They left the barracks and headed to the cafeteria.

“You guys are fast! Are you already in your suits?” Kay said, surprised, as she adjusted her own equipment.

“My father already told us about the mission,” Mira replied with a discreet smile.

“Have you talked to him yet?” Kay exclaimed, arching an eyebrow.

“Yes,” Mira confirmed, crossing her arms.

“I see... that’s why he was acting that way.” Kay thought, remembering Takemichi’s strange behavior earlier.

While Kay was lost in her thoughts, the recruits around her watched them curiously, whispering among themselves. Kay and the others joined the cafeteria line.

“Are you going to have breakfast with us?” Mira asked, surprised to see Kay pick up a tray.

“I’ve lost a lot of nutrients. I need to replenish them. This time, coffee alone won’t do!” Kay replied, rubbing her empty stomach.

— I guessed, judging by how much you sweated and how many days you haven’t eaten. — Mira said, with a worried tone.

Kay looked around, frowning.

— Those looks are already bothering me.

The recruits in the row continued to stare at them. Kay looked away to the table of veterans, who were also watching them from the corner. He sighed before turning to them.

— I don’t hold a grudge. It’s normal to feel scared after pressure like that. So, I forgive you! — Kay declared, raising his voice to be heard.

The veteran leaders got up from their chairs and approached.

— Let us apologize for what happened. — one of them said, with a sincere look.

— We didn’t mean to act that way. — Ryuji added.

Kay waved her hand, trying to end the subject.

— You’re all forgiven. Now stop staring at me like that. This is bizarre!

— Congratulations on your recovery. — Lena said, with a gentle smile.

“Thank you,” Kay replied, relieved.

The veterans returned to their desks, and Kay muttered softly:

“These people are too serious…”

“They’re soldiers. It’s only natural,” Raven commented, shrugging.

Kay tilted her head and smiled sideways.

“Are you serious because you’re a soldier, or are you a soldier because you’re serious?”

“I confess I don’t understand,” Raven replied, frowning.

At that moment, Kay’s communicator vibrated. He looked at the message and sighed.

“I see… I don’t want to draw attention, but I don’t know about you. Several reporters from the kingdom will be there, along with the royal family.”

“Wear a mask?” Raven asked, surprised.

“Officially, I’m the leader of the fifth squad. Unknown appearance, hidden by a mask,” Kay explained, putting the device in her pocket.

Mira narrowed her eyes.

“You’re having fun with this, aren’t you?” Kay came closer and whispered in her ear:

— Think about the captain and the leaders. You saw at the festival how the public always stopped them more than the other soldiers. I don't want that for myself.

— I understand the logic, but I see ulterior motives in this. — Raven said, with an accusatory look.

— There's no such thing! — Kay retorted, looking away.

— I know... — Raven replied, looking at him.

The silence was interrupted by Takemichi, who appeared in the cafeteria with firm steps.

— What are you doing?! — he exclaimed, crossing his arms.

— Going to get coffee. — Kay replied matter-of-factly.

— But you really are an imbecile. If you're going to be the first on the mission, why are you at the end of the line?! — Takemichi exploded, pointing at them.

— They woke up first and are waiting. It's not fair to take their place. — Kay replied calmly.

— Take your squad to the front! — Takemichi ordered impatiently.

— Okay, okay! Let's go, guys. — Kay said, raising her hands in surrender.

As they passed by the recruits, Kay couldn't resist and commented:

— Just so you know, it was the captain who ordered this. I didn't want to, but since he asked, I can't refuse.

— Be quiet and move on! — Mira said, pulling Kay by the arm.

— Excuse me! — Kay finished, waving to the recruits as he passed.

Takemichi, now alone, clenched his fists, gritting his teeth.

"Every day that passes, I feel more like finishing him off..." — he thought, looking at Kay from a distance.

In the courtyard

Later, Kay approached Alex, who seemed excited.

— Is that true? — Kay asked, curious.

— Yes! Our division got another helicopter, and I'm the pilot! — Alex replied, full of pride.

— And I'll be the co-pilot, if I don't have to go in the truck they gave us. — Brenda finished.

— And you're going to stay in our squadron? — Kay asked, surprised.

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— Yes! — Alex confirmed.

— Okay then. Congratulations to both of you! — Kay said, patting Alex on the shoulder.

— Thank you! — they replied, almost at the same time.

Kay put his hand on his chin, thoughtful.

— Since it’s just us in the squad, I don’t think we’ll be using the truck any time soon. Let’s get going!

“Okay!” the others said in unison.

While they were flying in the helicopter, Kay adjusted the mask on her face.

“When I’m wearing this, call me leader. Don’t use my real name,” he said firmly.

“You’re taking this too seriously,” Mira said, laughing.

Kay leaned toward her discreetly and whispered:

“Imagine we’re in town, on a date, away from your father. If we both know each other, people will be bothering us all the time.”

Mira, blushing, put on her mask without saying anything.

— Second thoughts! — San muttered, smiling.

— Being recognized is cool, but being mysterious seems cooler. — Thais said, adjusting her mask as well.

— I guess, on my day off, I don't want people bothering me either. — Viviane added, putting on her mask and adjusting her outfit.

— I didn't think I'd be famous one day... it's better to avoid it! — San said, adjusting the mask to his face.

Dan nodded silently and put on his mask as well.

— Wearing a mask doesn't bother me at all. — Slayer adjusted his own mask with an almost satisfied smile.

— What nonsense... — Fiona grumbled, crossing her arms.

Sarah, without saying anything, followed suit and put on her mask.

— It might be something that ends up differentiating our squad from the others. — Kratos raised his head with determination as he put on his mask.

Kay observed the group. Almost everyone was masked. He crossed his arms and declared enthusiastically:

— Almost everyone is wearing a mask. It would be amazing if the entire squad adopted this as their trademark... but I'm not going to force anyone!

"Don't put pressure on her!" Mira warned, looking at Fiona.

"Sorry!" Kay raised her hands, pretending to surrender.

He took out his cell phone and examined it thoughtfully.

"I'll call Emilia. She wanted to know how today was going to be."

"I know she's your friend... and princess. But, Kay, she's a civilian! You can't share army missions with her." Mira looked at him seriously.

"But I already said I would show her! Poor thing... love, she was sad she couldn't come with her parents." Kay turned to her with an almost pleading look.

"I'm not Mira now." She pointed to her mask. "I'm wearing a mask, remember?"

"Right... vice captain, then?"

"Not either!" Mira shook her head.

"What do you mean?" Kay was confused.

— It can't be something that identifies me outside of the mask.

Kay thought for a moment, then raised a finger in suggestion:

— Let's number you according to your updated power level!

The recruits immediately perked up. It was the first time since joining the army that they would know who had the highest power level. Kay stood in the center of the group, her firm posture inspiring attention.

— You seem excited. So that you're not just numbers, let's call you Alphas.

He pointed to Raven with an approving smile:

— Raven, you'll be Alpha 1.

Kratos stepped forward.

— Alpha 2. — Kay declared, followed by a gesture to Slayer. — And you, Alpha 3.

Kay scanned the rest of them with her eyes, keeping her tone firm but welcoming.

— Fiona, Alpha 4. Thais, Alpha 5. Mira... Alpha 6.

Mira raised her head, hiding a small smile behind her mask. The other recruits exchanged curious glances as Kay continued:

— Sarah, Alpha 7. Viviane, Alpha 8. Dan, congratulations, you'll be Alpha 9. San, Alpha 10.

San crossed his arms, nodding, as Kay continued:

— Sky, Alpha 11. Brenda, Alpha 12. And finally, Alex, our Alpha 13.

He looked around.

— Any questions?

— And you? — Raven asked, with her arms crossed.

Kay blinked in surprise.

“Damn, I forgot about myself!” He gave an embarrassed laugh, but soon regained his serious tone. “We’re not going to change anything. You can call me Alpha Zero... or simply Leader.”

Thais laughed softly.

“In the end, we’re still in the same position.”

Kay shook her head.

“That’s true, but you guys got a boost after training! It’s close, but Fiona was the one who increased her suit compatibility the most.”

“Me?!” Fiona was surprised, her eyes widening.

Thais smiled and gave Fiona a light push on the shoulder.

“That’s true. I remember that we were both tied when we came in, but Kay put you in front of me without hesitation.”

“I don’t feel like I did anything different from them!” Fiona said, with a mix of confusion and doubt in her voice.

Kay crossed her arms, looking at the group.

— I would say that Raven is currently at the level of a leader. But remember, you will also have increases in suit compatibility over time. The advantage for you is that you still have a chance to evolve. The other soldiers, however, have already reached their limit.

Kratos frowned, leaning forward.

— You mean the level the soldiers are at now is the level they will remain at? — he exclaimed incredulously.

Kay nodded slightly, but maintained a cautious tone.

— It is just a hypothesis. Before, the soldiers could increase their compatibility, which gave them more power. But now, they already have the power and compatibility they have acquired so far. What I believe is that the ghouls in the suits can still continue to evolve. But what they were supposed to give... has already been given.

The recruits exchanged apprehensive glances, processing Kay's words.

A voice rang out over the radio, breaking the tension:

“I understand your logic, but what about the exchange of interests?” Fernanda asked directly.

“Who did you wiretap this time, Fernanda?” Kay exclaimed.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Fernanda said, her voice sounding slightly defensive.

Kay raised an eyebrow.

“That question I asked... wasn’t over the radio.”

“Ah...” Fernanda murmured hesitantly, realizing she had been caught.

Kay turned to Kratos, who had been silently observing the interaction until then.

“Kratos?” Kay exclaimed, her tone inquisitive.

“That was an order.” Kratos replied, without hesitation, but with a touch of resignation in his voice.

Kay sighed and shook her head, as if she had already expected that answer.

“I imagine...,” he said with a tired smile. Then, she turned her attention back to the radio. “I’m not going to give you answers, Fernanda. You’re the scientist here.” — How mean! — Fernanda exclaimed, with a slightly dramatic tone over the radio.

— Kratos, leave that wiretap here. — Kay said, seriously.

— Don't do that! — Fernanda shouted over the radio.

— If you had asked to follow the mission this way, then you could have allowed it! — Kay said, gesturing for Kratos to take off the wiretap with an air of authority.

— Would you really? — Fernanda exclaimed, a nervous laugh escaping her lips.

— Sure, but this time you'll stay quiet, listening to the wonderful sound of the helicopter! — Kay replied, with a smile that showed she already knew she was winning.

— How mean... we're together for the same cause! — Fernanda grumbled, trying to maintain her composure.

Kay looked at her with a sideways smile and said, still without losing her composure:

— I'll give the wiretap to the captain, and he'll be the one to decide what to do.

Kratos trembled slightly, listening to Kay's words.

— No need for that! — Fernanda protested, trying to avoid further complications.

— What's up? I insist on delivering it to the captain personally! — Kay said, her voice carrying a subtle but firm threat. — I'll make sure he receives it, personally.

— Sorry... attach the wiretap to the outside of the helicopter, we'll be able to hear a little now! — Fernanda said, resigned.

The radio crackled, and Brenda, with her clear and firm voice, announced:

— We're coming!

Kay smiled and, in a playful tone, teased:

— Who here wants to be heard for the good of humanity?

— No need to humiliate me too! — Fernanda replied, exasperated over the radio.

The surrounding soldiers started raising their hands, excited by the idea.

— At least you're in luck, you can choose any one from the squad to follow! — Kay said, with a defiant laugh.

— Thanks, guys, I love you, but I hate you, Kay! — Fernanda replied, over the radio, her voice full of sarcasm.

— So much hostility! — Kay laughed, undeterred.

Fernanda, not missing the opportunity to mock, continued:

— I'll follow Raven then. Kratos would be good, but his weapon makes too much noise! I'm under your care, Raven!

Kay, with a mischievous smile, commented:

— How cute...

— I'll punch you when I see you again! — Fernanda threatened, laughing over the radio.

— Okay, sorry! — Kay hurried to answer, trying to avoid another war of words.

The soldiers continued listening until they reached Ravena.

— No ghouls spotted, getting ready to land! — Alex said, with professional seriousness.

Slayer, without wasting time, asked:

— Have you decided whether or not to wear the mask?

Fiona looked at the others and, with a sigh of resignation, replied:

— Okay, since you're wearing it, it would be strange if I were the only one not to wear it.

Kay, with an almost instructional tone, added:

— It gives you extra protection and doesn't even bother you once you get used to it. Fernanda actually made a good choice!

Fernanda's voice sounded over the radio, full of sarcasm:

— Bow down before me and kiss my foot, Kay!

— Not me! Now let us do the mission. — Kay said, with an amused smile.

The helicopter finally landed, and the sound of the blades faded.

— Good luck! — Fernanda said over the radio, her voice carrying a slight irony.

— Thanks! — Kay replied, with a defiant tone, before turning off the radio.

The helicopter stopped completely, and the soldiers began to disembark, ready for the mission.