A day after their mission's successful completion, Val entered General Luis's office with a quiet resolve. It was time for Reyes's rank to be officially tested, and though Val was rarely one for making requests, he felt certain Reyes had proven himself worthy.

General Luis looked up from his desk, his eyes studying Val's expression as he entered. "Val, I had a feeling you'd be requesting something after this last mission."

Val nodded, standing tall before General Luis. "General, I'd like to make Corporal Reyes a permanent member of Team Unknown. He's shown aptitude and skill, and he's demonstrated loyalty to our team."

General Luis leaned back, crossing his arms. "You know this isn't just my decision, Val. Higher-ups don't give out team memberships lightly, especially for elite units like yours."

"I understand," Val replied, his voice steady. "But Reyes has earned his place. He's covered our backs in the field, and his potential as a marksman is undeniable. With more training, he could be invaluable."

General Luis observed him carefully, weighing Val's words. After a few moments, he nodded. "Very well, I'll bring your request to the council. They'll want proof of his ability rank, though—no exceptions. You know how strict they are about team standards."

Val nodded, having anticipated as much. "Thank you, General. When will we know?"

"Two days," General Luis replied. "I'll put in the request, but we'll need the mana rank assessment to convince them. Have Reyes report to the testing chamber tomorrow morning. It's best we're prepared."

The following day, Val led Reyes down a quiet corridor deep within HQ, his expression thoughtful yet encouraging. Reyes followed closely, his mind buzzing with questions and a healthy dose of anxiety. After Val's cryptic summons, he had little idea of what to expect but trusted his leader implicitly.

They arrived at a large chamber, its walls lined with intricate silver glyphs that pulsed faintly with mana. At the center of the room stood a glass globe mounted on a pedestal, its surface clear and reflective, catching the light from above.

Val gestured to the globe, his tone calm but edged with anticipation. "Reyes, this is a mana assessment. It's a way to gauge the depth of your ability and determine your rank. Place your hands on the globe, focus, and let your energy flow into it. The globe will react, displaying the color that corresponds to your rank."

Reyes swallowed, looking at the orb with a mix of awe and apprehension. "So… this will determine what rank I am?"

Val nodded, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Exactly. And don't worry, Reyes. Just focus on letting your energy flow naturally. Trust yourself—you've already proven a lot to us."

Reyes took a deep breath, steeling himself as he stepped forward. He placed both hands on the cool surface of the glass globe, closing his eyes as he concentrated. Slowly, he allowed his energy to seep into the orb, feeling a strange sensation as the globe seemed to pull from him, drawing in his mana.

The silence in the room grew heavy, and after a few moments, a faint, pulsing light began to emerge within the globe.

A soft grey mist appeared at first, the base level color for ability users. Reyes's heart skipped a beat, a rush of uncertainty filling him. But as he focused deeper, the grey mist began to shift, swirling and thickening as if responding to his energy.

Next, a faint shade of green rippled through the orb, the color growing stronger as he channeled more of his focus into it. Reyes felt a strange warmth flow from his hands, spreading outward as his concentration deepened. The green hue intensified, swirling and pulsing as if alive.

From the side of the room, Dr. Lewis watched intently, his gaze flicking from Reyes to the globe. "Impressive," he murmured, noting the energy field intensifying around the young corporal.

But even as the green seemed to settle, Reyes felt another surge, something deeper within him pushing outward. He channeled this hidden reserve, and, as if reacting to a hidden spark, the green color morphed into a vibrant, deep red, swirling through the globe in fiery tendrils.

Dr. Lewis raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Red rank—significant, especially for someone of his background. He has potential."

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Reyes's heart raced as he saw the red hue settle, but he didn't dare pull back his energy just yet. He pushed a little harder, feeling his mana flow with more intensity than he'd realized he possessed.

To his shock, the deep red shifted again, brightening and transforming into a brilliant gold. The hue grew, illuminating the chamber with a soft glow, almost radiating from the orb.

Reyes opened his eyes, staring in awe at the golden color shimmering within the glass. He could hardly believe it—Aurum rank? He'd never even considered it a possibility.

Val smiled, the look in his eyes conveying his pride. "Congratulations, Reyes. Gold rank. That's an elite mark. You've earned it."

Reyes felt a mixture of pride and disbelief as he looked at the orb, still radiating with the golden color. "I… I never thought…"

Dr. Lewis stepped forward, his face a mixture of respect and curiosity. "You've exceeded expectations, Reyes. That kind of mana strength isn't common. Not everyone reaches Aurum rank."

Val watched Reyes pull his hands away from the glowing glass orb, the gold hue gradually fading as his energy receded. Reyes stared at the orb, still trying to comprehend the magnitude of his new Aurum ranking.

Val gave him a steady nod, eyes alight with pride and a hint of mischief. "You earned this, Reyes. Not many make it to Aurum rank—it's an elite level for a reason. But that also means more responsibility."

Reyes, his expression torn between pride and disbelief, let out a shaky breath. "Thank you, sir. I… honestly didn't expect this."

Val's faint smirk softened his typically stoic face. "Consider this a sign of what's to come, Corporal. This is only the beginning."

Reyes couldn't help but feel a rush of anticipation at Val's words. "Beginning? Does this mean… I'll officially join Team Unknown?"

Val chuckled, his tone still cryptic. "Let's say that something official is in the works. But you'll know soon enough." With that, he gestured toward the exit, leaving Reyes wondering what exactly "official" might mean.

Two days later, Reyes found himself summoned back to HQ's command center.

Val, Bo, Riggs, Fon, Dr. Lewis, and General Luis were all waiting, gathered with a sense of formality that told Reyes something significant was about to happen. His heart pounded as he stepped into the room, a mix of anticipation and curiosity tightening his chest.

Val approached him, holding a small black box in one hand. "Corporal Reyes," he began, his tone solemn, though a hint of warmth shone in his eyes. "After careful consideration and with the approval of the higher-ups, it's my honor to welcome you officially to Team Unknown."

Reyes's breath caught. He struggled to maintain his composure as he met Val's gaze, feeling the weight of the words sink in. "Thank you, sir. I… I'll do my best to live up to the team."

Val nodded, a small, proud smile crossing his lips. He opened the box, revealing a gleaming gold pin—the Aurum rank insignia. "You've proven yourself not only with your skill but with your resilience, loyalty, and trust in your team. From this point forward, you're not just Corporal Reyes. You're a member of Team Unknown."

Reyes accepted the pin with a steady hand, feeling a swell of pride. He pinned it to his cloak, the weight of the insignia a tangible reminder of the commitment he was making.

"With this," Val continued, "you'll also take on a new codename. It's a name you'll carry into every mission, a name that marks your place in this team." He glanced at his teammates, each of them smiling with approval. "From this day forward, you'll be known as Eagle."

Reyes grinned, feeling the name settle around him like a cloak. "Eagle" he repeated, nodding. "I like it. It's an honor."

Bo clapped him on the shoulder. "Welcome to the squad, Eagle. You've earned it."

Riggs gave a mock salute. "Let's hope you're ready for the chaos that comes with this title."

Fon winked, his grin mischievous. "Can't wait to see you in action, Eagle."

Dr. Lewis, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward. "Congratulations, Reyes. You've already shown an impressive start. With the Aurum rank, the expectations will only rise. But with Team Unknown, you're in good hands."

Reyes felt a surge of confidence and camaraderie wash over him. This was his place now, his team.

But just as the moment settled, General Luis straightened, his face shifting from warmth to a more serious expression. "Before we celebrate too much," he interrupted, his voice carrying a firm tone, "I need to make one thing clear."

Val and the team turned toward him, sensing the shift in the room's atmosphere. Reyes's heart skipped a beat, the serious look on General Luis's face hinting at something unexpected.

General Luis looked Reyes squarely in the eye. "Reyes, while you're now officially a member of Team Unknown, you won't be joining them in the field just yet."

Reyes blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Sir?"

General Luis held up a hand, silencing him. "Effective immediately, you'll be undergoing intensive training—two full years under my command. This is the same training regimen that Val and the others endured when they were first recruited into Team Unknown. You're going to learn every aspect of combat, survival, and field operations, and we're not leaving anything out."

Reyes's mind raced, a mix of excitement and apprehension taking hold. Two years? He glanced at Val, who gave him a nod, silently reassuring him.

General Luis continued, his tone unyielding. "During these two years, I will push you to your limits and beyond. You'll need to earn your place in this team every day. By the end of this training, you will be ready for the challenges Team Unknown faces."

Reyes straightened, his determination unwavering. "Understood, sir. I'm ready."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of General Luis's mouth, though his eyes remained hard. "We'll see if you're ready, Eagle. The next two years will tell."

As the weight of the new challenge settled over Reyes, he glanced around at his teammates. They each gave him a nod, their support evident in their eyes.

But as he prepared to leave, his heart still racing with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.