- Oliver -

"I believe so," the Ranger confirmed. "Because of that, I need the three of you to keep absolute secrecy about these discoveries."

"Sure. But why tell us?" Oliver could understand the need to keep the secret, but he wanted to know why something so dangerous had been shared with them.

John stood up from his chair, his serious gaze sweeping over the group gathered before him. He made a subtle gesture with his hand, indicating that everyone should pay attention.

"Kath must have already explained to you, but I have a talent for controlling Energy," he said, extending one of his hands. Immediately, luminous lines of energy began to spread under the skin of his arm, forming intricate patterns that danced and pulsed with a life of their own. The demonstration of control was impressive, each filament of energy moving with precise finesse.

"However, that's not all. Control over Energy allows me to see and feel things others normally don't. For example, I know you've already evolved twice," John declared, fixing his gaze on Oliver.

"Twice?" Isabela and Katherine exclaimed at the same time, exchanging surprised glances.

Oliver was astonished to be revealed in such a way. He scratched his head a bit, trying to disguise his embarrassment for being discovered so easily.

"Meanwhile, you two have already had one evolution each. Moreover, you're very close to obtaining another," John continued, turning to Isabela and Katherine.

"Are we?" Isabela murmured in a low voice, almost to herself.

Katherine looked at her hands, feeling the latent energy coursing through her body. She thought about the recent battles against dozens of Orks, the times she had pushed beyond her limits. The idea of being so close to the next step was both exciting and intimidating.

"Usually, during the Academy, students achieve, on average, one evolution. Here in this room, we have three individuals who have gone through their first evolution and are reaching the second. This demonstrates your potential and the risks you've taken in recent months," John commented, pausing before proceeding.

He drew a deep breath. "Kath, I realize my words will only strengthen your resolve—and that's exactly what puts you in jeopardy. If I can't dissuade you from this path, then the least I can do is keep you aware of the dangers that encircle us. Besides, it's likely you all will soon join the Rangers. When that time comes, I hope I can rely on you so we can continue sharing vital information," the Ranger said, his voice heavy with gravitas.

"We don't even know if we're going to be Rangers yet," commented Isabela with a faint smile, trying to hide the uncertainty in her voice.

Katherine sighed before speaking. "How is the Academy? Do we at least have a chance to retake it?"

Typically, being eliminated from the exams or expelled meant that one couldn't attend the Academy again. However, their case, and possibly many others, would be considered exceptional after recent events.

"I wouldn't worry about that at the moment," John explained, crossing his arms. "The Academy—not only of New Earth but several others—was impacted by the attacks. Later this day, they will announce a way for students with incomplete processes to carry out some kind of supplementary test. Moreover, all the Houses urgently need new officers and Rangers."

The office's silent environment was broken only by the faint hum of electronic systems. The cold light of the holograms was quickly turned off.

"For now, I would suggest that you continue training until the announcement is made," John concluded, looking at the gauntlet on his wrist. "I'll need to leave you now. They're calling me to start another hearing."

‘I still wanted to ask about him being a Gold Ranger. Weren't there only five colors? I'd better ask Katherine,’ Oliver thought.

The Ranger bid them a quick farewell, leaving the room, and only the trio remained. They exchanged glances before heading back along the path that would take them to the infirmary wing.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Upon returning to their rooms, each lay on their bed, diving into their thoughts.

Oliver felt a wave of relief as he lay on the soft surface. His back, once marked by the scars from prison, was fully healed, leaving only pale lines. He could finally have a good night's sleep.

Oliver fixed his gaze on the ceiling, his hands resting behind his head. Although he was happy to have left the prison, he knew that soon he would have to say goodbye to the girls, which made him uneasy. They had been through so much together that the idea of going separate ways was strange.

"What are your next plans?" Oliver asked, still looking at small points of light that seemed to imitate distant stars.

Isabela was engrossed, fiddling with her gauntlet; finally, she looked up at him.

"Hmm... I think I'll go home. I need to see my parents, especially after these six months." The girl spoke with her eyes fixed on holograms that floated above the gauntlet, showing smiling images of her family. "After that, I don't know."

Oliver nodded thoughtfully. He knew family meant everything to Isabela. She craved adventure, but the perils they'd faced might have been more than she'd anticipated.

"I... will continue training. If John said that, there must be something happening, and soon we should know what the Academy is planning," Katherine explained, with a determined sparkle in her eyes. "And you?"

Oliver hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully.

He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I want... to find out what happened to Alan," he admitted softly. The weight of his friend's uncertain fate pressed heavily on him. "If... if something happened to him, it's my responsibility. I was the one who decided we should return to the city."

The memory of Alan hung between them like a specter. During those first weeks in the prison, they'd speculated endlessly about his fate—clinging to hope one moment, wrestling with despair the next. At times, Oliver's guilt was so overwhelming that he wished he could forget Alan existed, just to make the pain stop. However, he couldn’t allow himself to do that.

Katherine turned to face him fully. "I can get that information," she offered, a resolute edge to her voice. "John must have direct contacts within the Academy. I don't know his House, so approaching his family directly wouldn't be wise, but he can help."

"Thanks, Kath," Oliver said, a faint smile touching his lips. It was the first time he'd used her nickname, and it felt natural, comforting even after all they'd been through.

She returned his smile before striding toward the exit. "I'll see what I can find out."

Silence enveloped the environment, broken only by the distant sound of the ventilation systems. Isabela remained engrossed with her gauntlet while Oliver delved into thoughts about the past and what the future held for them.

--

--

A few hours later, Katherine returned, entering the room suddenly.

"Are you watching the announcement?" she asked, slightly breathless.

"What announcement?" inquired Oliver while Isabela finally diverted her eyes from the holograms.

"Let me see," said Katherine, looking for the room's control. Rummaging one of the tables, she found it and activated the projector embedded in the ceiling.

The noise of machinery and the hiss of the hologram filled the room until, finally, the image was projected in the center of the environment. A man in officer attire appeared, his serious expression reflecting the gravity of the situation.

"They're talking about the Academy," Katherine explained.

"Due to the attacks that have occurred over the past few months, especially during the Academy's training, to avoid harming the students and New Earth, we have decided to conduct a joint process of the last two classes and promote a public evaluation of humanity's next talents," the man at the center of the room announced.

He was in an NEA meeting room where several high-ranking officers, including the five Generals of the Ranger Divisions, were present.

Katherine crossed her arms, clearly skeptical.

"Lies. This isn't to 'avoid harming anyone.' It's because of the various accusations that arose in the last tests, where corruption was one of the mildest," Katherine commented.

"On the first day of next month, we will organize an event on New Earth with all the students from all the colonies. Over a week, two tests will be conducted: one focused on defense operations and another on assault, in addition to the final evaluation for officers and those who wish to become Rangers," the official continued explaining.

"That gives what?" asked Isabela, doing the math mentally. "Fifteen days?"

"Yes," Oliver replied.

"Damn, that's little time," Isabela commented again.

"Those who cannot participate in the test or are not approved in the exams will be allowed to return to the Academy the following year. It will not be considered a withdrawal or expulsion," the official continued explaining.

"That's a relief," sighed Isabela, relieved.

The transmission was coming to an end. It was mentioned that the entire event would be broadcast in real time, and everyone could watch the evaluations. However, it was not informed how the tests would be; everyone would only know at the time.

As soon as the hologram dissipated, Katherine spoke again, with a more serious tone.

"Besides, I wanted to talk about something else. About Alan."