That afternoon, all the cadets of Section A were called to assemble in the Academy lab. Ember went there in her usual uniform, her hair more or less in order, and dark circles under her eyes that she didn't know how to cover. The pain in her leg was getting easier to bear, so she no longer limped.

Ember had never been to the lab before. When she heard its name, she always pictured a dreary room with steel walls and a stomach-churning smell of chemical solvents. So when she and her companions walked through the front door, she was stunned to discover how wrong she had been.

Large windows acted as a perimeter, revealing a portion of the Academy's internal gardens. Outside, the sun illuminated the petals of lilies rustling against the glass. The laboratory was divided into sections, each separated from the others by half a wall. Huge white tables displayed equipment and weapons of various kinds, and small blue screens flashed overhead with drawings and brief explanations of each item.

The usual buzz of the Academy was lost in the noise of the machines. Technicians milled about, whispering new ideas or possible improvements to one another, their long white coats rustling as they passed.

The cadets found Alpes and Oblam waiting for them in front of a large table full of equipment. They stood in a line, hands over their hearts in greeting. Ember only found a place at the far end, next to Ciel. As soon as the blue-haired girl noticed her, she nudged her elbow and winked at her. Ember blushed, not quite sure how to react.

"Welcome," Alpes said, his arms outstretched as if to embrace them all. He wore a bright smile, his uniform neat and clean. A very different look from the one Ember had seen the night before. "Do you all know what day it is?"

Ember blinked, waiting for one of her comrades to answer the question. She had no idea what the Lieutenant meant. Maybe it was one of the things she had missed during her short rest.

But no one answered, and they all exchanged puzzled looks. Ciel dipped her head to whisper in Ember's ear. "Sure ain't the day the Colonel shaved off that ridiculous mustache."

Ember clasped the fingers of her hands tightly behind her back. Had Ciel just been joking with her? Should she have replied? She focused her attention on Oblam for a moment, on the mustache that vibrated on his lips every time he curled them. It was the longest, silliest mustache she had ever seen, defying gravity. A smile came to her face. "In my opinion he can't, he needs it for balance," she whispered in response.

Ciel bit her lip to keep from laughing. "I hadn't thought of that. It's likely."

Alpes clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "As you all know, each soldier has specialized equipment. We are not all the same, and each of us has a specific role according to our best abilities."

There was a murmur among the cadets, but it quickly died down. Ember turned her attention to the equipment on the table, noticing a red half-cape that reminded her of the Sergeant's. She had always thought it was just a decorative item, could it be something more?

Oblam stepped forward and raised the officer's hat to his head. "There is no such thing as a useless soldier in war. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, and the purpose of this equipment is to enhance your qualities. To enable you to find your role in battle and fight in sync with your comrades."

"We have collected the necessary data over the course of your training," Alpes continued. "And after careful study of each of your abilities, we have selected appropriate equipment for each of you."

If she looked closely, Ember could see a slight resemblance to Sergeant. The sharp features and red hair gave him the same mix of elegance and rebellion that characterized Ferun, though Alpes always seemed warmer. And more chaotic.

Oblam took a sword with a squat, heavier blade than the ones they were used to. He weighed it in his hands before lifting his head to meet the cadets' curious gazes. "We will call you one by one and give you the equipment we have chosen for you. Let's start with Terris."

Mark separated from his comrades with a buoyant stride. He greeted Oblam once with a respectful salute and accepted the sword with a dumbfounded expression on his lips. He reflected himself on the blade and rearranged his hair with a quick wave of his hand. Alpes then handed him a pair of gloves, heavy-looking boots, and an alternate version of the uniform he already wore: it had carbon-fiber reinforced shoulders and legs.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that the goal was to promote Mark's strength and physical endurance.

When Mark was sent to change, Jason Oers was named. They were choosing from the best to the least skilled.

Prepare to go last.

Only Ember and Viola were left when Oblam called out, "Leroy."

Not last, but second to last. Not a big difference.

With a sigh, Ember went to him in silence. The buzz of the other cadets had died down to nothing when almost everyone had gone to put on their new armor.

You get the most useless gadgets. They can't waste good equipment on someone like you.

Her heart jumped in her throat when she saw Oblam holding the red half-cloak in his hands. The one that matched the Sergeant's. He handed it to Ember with a comforting smile; the lines around his eyes made him look older than he actually was. She felt guilty about the joke she had made about him with Ciel seconds before. Then she remembered the strange files she had found in his desk and swallowed her guilt.

She grabbed the cloak tentatively, as if afraid it would tear. She ran her thumbs over its surface. The texture was silky, soft.

"It's a camouflage cloak," Alpes whispered to her. He had approached from behind, his warm breath tickling her skin. Ember took a half-step to the side, backing away a little. "It can create a visual distortion field and make it harder to individualize you for a short time."

"Oh." Ember admired what looked like an ordinary piece of cloth.

Alpes then handed her a pair of dark boots with straps to fasten them. "Nimble boots, they provide grip while the soles improve traction and agility."

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She was also given a new version of her uniform, made of composite fabrics that offered better protection without compromising movement; a belt with pockets and supports of various kinds, they didn't explain what they were for; and red gloves with small plates on the fingertips they called ‘manipulation gloves'. Ember took each of these items with a giant question mark in her head that grew larger and larger.

"Get changed and go to the training grounds," Oblam told her.

Ember asked no questions, just nodded and carried out the orders.

✦⋆𓆩✧𓆪⋆✦

She felt like a different person. The uniform was heavier, but it did not hinder her movements in any way. It was like wearing a second skin, harder and leathery, yet supple. The boots sat on the ground without making a sound, the soles clinging to the ground like silent suction cups. The half-cloak fell from her left shoulder and fluttered behind her, making her feel like an officer.

A heroine.

It's just a cape, it doesn't make you a real soldier.

The belt and gloves remained a mystery.

The training camp greeted her with a buzz of voices and a hum of electromagnetic technologies vibrating strongly.

Ember went to the battle arena where the others were. She passed the magnetic barrier and walked down the steps. The sand mixed with the artificial turf. The other cadets' attempts to use the new equipment kicked up dust.

Ciel put down her bow and approached her. "Ember!" She patted her shoulder. "You look so cool. That cape really suits you."

Ember brought a gloved hand to her hair, brushing a few strands out of her eyes. "Um, thanks," she mumbled. She wasn't used to getting compliments. Should she give one to her? "You look like a pro with that bow," she finally said, her voice low and trembling.

You cannot even give a compliment. Idiot.

Ciel aimed her bow and nocked an arrow. Both vibrated in her hands as a red light ran through the weapon. "I admit, it's not bad."

As she lowered the bow, she opened her face in a new smile. She saw something behind Ember's back. Before she could turn around, Ciel waved a hand in the air. "Hey, Vi, over here!"

Viola quickened her pace until she reached them. She didn't look much different, just a pair of new gloves that covered her entire forearm and a uniform that clung more to her skin. "Did I miss something?"

The wound she had received on the mission receded bit by bit. A white gash remained across her cheek. The scar would fade one day, but it would never go away. That was what it meant to be a soldier, but Ember wondered if Viola struggled with the thought of being the only cadet whose face was already scarred.

"No. Just Mark and Jason getting big with the new weapons." Ciel nodded at the two cadets.

Mark and Jason faced each other under the interested eyes of their comrades. Mark lowered his sword hard, and every time it hit Jason's, it sent out a small electromagnetic shockwave. Jason backed away, taking cover behind his shield.

"Always fighting over who has the longer sword, huh?" Viola said.

Ember couldn't hold back a giggle. It was the first time she had ever heard Mark spoken ill of. Usually, the only one who showed any degree of annoyance with him was the Sergeant, who held the bridge of her nose between her fingers and sighed with the air of someone who had no idea how to get salt in an idiot's head. It was a nice change.

"Someday they'll realize it's not the length of the sword that makes the difference," Ciel said.

Viola tapped her shoulder playfully. "Perv."

"What? It's true."

Although Ember didn't intrude, she felt a small warmth invade her. It had been part of a moment of camaraderie with two classmates. It had never happened since she entered the Academy.

Camaraderie? They did everything, you didn't even speak.

The arrival of Alpes and Oblam interrupted the general commotion. At the Colonel's command, the cadets formed an orderly line. Ember found herself between Ciel and Viola; they were both taller than she was, but she liked it, the sense of togetherness they radiated.

Maybe she had misjudged them that day in the library.

"Very well. Now we will properly explain to you how to use your new equipment." Alpes scratched his chin. "Although I saw that some of you were already having fun figuring it out for yourselves." It was not a rebuke; he seemed almost amused by the idea.

The Colonel waved his hand in the air, pointing to the area used for ranged weapons, with dummies and targets already in place. "All those who fight at a distance will follow me."

Ciel pulled back her blue hair and winked at Ember and Viola before leaving.

"I'll take care of the rest of you," Alpes said. He ordered the remaining cadets to spread out in random order; each had to find enough space to practice without fear of hurting the others.

Ember stood still and waited until everyone had positioned themselves, finally taking the last decent spot she had left. Right behind Mark. Her usual luck.

Alpes went around explaining to everyone. When it was Ember's turn, he put a hand on her shoulder and she stiffened, closing her eyes for a moment. "Ember. I noticed you chatting with two companions earlier. I'm glad you were able to make real friends that day in the library."

Ember bit her lip to hold back a wave of anger. He had just dumped her that day in the middle of a group of random girls, thinking he was doing who knows what great charitable deed. But she swallowed the nasty reply and nodded. "Um, Lieutenant, may I ask what these are for?" She raised her hands to show the gloves.

He took a few steps away. Finally. "Oh, yes. They are manipulation gloves. Since your greatest qualities are agility and strategic skills, we thought they would suit you. They allow you to manipulate traps or drones."

Ember nodded, her eyes fixed on the plates that covered her fingertips. "What about the belt?"

"It's a simple stand. You also have a small drone that you can control at will, the purpose should be to send it on recon or to distract enemies." Alpes tapped a piece of metal hanging from her belt. It was small and rectangular. It didn't look like a drone. "Here it is. You could even give it a name, that would be nice."

Give it a name. It was not a bad idea. Ember wondered what it looked like when activated.

"As for the cloak, I can't help you. I've never figured out how to make it work. I guess I'm not very good at going unnoticed."

Ember didn't answer him, except with a knowing smile. She should have asked the Sergeant for help. All the more reason to interact with her.

Who knew why she had asked Ember to infiltrate the Colonel's office if Ferun had such a cloak herself. Then Ember remembered the way the Sergeant had stamped her foot on the closed door and had to stifle a smile. Maybe all things considered, cloak or no cloak, it was good that Ferun had not gone alone.

Alpes explained the general function of the various devices. When he stepped away, Ember first pulled the small drone from her belt and rolled it over her palm; the glove plates glowed red and the metal cube opened like the wings of a butterfly. It was the size of a dragonfly and flew with flapping electromagnetic wings.

A name. She had to find a name for the little guy.

"Lumen," she murmured to herself. Hoping it would mark the glow of a light at the end of the tunnel. The glow in the dark age when she was nothing more than a useless cadet and would soon become a real soldier.