[Location: Sky Above Verm Plain – Midday]

Drifter leaned back in the farthest chair on the command bridge, his gaze sweeping over the chaos unfolding around him. The skies above Verm Plain blazed with streaks of blue energy beams, their sharp arcs slicing through the clouds and casting fleeting flashes of light across the battlefield.

Alina's Clavusia Cruiser, a dark gray triangular vessel, remained stationary, its cannons firing precision beams toward the target. In stark contrast, Jaxon’s Clavusia Cruiser darted forward at high speed, fearlessly closing the distance with daring maneuvers. Despite absorbing several hits, Jaxon’s cruiser executed a quick barrel roll, dodging further fire with remarkable precision.

As the battle raged on, a relentless barrage of energy beams struck Alina’s Cruiser, ripples of power cascading across its shields, sending a visible shimmer through the ship’s protective barrier.

Drifter let out a soft snort, his expression a mix of mild amusement and admiration.

"He’s definitely used to this," he thought.

The heavy sound of mechanical gears echoed suddenly. Massive doors on the Clavusia Cruiser slid open, revealing rows of Skystriker Astrix launching into the sky in perfect formation. Drifter noted their sleek design: slender bodies, delta-trapezoidal wings, and dual outward-slanting tail fins. The glowing Evocaier Order insignia, a radiant blue lotus surrounded by ethereal wing patterns, gleamed brightly on one wing.

The hum of anti-gravity engines roared like thunder as bursts of blue energy streaked from the wings of the Skystriker Astrix. The beams collided between fighters, yet no destruction followed—blue energy shields flared momentarily, absorbing the impacts without visible damage.

Pursuing beams lit the sky, bombarding both teams' formations in an unrelenting dance of light and fury. Explosions of energy ricocheted off hulls, turning the simulated battlefield into a dazzling cosmic spectacle.

A sharp beep pierced the command bridge. Drifter’s eyes snapped to a shadow forming in the haze, jagged and massive. His grip tightened on the armrest, unease creeping in.

“Wait… something’s off,” Jaxon Virelli muttered, his gaze fixed on the display.

The holographic screen flickered, revealing a massive jet-black vessel, its sleek, symmetrical cylindrical form tapering to an arrowhead-like front. Red lights pulsed rhythmically along its hull, their deliberate glow exuding a silent menace.

"That’s not one of ours," said Luna Sabriel, breaking Drifter’s concentration. He turned to her, but her piercing gaze remained fixed on the approaching silhouette.

The chatter among the students on the command bridge ceased instantly, replaced by a suffocating silence. Even their breathing felt slower, heavier. Drifter swallowed hard, his eyes darting back to Jaxon.

"This is Jaxon of Clavusia Cruiser. Unknown skyship, identify your affiliation immediately, or we will engage," Jaxon’s voice rang out firmly, slicing through the tension.

There was no reply. Drifter’s voice was low but sharp.

"Still no response?"

Before anyone could react, the side hatch of the unknown ship opened, unleashing a swarm of black Skystrikers. They shot out at terrifying speed, their aggressive, delta-winged silhouettes cutting through the air like predatory shadows.

The sky erupted in a cascade of red energy beams, streaking with deadly precision. One of the student Astrix Skystrikers took a direct hit, its blue shield flaring brightly in a last effort to absorb the damage before shattering. The resulting explosion rocked the command bridge, the booming sound like a hammer pounding into their chests.

Jaxon didn’t waver. The ship shook violently, but his voice remained steady and commanding.

"All crew, switch to combat mode!"

The displays across the command bridge shifted instantly. Training interfaces vanished, replaced by a real-time threat map. Drifter felt his heartbeat quicken.

Nearby, Sloane Gast stared at the screen, his face pale.

"They’re too fast..." he muttered, his voice hoarse as if choked by the sudden intensity.

Reine Lindt's hands hovered unsteadily over the console, his fingers trembling as he struggled to act. .

"What... what do we do?" His voice broke the tense silence, weak and uneven.

Meanwhile, Lorcan Grindelwald gripped his cockpit controls so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"This is getting out of hand!" he shouted, his wide eyes darting in panic.

Drifter’s gaze returned forward, catching sight of their cruiser descending toward a field filled with lavium—a mysterious material scattered in geometric shapes, some as cubes, others as spheres, spread across the ground and floating mid-air. Its surface glimmered with a mix of deep purple and electric blue, radiating an otherworldly danger. Drifter’s chest tightened. As far as he knew, no one had ever managed to extract lavium—a material so unforgiving, it obliterated anything that dared to make contact.

"Is he really going there?" Drifter’s pulse quickened, the thought pounding in his mind as the tension mounted.

"Alina, follow me," Jaxon’s voice resolute and commanding.

The ship surged forward, seamless yet unyielding in its relentless drive. Drifter’s eyes flicked to the right above, where Alina’s Clavusia cruiser darted through the chaos, unleashing a barrage of glowing blue beams. The blasts tore into the tight formation of black Skystrikers that swarmed around her.

Her squad of Skystrikers moved with precision, weaving through the fray as arcs of crimson and electric blue energy beams crisscrossed the skies. Each exchange lit the air in violent bursts, the crackling hum of charged particles creating a symphony of destruction. The battlefield shimmered with erratic light, a chaotic fireworks display of lethal intent.

Trailing behind their cruiser, Astrix Skystrikers and black Skystrikers engaged in a furious pursuit. Ships darted and spiraled, their movements deadly and calculated, each one fighting to outmaneuver the other in the swirling tempest of aerial combat.

Ahead, the view shifted abruptly, and Drifter’s chest tightened as the Lavia Ancient Ruin came into full view. The entire structure seemed alive, glowing with hues of deep purple and electric blue. The paths were narrow, winding strips of lavium, suspended mid-air and pulsating with an otherworldly energy. The twists and sharp turns of the labyrinth glimmered dangerously, the glowing surface reflecting the chaotic beams from above.

One of the Astrix Skystrikers trailing behind veered slightly off course as it approached a sharp bend. Drifter watched as a dark blue surge of energy erupted from the lavium, striking the Astrix’s glowing blue shield. For a brief moment, the shield flared brilliantly, but then the ship vanished—disintegrated completely, leaving behind only a faint ripple in the void where it had been.

The battle raged on behind them, red and blue beams cutting through the air like violent streaks of lightning. Yet, Jaxon’s cruiser pressed forward, navigating the twisting paths of the ruin with unnerving precision. The glowing lavium structures blurred past, perilously close, as the ship deftly maneuvered each sharp turn, refusing to slow down.

On her cruiser, Alina froze for a brief moment, her eyes widening in disbelief before clarity snapped her back into focus.

"The Dead Zone? This is insane," she thought, her gaze darting toward the black Skystrikers, their relentless red energy beams ripping through her fleet. A violent tremor shook the ship, her attention pulled to the large holographic screen flickering with urgent warnings.

Her eyes shifted to the lavia ancient ruin below, her decision made in an instant.

"Wait... this might work," she murmured, gripping the controls.

With precision, Alina’s Clavusia Cruiser veered sharply, diving into the twisting pathways of the Lavia Ancient Ruin. Her team of Skystrikers followed closely, navigating treacherously narrow corridors, their ships brushing perilously close to the lavium.

"Creator… guide us," whispered Nadia Fernleaf, her knuckles white as she clutched the controls.

Alma Rosenthal miscalculated a turn, her Skystriker grazing the glowing lavium. A surge of dark blue energy erupted, and in an instant, her ship vanished, erased without a trace.

"Ms. Alina… we’re not trained for this," her desperate voice crackled as she stood from her command nexus chair

Alina’s focus didn’t falter. Her voice cut through the chaos.

"All units, stay high and avoid the debris," she ordered, her calm resolve steadying her team.

Meanwhile, the black Skystrikers pressed on. Some veered too close to the glowing lavium, triggering surges of dark blue energy that consumed them instantly, leaving nothing but faint, shimmering traces in the air. Others maneuvered with alarming precision, darting through the chaos like relentless shadows, impossible to shake.

On Jaxon’s Clavusia Cruiser, a grin spread across his face, his eyes alight with exhilaration.

Stolen novel; please report.

"No escape now," he muttered, releasing a barrage of blue projectiles from turrets encircling his ship. Two black Skystrikers exploded in fiery bursts, their fragments scattering through the ruins.

"Nice shot," Alina commended over the comms, her tone sharp but focused as her eyes darted between tactical displays and the sky.

The black Skystrikers closed in on Jaxon’s Cruiser, unleashing a relentless barrage of red energy beams. Crimson streaks cut through the air, striking the cruiser’s hull with deadly precision. Explosions rippled across the ship, sending violent tremors through the command bridge. The large holographic screen blinked a warning, sections of the triangular ship structure on the left and right glowing an ominous red.

"Damn it..." Jaxon growled through clenched teeth, his jaw tightening.

"This is bad... We've got a hull breach," he said sharply, his voice cutting through the chaos.

Flames licked hungrily at the ship’s interior, casting flickering shadows across the walls. The ceiling groaned under the strain, and sparks rained down, filling the air with the acrid stench of burning metal. The alarms blared, their piercing cries echoing through the chaos on the bridge.

In an instant, the Ice Magic Rune activated, ancient glyphs glowing with a pale blue light. Frost spread rapidly across the interior, smothering the flames and cooling the searing heat. A moment later, ship automatons—small, spherical repair drones—whirred to life, emerging from their hidden compartments. Their sensors scanned the damaged sections, prioritizing areas secured by the frost. With mechanical precision, they darted through the smoke, welding cracks and sealing breaches, restoring stability to the ship’s fragile hull.

In the middle of it all, Drifter moved with precision. Blue energy radiated from his hands as he approached an injured student, channeling a Healing Surge with calm efficiency.

"Stay with me. You’ll be fine," he said softly, his eyes sharp and alert despite his steady tone.

The student looked up at him, eyes weak but grateful.

"Thank you... sir," they whispered faintly.

Nearby, Luna remained calm amidst the turmoil. With a sweep of her hand, an icy mist materialized, spiraling and smothering the flames. The suffocating heat was replaced by the chilling embrace of Luna’s frosty power, bringing relief to the damaged interior.

Jaxon stared intently at the Vestra System map displayed before him. Small blue dots moved closer to a large blue triangle, while clusters of red dots loomed ominously behind.

"Alright... let’s stir things up a little," he murmured with a faint smirk curling on his lips.

His ship surged upward, leaving the chasing black Skystrikers in its wake. Dozens of ships weaved through the turbulent skies, engaged in a deadly aerial dance. But Jaxon’s expression stayed composed, exuding unshakable confidence.

His commanding and firm.

"Alina, hit them now!"

Without hesitation, Alina Walsh responded, her voice tight but focused.

"Now. Don’t let them regroup."

Her team of Skystrikers was already in position. Streams of Arcane Missiles shot out, leaving streaks of glowing blue in their wake. The missiles chased down the black Skystrikers, striking with devastating accuracy. The sky lit up with fiery explosions as the enemy ships were destroyed, their wreckage plummeting into the ruins below.

Abruptly, the remaining black Skystrikers began to retreat, followed closely by the massive, unidentified ship with glowing red thrusters.

A distant rumble echoed through the air. Drifter turned, narrowing his eyes as a triangular formation of gray ships—large and small—slowly emerged on the horizon. Their polished hulls reflected the faint sunlight.

It was the Nethia Defense Fleet.

Lorcan Grindelwald scoffed, folding his arms with a shake of his head.

"Well, there’s your late heroes," he said, his tone dripping with sarcastic amusement.

Reine Lindt kept his gaze fixed on the screen, barely nodding as he muttered softly,

"At least they won’t dare to come back now."

Inside the ships, the students exhaled collective sighs of relief. Their tense bodies sagged into their seats, exhaustion finally overtaking them. The danger had passed, but the lingering tension in the air clung to them like a shadow.

Jaxon leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk pulling at his lips. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction, though a trace of vigilance remained. He let out a short laugh, rough but triumphant.

"Good work, everyone. Too bad their Skystriker operators were just amateurs. Ha!"

Sloane wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest rising and falling with deep, relieved breaths.

"Huff... that was... intense," he muttered, his shoulders finally loosening.

Lorcan Grindelwald slumped in his seat with a dramatic exhale, releasing his white-knuckled grip on the controls.

"At least now... no more flying for a while," he quipped, his voice tinged with humor and relief.

Luna Sabriel glanced at Drifter, her gaze softening at the weariness etched on his face. Her once-rigid posture had eased, her arms now resting loosely at her sides.

"What do you think about aerial combat, Drifter?" she asked, her voice calm but curious.

Drifter let out a long breath, rubbing his temple with slow, deliberate movements. His eyes flicked to the flashing damage reports on the console before leaning back against the wall. His shoulders sank as the tension ebbed.

"I hope I won’t have to face aerial battles again anytime soon," he replied quietly.

As the Clavusia Cruisers made their slow return to base, a solemn silence filled the cabins. The skies were clear now, but the weight of what they had endured lingered in the air. The crew braced themselves for the upcoming debrief, each lost in their thoughts, reflecting on what lay ahead.

This had been more than just an exercise—it was a stark reminder. Danger, when it strikes, is never just a game.

The crew of the Clavusia Cruisers would never forget that.

[Location: Nethia Airport – Docking Area – Late Afternoon – Year: 1092 Ad Felicitas]

The Clavusia Cruiser-Class Skyships landed with a thunderous tremor, their aging frames groaning under the strain. The air around Nethia Airport was colder now, laden with the memories of an unexpected assault. The students disembarked quietly, their steps heavy, their postures reflecting the burden of battle.

They paused, exchanging uneasy glances, before heading toward the Debrief Room.

Inside, the room was steeped in silence, broken only by the low hum of monitors. The students stood along the walls, arms folded tightly or fidgeting nervously. A sense of uncertainty hung over them, amplifying the weight of the moment.

Jaxon leaned casually against a console, a sly grin tugging at the corner of his lips. He crossed his arms.

“Today was something else, huh?” he chuckled softly, his eyes darting around the room.

“Guess there’s a lot to unpack in this debrief.”

Across the room, Alina Walsh stood rigid, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"I’ve never seen a ship like that before... red evocyte beams, red thrusters—it’s something new," she said, her voice steady but laced with tension. Her jaw tightened as the battle replayed in her mind.

"We need to report this to the Grandmaster. Immediately."

By the window, Luna Sabriel stood motionless, her fingers lightly tapping against her hip. Her narrowed eyes and furrowed brow hinted at the storm of thoughts beneath her calm exterior. Her breathing was deep and controlled.

"There’s no way sky pirates could customize a ship that advanced… That thing has to be a new weapon for some nation," she said, her voice steady and sure.

Jaxon leaned back further against the console, his smirk widening as he glanced at Alina.

"Who knows? Seems pretty dumb to waste all that tech on a training ship," he said, his tone casual, as if the whole thing were just an elaborate joke.

Alina shot him a sharp look, her lips tightening.

"Who’d be bold enough to attack us? And if it’s just a weapon test, why waste the effort on us?" she said, her steady tone edged with frustration.

Across the room, Luna remained still, her gaze fixed on the window. Her fingers occasionally clenched into fists before relaxing again. Her breath caught briefly as the image of the Black Cube flickered in her mind, but she stayed silent, letting the unease simmer behind her composed expression.

The room began to buzz with anxious whispers. The students shifted nervously in their spots or clutched at their belts. Uneasy glances were exchanged, filled with doubt.

Jaxon broke the tension, pushing off the console and approaching Alina, his eyes gleaming mischievously.

"Gotta admit, you didn’t do too bad back there, Alina," he quipped, his tone light but laced with mockery. He tilted his head, flashing a mischievous smirk.

"For someone who’s always nagging me, you’re pretty good at keeping up."

Alina sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly, the sharpness in her eyes beginning to soften.

“Your unpredictable methods actually worked to our advantage,” she admitted, a brief smile flickering across her lips.

“I’ll give you that—there’s something to be said for... unconventional strategies.”

Jaxon stepped closer, his grin turning smug.

"Well, well, a compliment from you? Didn’t think I’d live to see the day," he teased, but his voice dipped slightly, a rare flicker of seriousness cutting through.

"Seriously though, you should loosen up once in a while. Might do you some good."

Alina shook her head, letting out a soft sigh. A faint smirk crept onto her lips as she replied, her tone steady and matter-of-fact.

"I’ll let you handle the jokes. Someone’s gotta keep things under control around here."[

At the back of the room, Alma Rosenthal fidgeted nervously, leaning closer to Nadia Fernleaf and whispering.

“Nadia... what do you think about that rumor?”

Nadia stiffened, her face flushing. She turned to Alma, her expression a mix of confusion and embarrassment.

“What rumor, Alma?” she asked softly, her voice tinged with unease.

Alma glanced around, lowering her voice further, her urgency evident.

“There’s a rumor that they’re... dating.”

Nadia froze, her cheeks turning pink as she stammered, her gaze dropping to the floor.

“Maybe...” she whispered hesitantly, her voice barely audible.

Sloane smirked from his seat, catching the exchange.

“Careful, Alma. If Alina hears that, you’re done for.”

Lorcan, always looking for trouble, leaned forward with a sly grin.

“What if we told her?”

Alma went pale, her eyes widening in panic. She raised her hands, trying to stop the teasing before it escalated.

“Stop it, you two! Please, don’t tell her!”

Sensing the rising tension, Reine glanced at the group anxiously, stepping in to intervene.

“Uh, guys... maybe we shouldn’t—”

Lorcan laughed, unfazed.

“Relax, Reine. It’s just a joke. This’ll be hilarious.”

At that moment, Alina noticed the group. Her sharp gaze swept over them as she approached with decisive steps. Her presence silenced the awkward chatter, and she stopped in front of Alma, who was now crimson with embarrassment.

Alina gave a small nod, her eyes steady on Alma, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“Good work, everyone,” she said, her tone softening slightly as she addressed Alma.

“Alma, do you have anything to add?”

Alma, still red-faced, could barely whisper.

“No, ma’am... just... thank you, everyone. Especially Mr. Jaxon and Ms. Alina. We... we survived because of you.”

Loud laughter erupted from Sloane and Lorcan, full and unrestrained.

Reine frowned slightly, his lips pressing together tightly as he glanced at Alma.

Alma clenched her fists, her cheeks burning, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Beside her, Nadia let out a quiet chuckle, her shoulders trembling with suppressed laughter.

At the back of the room, Drifter leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. His gaze was distant, but his eyes scanned every corner of the room.

“Aerial battles... different times, different methods,” he murmured quietly, almost to himself.

He let out a long sigh, staring at the floor briefly before speaking again.

"The threats we’re facing now… they might not just be from Cataclysmaris. This technology… I need to learn how to use it to its fullest."