In the familiar confines of their training room at the Headquarters, Team 0 gathered for an impromptu meeting. The room, usually a refuge from the world, now held a somber atmosphere, reflecting the gravity of the situation outside its walls.

Ezekiel leaned against a wall as he stretched, his brows furrowed in thought. "Did you guys see how busy the lobby was? It's like a beehive down there."

Daniel, seated on one of the plush sofas, nodded. "They're probably gearing up for the draft coordination. Even though the Senate hasn't discussed it yet, they'll want to be ready. The vote is tomorrow, after all. And the president will sign it as soon as it gets to his desk."

The team exchanged uneasy glances. The Chicago attacks' total death toll was still rising, but at least two hundred had been confirmed as having been killed, with several hundred more as gravely injured. That kind of tragedy was not something that could be shrugged off, and as they had seen firsthand after the attack on New York, not everything that came directly from it was good. A draft was seemingly inevitable now, but James worried about how it would unfold and what it would mean in the long term.

Miss Walker entered the room, her usual confident stride slightly subdued. Behind her mask, she wore a stoic expression, but her eyes betrayed a hint of emotion as she looked over her team.

"Team 0, I want to take a moment to discuss the current situation with you. " She began, her voice steady yet tinged with a solemn undertone.

She waited until they gathered on the sofas, giving her their undivided attention. "The world is changing, and we're at a crossroads. It's more important now than ever to stand together. You've all grown immensely, and nothing can stop you if you continue on this path." Her words, meant to be encouraging, carried an air of finality that didn't go unnoticed by the team. James, in particular, felt a pang of unease as he observed the woman's solemn, sad mood. Evidently, she wasn't happy about something and was trying not to show it.

Miss Walker paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "As you know, the draft for Awakeners is a reality all above B-rank might soon face. But orders have already been issued for those of us working directly for the AA." She held their gazes, her voice firm. "I've been assigned to New Delhi. My role will be to help oversee operations there and to train local Awakeners."

The news hit the team like a physical blow. Ezekiel's face fell, and Daniel leaned forward, his expression one of disbelief. Maria's eyes widened, and Lauren's hands clenched tightly. James felt a hollow sensation in his chest, the realization that their mentor, their guide, would be leaving them sinking in.

"But... you're being sent to the other side of the world," Maria said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Miss Walker nodded, her expression resolute. "Yes. It's a critical assignment, and I've been chosen because of my experience in organizing defenses during the Apocalypse. I have no doubts about your capabilities to handle yourselves without me here. Remember, you are stronger together than apart."

Ezekiel shifted uncomfortably. "But what about if we get in over our heads? We've always had you to guide us, to help us make the right calls. You know what our luck is like!"

Miss Walker offered a small, reassuring smile. "I've seen you all make incredible progress. You've faced dangers that would have overwhelmed many experienced Awakeners. You don't need me to hold your hands anymore. You're ready to make your own decisions, to carve your own path."

Daniel dragged a hand down his face, his expression somber. "It's just... it's happening so fast. Everything's changing."

"It is." Miss Walker agreed. "And it's not going to be easy. But I’ve trained you to adapt, to overcome whatever challenge might come your way. I have complete faith in you."

Lauren’s voice was steady despite the emotion in her eyes. "We won't let you down, Miss Walker. We'll keep growing stronger and take care of things here while you are away."

James remained silent, still processing the weight behind the woman’s words. He understood the importance of her assignment and the necessity of her presence in a strategic location like New Delhi. Yet, the thought of her absence, the absence of the person who had been their mentor and anchor, was a hard pill to swallow.

I'm pretty sure something else is happening behind the curtain. I have no idea what precisely, but I can remember the Director's reaction to her rank-up very well. That was not how someone simply happy for a subordinate would react. But I've already told her about it, and it's not like I can do anything about it alone. Well, not for now.

Miss Walker's gaze lingered on James, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "James, I know you'll continue to lead the team with the same determination and integrity you've always shown. Keep them safe, keep yourself focused on the objective before you. Don't waste too much time thinking of what's beyond your reach."

Damn, I'd say she can read minds if I couldn't almost do that myself. She really knows me too well.

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James met her gaze, a sense of resolve building within him. "I will, Miss Walker. We'll make you proud."

The room fell into a quiet, reflective mood. Each member was lost in thought about the future and the challenges it would bring.

Miss Walker finally broke the silence, her voice taking on a more pragmatic tone. "Now, let's discuss what we know about the current global situation. As you're aware, most drafted Awakeners will likely be sent to Asia, while some will reinforce critical infrastructure here in America. The conflict there is escalating, and the US is preparing to make a significant push to deal with the remaining terrorists, especially after the near eradication of the KLF in Kashmir."

Daniel nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. The situation in Asia has been deteriorating rapidly. But what about the other hotspots? Europe, for example?"

Miss Walker leaned back, crossing her arms. "Europe is a different story. They want to hold their own, mainly because they resent the US for abandoning our bases during the Apocalypse. They're less inclined to accept American intervention now, even in the face of these threats."

"So the world is opening up again, in a way. Not with trade or alliances, but because of war." James commented, thinking back to his discussions with his grandfather. The man had always been skeptical that humanity would manage to stand together against the monsters for long, especially since a status quo had been achieved and total annihilation was no longer a risk.

"In a way, that is correct." Their teacher answered. "Anyway, I should be able to rotate back home in six months, so when I return, I'll want to see how much you've grown. I expect significant results!"

"Ah, the downside of breaking records left and right!" Ezekiel dramatically said, holding a hand toward the ceiling as if in supplication.

The others chuckled, dispelling some of the tension. They were all devastated that their teacher was leaving, but it wouldn't do to bring down the mood the last time they saw her.

"Now, let's put together a plan for your growth in these next few months." Miss Walker said, standing up and walking over to where her tablet was charging.

She retrieved the device and turned to face them, her expression shifting to one of focus and determination. She began writing down the outline of individual plans for each team member, starting with Daniel.

"Daniel." She said, addressing the team's Tank. "You've made significant strides with your Barrier Magic. I want you to focus on developing it further. Experiment with using it offensively. Experiment with how you can manipulate the barriers to not just protect but also trap, constrain, or even attack. Crushing enemies is fine, but it takes a while, and your barriers are not strong enough to kill most monsters in your rank that way. Your ability to think on your feet will be crucial here."

Daniel nodded, absorbing her words. "I've got some ideas. Maybe I can make the barriers less like walls and more like disks I can use as weapons."

Miss Walker eye-smiled approvingly. "Exactly. Be creative."

Next, she turned to James. "James, your psychic abilities have grown tremendously and will be a cornerstone for the team going forward. Keep pushing the limits. Focus on mastering telekine- sorry, Willpower Projection and Psychic Overdrive. These skills will allow you to exert influence far beyond your physical reach and hit well above your class. They'll be key in critical situations."

James grinned, determined to do his best. "I'll work on refining control and endurance. Psychic Overdrive takes a lot out of me, but I know I can push it further. I just need to rework my build a little."

Miss Walker's gaze then fell on Maria. "Maria, your ability with fire magic is becoming formidable. To fine-tune it further, I suggest you do an exercise involving candles I used in my time. Surround yourself with them and practice igniting and snuffing them out in a pattern. I'll send you the specifics later, but this will enhance your precision and allow you to wield the power of your new Talent more effectively."

Maria's eyes lit up with interest. "I like the sound of that. I'll definitely give it a try."

Turning to Lauren, Miss Walker continued, "Lauren, your Shadow Magic holds incredible versatility. Focus on using it to manipulate your opponent's perception for the moment, since only weak monsters will fall to direct attacks, and you already have better means to deal with those. Remember that you can create distractions, misdirect attacks, and even cloak your approach. This ability to control the battlefield will be invaluable later in your career, so do your best to develop it now."

Lauren nodded thoughtfully. "I've been experimenting with that. The shadows are an amazing hiding place, but if I draw an enemy's attention away, I should be able to do much more than just sneak around."

Finally, Miss Walker addressed Ezekiel. "Ezekiel, your new skill – the ability to declare and enforce a rule – is unique and powerful. However, I've noticed you struggle with its application in real scenarios. You told me yourself you couldn't activate it in your last run. So, I want you to practice setting clear, achievable rules and enforcing them with minor punishments. Start with simple exercises and gradually increase complexity. Your failure mostly comes from trying to do too much at once. Wide-ranging abilities like that one usually have a lot of hidden conditions, so you'll have to experiment quite a lot to find them all."

Ezekiel sighed, a mix of frustration and determination in his eyes. "It's been a challenge, but I won't give up. I'll find a way to make it work. It's just too good of a skill not to use it."

Miss Walker surveyed her team with pride. "I have every confidence in each of you. Remember, consistent effort and the willingness to step outside your comfort zone are key to growth. Keep pushing yourselves, and you'll surpass even your own expectations."

As the meeting drew to a close, James sensed mixed emotions in his friends and decided to address them, not wanting the last day with their teacher to end with something unsaid. "Miss Walker." He began, getting the woman’s attention. "On behalf of Team 0, I want to say thank you. You've been more than just a mentor to us; you've been our guide, support, and, at times, conscience." He glanced around at his teammates, each nodding in agreement, their expressions reflecting respect and fondness for their departing mentor.

He chuckled lightly, adding a touch of humor to the solemn moment. "You've been a harsh taskmistress, no doubt about that. There were times we all wondered if we'd survive your training sessions. Yet, looking back now, I wouldn't change a single thing – not even our first day, which, if I remember correctly, involved a lot of fighting and not nearly enough breaks." A round of laughter rippled through the room.

James's smile widened, his eyes reflecting the depth of his sentiment. "You've pushed us beyond what we thought were our limits, and in doing that, you've shown us what we're truly capable of. You've taught us not just how to fight but how to think, adapt, and most importantly, stand together."

He took a moment, his gaze meeting Miss Walker's, noticing how hard she was trying to suppress tears. "Your lessons will stay with us, no matter where our paths take us. You've prepared us for this world, a world that's unpredictable and challenging, but one that we're now ready to face, thanks to you."

James stepped forward, extending his hand in a gesture of respect and gratitude. "So, from all of us, thank you, Miss Walker. You've been an incredible teacher, and while we're sad to see you go, we're excited to show you how much more we can grow. We'll make you proud. That's a promise."

The other let out a chorus of agreement, each member of Team 0 adding their own words of thanks and appreciation. Usually composed and stoic, Miss Walker showed a rare moment of vulnerability as she accepted James's hand, her eyes shining with unspoken emotion.

"Thank you, James. And thank all of you. I couldn't be prouder of the people you've become." She said, her voice thick with emotion.