Several instructors hid themselves, blending with the snowy trees as they scanned the vicinity—the ongoing battle.
It was the final week of the training camp.
The real hurdle—in which they had to face after surviving in the permafrost climate, fighting other cadets on their journey, experiencing cold betrayals, and working together despite the clear lack of resonance.
The horde, while not fully cleared, but numbers had greatly diminished
An instructor ran back towards the camp and gave his report.
"It's working just as predicted, Field Marshal."
"Hm?"
Evelyn, who was sipping on a coffee mug, turned around, acknowledging the newcomer's presence.
"It took a while, but the cadets greatly handled the situation. Though some fled, there were a lot more who took on the challenge than expected."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, led by Amelia Constantine, along with other class A students, they were able to take out the wyvern without too many casualties. It's safe to say the future is bright, Field Marshal."
"General Constantine, huh?"
Evelyn massaged her chin, squinting her eyes.
"What about General Locke?"
"Surprisingly, she's nowhere to be seen. She didn't take part in any of the battles. In fact, along with her brother, they're the only class A students that had yet to be sighted."
"That's odd...."
At least, that's what Evelyn wanted to assume from the outside. However, in her head, she could more or less deduce the whole story.
'So she met up with her brother.' Find joy at m-vl_emp,yr
That was most likely the situation.
Unknowingly, the corner of Evelyn's lips pulled up.
'At least he has someone to look out for him.'
"Is there something, Field Marshal?"
Noticing the look on her face, the instructor asked.
"No."
Evelyn shook her head and returned her usual blank expression.
Then, she called for everyone's attention. Clap—!
The instructors paused and stopped their ongoing activities at the moment, fixing their attention on the Field Marshal.
It was time.
The stage was set for all.
The cadets had been hardened enough, ready to face any unforeseen adversities that would come their way. Much to the point where they had completely abandoned the initial instructions.
With a serious expression, Evelyn announced, a sinister grin creeping up her face.
"Release the second one."
***
There were four days left in the training camp.
Raven traversed the forest with Amy by his side.
"How many badges do you have?"
Raven asked.
While badges didn't even matter anymore, especially when everyone just wanted to go home and rest, regardless of whether they failed or not. Still, Raven wanted to strike up a conversation.
"...."
However, Amy, who walked while keeping her head down, remained silent.
"Amy?"
"Hey."
Amy raised her head, meeting his gaze. Wetting her lips, she opened her mouth.
"This training camp.... What are we even training for?"
"What do you mean? Obviously, so we can become stronger. So we can serve this nation."
While Imperial Academy may be a military academy, cadets were free to choose their profession after graduating.
"Amelia?"
Rachel, who was sitting beside her while reading a book, suddenly asked.
"Hm?"
Amelia was lost in deep thought as she stared at the sky, responded.
"I know it might be weird of me to ask this, especially since we've been interacting with each other the past couple of days, but are you aware of my previous relationship with Brandon?"
"Yes."
Amelia spoke with no hesitation.
Of course she knew, Brandon had told her himself. That trait alone told Amelia that she could trust him in regards to this kind of matter.
Especially so, after finding out Brandon had confessed to her only after clearing things up with Rachel.
"Do you think it's.... weird? Hanging out with me and all...."
"Not really."
Then, Amelia curiously tilted her head.
"Why? Do you find it weird hanging around with me?"
"N-No...."
Rachel stammered.
"You're a really nice person. I can see why Brandon is head over heels for you."
"Is that so? Haha~ You're really nice too, Rachel."
Amelia wasn't exactly sure how to speak casually with Rachel. For that reason, she hadn't brought up her relationship with Brandon once.
However, Rachel opened up the topic, and Amelia grew awkward.
She didn't want to rub salt on wounds. Especially knowing her history with Brandon.
But from what she knew, they were never really an item. Just youths having a crush on each other.
The feeling of having a crush gradually diminishes as time goes on.
"I hope we remain good friends, Amelia. Don't worry, I can assure you I harbor no feelings for Brandon anymore."
"Of course, I like being friends with you, Rachel. For Brandon, well.... he has a lot of admirers. I mean, it's Brandon after all. So I understand whenever someone has a crush on him."
The same went for her. Amelia was quite aware of the looks other male cadets gave her, regardless if their relationship was public.
Those feelings couldn't be helped. Just as long as they didn't cross the line, then Amelia didn't mind it.
She already had this conversation with Brandon before, and he shared the same sentiments with her.
They trusted each other.
"Y-Yes, but...."
Rachel's words trailed off from there.
Amelia suddenly stood up, dusting the snow off her coat.
"Let's go. The others must've finished off the remaining monsters by now."
"Okay, I—"
Rachel's words were abruptly cut off as a familiar guttural scream echoed, alerting the two women as their eyes shot wide open.
—Hwooooooar!
However, this time, the scream was much more intense than before. Much to the point that it shook the entire forest, the ground trembling intensely.
Amelia felt a sinister miasma coming from somewhere. Exactly where the scream seemed to come from.
'So it wasn't over.'
It felt like the wyvern was the training camp's main event. But even if they had slaughtered the beast, the training camp continued.
Things made more sense now.
Amelia perceived that this new wyvern was much more stronger than the previous one.
But if they were ready to actually face the new wyvern, Amelia couldn't tell.
She could only do what she could.
"Rachel."
"Understood."
Just like that, they returned to where the cadets had previously gathered.