The second year at the academy was a crucible, far more demanding than their first. Though students were allowed to focus on only three subjects now, the pressure was suffocating. Progress wasn’t measured in simple grades anymore—it was about earning enough points to secure a spot in the third year. Every assignment, mission, and evaluation carried the weight of their futures. The mission boards were constantly crowded, with students scrutinizing every listing, calculating risks versus rewards, carefully deciding which ones would push them to the next level.

Among the student body, a buzz of excitement and anxiety permeated the air. Those who had made it to the elite group were the stars—students whose performance set them apart from the rest. The rewards were clear: more prestigious missions, better offers from the orders upon graduation, and an almost guaranteed rise to the highest ranks in their chosen paths. Marge had overheard rumors that Ellie Camberwell, during her third years had already received four offers. It was proof of how coveted the elite group was—and how fiercely students like Marge had to fight to be noticed. She was determined to be one of them.

Marge had no time for mediocrity. While many students were content to scrape by with enough points to advance, she had loftier ambitions. She wasn’t just aiming for the third year; she wanted to secure a place among the academy’s finest. The Phantom Shadows, an elite Stealth Force within Equilibrium, recruited only those with exceptional skills. They specialized in scouting, gathering intelligence, and executing covert missions. Marge was determined to prove she had what it took to be part of their ranks.

Her footsteps echoed through the grand halls of the academy as she approached the mission board, her violet eyes scanning the rows of neatly arranged slips. The past few months had tested her in ways she hadn’t anticipated. Despite her natural talent and relentless work ethic, she felt herself stagnating, her rank frustratingly close to the top but never quite breaking through. Every victory felt hollow when measured against the accomplishments of others. Each success seemed to highlight just how much further she had to go to reach the pinnacle.

Her fingers brushed against the edges of lower-ranked missions—tasks like hunting minor titans or securing safe routes for caravans. These missions might have been enough to guarantee her a spot in the third year, but they weren’t enough to cement her name among the elites. She needed something with stakes, something extraordinary. Something that would make her stand out. Then, her gaze landed on it.

A five-star mission. The slip gleamed with potential, the title bold and foreboding: Killer of Londona. A chill ran down her spine as she read the description. The mission wasn’t just dangerous—it was shrouded in mystery. Londona, the largest city in the western-most hemisphere, lay swallowed by the fog of the Shadow Abyss most of the time. It was a place of legend, a city rarely seen by those who lived outside its borders. A rogue titan had begun a killing spree there, claiming the lives of five victims already, and it seemed no one had dared to take on the mission.

What struck Marge most, however, wasn’t just the danger—it was the way the murders were described. This wasn’t the typical chaotic destruction a rogue titan usually caused. These deaths were precise, methodical, and carried out with alarming efficiency. The city of Londona was steeped in fog, hidden from the world beneath the shadow of its long-forgotten past. The thought of what might be lurking in the mist made her heart race.

"This is it," she muttered under her breath, snatching the mission slip from the board. This was her chance to break through, to prove herself. She folded the mission paper carefully and spun on her heel, heading straight for the courtyard where Hans and Flo would undoubtedly be waiting.

Hans and Flo were sitting by the fountain, as always, their spot for when they needed a break from their constant training. Hans was leaning against a stone pillar, arms crossed, the familiar look of impatience on his face. Flo sat beside him, her auburn hair tousled by the wind, her eyes thoughtful as they gazed at the horizon.

"What took you so long?" Hans called out as Marge approached, his voice light but tinged with curiosity.

Flo glanced up, her brow furrowing. "You’ve got that look again. What did you find?”

Without a word, Marge handed them the mission slip. Hans unfolded it, his eyes scanning the details quickly. His expression shifted from curiosity to alarm as he read. Flo leaned in, her face paling as she read over his shoulder.

"A five-star mission?" Flo’s voice was full of disbelief. "Are you serious? Killer of Londona…”

Hans let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "We’ve only done three- and four-star missions so far, Marge. And now this?”

Marge's eyes glimmered with determination. "Exactly. That’s why we need to take it. Playing it safe isn’t going to get us anywhere. This is the kind of mission that will set us apart. It’s dangerous, it’s a challenge, and it’s exactly what we need to prove we belong among the best.”

Flo sighed, exchanging a glance with Hans. "Marge, I get that you want to climb the rankings, but this? A five-star mission isn’t just harder—it’s deadly. And we’re barely halfway through the year.”

"Which is why this is the perfect time," Marge countered. "We’re not going to make it into the elite group by sticking to safe choices. This mission will test us, and I know we’re ready.”

Hans rubbed his nose, his mind working through the logistics. He scanned the mission details again, considering the risks. Then, a thought struck him—He recalled Neil’s lecture on the different types of titans. In class, they had covered lesser titans—creatures driven by instinct rather than intellect. But this situation felt different. The killings weren’t random; they were calculated, almost deliberate. Lesser titans weren’t known for such behavior.

He met Marge’s eyes, his expression serious. "Are we sure it’s just a rogue lesser titan? The way the murders are described sounds… different. Professor Neil talked about titans that could be more than just the wild, chaotic ones. What if this is one of those?”

Marge frowned, her determination momentarily wavering, but she quickly pushed the doubt aside. "It doesn’t matter what kind of titan it is. We’re taking it on. This is the only chance to prove ourselves.”

Flo, still skeptical, threw up her hands. "Alright, fine. But it says five people are required. We’re only three.”

Marge blinked, momentarily thrown off balance. She had completely forgotten that little detail. Five people were needed for a five-star mission. Who could they ask to join them?

“We need someone to handle support,” Flo said, her brow furrowed in thought. “I can manage the basics of healing, but that won’t be enough. You both barely know any healing techniques, and we can’t afford to go in unprepared.”

Hans and Marge exchanged a look, both of them immediately thinking of the same person. "Ika," Marge said. "Her power over flame would be invaluable. And she’s been training in defense and healing classes, so she’s a perfect fit.”

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——

Marge, Flo, and Hans set off in search of Ika. They first headed toward the lecture halls, hoping to catch her between classes, but there was no sign of her. Their next thought was the academy gardens, but they weren’t sure if she was there. As they walked down the corridor, they bumped into Martin.

He was unrecognizable. His normally tidy, blonde hair was a mess, hanging in disarray around his face, and the dark bags under his blue eyes were so deep it looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. A faint stench of sweat and stale food lingered around him.

"Martin?" Hans said, raising an eyebrow. “You look like you’ve been through a war.”

Flo wrinkled her nose. "You smell like it, too. What happened to you?”

Martin blinked, his gaze unfocused, as though he were still half in a daze. "Hmm?" His voice was slow and groggy, clearly out of it. "Oh, yeah... I’ve been busy. Science project. It's... it's going well.”

Marge stepped forward, shaking him gently by the shoulders. “Martin, where’s Ika?”

The mention of her name seemed to snap him out of his stupor. His blue eyes cleared slightly as he rubbed his face with a groan. "Huh? Oh, yeah. Ika. She’s probably in the garden, tending to her succulents.”

"Thanks," Marge said, giving him a final glance as they turned to leave. Flo paused for a second. "Martin, you really should take a shower. You stink.”

Martin just shrugged, unfazed. “Later."

The trio left him behind, heading straight for the academy gardens. They weren’t sure if Ika was there, but it was their best lead.

The gardens were a peaceful, secluded area, filled with all sorts of plants. When they arrived, they spotted Ika sitting cross-legged, surrounded by rows of carefully arranged succulents. She moved with calm precision, her hands adjusting the plants gently, the golden bells tied to her waist chiming softly with each movement. The sound was soothing, and the sunlight filtering through the trees only added to the serene atmosphere.

Hans was the first to speak. "Hey, Ika," he greeted her with a small smile. "We need your help.”

Ika looked up at the sound of his voice, her face lighting up when she saw the trio. "Hey, what’s up?" she asked, wiping her hands on her apron.

Marge didn’t waste any time. "We’ve got a five-star mission—Killer of Londona. We’re short two people, and we need you.”

Ika blinked at her for a moment, her expression unreadable. She took the mission scroll from Marge’s hands and scanned the details quickly. At first, she hesitated, clearly uncertain. Londona wasn’t a place anyone ventured into lightly, and the stakes were high. But as she looked up, she noticed the determined glint in Marge’s eyes—this wasn’t just about the mission; it was about proving something.

"Londona, huh?" Ika mused, rolling the scroll between her fingers. "That’s a big one. Sounds like a good challenge.”

"You in?" Flo asked, her tone firm. "We need your flame power and your healing skills, and we think you’d be the perfect fit.”

Ika glanced over at the trio, considering their request. "Lorenzo’s busy with his own mission, trying to get into the elite group," she said with a small shrug. "And Martin... last time I saw him, he was buried under a pile of science notes. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.”

The three chuckled at the shared memory, clearly familiar with the situation. "Yeah, we just bumped into him," Hans said. "His hair’s a mess, and those eye bags..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "He’s probably struggling to stay awake.”

Ika smiled, her eyes softening in understanding. "Yeah, sounds about right. But you’ve got me. I haven’t been to the Western Hemisphere before, you know. I’ve seen pictures in the magazines, but it’ll be interesting to see it for real.”

She paused for a moment, glancing back at Marge, who was looking at her with a mix of hope and determination. Ika let out a soft sigh, then gave a slight nod. "Alright, I’m in. Let’s take down this titan.”

With Ika’s agreement, the team was almost complete. However, they still needed one more member before they could officially take on the mission.

As they began to head back to the academy, the weight of their decision settled in. Londona, with its fog-shrouded streets and a dangerous rogue titan, was no small task. But with Ika on board, the mission was now within reach—if only they could find that final team member.

——

As the four of them walked through the Academy, discussing their next steps, whispers of their decision to take on a five-star mission spread like wildfire. The air was thick with the weight of the challenge ahead, and each of them had their own doubts and reservations. The mission—Killer of Londona—was unlike anything they had taken on before. The academy halls felt alive with the buzz of rumors, and soon, news of their decision reached the ears of someone who had been watching from the sidelines.

Rem.

Rem was a wildcard—quiet, introverted, and fiercely independent. She had been through a lot during her first year at the Academy, losing her first teammates, Stanley and Leonardus, on Admission Day. That loss had changed her, driving her to close herself off from others. She became a survivor, and over time, built a wall around herself to protect her emotions. Her presence was understated, but there was no denying her sharp intellect and the quiet power that radiated from her. As an outstanding ring bearer, her Cosmic Refractor Ring amplified her already formidable abilities. Few could match her precision and versatility in combat, but despite her strength, she remained a mystery to most.

As the four approached a courtyard, they suddenly felt her presence behind them. Marge, Hans, Flo, and Ika all turned sharply, startled by the sound of Rem’s voice, her calm tone cutting through the air.

"I heard you need a fifth," Rem said, her voice smooth and measured.

For a moment, the four stood still, studying her. Her ombre hair shifted slightly in the breeze, a cascade of colors that seemed to reflect the shifting moods of the Academy itself. Her eyes were steady, unwavering as she looked back at them.

Ika’s face softened, and she took a step forward, a warm smile forming on her lips. "Rem," she greeted, her voice filled with genuine concern. "How have you been? I haven’t seen you in ages. Since the majoring, right? We never seem to share classes anymore.”

Rem's calm expression flickered briefly with something akin to recognition. "I’ve been fine," she replied, her usual cool demeanor intact. "Busy, mostly. But I appreciate you asking.”

Ika chuckled softly. "You’ve always been good at keeping to yourself." Her smile widened, but it quickly turned thoughtful. "It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to catch up.”

The warmth between the two was palpable, a bond formed in the early days of their first year that had never fully faded, even as time and circumstances pulled them in different directions. Before the two could exchange more conversation, Marge cleared her throat, reminding them of the task at hand.

"You?" Marge raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Why would you want to get involved in something like this?”

Rem didn’t flinch. She remained calm, unbothered by her questioning. "The killings in Londona are… different," she said, her tone soft but laden with authority. "I’ve been watching the mission board, waiting for someone to take this on. It’s worth investigating. Besides," she added, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at her lips, "you need a last member.”

Marge crossed her arms, her brow furrowed in thought. There was no denying Rem’s abilities, but that didn’t mean she was the right choice for their team. Rem had a reputation for being difficult to work with—sometimes extroverted and charming, sometimes barely speaking to anyone at all. Her unpredictable mood swings made her a risk. But there was no denying her skill and versatility.

"Wait here," Marge said sharply, her voice cutting through the air. The four of them circled around, stepping aside from Rem to deliberate quietly among themselves.

"Okay, let’s weigh the pros and cons," Marge started, glancing at the others. "Rem’s got the skills. That Cosmic Refractor Ring of hers is a powerhouse, no doubt about it. She’s proven herself time and again in high-starred missions, and she’s been jumping from one team to another, earning all the merit points she can. She’s versatile, and we need someone like that for a five-star mission.”

Flo nodded but looked uneasy. "Yeah, but she’s a wild card. Her mood swings are unpredictable. One minute, she’s full of energy and confidence; the next, she’s completely withdrawn. She’s hard to read.”

Ika added, "She doesn’t exactly inspire trust in people, does she? The way she keeps to herself... it’s like she’s in her own world half the time.”

Hans scowled, rubbing the back of his neck. "True. But... this mission isn’t about comfort. It's about survival. And not many students would even dare to take on a five-star mission. We’re desperate, and if she’s willing to join, we can’t afford to turn her down.”

Marge sighed, glancing at Rem, who was standing patiently a few feet away, her arms crossed and her eyes calm but expectant. "We need her," Marge concluded, her voice resolute. "We need someone like Rem if we’re going to stand a chance.”

The four of them turned back to face Rem, who had been listening quietly to their deliberation. She raised an eyebrow as if she had already known what their decision would be.

"Alright, you’re in," Marge said, her voice firm as she stepped forward. "We can’t do this without you.”

Rem nodded once, her expression unreadable. "I’ll meet you at the gate. Be ready.”

With that, the group stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their decision settling in. They had made their choice, but it wasn’t without uncertainty. They were heading into Londona, a city shrouded in fog and mystery, where a rogue titan lurked and the unknown awaited them at every turn.

The whispers around the Academy would only grow louder as the rumors spread of their newly formed team. Students and faculty alike would be watching, waiting to see how this daring mission would unfold.

Their journey into the Shadow Abyss was about to begin.