Nova dragged himself out of the training basement, his shirt clinging to him with sweat. His chest rose and fell heavily, but his expression was calm—another day of extra training done. As he pulled his hair back with his hand, he caught sight of Asher walking casually down the corridor, his usual confident stride unshaken.
Asher smirked as their eyes met. "Training again?"
Nova gave a short nod, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Yeah. Had to get those extra hours in."
Asher fell into step beside him, his hands tucked in his pockets.
"You're already good enough, you know. And besides, you've got abilities. Not like you're handicapped."
Nova chuckled, shaking his head.
"It's best to learn everything at disposal, isn't it? No harm in being prepared."
Asher tilted his head, giving a small approving nod.
"Well… yeah, that's true."
They walked in silence for a moment before Asher spoke again, his tone curious.
"They're teaching you combat already in second year, huh?"
Nova raised a brow. "Is that unusual?"
Asher's smirk faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
"Yeah. Usually, combat training is reserved for Obsidian Fang students, and even then it starts in third year—after they've chosen their path."
Nova frowned slightly, his pace slowing.
"Then why are they teaching it to everyone now?"
Asher's eyes grew colder, more serious. He spoke in a low voice, as if the walls themselves might be listening.
"Because the war is getting worse. Day by day. EIAA isn't the only institute—across the universe, academies have started teaching earlier. The higher-ups are making preparations."
Nova glanced at him, his curiosity sharpening.
"Preparations for what?"
Asher exhaled softly, his gaze fixed ahead.
"For students to graduate early. By the end of next year, if things don't improve, they'll send you all to the front lines."
Nova froze in his steps, disbelief flickering across his face.
"They'd really… push everyone out that fast?"
Asher nodded grimly.
"Yeah. Engineers, medics—it doesn't matter. They're teaching combat to everyone now because… in the near future, no one knows who'll be forced to fight."
Nova clenched his jaw.
"But isn't it reckless? Sending inexperienced students to the front lines—most of them won't survive."
Asher shook his head.
"No matter how dangerous, it's not like we have another choice right now. Humanity's been bleeding numbers for years. Every extra body counts."
Nova exhaled slowly, his shoulders heavy with the weight of that truth.
"So instead of the third year, we'll be taking the first combat exam this year?"
"Yes," Asher replied, nodding firmly. "But don't think of it as just combat. The exam is multi-layered. Knowledge tests, situational awareness, handling civilians during emergencies—it's everything wrapped into one."
Nova tilted his head.
"That exam was taken in third, fourth, and fifth year, wasn't it?"
"Exactly." Asher's lips pressed into a thin line. "Now? Just three years. Then deployment."
Nova let out a dry laugh, shaking his head.
"Doesn't leave much time for mistakes."
Asher's smirk returned faintly.
"No point in fretting over it. Worry doesn't change anything. Tell me—how's your actual training going?"
Nova glanced sideways at him, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"So… you knew?"
Asher chuckled, shaking his head.
"I might be busy, but I'm not blind. You've all been sneaking around more than you think."
Nova sighed, then smirked faintly.
"Well… we've all grown stronger. A lot stronger."
[ 1 Year Earlier ]
Nova sat with his arms stretched over the back of the sofa, leaning lazily as he eyed Sir Rhyes across from him.
"Sir Rhyes, wouldn't we also need to train our powers—to get used to them, to grow stronger?"
Rhyes gave a slow nod, his voice calm and deliberate as always.
"Yes. You would have to. That's inevitable."
Ai leaned forward, frowning.
"But how? How are we supposed to do that in an institute like this? We can't exactly train openly."
Rhyes closed his eyes for a brief moment, then opened them with a steady gaze. "There's a reason I sent Neo."
Miwa tilted his head. "Neo? What about him?"
Rhyes folded his hands together.
"Neo's ability creates an environment where your training can't be sensed by others. Anyone weaker than him won't detect a thing. It means you can push yourselves without worrying about exposure."
Ai's brows furrowed, her voice sharpening.
"So… we'd be training with Neo?"
"Yes." Rhyes nodded once. "He'll teach you what you need to know, and he'll keep it hidden."
[ Later that Month ]
The moonlight filtered faintly through the treeline. Leaning lazily against the bark of an old tree, Neo clicked his tongue, his expression as sour as ever.
"So you brats finally decided to show up."
Nova stepped forward, his tone calm. "Yeah. We're here."
Neo's eyes narrowed as he scanned the group.
"You're missing people."
Miwa raised two fingers.
"We're short Jennie and Zazm. Jennie can't sneak out at night, not without Lisa noticing. And Zazm… well, he refused."
Neo scoffed.
"Figures. Zazm's already a zero-star, so he's fine. But the rest of you?"
His eyes hardened. "Damn weaklings."
Kiyomasa muttered quietly, almost under his breath. "That's rather mean…"
Neo's glare cut to him, his lip curling in mockery.
"Next time, I'll say it after I beat the shit out of you."
Kiyomasa looked away quickly, scratching the back of his head.
Nova smirked faintly, stepping forward.
"Can we start training already?"
Neo pushed himself off the tree, cracking his knuckles.
"First, I'll check."
Nova tilted his head.
"Check what—"
In a blur, Neo spun and his leg whipped out. His boot connected hard with Nova's ribs, sending him skidding back across the dirt.
Neo's voice was flat and merciless.
"Check if you can survive. Take it seriously—or you die."
[ Present ]
Nova leaned forward as he walked beside Asher, his voice carrying a trace of nostalgia.
"In the beginning, it was hell. Neo didn't even train us—he just threw us around like ragdolls."
Asher chuckled softly.
"Didn't Miss Bella heal you all?"
Nova nodded, a small smile on his lips
.
"Yeah. It's thanks to her we didn't end up crippled. Honestly, she's the reason we're alive right now."
Asher laughed, shaking his head.
"Then you're lucky. Principal Seraphina doesn't assign Bella lightly. For her to be put on your group…" He smirked knowingly. "That means they're expecting a lot from you."
---
Elziora sat gracefully on the balcony of her vast castle, the pale light of late afternoon catching the pink strands of her hair. The marble floor beneath her feet glowed faintly, and a delicate spread of sweets and tea filled the table before her. She lifted a porcelain cup with slender fingers, sipping quietly.
Across from her, Zephyra lounged in her chair, casual as ever, her voilet eyes fixed on the mountain of pastries Elziora was happily indulging in.
"You shouldn't eat so much sweet stuff," Zephyra said flatly, popping a grape into her mouth.
Elziora tilted her head, her blindfold shimmering faintly in the light. "Why not? I love it. And you should eat some too."
Zephyra shook her head with a small smirk. "I'd rather not end up like you."
For the briefest second, a vein popped up on Elziora's cheek. She set her teacup down with perfect precision, turning her head toward Zephyra. "Are you implying I'm getting fat?"
Zephyra tilted her head lazily, her lips twitching upward. "No, you're just trying to gain your own gravitational pu—"
She ducked smoothly as a silver knife whizzed past her head, embedding itself in the wooden post of the balcony with a sharp thunk.
Elziora's expression returned to her usual calm serenity as she placed her cup down. "I'm sorry, Zeph. My hand slipped."
Zephyra chuckled, utterly unbothered. "Be careful—you nearly made my soul slip too."
Elziora laughed softly, the sound airy like chimes in the wind. "Sorry."
She reached for her fork, twirling it idly before glancing at Zephyra. "Continue. What were you saying?"
Zephyra shrugged, leaning back in her chair. "I was saying you're getting slimmer day by day."
A gentle smile touched Elziora's lips. She set the fork down again, her posture elegant. "I just have a slender and slim body, that is all."
Zephyra leaned forward now, her cheek resting in her palm, looking bored. "I'm bored right now."
Elziora leaned back, folding her hands neatly in her lap. "Well… Zazm is busy, right?"
Zephyra shook her head with a little grin. "Not really. I can talk to him in his mind. He's basically in class while he's studying or anything."
Elziora smirked faintly at that. "That's impressive."
As she spoke, Zephyra's gaze wandered—and then stopped. Her eyes narrowed on the delicate necklace resting against Elziora's pale neck, glimmering faintly in the sunlight.
"I never saw you wearing that before…" Zephyra pointed with her chin.
Elziora's fingers brushed the small pendant almost unconsciously. She lowered her gaze. "It's a gift I received from Attrues."
Zephyra propped her chin on her hand, leaning in with interest. "You only mention his name and don't tell me anything else."
For a moment, silence fell. The breeze tugged at the curtains behind them, and Elziora's expression softened, her lips parting slightly as if she were deciding whether or not to open a sealed door in her heart. Then, with a faint sigh, she began.
"He belonged to the royal family of Lumius," she said quietly, her voice carrying a kind of distant fondness. "The king of Lumius was my father's friend, and they often sat together and talked. That's when I first met Attrues…"
Her fingers traced the rim of her teacup absentmindedly. A small smile touched her lips. "He was a weird boy. Always talking about strange things."
Zephyra tilted her head. "Weird like what?"
Elziora let out a soft laugh. "Weird like… asking me if birds could swim."
Zephyra blinked once, then grinned. "That's not even that weird. Ducks exist."
Elziora smiled faintly, shaking her head. "Yes, but to me at that time… it was unlike anything I had heard. He was different from the nobles and royals I had ever met. He wasn't arrogant in the slightest, nor egoistical. If anything, he was… really kind."
Her voice softened, almost like she was speaking to herself. "Because of that—because of his friendly and gentle nature—he wasn't considered the best fit for being the next king. Many opposed him. They said kindness is weakness."
Zephyra leaned back with a little shrug. "That makes sense. After all, a king needs to be clever and selfish, right?"
Elziora shook her head slowly, silver hair swaying. "Not necessarily. But a king doesn't have the luxury of making everyone happy."
She paused, her expression wistful. "At first, he only started speaking to me because he was curious. Because I wore this blindfold. But then… he kept speaking, and speaking, until I couldn't keep up. Before I knew it, he was dragging me through the town, pulling me toward lakes and rivers, showing me things I never thought I'd see. He wanted me to taste street food, to hear the laughter of children, to feel the wind from mountain cliffs. He wanted me to live."
She lowered her gaze, her lips trembling faintly with memory. "He would take my hand without hesitation, smiling at me as though the world belonged to no one but us. Attrues… was different. He was freedom."
Zephyra, surprisingly quiet, leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. Her eyes softened, though her smirk lingered faintly.
Elziora's voice dimmed, her smile fading. "But one day… it was all ruined."
Zephyra's golden eyes sharpened with curiosity as she leaned closer.
"One hundred and fifty years ago," Elziora continued, her tone carrying the weight of centuries, "my father was suddenly informed of a Remnant attack. My mother and father quickly left, along with Attrues's family… and several other Zero-Class threats."
Zephyra straightened slightly, eyes narrowing. "Is that the Omega Star Threat incident?"
Elziora nodded once, her hands folding neatly in her lap. "Yes. It was a large-scale mission carried out by over a hundred Zero-Star threats. It was undoubtedly the biggest mission carried out up until today."
Elziora continued, her tone calm but heavy with the weight of history.
"It was on a faraway planet called Xenon," she said slowly, her gaze fixed as if she could still see the battlefield in her mind. "Attrues's AMI Mark had the most unique ability ever recorded. It could create a massive zone under which no Remnants could use their abilities… but every single AMI Mark ability remained fully active."
Zephyra, lounging against the chair's arm with her usual relaxed composure, raised her brows. "So basically, something that guaranteed victory?"
Elziora gave a small nod. "Exactly. Even so… victory never came. You see, Remnants — even without powers — are monstrous. Their bodies are strengthened just by holding the abilities inside them. A normal human couldn't even touch one."
Zephyra gave a lazy chuckle, eyes half-closed but thoughtful. "Makes sense. The stronger the ability, the stronger the body."
Elziora's eyes narrowed slightly as she went on. "This mission was almost entirely dependent on Attrues. He was the core. But it failed… and it failed badly."
Zephyra shifted slightly, now paying closer attention. "Failed?"
Elziora's voice lowered. "Every single person was brutally killed. Attrues stood against the Omega-Class threats, while three survivors somehow managed to escape and bring back what little information they could."
Zephyra tilted her head, arms folded casually. "And those three… what happened to them?"
Elziora looked down for a moment before speaking. "One committed suicide. Another lost his mind completely." She paused, then raised her gaze to meet Zephyra's. "The last… is none other than Supreme Commander Myterl."
Zephyra blinked, her usually calm eyes widening slightly. "So she's the only true survivor?"
Elziora nodded once. "Yes. She was carried back unconscious by the man who later went insane. But she… she lived."
Elziora clenched her fists, her voice trembling but determined.
"That's why I became the queen… to see it through, to create a peaceful world."
Zephyra tilted her head slightly, her tone calm and almost playful but cutting through like glass.
"So that personality of yours… is that just a reflection of Attrues?"
Elziora froze, then let out a faint, ironic smile.
"You got me. I'm not kind like him. I'm just a pretender. A cruel queen pretending to be kind."
For a long moment, Zephyra didn't respond. She simply stood, the quiet weight of her presence filling the space, and walked toward the wall. Her fingers traced along the stone before she suddenly raised her arm and pointed outward toward the city beyond the balcony.
Elziora's gaze followed.
Zephyra's voice softened, carrying a warmth Elziora had never noticed before.
"You're not a pretender, Elziora. You're just like Attrues… kind and selfless. Look."
She gestured at the streets below where laughter carried upward, where children ran through the market and merchants called out with joy.
"Look at the people in this kingdom. Look how happy they are. Every smile, every laugh, every family that sleeps safely at night — they owe it to you. And don't tell me it's because of some mask you wear. No mask in the world could create this."
Elziora's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
Zephyra stepped closer, her calm expression unwavering.
"You think you're cruel because you feel doubt, because you remember every mistake, every choice that hurt someone. But listen… thinking about yourself isn't selfish. It's human. And humans aren't divided into good or evil, kind or cruel. They're just… human. Fragile, flawed, but still capable of choosing again tomorrow."
Elziora's breath caught, her chest tightening.
Zephyra's voice deepened, like she was pulling from a well of quiet truth.
"If we let our past decide who we are, then we would never move. We'd always be chained to yesterday. But if there's something you hate about yourself… then change it. Don't waste your life hating your reflection. Shape it into something new."
She looked directly at Elziora now, her tone softening even further.
"Attrues wasn't kind because he was born that way. He was kind because he kept choosing to be, again and again, even when it hurt. And you… you're no different. You've been choosing this kingdom, choosing these people, even when it broke you. That isn't pretending, Elziora. That's courage."
Elziora's eyes widened, her body trembling as if the weight of years was suddenly crashing down on her shoulders — only to be lifted piece by piece by Zephyra's words.
Zephyra let out a small breath and smiled faintly.
"So stop calling yourself cruel. You're not a fraud, and you're not Attrues' shadow. You're you. Elziora — the queen who bleeds, doubts, fears, and still holds the world together with her bare hands."
Silence filled the room, heavy yet strangely liberating.
Elziora's lips parted slightly, her eyes lingering on Zephyra's face as though the words had struck something she never dared to touch within herself.
"Not bad or good… just human…" she murmured, almost testing the words aloud as if she needed to hear them again to believe them. "And if there is something I hate about myself… instead of despising it, I can change it…?" Her voice trembled faintly, caught between disbelief and a kind of fragile hope.
She turned her gaze back toward the people below—their laughter, their easy chatter, their smiles as they carried out their day beneath the sun. Her chest tightened. For a long moment she was silent, but then she whispered:
"You know… I thought being queen meant knowing everything, deciding everything. Carrying everything. But you… you speak with such clarity, Zephyra. You see more than I ever have. Even though I wear the crown… even though I bear the title… you know far more than me about what it truly means to live."
Her eyes softened, shimmering with something between awe and vulnerability. "I called myself a pretender. A cruel queen acting kind. But if what you say is true… then maybe I've just been human this whole time. A human who tried, in her own flawed way, to make a world that wouldn't repeat the mistakes of the past."
She clenched her hands to her chest, her voice almost breaking as a small, genuine smile formed—fragile but real. "Zephyra… thank you. For reminding me that I don't have to be perfect. That I don't have to be Attrues. I just have to be me. And maybe… that's enough."
Elziora inhaled shakily, turning her face to Zephyra with a rare, almost childlike honesty. "For once, I feel like I'm not the teacher, the ruler, the one who must always guide… I feel like the student. And I don't mind. Because learning this… from you… it's the first time in years I've felt light."
Before she laughed a little.
Zephyra looked at her silently, 'Is that the true you....Elziora?"
---
A sharp knock rattled the door.
Zazm, who had been lying on his bed staring at the ceiling, dragged himself up and pulled it open. Standing there were Nova, Kiyomasa, and Minos.
Zazm blinked.
"…What's wrong?"
Nova's lips curled into a sly smirk.
"We're here to invite you."
Zazm didn't move. He simply stood in the doorway, quiet, his unreadable eyes fixed on them.
Minos, always the one to fill silence, crossed his arms and explained:
"They gave us the details of our final exam. We're supposed to form a team of ten. Across our year, not just within classes."
Nova snapped his fingers dramatically.
"Which means, including us seven, plus Jennie's two friends—that makes nine."
Zazm raised an eyebrow. "And the tenth?"
Nova shrugged. "We've got three months to find the last member. But before that, we need to see the premise."
Minos stepped forward a little, his tone calm but serious.
"They're providing a… visual test. A preparation trial, so we can get used to how the exam will be structured."
Kiyomasa scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"I still don't get the point of that. Wouldn't they be giving away what's in the real exam?"
Nova shook his head.
"No. The purpose isn't to spoil it—it's to show us the mechanics. Especially since they're pushing this so early, we barely had time to practice anything. Think of it like… survival instructions."
Minos added, nodding: "Long story short, we're all meeting tomorrow after class in the underground training facility. Don't be late."
Nova held out a small object.
"This is our team's badge. Don't lose it."
Zazm took it silently, looking down at the small metal pin in his hand. It was shaped… strangely.
He closed the door without another word.
Inside, Zephyra appeared from the shadows of the room, floating closer with her usual sly curiosity. She plucked the badge out of Zazm's palm, holding it up to the light.
"…Why does this look like a piece of cake?"
Indeed, the badge was shaped like a triangular slice of red velvet cake, tiny frosting patterns etched into the metal.
Zephyra's lips trembled before she burst into laughter.
"What the hell? This is your team emblem?"
Zazm didn't react. He just sat back down on his bed. Zephyra returned the badge, still snickering.
"Well… I guess we'll find out what this practice thing is about tomorrow."
Class passed quicker than Zazm expected. Before he realized it, the halls were already buzzing with students heading for their dorms. He walked along with his usual detached pace until Zephyra suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
"You're forgetting."
Zazm turned his head. "…Forgetting what?"
She sighed, shaking him slightly. "Practice. The exam trial. You were about to walk back like nothing."
Zazm blinked, then muttered. "…I completely forgot."
Zephyra's voice shifted—her playfulness replaced by a rare seriousness.
"Zazm. You need to look after yourself. That's the most important thing. Even if you don't care, I do."
Zazm gave a small nod, looking down.
"…Don't worry. I'm fine."
He turned and began walking toward the campus basement.
---
The underground facility was vast and humming with life. Today, it was sectioned into different chambers, each labeled with strange names. Zazm presented his badge to the supervising professor at the entrance.
The woman stifled laughter as she pointed down the hall.
"Third door left—the chamber of Red Velvet Cake."
Zazm froze for a moment. "…The what?"
Zephyra groaned, covering her face with both hands despite being invisible to everyone else.
"I'm not even seen by others and I still feel secondhand embarrassment."
Zazm muttered under his breath.
"What kind of name is that…"
Zephyra's cheeks puffed slightly, her tone sharp with determination.
"I swear, I'm paying Nova back for this humiliation."
When he pushed the door open, the noise of chaos greeted him.
Inside, everyone was already gathered. Miwa bounded up to him immediately, her bright energy spilling over.
"You're finally here!"
Zazm gave a small nod, his gaze shifting past her—where an argument was in full swing.
Lisa and Nirin were shouting over each other, Jennie standing between them trying to calm things down. Nova, meanwhile, stood his ground, arms crossed, defending something with an unbothered smirk. Minos was at his side, clearly not out of loyalty but simply to oppose the girls. Kiyomasa stood awkwardly between them, both hands raised in a helpless attempt to play peacemaker.
Zazm asked quietly: "…What's going on?"
Miwa sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Lisa and Nirin are yelling about how stupid our team name is. Jennie's trying to stop them. Nova's defending it—says he couldn't think of anything else. Minos is helping him not because he agrees with Nova just because he hates those two. And Kiyomasa's trying to calm everyone before someone throws a punch."
Zazm scanned the room, then asked:"....Where's Ai?"
A tired voice came from the corner.
"Here."
Ai was sitting with her back against the wall, arms wrapped around her knees. Zazm walked over with Miwa beside him.
"You look drunk."
Ai groaned, hiding her face in her arms.
"I am drunk. Drunk on humiliation. The entire class was laughing in my face over this name."
Miwa snorted. "At least it's not something like 'asswipers' or 'ni--'."
Why.....who named their team that??? I can't write that, I'll get cancelled.
Ai peeked up with a tiny chuckle. "…True."
Nova suddenly appeared, walking toward Zazm with his fingers massaging his temples.
"Thank god you're here. Please—tell them the name and badge are fine."
"No it's not you fucking retard." Zephyra answered although no one heard her.
Zazm didn't respond to the plea. His eyes narrowed. "…What are we supposed to do here?"
Jennie stepped forward, taking over before anyone else could argue. She raised her palm, and a glowing holographic screen shimmered into existence.
"This is a high-tech performance arena. What happens is… our consciousness will be transferred into a specialized space. Inside, we'll undergo different tests—combat, strategy, survival, teamwork. Everything."
Minos crossed his arms. "Got it. Do we face them together?"
Jennie nodded. "Some are individual trials. Some require the entire team. Balance matters."
Nirin raised her hand with irritation.
"So how do we start?"
Jennie answered calmly: "We sit. All of us. On the floor. Then I initiate the system."
Miwa leaned closer to Zazm and whispered with a mischievous grin: "Why's Jennie explaining today?"
Nova sighed heavily, clearly exhausted.
"Because those pests refuse to listen to me. So we voted Jennie in."
Kiyomasa smiled faintly. "She's good at explaining anyway. So it's fine."
Nova clapped his hands once, loud enough to draw attention. His voice grew serious.
"Alright, listen up. Our goal is simple—do our best. Nothing else matters. Good luck, everyone."
One by one, they sat cross-legged on the chamber floor, forming a loose circle. Jennie took the center.
She began operating the holographic screen, her hands moving in smooth motions. Then, without warning, her body stiffened—her head tilted back slightly—before she collapsed backward, her body going limp.
At the same instant, the rest of them felt a sudden lurch in their chests. Their vision blurred, their bodies crashing to the ground like lifeless dolls.
But their consciousness—
—it was yanked forward. Pulled out like threads of light, streaming upward at impossible speed. The sensation was dizzying and exhilarating, like falling and flying at once.
Colors bled together. The world around them stretched, shattered, and rebuilt into something entirely otherworldly.
The practice session had begun.
_______________________