Whooosh...

The sound of the free wind wafting through the air whistled in Yuin's ears as he breezed through with speed.

Cold sweat trickled down his forehead as he subconsciously felt the hilt of his blade. His heart pounded like drums in a parade.

However, the loud rattling of his heart was soon overshadowed by the faint sounds of footsteps up ahead.

Yuin tightened his grip, forming a fist as he halted his steps. Slowly, he shifted his gaze ahead, where a figure slowly took form in the dense fog of decay.

As the sounds of footsteps grew louder, Yuin swallowed before he reached out to his blades, unsheathing them.

Soon, the dark figure walked out of the thick fog, revealing Samael, unscathed and emotionless, sending a cold shiver down the squad's spines.

Samael's gaze sweeps through the last six remaining cadets. His eyes were piercing through, as though he could see beyond their meager tricks.

"One minute left, sir," Yuin pointed out as he twirled his blade, its edges grazing each other and forming a small spark.

There was no use hiding their identity anymore. Samael probably already knew who was who. There was no tricking the reaper.

But that does not mean they will back down.

"You've bought yourself time. Now let's see how much longer your squad will last," Samael said.

The six cadets took on their fighting stance as tension rose in the air.

No one made a move. They watched each other like hawks, eyeing their prey.

"If you're not coming, then I'll do it myself," Samael said.

On cue, Samael struck the ground with his foot, sending chunks of dirt back as he propelled himself forward.

The trainees eyes widened as the one in the middle dashed back. Unfortunately, Samael was not that kind.

"Too slow," Samael uttered as he appeared inches from the cadet.

The trainee raised his weapon in a panic—Samael's fist barrelled through his stomach, drilling through his flesh as he was sent back flying.

He struck the ground twice, stirring the dust, before coming to a halt, unconscious and unmoving.

"37 down, 5 left," Samael said, breaking the other members off their stupor.

The cadets swiftly spread out, hopping back and regaining distance. They clenched their jaws, their hands cold as they locked on to their mentor.

50 seconds left...

Without wasting another second, a trainee squatted down, planting his palm on the ground as he roared.

"Tecton shift!"

A massive wave of earthquake erupted under Samael's sole, tearing the ground in pieces before his eyes, akin to glass shattering.

Samael lowered his stance, regaining his balance. In his peripheral, a shockwave came hurling at him, blowing away the fog and chunks of earth.

Samael nimbly backflipped, avoiding the pitfalls and dodging the attack with ease.

40 seconds left...

Upon landing, Samael lowered himself, taking his stance as he launched forward towards a cadet.

The trainee clasped his hands together as he chanted.

"Wooden chains!"

Thick, decaying roots soared from the ground, bursting close to Samael as they attempted to bind him.

However, Samael easily phased through the gaps of the roots, avoiding each tendril as he inched closer.

The cadet, left with no choice, opened his lips as he spoke.

"Tid— "

His words were cut short as Samael struck him in the abdomen, taking his breath away before his jaw was hit by an elbow, knocking him out.

"38 down, 4 to go," Samael uttered.

30 seconds left...

Two of the four cadets switched glances at each other as they gave a brief nod.

Without uttering a single word, the two flew towards Samael with their blades at hand.

The first cadet swung his sword in a circular motion. However, Samael easily dodged by stepping back, but the two weren't done yet.

As the first sequence of attacks ended, the second cadet revealed himself from behind the first attacking trainee, using his friend's body as a platform as he delivered a downward cleave.

Stolen novel; please report.

Unfortunately, Samael was faster.

As the blade plummeted down, Samael straightened his back before shifting to the side, allowing the sword to strike the ground with a shattering boom as he stared down the two.

"A combination attack, huh. Not bad," Samael praised.

Now it's his turn.

Seizing the opening of the second cadet, Samael shot his fist forward, smacking the trainee square in the face with a jab.

As the trainee recoiled back, Samael swung two more times, striking his solar plexus and neck, respectively, before delivering a spinning kick, sending him flying to the side.

The first cadet dashed back as he chanted.

"Ripp—"

But yet again, his words were cut short as Samael streaked towards him.

The cadet raised his weapon in a panic. Seeing the opportunity, Samael pivoted his foot, swiftly changing direction as he circled the trainee.

"40..." Samael whispered in his ears as he chopped his nape, knocking him cold.

Two cadets left.

20 seconds left...

It was all or nothing.

Yuin lunged forward as he chanted.

"Melodic slashes!"

As he swung his blades, a soft humming sound reverberated in the air.

Witnessing this, Samael's gaze narrowed as he weaved to the side.

BOOM!

Behind Samael, the decaying tree was severed, it's other half plummeting down with a large gash in the middle.

Perhaps he sent out vibrations? Samael thought.

Yuin swung a couple more times as he closed the distance, not giving Samael a chance to fight back.

Samael weaved back and forth, fluidly avoiding each cleave.

Timing his attack, Yuin's last slash left Samael in a vulnerable position as he was mid-dodge.

Seizing the chance, Yuin threw his arms forward, intending to plunge his daggers—Samael's fist drilled through Yuin's chin, sending him flying upwards, displaying his unpredictable nature.

10 seconds...

Samael inched closer towards Yuin when he spotted the last cadet charging at him.

"Brave, but stupid," Samael uttered as he easily redirected the blade to the side before countering with a backhand slap, pushing the cadet down.

Yuin's grunts echoed as he struggled to raise his head.

"How...? I was sure I had you," Yuin said.

"Assumptions kill, Yuin," Samael said as he crouched down.

5 seconds left...

"Now, time to end this exam," Samael said.

3... 2...

With one fell swoop, Samael tore open Yuin's garb.

1 second...

A smirk formed on Yuin's lips as he watched Samael's brows rise.

"We won, sir," Yuin said before he shifted his gaze to the cadet Samael struck down with a backhand.

The cadet leaned back as a small chuckle escaped his lips, a red flag slipping off his garb.

Samael rose to his feet, a small, imperceptible smile forming on his lips.

"Congratulations. You passed the exam," Samael said.

***

"CHEERS!!!" The scouts cheered in unison as they toasted to their victory. Laughs, smiles, and songs reverberated in the air.

Samael silently watched the spectacle in the dark. It was quite amusing to see the scouts in bandages yet so cheerful and energized.

After the exam, Samael dragged their cold, unconscious bodies back to camp, tending to their wounds until sunrise.

It was around afternoon that the scouts finally awoke from their slumbers and were greeted with good news.

Now, the night was approaching, and their party raged on. Venting all their frustrations and savoring the freedom they left behind a month ago.

Now, they were scouts.

As the party died down a little, Samael rose to his seat and approached the crowd. Luring their gazes towards him, anticipation brewing behind their pupils.

Standing before them, Samael spoke.

"Scouts, your hardships and training have ended. I have imparted the most of what I can in the last few weeks of our journey," Samael said.

"With this, new possibilities have opened. The path may be thorny ahead. It will be filled with bloodshed and sacrifices," Samael uttered.

"But it is up to us to make those sacrifices not in vain. It's up to us to change the tide of this battle. In the end, there will only be one victor, and it will be us," Samael rallied.

The scouts cheered, their voices reaching high in the heavens as they raised their fists.

"Hear! hear!"

"Toast to that!"

"To victory!"

"Today, celebrate. Savour your win and make the most of this night. Tomorrow... we march towards Stellaris," Samael said before he stepped back.

The preparations for the scouts have finished. It was now time to handle their departure.

Samael stared at the bright moon, wondering whether his training was enough. Perhaps it was, perhaps it wasn't.

Only time will tell.

As the cold, unforgiving night ended its parade, the golden glow of the morning sun soon rose over the horizon, marking the start of another day.

The moment the sun illuminated the sky, Samael's group started their march back, leaving with all the memories and experiences they had gathered.

Their walk back was silent. Not a single word was uttered. Yet, one would feel the burning ambitions behind the pupils of every single member of their squad.

As they reached the entrance of the towering walls of Stellaris, they were greeted by the curious gazes of the warriors residing there.

The journey of the 42 scouts had built quite a reputation. For these 42 people to be mentored by the grim hound, it must have been quite an rare opportunity.

Expectations were high in the air as the group inched towards their designated tents.

Many were skeptical. After all, they've managed without scouts for so long. Why change now?

Others were more logical. They've realized that information was their biggest weakness.

"Their stares are making me uncomfortable," Ashley said.

"Not for me," Ramon replied, a huge smirk plastered in his face.

"Oh, please, calm your ego. You got knocked out so fast you barely helped in the exam," Ashley mocked.

"Who was screaming like a baby when she got dragged up?" Ramon fired back.

"You—!"

"Okay, stop that, you two," Yuin said as he entered a giant tent. Waiting inside was Samael.

"Sir," Yuin saluted as he sat across from their mentor, followed by the other scouts.

"Scouts, I called you here to inform you of your duties," Samael said.

Some of the scouts straightened their backs, anticipation visible in their pupils.

"I've met up with General Timeus after our arrival. He's given me directives as to how we'll go about," Samael said as he handed out envelopes to each of the scouts.

"Inside those envelopes are your designated base of operations and the areas you'll operate in. Unfortunately, we'll have to split up as we lack manpower," Samael informed.

The atmosphere grew heavy. In the last month and a half of their training, the scouts have developed bonds through the hardship. Suddenly separating was quite the news for them. However, it was expected.

"Expectations are high for us. Do not disappoint me and all the warriors in this camp. Show them your worth," Samael said.

"That's all; you're dismissed," Samael ended.

The scouts all rose up, giving their final salute before leaving the tent.

However, before they went on their own, Yuin came forward and spoke.

"Scouts, in the last month of our journey, I know we've all built a bond. It might not seem like it, but I did enjoy our training together," Yuin said.

Ramon shot a look at Ashley.

"Hey, you might be sassy at times, but you're okay," Ramon said.

Ashley stared off in the distance as she replied. "Watch yourself out there, Ramon."

"I know," Ramon replied, his tone melancholic.

"Remember, scouts, this is not goodbye. I'll see you all again at the end of all this," Yuin said.

With that, the scouts bid each other farewell. The months of pain, suffering, and laughter they shared are engraved in their memories. Memories they will carry with them.

Now, they must fulfill their duty. It was time to put what they learned into effect and make a change for the better.

No one there knew what fate awaited them. The front lines was a dangerous place. Some of them may indeed perish. Some may persevere.

But as their mentor always reminded them,.

Trust only in their training.