A week later, Grey arrived at the academy. It was a five-story, U-shaped building with a massive, multi-purpose training field out back. Next to the main building stood a tall apartment tower used as the students' dormitory. Carrying a backpack, Grey was accompanied by Marco, Lana, and Kiara.
Before heading to the academy building, they walked to the apartment block and tapped their tablets against the scanner at the reception desk.
Their room information immediately displayed on their tablets, and a QR code appeared, which served as both the key to their door and the access code for the elevator. They walked straight to the lift. Grey tapped his QR code to the scanner, and the door slid shut.
"Wow… this is advanced technology," Grey mused in his head.
"Yeah, seriously. Way more advanced than our Earth, which still used QR codes mostly just for payments," Gizelle replied in his head.
"Ting," the elevator opened on the 10th floor. They all stepped out and headed straight for their respective rooms to drop off their gear. Once inside his room,
"Big Brother, can I come out now?" Gizelle asked.
"Hold on, let me check the room first," Grey replied.
Grey and Gizelle (from their perspective) thoroughly examined the apartment. Their unit was a simple studio, roughly 8 by 5 meters, with partitioned areas for the bathroom, toilet, kitchen, and a living area that included a bed. All the furnishings—sofa, wardrobe, vanity, and study desk—were provided. The only electronic device was a refrigerator, as the space was clearly set up strictly for military personnel.
They checked every corner, cabinet, mirror, and partition for hidden cameras or listening devices. Once they were sure the room was secure and clear, Grey's body flashed and shifted to Gizelle.
"Perfect. Now, time to change into uniform. Good thing we asked for two different sets," Gizelle said.
"Yeah, just don't forget to put on underwear," Grey replied.
"Ugh, I know that, Big Brother, you're so lame," Gizelle retorted while changing her clothes.
A moment later, Gizelle was wearing the military uniform: a black short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and an army service cap. "Knock… knock… knock," came a tapping on the door. Gizelle, now wearing her military boots, quickly ran to the door and opened it. It was Marco, and he was clearly surprised to see Gizelle.
"Grey… oh, wait, Gizelle. Why are you a girl?" Marco asked.
"Oh… I spilled something on myself, and there's no hot water in here without heating it on the stove first," Gizelle replied casually.
"Hmm, fair enough. Come on, let's get to the classroom for the briefing. Lana and Kiara already left," Marco said.
"Okay, let's go," Gizelle answered.
After locking the room door, they walked to the elevator and headed downstairs. Once they arrived at the academy building, both immediately showed their tablets to the academy staff member behind the reception desk. The staffer instantly stood up and saluted, recognizing the black tablet. The staff member then escorted them to the briefing room in the right wing of the academy.
When the door opened, there were already a large number of aspiring Special Unit soldiers from other cities, approximately fifty people in total. Gizelle and Marco scanned the room, then saw Lana raise her hand and wave them over. They quickly headed to her. Lana had already saved seats for Marco and Gizelle. As Gizelle sat down, Lana and Kiara immediately leaned in close to her.
"Why are you a girl, Gre—uh, Gizelle?" Lana asked.
"Yeah, why the switch?" Kiara asked.
"I got splashed with cold water when I turned on the tap… and there's no hot water for me to switch back with unless I heat some up on the stove," Gizelle explained smoothly.
"Ah, right, that makes sense," Lana and Kiara replied, understanding the lack of hot water.
After a few more people entered, the door was shut. "Blak!" The front door opened again. All the attendees immediately stood up and saluted. Russel, Miyuki, a female officer, and a male officer walked in and stood on the podium facing the attendees, flanking an empty chair. Then, six individuals who appeared to be Colonels walked in and stood behind the chairs reserved for Russel and the others.
Abraham and two other marshals entered next and immediately stood in the center. "Attention! Salute!" a lieutenant near the door barked. "Braak!" All the attendees snapped to attention and saluted in unison. Abraham and the others returned the salute and dropped their hands. The attendees followed suit. After Abraham and the others took their places, the brief was introduced by a female lieutenant. All attendees were instructed to sit down.
The lieutenant explained the academy rules, the study program, and the specialized training, such as live combat drills and sparring. Out of the 55 people in the room, all were accepted military recruits; the exact number of Special Unit members was not disclosed.
The ceremony then moved to a welcoming address from a marshal, who passionately encouraged them to fight for humanity. Gizelle, listening to the fiery speech, tried hard to suppress a yawn.
"Hey, don't you dare fall asleep," Grey said inside her head.
"Ugh… if I'd known, I would've stayed inside," Gizelle shot back in her head.
Fifteen minutes later, the speech ended, and class and team assignments began. The lieutenant started calling names in groups of five, handing them folders with their class details and assigning them as a team.
Those who were done and shook hands with the commanding officers were allowed to leave for their classrooms. Finally, after the last five left, only nine people remained, including Gizelle, Marco, Lana, and Kiara.
The marshals, generals, and colonels also left. The only officers remaining were Abraham, Russel, Miyuki, a male Colonel named Paul Reeves, and a female Colonel named Lily Chao. A burly, fit male lieutenant with a buzz cut and sunglasses stepped forward.
"Everyone, advance and line up in front of me! Now!" the lieutenant yelled.
"Yes, Sir!" the nine remaining trainees shouted.
They all immediately stepped forward and lined up facing the lieutenant. He turned to look at Abraham, who nodded. Suddenly, "Swooooosh," the lieutenant raised his fist, which instantly became engulfed in fire.
"On your own time! At ease!" the lieutenant yelled.
"Brak!" The nine trainees snapped to the at-ease position. The lieutenant walked from left to right, inspecting each participant. He returned to the center.
"Do you know why I asked you to line up here?" the lieutenant asked.
"No, Sir," the nine replied.
"Alright, first, let me introduce myself. My name is Austin Bradley, and I sincerely apologize," Austin said.
Suddenly, Austin moved incredibly fast to the person on the far left, Marco, and "Buaaaak," he punched Marco. Marco instantly turned into a partial stone giant and blocked the hit by crossing his arms, but the force still shoved him backward.
"Huh," Grey and Gizelle muttered together in their head.
Austin then zipped to Kiara next to Marco and "Buaaaak," he punched her. Kiara immediately opened a portal, and a massive dragon claw shot out to catch Austin's fiery fist. Austin smiled and moved on to Lana next to Kiara.
Once again, Austin threw a punch, and Lana swiftly blocked it by becoming half-horse, spinning, and kicking Austin's arm up with her fire-wreathed rear leg. Austin then slid over to punch the young man next to Lana, who blocked the strike by pulling a stack of metal chairs toward him using his metal manipulation, forcing Austin's fist to land harmlessly on the pile.
After two more women deflected Austin's punch with their abilities—one using ice-like shield and another who seemed to be made of rubber—and one strong-looking man withstood Austin's punch without flinching, healing instantly despite being burned, and a thin-looking young man moved with lightning speed, Austin finally arrived in front of Gizelle.
Austin surveyed Gizelle from top to bottom, then back up again. Then, he leaned his face in close.
"Hmm… you're the one who only changes gender, right? Doesn't look like you belong here," Austin said, taunting her.
Gizelle stayed silent, but she smiled and held Austin's gaze until he flinched back slightly, seeing the sheer menace in her eyes. "Buaaaaak," Austin threw his punch, but he hit nothing. When he looked up, Gizelle had leaped high into the air, her hands wide open, tearing two black hole open and pulling out two M4 carbines, all while smiling and keeping her eyes locked on Austin, ready to fire.
"Hey, Gizelle, don't!" Grey screamed in her head.
"He insulted us, Big Brother," Gizelle shot back.
"Stop it! Just let it go, don't shoot him, and don't cause trouble! Back down, calm down, you psycho little sister!" Grey yelled.
"Ugh… fine, I'm calm," Gizelle conceded.
"Bum," Gizelle landed hard, immediately leveling the two carbines at Austin's face. But Austin only smiled and finally burst out, "Hahaha… alright, you pass!"
"Huh?" Grey and Gizelle asked, confused.
"Out of the nine of you, you were the only one willing to strike back and point a weapon at me. I commend your guts. (He turned to the others) The rest of you are pathetic and soft. Great power without the courage to use it won't keep you alive on the battlefield. Do you understand?... Answer me!" Austin roared.
"Understood, Sir!" everyone else shouted back, while Grey and Gizelle were still trying to process the situation.