Days after Reyes was officially placed on probationary status with Team Unknown, Val found himself replaying scenes from their last mission. Reyes's exceptional eyesight had marked hidden threats before even the HUD, a feat that went beyond standard perceptiveness.

Deciding it was time to test Reyes's ability further, Val activated the Mind Link to contact Dr. Lewis.

Can you set up a training exercise in the gym in fifteen minutes? I need paint rifles. And a few moving targets.

Dr. Lewis's voice held a note of curiosity. Paint rifles, huh? I take it, it's for some interesting new recruit?

Val smirked. You could say that. And make sure it's the more powerful paint rounds. I want him to feel the pressure.

When Val cut the connection, he found his team nearby, eyeing him suspiciously.

Riggs narrowed his eyes. "You're up to something, aren't you?"

Fon crossed his arms, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh, this is one of those 'tests,' isn't it?"

Val's expression remained neutral, but his eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "Actually, yes. Reyes is going to be our shooter today. And you three? You're the targets."

Bo snorted, folding his arms with mock seriousness. "Great. So we're about to be on the wrong end of a gun. Perfect."

Fon's eyes gleamed as he nudged Riggs. "Think we should give him a real challenge?"

Val nodded. "You'd better. I want you three to move as if this were a real mission—unpredictable, fast. No holding back."

Riggs grinned, glancing at Reyes with a smirk. "Alright, Corporal. Time to see if you can keep up."

Reyes swallowed, glancing between the team, and back at Val.

Inside the gym, Dr. Lewis was already waiting with a selection of sniper rifles fitted for paint rounds. He was testing one of them with a small smile, watching the team as they filed in.

"Val," Dr. Lewis said, nodding to the weapons, "these should do the trick. Each hit will leave a visible mark, so no room for mistakes."

Val turned to Reyes, gesturing toward the rifles. "Pick one, and take your time. Once you're ready, I want you to try and keep all three of them in your sights."

Reyes took a steadying breath, selecting a sleek rifle with an adjustable scope. It was lighter than he expected, the paint rounds making it feel less intimidating, but the challenge remained. He positioned himself by a corner of the gym, bracing the rifle against his shoulder as he got into position.

"Alright, team," Val's voice echoed, authority lacing every word. "Give Reyes something to sweat over. Go full speed."

The three teammates exchanged grins, each settling into their starting positions across the gym. Riggs dropped low, preparing to dart from cover to cover; Bo crouched near a row of benches, his form tight and ready to spring, while Fon found a spot near the far end of the gym, keeping himself low and concealed.

Val folded his arms, stepping back to observe with quiet anticipation. Dr. Lewis, standing near the wall, watched closely, a glint of intrigue in his eyes.

"Ready?" Val's voice cut through the air, a final call to order.

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Reyes exhaled, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the scope. "Ready."

"Go."

The moment Val gave the command, the three targets sprang into action.

Bo moved with agility, zigzagging unpredictably across the gym, while Riggs darted in sharp bursts between cover points, barely pausing for more than a second at a time. Fon was fast and sly, keeping to the shadows as he moved with quick, fluid motions, using every available obstruction to his advantage.

Reyes struggled to keep up, his hands slightly unsteady at first, but as he locked his gaze on the scope, a strange focus settled over him. He could see each of them in flashes, moving like blurs, but somehow his eyes tracked their movements.

He held his breath, finding Bo first. He fired, the rifle letting out a low crack as a paint bullet splattered against Bo's shoulder, a bright smear of red marking the hit.

Bo glanced down, giving Reyes a nod and a grin. "Not bad, Corporal. But that was my easy side." He darted off even faster, slipping behind a series of gym mats.

Reyes quickly shifted his scope to find Riggs, who had picked up speed. Riggs moved in erratic patterns, weaving through obstacles with impressive fluidity. Just as Reyes thought he'd lost him, he caught sight of a flash of movement. His fingers tightened on the trigger, firing again.

A splatter of paint struck Riggs's arm as he tried to dart between mats, the yellow paint visible against his dark cloak. Riggs paused briefly, giving a low whistle. "Alright, Reyes. Looks like you've got some aim."

Val's eyes glinted with satisfaction as he watched Reyes adjust to the increased pace. He was surprised at how smoothly Reyes was adapting, almost as if the pressure sharpened his focus rather than rattled it. The kid had potential—real potential.

Dr. Lewis leaned slightly forward, brows raised, his expression impressed. "He's keeping up with them. Remarkable for his first time."

Val nodded, his gaze never leaving Reyes. "He's not just keeping up—he's marking them with precision. I think we're looking at a natural sniper."

The tempo in the gym only grew faster. Fon, having observed Reyes's aim, amped up his own movements, practically blurring from one position to the next. Reyes adjusted his scope, tracking Fon's path with an intense focus that left his hands steady and his breathing controlled.

Just as Fon moved between two equipment racks, Reyes fired. The paint bullet struck near Fon's ankle, leaving a green streak. Fon glanced down, letting out a loud laugh. "Alright, Corporal, that was a good one!"

But Reyes wasn't finished. As Bo and Riggs picked up their pace, he stayed with them, his eyes darting between their forms as he adjusted his aim. Bo tried a quick dash across the floor, only to have Reyes nail him with another paint bullet square on his shoulder.

Riggs attempted to fake his movement, but Reyes fired again, the paint marking his cloak with a bright splatter just before he moved out of sight.

Dr. Lewis watched, visibly taken aback. "He's not just aiming well—he's anticipating. This isn't luck. He's reading their movements."

Val allowed himself a brief, approving nod. "He's showing instinct," he said quietly, admiration coloring his tone.

Reyes's focus grew sharper with each shot, each hit bolstering his confidence. The paint marks on Bo, Riggs, and Fon's cloaks were visible proof of his aim and control.

As the drill continued, Reyes found himself in a state of intense focus, almost feeling as if time slowed each time he sighted them. His instincts, sharpened through years of unnoticed observation, now had a purpose, an aim that even he hadn't expected.

Finally, Val raised a hand, signaling the end of the drill. "That's enough."

Bo, Riggs, and Fon slowed to a halt, paint splattered across their cloaks as they exchanged glances of respect and a hint of disbelief. They approached Reyes, clapping him on the back, muttering words of approval.

Fon grinned. "Didn't think you'd land that many shots on us, Corporal. Color me impressed."

Bo gave Reyes a nod, a faint smile touching his lips. "You've got a good eye. Fantastic."

Riggs chuckled, shaking his head. "Just remember to aim away from the face next time."

Val stepped forward, his gaze piercing as he met Reyes's eyes. "Well done. You exceeded expectations."

Reyes grinned, relief and pride lighting his face. "Thank you, sir. I... didn't think I'd actually be able to keep up."

Dr. Lewis approached, a look of genuine approval on his face. "Consider yourself lucky, Corporal. Many would have missed at least half of those shots, especially with how fast these three move."

Reyes rubbed the back of his neck, shrugging slightly. "I guess I just... see movement well."

Val watched him closely, catching the way Reyes's eyes seemed to adjust naturally, almost as if he could filter out unnecessary detail. There was something more to this ability, something worth exploring.

"You're showing signs of being more than just an ordinary recruit," Val said, his tone thoughtful. "We'll keep working on this."

Reyes straightened, nodding eagerly. "I'll keep training, sir. I won't let you down."

Val's eyes held a gleam of satisfaction as he exchanged a knowing look with Dr. Lewis. This was only the beginning—and the potential he'd seen in Reyes was just the edge of something powerful.