HSBA Delta Branch: Where Paths Cross Again - CHAPTER 1

[HSBA Delta Training Camp — Main Training Grounds | 3:43 P.M.]

The afternoon heat pressed heavily against the vast training grounds.

Dust. Sweat. Breathing. Footsteps.

Everywhere—

Trainees pushed themselves beyond exhaustion.

Because tomorrow—

Day Zero Test would begin.

And nobody wanted to fail.

Instructor Sapphire stood near the center observation platform, arms crossed neatly behind her back as her calm eyes scanned the entire field.

“…Resume full coordination training.”

Immediately—

The instructors moved.

Like a synchronized machine.

Instructor William supervised endurance circuits.

Instructor Khione corrected combat posture.

Instructor Zeirah monitored reaction timing.

Instructor Hajime handled weapon disarmament drills.

Instructor Renesmee adjusted defensive formations.

Instructor Hazel guided injured trainees toward recovery stretches.

Instructor Abigail observed psychological stability.

Instructor Shade silently monitored blind spot awareness.

Instructor Raphael oversaw combat synchronization.

Instructor Skyrish handled pressure simulations.

Instructor Amethyst corrected tactical movement.

Instructor Bailey coordinated rescue formations.

Instructor Maeve reviewed communication efficiency.

Instructor Zhyriel evaluated situational adaptability.

Instructor Khezia and Instructor Francine worked together on emergency extraction drills.

Instructor Shayne and Instructor Zhayne supervised paired combat.

Instructor Felice monitored reflex response.

Instructor Kaizer corrected tactical aggression.

Instructor Cheshire trained silent movement.

Instructor Khylee observed emotional restraint.

Instructor Brylle managed speed assessments.

Instructor Khyzelle coordinated formation timing.

Instructor Cyrus oversaw defensive endurance.

Instructor Sharmyst adjusted obstacle routes.

Instructor Ashryn handled psychological conditioning.

Instructor Autumn monitored stamina decline.

Instructor Seven silently evaluated awareness.

Instructor Euphy calibrated sensory overload simulations.

Instructor Zephyr adjusted environmental pressure variables.

Instructor Nexcialine supervised strategic adaptation.

Instructor Avery corrected combat balance.

Instructor Lyana organized support positioning.

Instructor Lawrence evaluated command response.

Instructor Eunice handled field medical awareness.

Instructor Xavier observed leadership tendencies.

Instructor Sophie corrected coordination delays.

Instructor Angel handled close-range defense.

Instructor Jaspher Miracle reviewed tactical reaction time.

Instructor Raffy Angel monitored blindfold movement drills.

Instructor Zhameia supervised evacuation procedures.

Instructor Chelaine handled recovery pacing.

Instructor Kevin observed discipline consistency.

Instructor Lianne reviewed team synchronization.

Instructor Sharmaine handled emotional pressure endurance.

Instructor Maureen supervised tactical memory drills.

Instructor Morixette evaluated environmental adaptability.

Instructor Karylle corrected timing discipline.

Instructor Vanessa handled defensive reaction tests.

Instructor Zhandrieu monitored combat efficiency.

And among them—

The chosen eight main instructors coordinated continuously.

Instructor Faye supervised the trainees under her assigned unit carefully.

“…Again. Control your breathing before moving.”

Instructor Mark adjusted endurance pacing beside her.

“…You waste too much energy panicking.”

Instructor Landrieu corrected tactical positioning.

“…Your stance collapses under pressure.”

Instructor Azhette analyzed psychological reactions.

“…Fear is acceptable. Hesitation is not.”

Instructor Syndie calmly guided unstable trainees.

“…Focus. One movement at a time.”

Instructor Arch Jude silently corrected combat form himself whenever necessary.

Instructor Monique handled medical observation while still coaching recovery movement.

Instructor Jonathan monitored digital evaluations and simulation probability projections in real time.

The training grounds became relentless.

Obstacle routes activated.

Combat drills intensified.

Blindfold simulations began.

Psychological pressure exercises escalated.

And still—

Nobody stopped.

Not even—

Instructor Yanzhi.

Instructor Flint.

Instructor Justin.

Still wearing trainee uniforms.

Still pretending.

Still blending naturally among the trainees.

They trained quietly beside everyone else.

Sweating. Breathing. Running.

Acting perfectly.

Even while several instructors secretly coordinated around them.

Nearby—

Trainee Ysabelle moved calmly through obstacle drills.

Efficient. Controlled. Precise.

Trainee Laurie struggled but kept moving.

Again. And again. And again.

Trainee Ashley trembled during pressure exercises but refused to quit.

Trainee Mirco pushed through exhaustion silently.

None of them knew.

None of them realized.

They had already passed.

Already been approved.

Already been selected.

Because the International Masters of the Committee preferred it that way.

Maintain the illusion.

Observe them naturally.

Watch who they become, even after success.

From the elevated platform—

Instructor Sapphire quietly watched the four trainees.

Instructor Skyrish noticed.

“…Still observing them?”

Instructor Sapphire answered calmly.

“…Yes.”

Instructor Bailey tilted her head softly.

“…You think they’ll notice before tomorrow?”

Instructor Amethyst smiled faintly.

“…Trainee Ysabelle probably suspects something.”

Instructor Nexcialine crossed her arms.

“…Trainee Laurie definitely doesn’t.”

Instructor Raphael chuckled softly.

“…Trainee Ashley and Trainee Mirco are too exhausted to think.”

A faint smile touched Instructor Sapphire’s lips.

“…Good.”

The training intensified further.

Hours passed.

The afternoon sun slowly lowered.

Trainees stumbled.

Recovered.

Continued.

Because every instructor around them, refused to let them quit.

Instructor Faye caught Trainee Laurie before she collapsed during endurance drills.

“…Steady.”

Trainee Laurie breathed shakily.

“…S-Sorry…”

Instructor Faye’s voice softened slightly.

“…Don’t apologize.”

“…Stand again.”

Trainee Laurie nodded immediately.

Nearby—

Instructor Azhette watched Trainee Ysabelle clear another blindfold route flawlessly.

“…Terrifyingly natural…”

Instructor Landrieu smirked faintly.

“…Like watching someone who already belongs here.”

Instructor Syndie observed Trainee Ashley helping another trainee despite exhaustion.

“…She still prioritizes others…”

Instructor Arch Jude quietly watched Trainee Mirco continue training while injured.

“…Endurance improved.”

Instructor Monique smiled softly.

“…They’ve changed already…”

The hours continued.

[HSBA Delta Training Camp — Main Training Grounds | 5:43 P.M.]

Then—

BZZZZZZZZT.

A loud buzzer echoed across the entire HSBA Delta Branch training grounds.

Everything stopped.

Silence followed.

Then—

Relief.

Controlled. Disciplined. Exhausted relief.

Instructor Sapphire lowered her hand calmly.

“…Training for today is complete.”

Several trainees nearly collapsed from exhaustion.

Others sat immediately on the ground.

Breathing heavily.

Sweating heavily.

Instructor Skyrish stretched lazily.

“…Finally…”

Instructor Bailey rubbed her eyes.

“…I need sleep…”

Instructor Maeve laughed softly.

“…Everyone does…”

Instructor Raphael crossed his arms.

“…Good work today.”

Instructor Nexcialine scanned the trainees.

“…Most of them improved.”

Instructor Euphy nodded.

“…Tomorrow will still crush them though.”

Instructor Zephyr added calmly.

“…That’s the point.”

Then—

Instructor Sapphire spoke once more.

“…All trainees are dismissed.”

“…Return to the trainee dormitories.”

“…Eat.”

“…Recover.”

“…Sleep early.”

“…Tomorrow… Day Zero Test begins.”

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

Heavy.

Nervous.

Real.

Several trainees visibly stiffened.

Others looked down quietly.

Some looked terrified.

But nobody complained.

Because they all knew—

Tomorrow would decide their future.

Instructor Yanzhi exchanged a quiet glance with Instructor Flint and Instructor Justin.

Still pretending.

Still acting naturally.

“…Let’s head back.” Instructor Flint muttered casually.

Instructor Justin nodded.

“…Tomorrow’s going to be rough.”

Instructor Yanzhi adjusted her trainee uniform slightly.

“…For them… yes.”

Nearby—

Trainee Ysabelle quietly helped Trainee Ashley walk.

Trainee Laurie carried Trainee Mirco’s training bag without complaint.

Still unaware.

Still believing tomorrow would be their true test.

Instructor Faye watched her daughter quietly.

A soft emotion crossed her face.

Pride.

Instructor Mark noticed immediately.

“…She improved.”

Instructor Faye nodded softly.

“…Yes…”

Instructor Landrieu crossed his arms.

“…All four did.”

Instructor Azhette smirked faintly.

“…Especially the ones pretending not to notice each other.”

Instructor Syndie blinked.

“…You mean Trainee Ysabelle and Instructor Yanzhi?”

Instructor Azhette only smiled.

Instructor Arch Jude shook his head quietly.

“…Tomorrow’s observations will be interesting.”

Instructor Monique gathered her files.

“…Let’s rest while we still can…”

Instructor Jonathan powered down the portable monitoring systems.

One by one—

The instructors began leaving the training grounds.

The trainees slowly returned toward the dormitories.

The sun lowered further.

The evening air slowly cooled.

And above the entire HSBA Delta Branch—

A quiet tension lingered.

Because tomorrow—

Everything would change.

Again.

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