“Over the next three months, you will be taught, trained, and evaluated in various areas. Many of you will become officers; however, the primary focus is on a select group that will be chosen to become Rangers. Because of this, pay attention. You will have to pass three of the following tests.” Caine explained.
The cadets had been restless just seconds before, whispering about every detail regarding the professor and what to expect in the upcoming weeks. With just a few words, the entire room came to a halt. Not a single breath could be heard.
“There are three main types of missions that both Officers and Rangers participate in. The first is in Research and Reconnaissance, where we must find, develop, or investigate information, equipment, or location.” Caine continued.
In the center of the room, various holograms of planets were displayed. After a few moments, different ships from the Orks appeared, followed by some pieces of weapons that the cadets couldn’t recognize.
“The second type of mission is Defense. Currently, the New Earth Army is spread across dozens of planets. After the third wave, we acquired enough technology to populate the solar system and nearby systems. However, most of those planets became targets for the Orks.” Caine walked between the holograms while explaining.
The weapons' holograms disappeared, replaced by projections of the Moon, Mars, and several other planets. Each one was briefly showcased with aerial images of its colonies.
“Finally, the third type of mission is Assault. Our armies have a hard time against the Orks in a frontal battle. However, there are special infiltration and assault missions that are carried out to undermine the opponent's position.”
Caine continued to walk between the pulpit and the front row of the bleachers. His arms were hidden behind his back as he analyzed the students with each step.
“Therefore, each month of your training will focus on one of these types of missions, and at the end of the month, there will be a challenge. Although these are moments of evaluation for the Ranger Academy, every exercise, every training session, and every excursion will be considered part of your evaluation as an officer.”
The officer returned to the pulpit and began typing on a transparent keyboard. After a few seconds, the desks before the cadets started to move. The top of the desks opened sideways, revealing an item inside.
“While the three missions are common to all of us, it doesn’t mean that you will specialize in all of them.”
The item became visible to the cadets: it was a gauntlet. Oliver recognized the item; it was very similar to what the Ranger he had faced during the test used.
“Each officer or Ranger has their specialty, which will not be different for you. In the coming days, you will undergo three types of training.” Caine stopped for a moment while the recruit's attention was still focused on the gauntlet.
“You will still have classes with me, where I will present important content for each officer, ranging from tactics and war strategies to the geography of exoplanets.”
The professor walked to the first row and picked up one of the gauntlets.
“You will also receive physical training. These will push your bodies to their limits, helping you develop your stats, boons, and skills. Finally, the third type will be combat specialty classes. For this reason, each of you will receive this gauntlet.”
Caine raised the gauntlet for the entire room to see. Seeing the students’ eyes focused on him, he continued explaining.
“Each of these contains a weaker artificial Z-Crystal, the same as that used in Artificial Ranger Armors; however, it is 100 times weaker than an Artificial Crystal. Just as an Artificial Crystal used in armor is 100 times weaker than an Original Crystal used in a Ranger Armor. Therefore, you will not be able to use it to wear an official Ranger Armor. But you can access your Status Page to monitor your development.”
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The professor returned to the room's front and returned the gauntlet to the desk.
“You will be responsible for your gauntlets; you must never lose them. Besides the Status Page, it has other functions you will learn about in other classes. However, the most important thing right now is for you to explore your compositions. Discover what’s best and worst about you to understand which combat specialty to choose.”
Again, Caine typed on the keyboard at the pulpit, and more images appeared.
“You will have four options. First, hand-to-hand combat. Second, combat using Ranger Weapons. Third, combat using Energy, and finally, combat using Crystal Weapons.”
The professor finally paused for a few seconds, allowing the room to return to murmurs. Many students were already planning where to focus their time and where they would fit best.
“Any questions?” Caine asked the recruits.
While some students asked questions of the professor, Oliver observed the gauntlet. It wasn’t ornamented and appeared to be simply made of steel. However, it was light and fit easily on the boy’s arm. Inside the gauntlet, padding made it comfortable to wear. After putting it on, two buckles locked the equipment in place.
Besides Oliver, Alan was lost in thought. He knew what type of combat his family usually selected, but even so, the boy wanted other opinions and to explore what he could choose. Without thinking twice, the boy raised his hand.
“Professor, among the four specialties, which characteristics do you consider essential for each of them?” Alan asked.
Caine turned to the young cadet. His face was serious as he pondered the question. The professor brought one hand to his face and scratched his cheek.
“That’s a good question, but it’s difficult. Each combat specialty can fit any type of Boon. It depends on how you will utilize it. Instead, I’ll explain a bit more about the benefits of each one, and I hope that helps you decide.”
The room’s attention returned to the topic; even Oliver, who had been engrossed in his gauntlet, looked back at the professor.
“In hand-to-hand combat, the main characteristic is the short distance to your opponent. You can specialize in Strength or Agility. But if you lack endurance and take a hit from an Ork, you might be taken out of the fight after the first blow.”
As he narrated, the captain moved to the center of the room. He raised both arms to form a guard and executed several quick and precise movements. Some students could follow along, as it was the standard martial art of the army, while others were simply amazed by observing the motions.
Alan and Oliver had already discarded this specialty. While Oliver had agility, he remembered the pain of receiving an Ork’s attack and didn’t want to experience that again. As for Alan, agility and endurance were definitely his weak points.
“Except for this specialty, the others will somehow involve Energy. Ranger Weapons are manifestations of your connection with your Boon, but they consume the Energy your body produces to function. They can be short or long-range, and after good training, they tend to lower their energy consumption.”
As soon as the professor finished explaining, he extended one hand, and quickly, small energy particles gathered. Moments later, a rifle materialized in his hand. The weapon was almost as tall as the captain, with a long barrel and a scope mounted for high-precision, long-distance shots.
Alan didn’t like his Ranger Weapon; although it had a good combination with his Boon, he didn’t have the skills to wield it effectively. On the other hand, Oliver was leaning toward specializing in his Ranger Weapon. Even though he was still a complete amateur in any form of combat, his Ranger Weapon was the only thing that had saved him in the past.
“Finally, the last two specialties are more restrictive. Energy Combat utilizes the pure energy from your body to interact with your opponents. It demands high control and sometimes boons that match this combat style.”
Quickly, the rifle in the captain's hand vanished. In its place, several particles of energy began to gather, merging until small bursts of lightning burst out and returned to the professor's hand.
“Crystal Weapons are by far the most restrictive. They are weapons forged completely using Z Crystals; no doubt they are one of the most powerful weapons that can be created; however, they are extremely rare and expensive.”
The look in the students' eyes made it clear they were expecting some sort of demonstration, but the professor remained unmoved at the room’s center.
"I can see the look in your eyes, but it's pointless. I don't have a Crystal Weapon, and even recordings of them are rare. This combat form is offered by default, but we rarely have students for it, as nowadays, only direct heirs of great Houses tend to have access to this type of weapon," Caine concluded his explanation.
The conclusion of the explanation took up the rest of the time they had for the first class.
“Each of you will have until tomorrow to decide on your combat specialty,” Caine concluded the first day with the Second Battalion. This was one of the classes he was most excited to teach; he could feel that this class had a rare gathering of talents.
While several students had already left the room or were discussing their first class in the hallways, Oliver finally had some free time. With his new gauntlet, he would finally understand what his Boon and Glitch were.
‘Status Page!’