“Before we end for today, I want to talk to you about the Recruit Ranking Exchange,” he began, pausing to let his words settle. The recruits straightened, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten. “This event is your first step outside the safety of these dorm grounds. Tomorrow evening, we’ll gather here, and for the first time, you’ll step into the real world beyond these walls.”
Excited whispers rippled through the crowd. Many recruits exchanged glances, their thoughts already leaping ahead to the legendary city of Infernia, ruled by Pluto and Veles themself. Some even dared to imagine catching a glimpse of the divine figure they had only heard about in stories.
Gabriel’s sharp eyes swept over the recruits, and he smirked knowingly. He raised a hand, silencing the chatter. “Don’t get ahead of yourselves. You’re not heading to Infernia, nor are you going anywhere near the city. Instead, we’re taking you to the outskirts of Region 13, to a grassy plain that serves as a battleground. There, you’ll face the prairie’s corrupted creatures.”
The mood shifted instantly. The excitement drained from many faces, replaced by furrowed brows and uneasy glances. Someone in the back muttered, “Corrupted creatures?”
Gabriel nodded, his tone grave. “Corrupted creatures are beasts that were once blessed by the grace of various animal gods. During the Civil War over a million years ago, many of those gods fell into madness, and their creations followed suit. These creatures lost their divine purpose and turned into abominations. They’re savage, relentless, and driven by an insatiable urge to reproduce. While they aren’t the most dangerous foes you’ll face in your careers, they’re perfect for honing the skills of semi-trained recruits like yourselves.”
A wave of murmurs spread again, but this time, it was tinged with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. Gabriel allowed it for a moment before continuing.
“Here’s how it will work,” he said, pacing across the stage. “The Recruit Ranking Exchange will last for fifteen days. Each of you will receive a watch-like device.” He held up his wrist, revealing a sleek, futuristic band. Its metallic surface glinted in the fading light, and its face displayed a faint, pulsing glow. “This device will record your kills. To register a kill, you’ll need to scan the blood of the corrupted creature you slay. Simply place your weapon’s bloodied edge against the scanner, and it will log the details automatically.”
Gabriel pressed a button on the device, and a small compartment slid open, revealing a circular scanner. “You’ll need to confirm every kill this way. The system is precise and leaves no room for error or cheating. Each type of corrupted creature is worth a different number of points, depending on its size and difficulty. At the end of the fifteen days, the recruit with the highest score will be declared the winner of the exchange.”
A recruit raised their hand. “What’s the point of the ranking exchange? Are we just hunting for points?”
Gabriel’s gaze locked onto the recruit, and the intensity of his stare made the questioner visibly gulp. “The purpose of this exchange is twofold,” Gabriel said. “First, it’s to give you real-world experience. No simulation, no controlled environment, just you, your teammates, and the unknown dangers of the field. Second, it’s a measure of your potential and adaptability. Your performance here will determine your placement in future missions and training groups. This is not a game; this is a test of your survival and combat skills.”
The recruits absorbed this, their earlier enthusiasm now tempered by the weight of Gabriel’s words. Even the most confident among them seemed to grow more serious.
“You’ll work in teams,” Gabriel continued, “but your points will be calculated individually. This means that while cooperation is encouraged for survival, your rank will depend solely on your own efforts. Keep this in mind as you strategize.”
Ethan’s team exchanged glances. Yara whispered to Elara, “Looks like it’s every recruit for themselves.” Elara shrugged, her expression unreadable, while Zane tightened his grip on the crossbow slung across his back.
Gabriel’s voice snapped them back to attention. “Each day, you’ll patrol designated zones. These zones have been mapped to ensure that no recruit wanders too far from their group. Your devices will alert you if you stray outside the boundaries. Stay within them. The prairie is vast, and if you get lost, you’re on your own.”
The recruits shifted uncomfortably at the ominous warning. Gabriel’s tone left no room for doubt: this was no ordinary exercise.
“Now,” Gabriel said, stepping down from the stage and approaching the front row of recruits, “I’ll demonstrate how to use these devices. Each of you will receive one tomorrow morning, along with your final briefing. Until then, rest up. The next fifteen days will test you in ways you can’t yet imagine.”
He held up the device again, showing its sleek design. “This watch will be your lifeline. It tracks your location, records your kills, and even monitors your vital signs. Treat it as an extension of yourself. Lose it, and you’ll lose your chance to rank.”
Gabriel’s eyes swept over the recruits one last time. “Dismissed. Prepare yourselves for tomorrow.”
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The next afternoon.
The cafeteria was abuzz with chatter as Ethan and his team gathered at their usual table. The scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread mingled in the air, and the faint clatter of plates added to the lively atmosphere. It was their last meal together before the Recruit Ranking Exchange, and the weight of what lay ahead hung over them like a cloud.
Yara leaned back in her chair, a pistol holstered at her side and a plate of food half-finished in front of her. “Alright, team,” she began, tapping a finger on the table. “This is our last chance to strategize. Let’s get serious for a minute. Who’s taking what positions?”
Elara, who was meticulously cutting her steak into precise pieces, glanced up. “I’m best suited for close-range combat. My daggers are quick and silent, so I’ll handle anything that gets too close.”
“Same here,” Zane added, twirling his dagger before setting it down beside his crossbow. “But I can cover mid-range, too, thanks to this beauty.” He patted the crossbow with a confident smirk.
Iris, seated quietly at the edge of the table, spoke up next. “I’ll stay at a distance. My bow’s range is unmatched, and with my control over prana, I can provide support from afar.”
“Makes sense,” Ethan said, nodding. “I’ll switch between mid-range and melee, depending on what we’re facing. My polearm’s reach gives me flexibility, and I can use my bow if we need extra firepower.”
Yin Xue, who had been sipping tea with an air of calm detachment, finally spoke. “My polearm will anchor the frontline. I’ll keep enemies at bay and provide an opening for the rest of you to attack.” Her tone was cool, but the determination in her eyes was unmistakable.
“And what about you, Herbie?” Yara asked, turning to the team’s wildcard.
Herbie grinned, his massive axe resting against the table beside him. “I’ll smash whatever gets in our way. Simple as that.”
Yara rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “Alright, then. It sounds like we’ve got a solid formation. But remember, we’re being ranked individually, too. While teamwork’s important, don’t forget to rack up points for yourselves. We all need a decent rank to move forward.”
The table fell into a thoughtful silence as they mulled over her words. Ethan took a bite of his meal, his mind racing with scenarios they might face in the prairie.
“How confident are we in controlling our skills?” he asked, breaking the silence. “The corrupted creatures might not be the toughest enemies out there, but we can’t afford to lose control of our prana.”
Elara nodded, her gaze serious. “I’ve been practicing nonstop since my awakening. My control’s solid, but I won’t underestimate the stress of real combat.”
“Same here,” Zane said. “The crossbow’s a bit tricky with prana infusion, but I think I’ve got it down.”
“I’ve been focusing on precision,” Iris added. “If I miss even one shot, it could cost us.”
Yin Xue’s voice was steady. “Prana control is a matter of discipline. Stay calm, and it won’t betray you.”
Ethan nodded, taking their words to heart. “Then let’s make sure we keep our heads out there. The last thing we need is panic throwing us off balance.”
Yara clapped her hands together. “Alright, team, this is it. Eat up, rest well, and pack smart. Tomorrow’s the big day.”
The team dispersed after finishing their meal, each heading back to their rooms to prepare. Ethan returned to his dorm, where his greenish-black duffel bag lay open on his bed. He began packing methodically, double-checking each item before placing it inside. Spare clothes went in first, followed by essential cooking supplies: butter, salt, sugar, and chili powder. Next came dried and canned foods for emergencies, along with a small kit of ointments made from prana-mutated plants and herbs.
Finally, Ethan picked up a leather-bound diary with the letter “D” embossed on the cover. He hesitated for a moment, running his fingers over the worn surface, before slipping it into a side pocket. The diary was a reminder of his past and a testament to how far he’d come.
As he tidied up his room, his gaze landed on the ridiculous Janus poster that Herbie had put up. The god’s dramatic pose and overly enthusiastic grin never failed to make him shake his head. “Well, Janus,” Ethan muttered, “I finally don’t need actual arrows. Producing prana-made arrows saves me space and effort. Guess I owe you a thanks for that, indirectly.”
With his bag packed and his room in order, Ethan slung the duffel over his shoulder and headed out. Herbie was waiting for him in the hallway, his usual grin in place. “Ready, partner?” Herbie asked, hefting his axe onto his shoulder.
“Ready,” Ethan replied, and together they made their way to the field.
The sight that greeted them took Ethan’s breath away. A massive train hovered just above the ground, its sleek, black carriages stretching as far as the eye could see. The train’s design was both futuristic and regal, with glowing blue runes etched along its sides. Each of its eleven carriages seemed large enough to house an entire squad comfortably.
The recruits gathered around the train, their awe evident. Whispers of amazement spread through the crowd.
“It’s hovering!” one recruit exclaimed.
“Look at those runes. They’re powered by prana,” another added.
Ethan couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer scale of the transport. He’d heard of such trains but had never seen one in person. The hum of its engines and the faint glow of its runes made it feel almost alive.
At the front of the train stood Rudra, his imposing figure cutting a sharp silhouette against the afternoon sun. His voice boomed across the field, silencing the crowd. “Recruits! Form up by teams. I will call out your names. When your team is called, board the train in an orderly fashion. No pushing, no shoving.”
He began reading out names, his deep voice resonating with authority. Teams stepped forward one by one, boarding the train with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Finally, Rudra called Ethan and his team.
Ethan and his teammates exchanged glances, a shared determination passing between them. As one, they stepped forward, their boots crunching against the gravel path. The train’s door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a spacious, well-lit interior.
Without a word, they entered the train.