The training room reeked of sweat, metal, and something sharp—like anticipation.
Oliver gripped the reinforced practice pole, sweat dripping from his chin as he pivoted, ducked, and spun in a seamless blur of motion. Each strike hit the padded target dummy with bone-snapping force, denting the alloy frame beneath.
He was pushing himself harder than usual.
Because something about Squad Falcron didn't sit right.
"They fight like they know the future," Garek had said. "Like they've seen you move before you move."
And if there was one thing Oliver couldn't prepare for, it was the unpredictable.
"Again," he muttered, and the dummy reset.
He attacked.
—
Across the room, Aria sparred with Lira, both moving in sync. Lira's ribs were wrapped, her movements tighter than usual, but she wasn't holding back. Aria's red hair flared like a flag with each motion, her strikes precise, relentless.
"Again!" Lira barked, staggering back but raising her fists. "If I can't block you, I'll read your patterns."
Aria blinked. "Wait, was that… a compliment?"
Lira smirked through a wince. "Don't get used to it."
Garek, arms crossed, watched from the wall. "I give you both four minutes before someone hits the medbay again."
"Five," Aria said.
"Three," Lira grunted, lunging forward.
—
Oliver didn't join them. He didn't smile. He didn't banter.
Because the System was speaking again.
New Mission Triggered.Objective: Observe and counter Squad Falcron's leader.Reward: Data Extraction Protocol – Stage One.
That was new. A data extraction ability?
Warning: Target subject displays anomalous mental shielding. Caution advised.
Oliver wiped his brow.
"Anomalous mental shielding," he muttered. "What kind of squad is this?"
He didn't realize Aria had walked up until she tossed him a towel.
"You look like you're trying to beat the planet into submission."
"Feels like it's trying to do the same to me," he replied, half-smiling.
Aria's expression didn't soften. She held the towel a second longer than necessary.
"Something's different about this next fight," she said. "I can feel it."
"Me too."
"Garek thinks they're using illegal enhancements."
"Maybe."
"You think they're something worse?"
He paused, then nodded. "Possibly."
She stepped back, arms folded. "And if they are?"
"Then we hit harder."
She looked at him strangely, as if she wanted to say more. Then, thinking better of it, turned away.
But her voice lingered.
"Don't take it all on yourself, Vale."
He froze.
That was the first time she'd used his last name.
She walked off before he could respond.
—
Tournament Hall – Next Morning
Squad 7 stood at the edge of the arena.
The second round had drawn a larger crowd—hundreds of students, staff, and even military officials in formal uniforms. High-ranking officers occupied the upper viewing tiers, but Oliver's eyes were on one man in particular.
Kaien Deros.
The Captain stood motionless, arms behind his back, his sharp gaze fixed not on Squad 7—but the gate across from them.
The one that would release Squad Falcron.
Oliver scanned the energy field separating the two sides. There was something... off. The silence in the crowd, the stillness in the air.
Then the barrier dropped.
Four figures strode forward.
Clad in sleek black uniforms with silver-lined insignias, Squad Falcron looked more like elite soldiers than students. They moved in sync, eyes devoid of emotion. Their leader—a pale young man with silver hair and faint scars lining his jaw—locked eyes with Oliver the moment he stepped forward.
He didn't blink.
Oliver didn't either.
The announcer's voice boomed overhead.
"Match: Squad 7 versus Squad Falcron. Begin."
And the leader moved.
Faster than anyone should have.
Oliver barely brought up his arm to block the strike. The impact jarred his bones, forcing him back three steps.
Behind him, Aria shouted a warning—then disappeared in a blur of movement, intercepted by two of the others.
Lira was already ducking under a barrage of pressure-point strikes. Garek roared, throwing himself forward like a human tank.
Oliver adjusted, calculating.
Analysis: Opponent displays movement patterns with subframe prediction algorithms. Origin: Unknown.Advised: Counter unpredictably.
He shifted his stance.
"You're not from the outer districts," Oliver said aloud, parrying another blow.
The silver-haired boy said nothing. But his next strike sliced toward Oliver's neck with razor precision.
Oliver dropped low, swept the boy's legs—and missed.
The attacker floated over the sweep like he was made of smoke.
No enhancement tech he knew could do that.
Data Extraction Initiating...Shield Detected. Extraction Blocked.Origin Signature: Unknown.
Oliver's eyes narrowed. "Just what are you?"
The boy finally spoke.
"You talk too much."
Then he vanished again—just as Aria screamed.
Oliver turned in time to see her pinned under one of the Falcron fighters. Blood on her arm. But her eyes blazed—not with fear, but fury.
She raised her hand—and let loose a wave of concussive energy.
The impact blew the attacker off her, sending him crashing into the wall.
Oliver's heart jumped. He hadn't seen that from her before.
She caught his look. "We'll talk later."
They turned, readying themselves again.
And then the real fight began.