The academy had always been active.
But now—
It felt different.
Not louder.
Not chaotic.
Focused.
Like the entire institution had drawn a quiet breath and refused to release it.
Training fields filled earlier each morning. Lights remained active later into the night. Even the instructors had shifted their approach, correcting mistakes faster, pushing cadets harder, expecting more precision in every movement.
Final exams were coming.
And everyone knew it.
David stood at the center of Training Field Three, the early sunlight stretching long shadows across the grass.
Lucian moved slowly around the formation, his eyes tracking spacing and posture.
"Again."
Gamma Squad reset.
Nyra shifted left.
Mira adjusted her stance, dual compact hilts resting loosely in her hands. The slim blades unfolded with a soft mechanical slide, faint energy lines stabilizing along their edges.
June spun his baton once before locking it into a forward grip. The weapon extended slightly, energy channels faintly glowing along its reinforced segments.
David moved last.
Lucian raised a hand.
"Begin."
They moved together.
Formation tightened.
Spacing held.
David waited half a beat—
Then shifted.
Nyra pivoted.
Mira stepped forward.
June filled the gap.
Lucian watched closely.
Better.
Much better.
June stepped back into position after the drill.
"...Okay, that actually felt smooth."
Nyra nodded.
"We're syncing faster."
Mira adjusted her grip slightly.
"Spacing held."
Lucian stepped forward.
"Again."
June groaned.
"Of course."
Across the field, other squads trained with similar intensity.
Alpha Squad moved in synchronized formation near the western sector. Seren Nightvale directed movement with calm efficiency, her commands precise and minimal. Aureon Ashenford and Rhydan Stormrath adjusted instantly to her signals, their movements sharp and disciplined.
Even from a distance, the difference between squads was visible.
Experience.
Coordination.
Control.
June glanced toward them.
"They're getting faster."
Lucian didn't look.
"So are we."
David focused forward.
"Again."
Lucian nodded.
They reset.
The drill resumed.
Above the training fields, Castiel stood along the overlook walkway, his arms resting lightly against the railing.
He wasn't supposed to be out here long.
He knew that.
But he couldn't stay inside.
His shoulders still ached when he moved too quickly, but the stiffness had begun to fade. The healing process had been faster than expected, though the memory of the injury still lingered in his muscles.
Below, Gamma Squad moved again.
Castiel watched quietly.
Their timing had improved.
Spacing tightened.
Movement smoother.
They were learning.
Fast.
June filled a gap.
Nyra pivoted.
David moved half a beat later—
Just like they practiced.
Castiel gave a faint breath.
"They're getting better."
A voice behind him answered.
"Of course they are."
Castiel turned.
Seren Nightvale stood a few steps back, her posture composed, her expression calm.
Castiel inclined his head slightly.
"Cousin."
Seren stepped beside him, her gaze shifting to the field below.
"You shouldn't be out here long."
"I'm not."
Seren studied him briefly.
"You look better."
"Improving."
She nodded faintly.
Below them, David stepped forward to intercept a simulated pressure point.
Seren watched him carefully.
"He adapts quickly."
Castiel followed her gaze.
"Yes."
Seren folded her arms.
"He protected you."
Castiel didn't look at her.
"Yes."
Silence settled briefly.
Seren spoke again.
"You trust him."
Castiel answered calmly.
"I trust the results."
Seren glanced toward him.
"That's not the same thing."
Castiel finally looked at her.
"No. But it's enough."
Seren studied him for a moment, then returned her gaze to the field.
"He's the anomaly."
Castiel nodded.
"Yes."
Seren remained quiet.
Below them, June stumbled slightly during repositioning before recovering quickly.
Castiel gave a faint breath.
"June still overextends."
Seren allowed the faintest hint of a smile.
"Some things don't change."
On the field, Lucian called the reset.
David stepped back into formation.
He felt the improvement.
They all did.
Nyra rolled her shoulders.
"Again?"
Lucian nodded.
"Again."
June exhaled.
"I miss when we almost died. At least we weren't doing drills."
Mira answered quietly.
"You were complaining then too."
"...Fair."
They reset again.
The drill resumed.
Far above the academy—
Commander Vance stood inside the observation room overlooking the training grounds.
Several senior instructors stood nearby, reviewing performance data.
"They're improving," one of them said.
Vance nodded.
"Yes."
Her eyes tracked Gamma Squad.
"They adapted faster than expected."
Another instructor spoke.
"The unknown planet accelerated their growth."
Vance nodded slightly.
"Pressure reveals potential."
She folded her arms.
"Continue observation."
"Yes, Commander."
Below—
Gamma Squad continued moving.
Sharpening.
Refining.
Preparing.
Because the final exams were coming.
And the academy—
Was getting ready.