Morning arrived with the same metallic ring of the barracks alarm. The three — or rather, two — went through their routine in silence. Billy's bed remained empty, untouched since he'd left the infirmary. Neither Elena nor Scarlett knew where he'd gone, though rumours had started to swirl amongst the others.
When they reached the training field, Sergeant Marek was already there, his sharp eyes cutting through the mist. Behind him stood Sergeant Smith, clipboard in hand, the two exchanging low words before turning to face the gathering students.
"Listen up!" Marek's voice carried easily across the field. "Today's not about practice. It's about potential. I'm selecting three students to undergo advanced combat training. Those chosen will train directly under me — the rest will continue under Sergeant Smith."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Elena glanced at Scarlett, who whispered, "You've got this," before stepping back with the others.
Marek began pacing along the line of students, his boots crunching against the gravel. His gaze lingered briefly on each face, assessing, weighing, dismissing. Then, finally, he stopped in front of Elena.
"Elena Greywolf." he said firmly. "Step forward."
She obeyed, shoulders squared, trying not to glance toward Max — though she could feel his glare burning holes in her back.
Marek turned. "Max Burton."
Max stepped forward with that same self-satisfied smirk, brushing dust from his uniform as if the result had been obvious all along. He threw Elena a sideways glance. "Guess we're teammates now, sunshine."
She didn't reply, though her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
Marek's eyes swept the remaining students one last time — then he paused. His expression shifted, a flicker of surprise breaking through the usual steel. Slowly, his gaze lifted toward the far end of the field.
A lone figure was walking toward them, boots thudding softly against the dirt.
Billy.
The students turned as he approached, whispers spreading quickly. He looked different — calmer somehow, but with a coldness in his eyes that hadn't been there before. The stump where his arm had once been, the sleeve was now pinned neatly against a metallic frame. His new artificial arm gleamed faintly under the morning light, its joints whirring softly with every step.
He stopped before Marek and Smith, saluting sharply.
"Sorry for my lateness, sir's," he said. His voice was steady, formal — but there was something else beneath it, a hollow edge that made Elena's stomach twist.
Sergeant Smith gave a curt nod. "Good to see you back on your feet, Billy."
Billy offered the faintest smile, though it didn't reach his eyes then he passed them a piece of paper with Major Grants insignia stamped.
Marek exchanged a glance with Smith, then looked at Billy again. "Hmm. interesting," he said quietly, almost to himself. "Seems you've got good timing."
He stepped back and raised his voice so all could hear. "The candidates for advanced training are: Billy Hayes, Max Burton, and Elena Greywolf."
The announcement hit like a thunderclap. A few gasps broke out, followed by scattered applause and muttered complaints. Max grinned broadly. Elena simply nodded, though her mind was still on Billy — standing silent, motionless, eyes fixed somewhere far away.
Marek continued, "The three of you will report here tomorrow morning at 0600. The rest of you will resume standard drills under Sergeant Smith. Dismissed."
As the students began to disperse, Scarlett jogged over to Elena, her expression torn between pride and worry. "You did it," she said softly, then added, "but… what's with Billy? He didn't even look at us."
Elena's gaze lingered on him. Billy was already walking away, silent, the faint mechanical whir of his arm fading with every step.
"I don't know," she replied quietly. "But something's changed."
Scarlett frowned. "You think it's because of what happened with Blob?"
Elena didn't answer. She just watched him go, a chill running down her spine.
Max caught up to Billy near the edge of the field, murmuring something only the two could hear. Billy didn't respond — but a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Marek's voice carried over one last time, snapping Elena's attention back. "Get some rest, cadets. Tomorrow, you'll learn what real training feels like."
The crowd thinned, the sun climbing high above the compound, but Elena couldn't shake the feeling that the three names called that morning weren't a sign of achievement — they were the start of something much darker.
The morning sun rose pale over the academy, its light spilling across the mist-shrouded training field where Sergeant Marek waited. His presence alone was enough to silence the gathered cadets. The three who'd been chosen — Elena, Max, and Billy — stood before him, each with a different weight behind their eyes. "Today," Marek began, his voice sharp as a blade, "you stop being students. You start becoming soldiers. We're going to push past instinct — reach the point where your abilities answer without hesitation." He paced slowly before them. "Some of you rely on talent. Others on fear. But real control… real strength… comes when you've lost both." Elena exchanged a glance with Billy, though his face was unreadable. Max cracked his knuckles beside them, a smug grin already fixed. "Form up!" Marek barked. The drills began brutally fast — movement, reaction, endurance — each task meant to strip away hesitation. Max was all aggression, every strike full of ego. Elena fought with precision, her telekinetic bursts pushing stones and dust in short, sharp flares. Billy, though, was something else entirely. He moved like a shadow — calm, clinical, almost detached — using both strength and that eerie mechanical grace from his new arm. By the hour's end, sweat soaked every cadet, even Marek's brow glinting faintly. "Enough!" he called, holding up a hand. "You've all got potential — but your control is unstable and strength is lacking, it will either make or break you. Dismissed." Elena turned to Billy as they walked off the field. "You didn't hold back," she said quietly. Billy glanced at her, eyes distant. "Why would I?" She frowned. "Because you could have hurt someone." He stopped for a moment, his voice colder than before. "That's the point, Elena. The world doesn't care how careful and pathetic you are — it only remembers who's left standing." Before she could respond, laughter broke through from behind them, Students trading jabs with there mates. Scarlett, waiting by the fence, jogged over, smiling. "How'd it go?" Elena forced a small grin. "We survived." As they all made for the mess hall, the rest of the students began gathering outside the main building, whispering among themselves..