the Shatterveil.

Back then, his body had responded like lightning—almost too fast, like it was already helping her work before she even finished channeling.

But with the B-grade earlier, it had been textbook healing. It was too normal.

Now, sitting here, Elisa found herself quietly unsettled.

'Why was Raith's healing so different?'

Was it his Force?

No—Super Strength alone didn't enhance regenerative compatibility. That was never in the medical logs. And she would've remembered.

Was it because he was S-grade?

Unlikely. Grade influenced power output, not healing receptiveness.

Then what was it?

Her gaze flicked toward him. Raith was watching Kev and Dane with a tired smile, still rubbing his wrist absently like he was testing it for hidden damage.

'He doesn't even realize how strange his body is,' she thought.

The others joked around him, offered support, and teased like always. But Elisa knew something else was happening beneath the surface. His body wasn't just stronger.

It was evolving.

Faster than it should be.

Smarter than it should be.

Almost like it's anticipating what's coming.

She turned her eyes back to her tray and kept her face calm.

But the thought wouldn't leave her.

'Who are you really, Raith?'