The dorm room was dead silent, save for Kevin's monster-level snoring.
Everyone was half-asleep, wrapped in their own dreams, except Nisa. She wasn't used to comfort—or peace.
Then—
BZZZ-BZZZ!
BZZZ-BZZZ!
A harsh red emergency alarm blared through the room. The lights flickered into crimson, casting shadows on everyone's stunned faces.
Mira fell off her bed with a yelp.
Lara grabbed a shoe, half-awake.
Kevin screamed, "ARE WE UNDER ATTACK!?"
Teaha snapped to his feet, already grabbing his jacket. "Everyone up! This is a stealth test!"
A robotic voice echoed through the speaker system:
> "Unit 9: Prepare for Midnight Evasion Protocol. You have 90 seconds to be out of the dorm. Leave no trace. Penalties apply."
"Penalties?" Kevin panicked. "Like death?"
"No, like extra drills," Mira said, half sarcastic.
Bihoo was already at the door, alert, eyes narrowed. His coat was half on, but his presence was full lethal.
Nisa rose fast. As she reached for her boots, the jade at her waist shimmered faintly—but no one noticed.
"You all move like turtles," she muttered, sliding past them with smooth precision.
Lara scowled. "Excuse you—this turtle has good hair."
Outside, the corridors were flooded with red light and silence. Not a soul in sight.
"It's too quiet…" Teaha whispered.
Just then—FWIP!
Arrows sliced past them, sticking into the walls like silent warnings.
"TRAPS!" Nisa shouted. "Stay low, eyes forward."
They moved in a unit, ducking, rolling, dodging mechanical claws that popped from vents.
Bihoo took the lead with Nisa right beside him—unspoken teamwork. He reached back once to steady her by the waist when a wire nearly tripped her.
She didn't thank him.
He didn't expect it.
Finally, they reached the end checkpoint — a glowing pad in the middle of an open room.
"Wait," Bihoo said. "Something's wrong—"
BOOM!
A smoke bomb burst. Figures with masks dropped from above.
Fake enemies.
Teaha grinned, fists raised. "Now we're talking!
Battle mode: on.
To be continued…