The Grand Testing Hall opened before sunrise.
By the time the first light touched the upper towers of the academy, cadets were already gathering outside the massive structure. Conversations stayed quiet, controlled. No one joked loudly. No one rushed.
Even June walked without his usual commentary.
The Grand Testing Hall was rarely used. The building sat at the center of the academy grounds, a circular structure of polished alloy and transparent reinforced panels. Inside, tiered seating wrapped around a massive central floor where hundreds of individual testing stations had already been arranged.
Each desk stood isolated.
Each screen dim.
Waiting.
David walked beside Gamma Squad toward the entrance.
The air felt colder than usual.
Not from temperature.
From anticipation.
June exhaled quietly.
"...This is worse than combat."
Nyra glanced toward him.
"You haven't even started."
"Exactly."
Mira adjusted the strap along her wrist.
"Just answer carefully."
June looked at her.
"You say that like it's easy."
Lucian stepped forward.
"It is."
June gave him a look.
"You've never struggled with anything academic in your life."
Lucian didn't deny it.
"Correct."
June shook his head.
"I hate that."
They reached the entrance.
Academy staff directed cadets inside in controlled groups. The moment David stepped through the doors, the scale of the room became clear.
Hundreds of desks.
Rows stretching outward in perfect symmetry.
Massive overhead displays glowing faintly above.
The hum of systems activating filled the hall.
Cadets moved quietly to assigned stations.
June glanced around.
"...This is serious."
Nyra nodded.
"Yes."
Mira scanned the numbers along the floor.
"Over here."
They moved to their assigned section.
Each station displayed a name.
David Wyn
Nyra Valecrest
Lucian Bloodthrone
June Kade
Mira Solen
Castiel Nightvale
Castiel settled carefully into his seat, still mindful of his shoulders.
June leaned toward him.
"You good?"
Castiel nodded faintly.
"Yes."
June exhaled.
"Good."
Commander Vance stepped onto the central platform.
The hall fell silent instantly.
Her presence alone commanded attention.
"Cadets."
Her voice carried clearly across the massive room.
"Today marks Phase One of your final examinations."
Screens flickered to life.
"Written Examination."
Vance folded her hands behind her back.
"This phase evaluates your understanding of survival theory, creature classification, combat tactics, and environmental adaptation."
June leaned back slightly.
"...Everything."
Nyra didn't look at him.
"Yes."
Vance continued.
"You will have three hours."
A faint murmur moved through the hall.
"Begin when your station activates."
The screens brightened.
"Good luck, cadets."
She stepped back.
The room fell silent again.
Then—
David's screen activated.
Phase One — Begin
The first question appeared.
You are deployed to an unknown environment with unstable terrain and multi-tier creature presence.
What is your first priority?
David read carefully.
Then answered.
Across the hall, June stared at his screen.
"...Okay. This is fine."
Nyra was already halfway through her second question.
Lucian moved steadily.
Mira read carefully before answering.
Castiel remained calm, his expression focused.
Time passed quietly.
Screens shifted.
Questions changed.
Scenario after scenario.
David moved steadily.
Creature classification.
Environmental hazards.
Tactical positioning.
He recognized some scenarios.
Others required analysis.
He adapted.
Around him, the hall remained silent except for faint typing and shifting movements.
After one hour, June leaned back slightly.
"...Okay. This isn't terrible."
Nyra glanced at him.
"Focus."
"...Right."
Two hours passed.
Fatigue settled across the hall.
Cadets slowed.
Some rubbed their eyes.
Others leaned forward.
David remained steady.
Final question.
A squad member is critically injured during hostile encounter.
Do you retreat immediately or hold defensive position?
Explain reasoning.
David paused.
He remembered the unknown world.
Castiel.
Nyra.
The Guardian.
He answered.
Three hours passed.
The screens dimmed.
Phase One Complete
A soft tone echoed across the hall.
Cadets exhaled.
June leaned back.
"...I survived."
Nyra allowed a faint smile.
"That was expected."
Lucian nodded.
"Acceptable."
Mira relaxed slightly.
Castiel exhaled quietly.
David looked forward.
Phase One was finished.
But Phase Two—
Would be different.
Because Phase Two—
Was combat.