The barracks buzzed long into the night, echoes of sparring matches still fresh in every rookie's mind. Futons creaked as laughter, groans, and arguments filled the cramped room.
Iharu sprawled on the floor dramatically, clutching his ribs. "I swear, Ichikawa, you broke me out there. One more swing and I'd be nothing but pieces!"
Reno rolled his eyes. "You tripped on your own feet three times, Iharu. Don't blame me."
"Details!" Iharu shot back, voice cracking, earning another round of snickers from the rookies.
Kafka sat cross-legged, his face hidden behind a steaming cup of instant ramen. "At least nobody booed me this time… that's progress, right?"
"Barely," Reno teased, though his grin was warm. "But you held your ground, senpai. That's what matters."
Akira leaned back against the wall, eyes half-closed, listening. His blade rested beside him, gleaming faintly in the dim light.
[Ravan: Observation—bonding event. Group cohesion level increasing. Probability of rivalries softening: 62%. Boring, isn't it?]
Akira's lips twitched faintly, but he said nothing.
Across the room, Haruichi Izumo and Aoi Kaguragi sat together, tension from their match already easing. Aoi, loud as ever, jabbed Haruichi in the shoulder. "Don't think beating me today makes you the big guy. Next time, I'm knocking you flat."
Haruichi only smiled faintly, ever the polite noble. "I look forward to your attempt."
Reno glanced at Akira, then at Kikoru, who was cleaning her blade in silence near the corner. "She's still mad about the draw, huh?"
Kikoru didn't look up. "I don't do draws." Her words were clipped, but there was no venom—only determination.
Kafka chuckled nervously. "Good thing I wasn't paired with you…"
The rookies laughed again, tension dissolving. Even Kikoru smirked faintly, though she hid it quickly.
Meanwhile, high above in the officers' lounge, Mina Ashiro and Hoshina reviewed the sparring data projected on the wall.
Hoshina stretched lazily, tapping the screen. "Not bad for greenhorns. We've got spirit, discipline, and even a couple geniuses in the mix. They'll survive… maybe."
Mina's gaze lingered on Akira's file. "Kurogiri is still suppressing himself. The instruments don't lie—he was holding back even against Shinomiya."
Hoshina grinned. "And that bothers you, Captain?"
"It concerns me," Mina corrected coldly. "Rookies who hide their strength are dangerous. Especially when we don't know why."
"Or maybe," Hoshina drawled, "he just doesn't want to scare the kids."
Her silence was answer enough.
Back in the barracks, night deepened. Conversations grew softer. Reno nudged Kafka's shoulder. "Tomorrow's the real deal. You ready?"
Kafka smiled faintly, hiding the churn in his stomach. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Akira looked between them, quiet for a moment. "We'll watch each other's backs. No matter what."
The words hung there, simple but heavy.
[Ravan: Statement logged. Host has triggered loyalty flag. Probability of future betrayal by allies: 4%. Low. Disappointing.]
Akira smirked faintly and shut his eyes. Sleep came in fits and starts.
Dawn broke in a blaze of orange across the training grounds. Trumpets blared, shaking the rookies awake.
Hoshina stood waiting as they filed out, combat suits gleaming under the early light. His grin was sharp as ever.
"All right, brats! Yesterday was fun, but playtime's over. Today, you pick your weapons. Whatever feels right. Guns, blades, rifles—the works."
The rookies surged toward the racks of weapons. Kikoru claimed her family-forged axe-blade hybrid, her grip practiced. Haruichi selected a long rifle, perfectly polished. Aoi grabbed a heavy greatsword, nearly too large for him but swung with relish. Reno tested a standard rifle, steady in his hands. Kafka fumbled between weapons, finally settling on a smaller rifle that didn't look like it would crush him.
Akira approached the rack last. His hand hovered for a moment, then closed around a sleek Defense Force rifle—and a standard-issue sword. The combination drew whispers from the other recruits.
"Both? Show-off."
"No, he looks like he knows exactly what he's doing…"
[Ravan: Analysis—optimal. Range and melee versatility covered. Host preference: close combat. Prediction—rookies intimidated: 73%.]
Akira strapped the sword to his hip, rifle slung across his back. Calm as always.
Hoshina's eyes glinted. "Interesting choice, Kurogiri."
The Vice-Captain turned to face the rookies, his grin widening as the massive gates ahead of them groaned and rattled, gears churning.
"Suit up, rookies," he called, voice booming. "On the other side of these gates is your first real test. Let's see if any of you can walk back alive."
The gates creaked open, light spilling into the courtyard beyond.
The chapter ended there.
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
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T/N :
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