Several years had passed. Valencia had completed her training in the Spartan Division and now held the rank of Captain. Vorta Caelum, the second-ranked High Sentinel, continued to monitor Valencia's progress to ensure she was worthy and ready to hold the title of the third-ranked High Sentinel.
"She has completed quite a number of missions, hasn't she?" Vorta remarked, holding a stack of files in his hand.
"Yes, I believe she is indeed qualified to fill that position."
"What do you think, Vorta? Is she truly ready?"
Heliostra questioned Vorta, who remained focused, looking down at the documents.
"Perhaps I'll give her one more mission—a difficult one. We'll see if she can handle it or not!"
"Let me see…."
Vorta's fingers typed away at his computer. After a few moments, he showed the screen to Heliostra.
"This is it. What do you think?"
It was a Rank 1 mission—the highest difficulty, usually reserved for High Sentinels like themselves.
"Are you insane, Vor?! Why would you give her a mission to exterminate Abyssium monsters nesting on Planet Morgulon?!"
"That planet is nearly 95% infested with those things!"
Heliostra was shocked. Her gaze was fixed on the data for Planet Morgulon, a world that had become a primary hive for Abyssium. On the screen, countless red dots clustered together, indicating the dense movement of monsters across the planet.
"Look at that, they are almost always grouped together. I'm not sure she can handle that!"
"Unless we provide her with backup, then it might be feasible."
Heliostra's eyes met Vorta's, who was staring silently at the monitor.
"Indeed, we will provide some support. Seth, Siegfried, Fang, and I will be there to assist from a distance."
"What do you think?"
Vorta gave a thin smile. Heliostra leaned back in her chair and folded her arms.
"It's worth a try, but we must ensure her safety. She's the only one Kryos has seen potential in so far!"
Heliostra straightened up again and began typing something.
"Hmm, what are you doing?"
Vorta was confused, watching Heliostra type intently. Then, a chime sounded from his office door.
"Enter," Vorta called out.
The door opened, and Foxana appeared. It seemed she had been eavesdropping on their conversation.
"I heard everything. So did Kryos."
"He suggested... what if we just observe without helping? Kryos wants to see how the girl handles the monsters on her own. Besides, Prime Aresidon wants direct proof from us. Chh, that arrogant Prime is so annoying!"
Foxana placed her hands on Vorta's desk, her tail twitching restlessly.
"Hmm, are you sure about that?!"
Vorta looked at her, his pale eyes meeting Foxana's blue ones.
"Yeah, it's Kryos's idea. If we have to step in, I'm fine with it, but it's better this way so we can decide together later without needing that insufferable Prime!"
Foxana walked toward the office window and pulled the curtains aside. Below, many Spartan soldiers were training; technicians hurried back and forth carrying equipment.
"So, when do we do this?" Foxana glanced back at Vorta.
"In two days, Foxana!" Heliostra answered suddenly, her voice booming.
"Aww, hey! Lower your computer volume, Vorta. My ears are sensitive, you know!"
"Anyway, I'll go inform the others. You've already chosen who's coming, right?"
Foxana headed for the door while Vorta returned to his computer.
"Yes, I've made the selection. Don't worry." Vorta narrowed his eyes at the screen.
"Heh, alright then. I'm off." Foxana left the room, and the door hissed shut, leaving Vorta alone in his workspace.
Meanwhile, at the Spartan training grounds, a blonde-haired girl was undergoing physical training alongside other soldiers.
"Heh, you're pretty good!" Sweat poured down her face as Planet Romeus's star dipped toward the horizon.
"Thank you, Captain Valencia! This is my best!" A thin smile appeared on the soldier's face, which Valencia quickly read.
With lightning speed, Valencia parried the strike.
"Got you!!" And with a swift move, she slammed the soldier into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The soldier was startled, his vision spinning from the impact. Bathed in the golden afternoon light, Valencia stood victorious once again.
"What... no way! I thought the Captain didn't see it coming." The soldier lay on the ground, his arms bracing his sweat-soaked body.
"I could read that little smirk of yours, hehe."
"Too bad. You'll have to find a new trick next time!"
Valencia offered her hand, and the soldier pulled himself up.
"The Captain truly is amazing. No wonder you rose through the ranks so quickly!"
"Oh, by the way, Captain... have you heard that they are watching you?"
With a curious tone, the soldier threw out the question, making Valencia pause and look down for a moment.
"Hmm, I don't worry about that too much. Besides, I haven't been a Captain for very long. I still need more time."
A chime signaled the end of the training session.
"Training's over. Next time, bring your friends to spar with me, okay!" Valencia walked away, grabbing her things and looking back at the soldier.
"Yes, Captain!" The soldier saluted and left the grounds.
After the onlookers departed, Valencia remained on the field, lost in thought.
"Watching me... for what?! Do they need me? Oh well, I better head back. I'll think about that later!"
Valencia walked away, leaving the field as it slowly grew quiet. Meanwhile, Foxana had been watching her from a distance.
"Hmm, the girl reads situations quite fast. Impressive."
"Heh, but I look forward to seeing her in action during that dangerous mission."
Foxana walked onto the training field and noticed something interesting.
"Hmm, what's this?" Her blue eyes spotted a residue of orange-red energy.
"Fire energy residue... but how?"
Foxana touched the residue; she seemed to recognize it.
"Could you be…."
Foxana gazed at Valencia, who was now far off. In her mind's eye, she saw the aura of a firebird emanating from Valencia.
Night fell. Valencia was in her dormitory, tidying up her laundry, when a notification pinged on her tablet.
"Hmm, a message? From who?!"
She walked over and picked up the device. It was a message from the fourth-ranked High Sentinel, Heliostra.
"Captain Valencia, you have been assigned a mission to exterminate Abyssium monsters on Planet Morgulon. This is a high-priority mission. The schedule is set for two days from now."
"Hmm, what kind of mission is this that even General Heliostra is notifying me personally? Whatever it is, I'll take it seriously. It seems they want to test my abilities!"
Valencia set the tablet on her desk and looked out her window. The night sky was clear, filled with shining stars, and her chest felt a strange warmth she couldn't explain.
She went to bed as it was already 11 p.m. She fell into a dream—waking up in her dream, she found herself floating in a strange dimension.
"Where... am I?" Her voice echoed, yet her lips didn't move.
Looking up, she saw the silhouette of a giant bird flying. Its colors were indistinct to her.
"What is that?!"
The only sound in her ears was the echoing cry of the bird. She watched as the giant silhouette tucked its wings and dived sharply toward her.
"Hah, no!"
"Hiii…."
Valencia squeezed her eyes shut and suddenly bolted upright in bed. Her chest was radiating a warmth she couldn't understand.
"Huft... what a strange dream."
"It's only 2 a.m. I should go back to sleep."
Glancing at the clock, Valencia drifted back to sleep.
Meanwhile, in the sky, a glowing orange feather drifted down and fell upon the Haast Eagle statue.
The feather was picked up by someone with golden-blonde hair, wearing a robe that looked exquisitely expensive and holding a lyre. Beneath the nameplate, the rank was written: "Archon."
"This feather... the ruler of fire and the sun."
The power of the feather resonated with his own—both being wielders of heat and solar power.
"Reminds me of that damn Titan."
"Helios!"
The figure walked away from the Haast Eagle statue, carrying the feather that had fallen from the heavens.