HSBA Delta Branch: Where Paths Cross Again - CHAPTER 16

[HSBA Delta Training Camp Branch — Administration Building | Conference Room | 9:03 A.M.]

Silence lingered.

Not the heavy silence from before—

But the quiet stillness that follows when hope finally returns.

Trainee Kaycee remained on her knees.

Tears still streamed down her face.

Her shoulders trembled as she struggled to steady her breathing.

Instructor Faye looked at her for a long moment before speaking once more.

Her voice was calm.

Firm.

Yet noticeably gentler than before.

“…Kaycee.”

The young trainee immediately straightened.

“Yes, Instructor.”

Instructor Faye closed the graduation folder before placing it on the table.

“There is one more matter.”

Everyone listened.

“Although your request has been approved…”

“…you are not considered a graduate.”

Trainee Kaycee lowered her head.

“I understand.”

Instructor Faye nodded.

“You have already completed every other graduation requirement.”

“Your academic evaluations.”

“Combat assessments.”

“Field simulations.”

“Leadership examinations.”

“Discipline requirements.”

“All of them.”

She paused.

“There is only one requirement you have not completed.”

“The Day Zero Test.”

The room remained completely silent.

Instructor Faye continued.

“Therefore…”

“You will remain under probationary trainee status.”

“No graduation.”

“No instructor candidacy.”

“Not yet.”

Trainee Kaycee nodded without complaint.

“I understand.”

“When the Medical Board officially certifies that you have fully recovered…”

“…and confirms that your injuries will no longer compromise your performance…”

“A Special Day Zero Qualification will be scheduled exclusively for you.”

Several instructors quietly nodded.

It was fair.

It maintained HSBA’s standards.

Yet still acknowledged her circumstances.

Instructor Faye’s expression became serious once more.

“But listen carefully.”

“This will be your second—and only—special opportunity.”

“If you do not pass your Special Day Zero Qualification…”

“…there will be no additional exceptions.”

“You will have to reapply as a brand-new trainee.”

“Your previous records…”

“…will no longer be valid.”

The words hung heavily inside the conference room.

Trainee Kaycee inhaled deeply.

Then bowed until her forehead nearly touched the floor.

“I understand, Instructor.”

Her voice trembled.

“But…”

She clenched both fists.

“I’ll do my best.”

“I won’t disappoint anyone.”

“I won’t waste the second chance all of you have given me.”

“I promise.”

Her tears once again fell freely onto the floor.

“…Thank you.”

“…Thank you so much.”

Around the room—

More than one instructor quietly looked away.

Even Instructor Jonathan adjusted his glasses a little longer than usual.

Instructor Monique silently smiled.

Instructor Mark folded his arms to hide his expression.

Instructor Azhette discreetly wiped the corner of one eye.

Then—

Trainee Kaycee slowly stood.

Despite her injuries.

Despite the pain.

She turned—

Toward the thirteen injured instructors.

Instructor Britney.

Instructor Sapphire.

Instructor Skyrish.

Instructor Amethyst.

Instructor Bailey.

Instructor Raphael.

Instructor Nexcialine.

Instructor Ravielle.

Instructor Sahm.

Instructor Patrick.

Instructor Blade.

Instructor Bryce.

Instructor Louie.

Without hesitation—

She bowed deeply.

Even though the movement clearly hurt.

“…Thank you…”

Her voice cracked again.

“For believing in me…”

“For helping me…”

“For giving me another chance…”

She struggled to continue.

“I’ll do my best.”

“I won’t disappoint you.”

“I won’t waste everything you’ve done for me.”

Silence.

None of the thirteen had expected such heartfelt gratitude.

Almost simultaneously—

Instructor Britney discreetly wiped her eyes.

Instructor Sapphire looked down as she brushed away tears.

Instructor Skyrish quietly turned her face aside.

Instructor Raphael cleared his throat.

Instructor Nexcialine sniffled.

Instructor Bryce scratched the back of his head while secretly wiping his eyes.

Instructor Amethyst smiled through tears.

Instructor Sahm blinked repeatedly.

Instructor Bailey folded her arms tightly.

Instructor Patrick lowered his head.

Instructor Blade quietly looked toward the window.

Instructor Louie smiled warmly despite his reddened eyes.

Only one recovered first.

Instructor Ravielle.

She slowly stepped forward.

Her own eyes glistened.

Yet her smile remained gentle.

“I know you won’t waste it, Kaycee.”

“I believe in you.”

“I know you can do it.”

A brief pause.

“We all believe in you.”

“That’s why we helped you.”

The words shattered what little composure Trainee Kaycee still had.

Fresh tears immediately overflowed.

She stared at Instructor Ravielle.

Unable to stop crying.

“…Leader…?”

Her lips trembled.

“…Is…”

“…Is that really you… Leader…?”

Silence.

Instructor Ravielle’s own eyes filled once more.

A single tear rolled down her cheek.

She smiled.

“…Yes.”

“It’s me, Kaycee.”

Very slowly—

She lifted her uninjured arm.

Opening it toward Trainee Kaycee.

A silent invitation.

A silent permission.

Despite the fresh bandages wrapped securely around her injured shoulder.

Trainee Kaycee’s tears overflowed.

“…Leader…”

Unable to stop herself—

She slowly walked forward.

Careful not to disturb either of their injuries.

Then—

Using only her uninjured arm—

She gently embraced Instructor Ravielle.

“…Leader…”

She cried openly.

Like a younger sister who had finally found someone precious again.

Instructor Ravielle carefully returned the embrace with her free arm.

Her hand slowly rested against Trainee Kaycee’s back.

Slowly.

Protectively.

She gently caressed her back.

“It’s alright…”

“You don’t have to worry anymore.”

Her own tears continued falling.

“We’ll help you train again.”

“Once you’ve fully recovered…”

“We’ll prepare you for your Special Day Zero Qualification.”

“So this time…”

“You’ll pass.”

Trainee Kaycee cried even harder.

“…Thank you…”

“…Thank you, Leader…”

“I promise...”

“I won’t disappoint you this time.”

“And I won’t waste this second chance.”

Very gently—

Instructor Ravielle loosened the embrace.

She looked directly into Trainee Kaycee’s tear-filled eyes.

“Leader believes in you, Kaycee.”

“I know you can do it.”

“But for now…”

A warm smile appeared.

“Focus on recovering.”

“That’s your only mission.”

“When you’ve recovered...”

“We’ll train together again.”

“Alright?”

Trainee Kaycee nodded repeatedly.

“…Yes…”

“…Yes, Leader…”

Instructor Ravielle smiled.

Then—

Using her free hand—

She gently wiped away the tears from Trainee Kaycee’s cheeks.

Once.

Then again.

The simple gesture caused Trainee Kaycee to cry even harder.

Unable to stop herself.

Fresh tears continued falling as Instructor Ravielle gently wiped them away once again.

Nearby—

Instructor Britney finally laughed softly through her own tears.

She stepped beside them.

“…Don’t worry, Kaycee.”

“We’re here too.”

“We’ll help train you again.”

“But first…”

She pointed toward Trainee Kaycee’s bandaged shoulder.

“…Recover.”

Instructor Sapphire smiled warmly while wiping her eyes.

“Instructor Ravielle and Instructor Britney are right.”

“You need to focus on healing first.”

Then she smiled proudly.

“After that…”

“We—your senior brothers and sisters—will help train you again.”

“So you’ll pass your second Day Zero Test…”

“And officially join us.”

Immediately—

Instructor Skyrish nodded.

“We’ll be waiting.”

Instructor Raphael smiled.

“You won’t be training alone.”

Instructor Nexcialine grinned while wiping another tear.

“We’ll cheer you on every step.”

Instructor Bryce gave an encouraging thumbs-up.

“We’re all behind you.”

Instructor Amethyst smiled warmly.

“We believe in you.”

Instructor Sahm nodded proudly.

“Keep moving forward.”

Instructor Bailey folded her arms.

“We’ll make sure you’re ready.”

Instructor Patrick smiled.

“You’ve already proven your determination.”

Instructor Blade gave a short nod.

“Now finish what you started.”

Instructor Louie smiled gently.

“Your senior brothers and sisters will always support you.”

Trainee Kaycee looked at every one of them.

Her heart felt impossibly full.

She never imagined...

That the people standing before her—

Were fellow soldiers.

Just like herself.

People who had once walked the same military path.

People who had deliberately hidden their pasts.

Choosing instead to quietly serve within HSBA.

Without rank.

Without recognition.

Without revealing who they truly were.

Now…

Her former squad leader—

Instructor Ravielle—

Made perfect sense.

She, too…

Had chosen the same quiet path.

Trainee Kaycee silently decided—

She would protect that secret.

Just as they had.

Across the room—

The eight main instructors watched everything unfold.

Instructor Faye.

Instructor Mark.

Instructor Landrieu.

Instructor Azhette.

Instructor Syndie.

Instructor Arch Jude.

Instructor Monique.

Instructor Jonathan.

Several of them discreetly wiped away tears of their own.

The sincerity before them was impossible to ignore.

Yet…

Their confusion only deepened.

Leader?

Senior brothers and sisters?

Junior sister?

Those words carried far more meaning than anyone was explaining.

Just as Instructor Jonathan was about to speak—

BZZZT.

Eight electronic wristbands activated simultaneously.

The eight main instructors instinctively looked down.

A priority notification flashed across every display.

URGENT

All Main Instructors

Report immediately to the Instructors Meeting Office.

A visitor is waiting.

Instructor Faye glanced toward the others.

“It looks like we’re needed.”

Instructor Mark nodded.

“Someone’s waiting for us.”

Instructor Landrieu sighed.

“…The mysteries will have to wait.”

Instructor Sapphire noticed the notifications and smiled knowingly.

“We understand.”

“You should go.”

“We’ll take care of things here.”

Instructor Faye gave a grateful nod.

“Thank you.”

One by one—

The eight main instructors excused themselves.

Leaving the conference room together.

Still emotional.

Still confused.

And carrying even more questions than before.

Behind them—

Trainee Kaycee remained surrounded by the thirteen instructors.

No longer feeling alone.

No longer fearing tomorrow.

For the first time since failing Day Zero Test—

She truly believed…

That she would one day earn her place among them.

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