The Echelon Academy bell tolled only in emergencies.
Its resonance sliced through the morning fog like a blade—deep, mechanical, and absolute. Within seconds, the campus stirred. Students dropped their utensils, training routines froze, and instructors barked orders as announcements flickered across glass walls.
"Simulation Protocol Delta initiated. All upper-tier cadets report to Arena V. Full tactical attire required."
Enzo's grip tightened around his tray. This wasn't scheduled. And Delta protocols were near-combat scenarios—reserved only for critical response training. Something was off.
He left the hall without a word.
---
Arena V had been reshaped overnight. The usual observation decks were dark, sealed by privacy glass. Combat drones lined the upper rails, scanning every entrant. The walls pulsed with the same cold blue light that reminded Enzo of interrogation rooms.
Kael's voice buzzed briefly in his ear: "They're fishing."
Enzo replied under his breath, "For what?"
"Ghosts. Rats. You."
---
Each student was assigned to randomized squads. Tavien ended up with Enzo again—by coincidence or design, he couldn't tell.
"Looks like we're partners," Tavien said, checking his pulse blasters. "Try not to show off too much."
"Can't promise," Enzo murmured.
"Don't," Tavien replied, sharper than usual.
Across the room, Lyra adjusted her gloves and visor. She had been watching Enzo since the announcement. Her instincts were screaming again. Something was going to break today.
---
The simulation began with a false city drop. Drones projected holographic structures—offices, alleyways, towers. The students were ordered to intercept a fictional rebel cell planted within the zone.
"Non-lethal force," barked the AI host. "Points awarded for precision, teamwork, and capture."
But Enzo could smell the real purpose.
This wasn't about scoring.
This was about watching them.
---
The exercise kicked off fast.
Tavien led the way, issuing commands, moving with sharp confidence. Enzo followed, keeping pace, letting his instincts map the terrain.
He could feel Cain's dormant hum on his back, hidden beneath the synthetic pack they'd been issued. He wouldn't use it. Not here. Not unless—
A flashbang triggered early, separating their unit. Enzo dove sideways into cover. Someone—some drone or system—was deliberately targeting his squad.
"Rhys, report!" he shouted.
Static.
He rolled out of cover and neutralized two decoy bots with borrowed stunners. But the moment they dropped, a shadow fell across him.
Drone.
No—two. Tier-3 combat automata. Way above simulation grade.
Someone upgraded the variables.
He gritted his teeth and drew the short saber issued for the sim, already knowing it would barely scratch them.
The drones lunged.
Enzo sidestepped one, ducked under its blade arm, then—just for a second—teleported five meters behind it.
Blink.
The maneuver was clean. Fast. And completely not part of the issued gear's capabilities.
He took one down with a blade through its core and threw a flash pellet to blind the second. But by then, he knew he'd been seen.
Because she was there.
Lyra.
Tucked between broken scaffolding, visor off, staring directly at him. She hadn't blinked since he moved.
Their eyes locked.
She didn't speak.
But she knew.
---
After the simulation ended, points were posted. Enzo's team barely cleared the pass mark. The drones had vanished before the evaluators arrived, erased like ghosts.
"Unusual programming loop," the instructors claimed.
Enzo walked back toward the barracks alone.
But he wasn't alone.
Lyra stepped out from the garden corridor beside the dormitory wing. Her voice was low.
"You blinked."
He didn't answer.
"Teleportation's not in standard issue. And no one moves like that unless they've trained with high-tier gear."
He faced her. "You sure you weren't seeing things?"
"I record everything," she said calmly. "It's already encrypted."
Silence.
She looked at him—not with malice. With warning.
"I don't know who you are, Enzo Descovinio. But you're not just here to graduate."
He met her gaze. "If you found something you shouldn't have, you'll be in danger."
"I've been in danger since I enrolled."
They stood there, both pretending not to reach for the truths hanging between them.
Then she said, "If you're doing something that matters… just don't do it alone."
Enzo left without another word.
But that night, Kael's encrypted message burned on his lens:
> "You've been flagged by internal review. Lay low."
He stared at Cain, resting in its sealed chamber.
Lyra had seen. Tavien was questioning. The walls were tightening.
But so was his resolve.
It was almost time for AGILA to be born.