Extra's Descent

Several instructors hid themselves, blending with the snowy trees as they scanned the vicinity—the ongoing battle.

It was the final week of the training camp.

The real hurdle—in which they had to face after surviving in the permafrost climate, fighting other cadets on their journey, experiencing cold betrayals, and working together despite the clear lack of resonance.

The horde, while not fully cleared, but numbers had greatly diminished

An instructor ran back towards the camp and gave his report.

"It's working just as predicted, Field Marshal."

"Hm?"

Evelyn, who was sipping on a coffee mug, turned around, acknowledging the newcomer's presence.

"It took a while, but the cadets greatly handled the situation. Though some fled, there were a lot more who took on the challenge than expected."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, led by Amelia Constantine, along with other class A students, they were able to take out the wyvern without too many casualties. It's safe to say the future is bright, Field Marshal."

"General Constantine, huh?"

Evelyn massaged her chin, squinting her eyes.

"What about General Locke?"

"Surprisingly, she's nowhere to be seen. She didn't take part in any of the battles. In fact, along with her brother, they're the only class A students that had yet to be sighted."

"That's odd…."

At least, that's what Evelyn wanted to assume from the outside. However, in her head, she could more or less deduce the whole story.

'So she met up with her brother.' Find joy at m-vl_e

That was most likely the situation.

Unknowingly, the corner of Evelyn's lips pulled up.

'At least he has someone to look out for him.'

"Is there something, Field Marshal?"

Noticing the look on her face, the instructor asked.

"No."

Evelyn shook her head and returned her usual blank expression.

Then, she called for everyone's attention. Clap—!

The instructors paused and stopped their ongoing activities at the moment, fixing their attention on the Field Marshal.

It was time.

The stage was set for all.

The cadets had been hardened enough, ready to face any unforeseen adversities that would come their way. Much to the point where they had completely abandoned the initial instructions.

With a serious expression, Evelyn announced, a sinister grin creeping up her face.

"Release the second one."

***

There were four days left in the training camp.

Raven traversed the forest with Amy by his side.

"How many badges do you have?"

Raven asked.

While badges didn't even matter anymore, especially when everyone just wanted to go home and rest, regardless of whether they failed or not. Still, Raven wanted to strike up a conversation.

"...."

However, Amy, who walked while keeping her head down, remained silent.

"Amy?"

"Hey."

Amy raised her head, meeting his gaze. Wetting her lips, she opened her mouth.

"This training camp…. What are we even training for?"

"What do you mean? Obviously, so we can become stronger. So we can serve this nation."

While Imperial Academy may be a military academy, cadets were free to choose their profession after graduating.

Raven had two choices, and oftentimes, struggled between the two.

To become a ranker, and fully become a Special Force guild member. Or, to join the Imperial Army.

"Yes, but…. This training…. Doesn't it feel like we're being prepared for…. war?"

"War?"

It never really crossed Raven's mind. But now that she mentioned it, the current circumstances…. The cadets being forced under leadership roles….

The battle with the monsters, and that final battle with the wyvern, where all cadets fought in union, led by different leaders from class A….

It did feel like they were fighting in a war.

Of course, it was a military academy, so their teaching methods made sense.

However, this frantic pacing. As if they were rushing their training, rushing for something since they were running out of time.

"It is weird…."

Raven began to surmise, peering into his mind, assisted by his cognitive skills.

Rubbing his chin, he continued speaking.

"The fact that the Imperial Army started an academy, advertising it as military training in the promise of a higher position if we join the Imperial Army…."

Additionally, even though Imperial Academy had partnerships with the main guild, there were no additional benefits if they actually became a ranker themselves.

"Could it be?"

Amy frowned.

"That might be the case. I think the Imperial Army is hiding something from us."

"So you think so too, huh?"

That they were being prepared for war.

***

Amelia had one of the biggest contributions during the battle.

Her magic swords dazzled and rained down, saving a lot of cadets, and ultimately dealing the final blow on the wyvern—greatly assisted by Raven, Reinhard, and Rachel.

For that reason, she was hailed as a hero amongst the cadets. They looked up to her like a beacon of strength, an inspiration to the aspirants.

But unbeknownst to them, Amelia was completely oblivious of this fact.

After the battle, there was one thought that never left her mind as theories spun around in a circle.

Where is Brandon and Belle?

While she had seen Belle oftentimes in the past month, during the fight, she was nowhere to be seen.

And the biggest mystery was Brandon. She had asked all of his friends, yet they all claimed the same thing.

That they had never seen Brandon.

This sheer fact disappointed Amelia.

She had initially wanted to face him head–on with her skills.

But now?

'I miss him.'

She just wanted to see him.

But even with those thoughts in mind, she wasn't worried in the least bit. Especially since Belle had been missing.

It was highly likely that the two were together.

No, maybe she was kind of worried for Belle. Brandon on the other hand, the two shared an identical ring that told each other if either were alive or not.

She had often checked the ring daily. Thankfully, Brandon was alive and breathing.

Brandon had told her it came with a feature that allowed her to know of his location.

Or was it to enable her to go to him?

Something along those lines.

However, she was told it had a cooldown. For that reason, she didn't want to waste it.

In any case, Amelia was deeply concerned about Belle. But still, she knew how strong her best–friend was.

Since this forest had been monitored already by the Imperial Army, they had most probably known cadets would be able to face any adversities residing in the forest.

After all, the wyvern was obviously something they could handle. While other cadets thought the wyvern was an unforeseen variable, Amelia was sure of it.

The Imperial Army was responsible for the wyvern.

It was a great move on their part. The wyvern served as a catalyst to unite the monsters—instilling fear in them, and starting a pseudo war between them and the cadets.

"Amelia?"

Rachel, who was sitting beside her while reading a book, suddenly asked.

"Hm?"

Amelia was lost in deep thought as she stared at the sky, responded.

"I know it might be weird of me to ask this, especially since we've been interacting with each other the past couple of days, but are you aware of my previous relationship with Brandon?"

"Yes."

Amelia spoke with no hesitation.

Of course she knew, Brandon had told her himself. That trait alone told Amelia that she could trust him in regards to this kind of matter.

Especially so, after finding out Brandon had confessed to her only after clearing things up with Rachel.

"Do you think it's…. weird? Hanging out with me and all…."

"Not really."

Then, Amelia curiously tilted her head.

"Why? Do you find it weird hanging around with me?"

"N-No…."

Rachel stammered.

"You're a really nice person. I can see why Brandon is head over heels for you."

"Is that so? Haha~ You're really nice too, Rachel."

Amelia wasn't exactly sure how to speak casually with Rachel. For that reason, she hadn't brought up her relationship with Brandon once.

However, Rachel opened up the topic, and Amelia grew awkward.

She didn't want to rub salt on wounds. Especially knowing her history with Brandon.

But from what she knew, they were never really an item. Just youths having a crush on each other.

The feeling of having a crush gradually diminishes as time goes on.

"I hope we remain good friends, Amelia. Don't worry, I can assure you I harbor no feelings for Brandon anymore."

"Of course, I like being friends with you, Rachel. For Brandon, well…. he has a lot of admirers. I mean, it's Brandon after all. So I understand whenever someone has a crush on him."

The same went for her. Amelia was quite aware of the looks other male cadets gave her, regardless if their relationship was public.

Those feelings couldn't be helped. Just as long as they didn't cross the line, then Amelia didn't mind it.

She already had this conversation with Brandon before, and he shared the same sentiments with her.

They trusted each other.

"Y-Yes, but…."

Rachel's words trailed off from there.

Amelia suddenly stood up, dusting the snow off her coat.

"Let's go. The others must've finished off the remaining monsters by now."

"Okay, I—"

Rachel's words were abruptly cut off as a familiar guttural scream echoed, alerting the two women as their eyes shot wide open.

—Hwooooooar!

However, this time, the scream was much more intense than before. Much to the point that it shook the entire forest, the ground trembling intensely.

Amelia felt a sinister miasma coming from somewhere. Exactly where the scream seemed to come from.

'So it wasn't over.'

It felt like the wyvern was the training camp's main event. But even if they had slaughtered the beast, the training camp continued.

Things made more sense now.

Amelia perceived that this new wyvern was much more stronger than the previous one.

But if they were ready to actually face the new wyvern, Amelia couldn't tell.

She could only do what she could.

"Rachel."

"Understood."

Just like that, they returned to where the cadets had previously gathered.