Sitting on his cot, James silently observed how the light streamed through the blinds, illuminating the dust floating in the air.

Soreness like he had never felt before permeated his body, making him wince whenever he shifted. Leonid had prohibited any healing until a full twelve hours had passed, and James was trying to stop himself from counting the seconds until he could wake Ezekiel up.

The burly instructor had been right when he said that his training was only for the toughest of the tough. That hadn't stopped Team 0 from acing all challenges and forcing the trainers to increase the intensity level from the beginning.

I'm kind of proud of that. If we had sandbagged a bit, we would not be nearly this tired, but that would have defeated the whole purpose of coming here. And the look on Leonid's face when I completed the ice field training without asking for help, was too good.

Despite his soreness, James would endure the hellish week again if it meant he could achieve the same results.

SKILLS

LEVEL

DESCRIPTION

Thakinetic Empowerment

10

(Active): Utilize your Willpower to temporarily raise STR - VIT - AGI.

Thakinetic Awareness

10

(Active/Passive): Expand your SENSE to feel other's wills.

Thakinetic Resistance

10

(Active/Passive): Empower your MIND to defend yourself against foreign influences.

I still can't believe I got here. Level ten in all my skills in just a week of training. Well, admittedly, I have never been pushed this hard, and facing people several ranks above me all the time, even if they held back, helped hasten my growth beyond my imagination.

As of now, James only needed to level himself, and he'd be ready for the rank-up. He had more than enough lived experience for the System to give him good options, and honestly, he couldn't wait to see what they would be.

He let out a long, slow breath, willing himself to calm down. It was time to get up and face another day, despite the weariness clinging to his limbs. Pushing himself to his feet, he made his way to the bathroom, where he took care of his business and then went to wake his teammates.

Daniel, as always, was already up, stretching in an attempt to get some relief, while Ezekiel still slept soundly. "Is it time?" The Tank asked eagerly, standing up.

"Just about." James replied, grinning. Together, they approached the room's last occupant.

"I almost feel bad." Daniel murmured, but he didn't stop.

As one, they grabbed the bedsheets and lifted, ensnaring their occupant. Ezekiel shrieked in alarm, kicking and twisting without finding purchase.

Having had their fun, the two let him go, knowing that the moment he managed to grab hold of the sheets, the healer would tear them up to get out, ruining them.

Dropping onto the hard bed, Ezekiel groaned, giving his temporary bullies the evil eye. "That wasn't very smart, " he said, getting up. "I suppose neither of you wants to get some relief for that soreness, huh?"

James and Daniel exchanged a look of exaggerated horror before falling to their knees. "Please! Please, oh great White Mage, heal us!"

The youngest shook his head, grumbling. "You are in a mood today. You'll have to wait until I'm done with the girls then."

The two fake supplicants exchanged a quiet high-five behind his back, sighing in relief.

----------------------------------------

The mess hall was bustling with activity as usual, the sound of clinking utensils and low conversations filling the air. Team 0 found a table, their movements slower than usual as they got used to moving without feeling extreme soreness, but their spirits were high. They were tired, having spent a more grueling week than in Saratoga, but a sense of accomplishment hung around them.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Each of them had grown in their own way. Daniel's defensive tactics had become more refined, Maria's control over her flames more precise, Ezekiel's healing and support spells more potent, and Lauren's had finally managed to grow her direct attack skills.

They had all pushed their Talents to the limit, some reaching the coveted level ten, with the others not far behind. They all knew it was just a matter of time at this point.

As they began to eat, their conversation was a mix of recounting the previous day's trials and speculating about what lay ahead. During this discussion, Agent Martinez approached their table with a clipboard in her hand.

"Good morning, Team 0. Mr. Stein is looking for you. He's in his office with Miss Walker. Seems like you've got a new assignment." She announced, her tone professional but not without a hint of curiosity.

Finishing their breakfast quickly, they made their way to Leonid's office. The anticipation of what this new task could be added a spring to their steps. The training had been fruitful, that was true, but they were more than ready to try something new.

Upon entering Leonid's office, they found him and Miss Walker waiting for them, both with expressions that hinted at the importance of the meeting.

"Team 0." Their teacher began, scanning each of them with her red eyes. "I had no doubt about it, but you've exceeded everyone's expectations. Your progress has been remarkable. Now, it's time to test your skills in a real-world scenario."

Leonid nodded in agreement. "You'll be going into a dungeon. It's an opportunity to apply what you've learned and to push your levels up. This specific one is rated F, but with the skills you've honed here, you should be able to handle it. Its denizens are very peculiar, and you'll be shadowed by more powerful Awakeners in case anything goes wrong."

James felt a thrill of excitement at the prospect. The training had been intense, but the idea of putting it to the test in an actual dungeon was exhilarating. That it would be an F-rank one was intimidating, but he trusted his teacher to know their limits. If she thought they were ready, then they were ready.

Miss Walker's aura, however, caught James's attention. She seemed different, somehow stronger. It was subtle, but to his heightened senses, it was unmistakable. He wondered if she had used her time away to run her own training regimen, sharpening her already formidable skills.

"The dungeon you'll be entering is home to shapeshifting monsters." Leonid elaborated, leaning forward, his eyes serious. "These creatures can take on the semblance of invaders and use their strengths against them. However, given your impeccable teamwork, I believe you'll handle them well. It's a perfect test for your coordination and adaptability. And considering that it's F-rank, every monster you kill should grant you quite a boost."

James nodded, absorbing the information. He wouldn't have accepted without the safety net they were being provided. Still, they wouldn't often get this kind of opportunity, and he couldn't deny feeling a thrill at challenging monsters that should have been nominally far above him.

After further discussion and briefing on the dungeon's specifics, they left Leonid's office, their minds abuzz with strategies and anticipation. They had an hour to prepare and spent it ensuring they had all their gear in perfect form, not wanting anything to hinder their dive in such a dangerous location.

Eventually, Agent Martinez came to gather them. She, too, was wearing a battle suit, though of a better make than theirs. Upon asking, she revealed that hers was made to withstand up to C-rank level of damage, which would require several hundred thousand dollars to make, much less buy.

She's wearing enough to buy a house. It's still trippy to consider how much money Awakeners make and how much they have to spend on their gear. The average person has a few potions in their house since you never know when you'll need them, but they usually use them only for emergencies, considering they cost a couple of grands a pop.

Putting considerations about the state of the economy to the side for the moment, James refocused on his surroundings. They had started walking away from the facility and the town about half an hour before and were now in the middle of the wilderness. A forested hill seemed to be their destination, as the path there was well-trodden.

It took them through the lush greenery surrounding the facility; the fresh air was invigorating, which was quite pleasant after their intense training.

Finally, their guide stopped. Before them was a dimly lit, foreboding cave. As they approached, each member of Team 0 turned on their flashlights, piercing the darkness with beams of light.

Agent Martinez positioned herself at the back of the group. "I'm here if anything attacks that is beyond your abilities, but you should try to do as much by yourself as possible. Otherwise, the contribution will be given solely to me."

James took the lead, his Thakinetic Awareness reaching out, mapping the cave's interior and trying to sense any immediate threats. The challenge of navigating an unknown environment, especially one inhabited by shapeshifting monsters, put him on high alert. His mind jumped between the possibilities, wondering whether the ghostly apparition training had been inspired by the monsters in this cave.

"Let's stay sharp." He murmured to the others. "I'll stick to signals to show that something is not right. They said these monsters are not too smart and usually try to trick people with simple ruses, but it's better to assume they are more intelligent than they appear."

Daniel nodded, his shield at the ready. "Agreed. Let's stick close and communicate constantly. If anything seems off, call it out immediately."

Maria's hands glowed faintly with fire, ready to unleash her power at a moment's notice. Ezekiel's eyes were focused, his mind no doubt racing with potential support strategies. Lauren moved like a shadow, her daggers drawn, her senses honed for any sign of danger.

They proceeded into the cave, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the walls. The darkness seemed to press in around them, but their lights carved a path forward. James's skill allowed them some peace of mind, as they knew they wouldn't get ambushed, but they were aware that the real challenge lay in discerning the real from the illusion, the predator from the prey.

As they delved deeper, the air grew cooler, the cave walls closing in. The silence was oppressive, broken only by their steady breathing and the occasional drip of water.

Finally, James felt something. A presence quite unlike any he had met before. It shifted and changed even as he kept track, signaling to the others that something was coming closer. Its mind, however, was working furiously, unerringly focused on them.

A figure stumbled into the beam of their lights, its form familiar yet jarringly out of place. It was Ezekiel, or at least something that looked exactly like him. The doppelgänger was clutching its side, seemingly injured, its eyes wide with fear.

"Help! Something attacked me before we went in... it took my place!" The figure cried out, its voice quivering with desperation. "Please, you have to help me! That one with you is a fake; you have to attack him and save me!"

James's heart skipped a beat at the sight, but his instincts, honed by their recent rigorous training, immediately kicked in. He exchanged a quick glance with the real Ezekiel, who was looking at his double with a mix of shock and disbelief.

James lifted a hand, then two fingers, then one. It was the signal for an illusion. Despite having been together all the time, he felt the others relax slightly at the confirmation.

As soon as he did so, James pushed mana into his body, reading himself for anything.

Maria unleashed a tightly concentrated beam of fire, aiming at decapitating the creature on the spot, but it jumped away, its form glowing with the telltale sign of an active buff.

Fuck.