DUALITY [PART-1]

[As the cadets gathered, the training hall buzzed with anticipation, their ranks and elements now defining their paths. The walls were lined with advanced technology, ensuring every element could be perfected. Supervisor 009911 stood before them, ready to announce the assignments.]

Supervisor 009911: (with authority) Welcome, cadets. Today marks the beginning of your specialized training. Your ranks and elements have been assessed, and you will now be grouped accordingly. Remember, this is where you prove your worth and prepare for the challenges ahead. Let's begin.

Ace - Rank: 1 SOLO (RARE-CLASS) {ELEMENT-UNKNOWN}

Luna - Rank: 2 DUAL {ELEMENT-UNKNOWN}

Noah - Rank: 3 DUAL {ELEMENT-UNKNOWN}

Sofia - Rank: 4 DUAL {ELEMENT-WIND}

Ethan - Rank: 5 DUAL {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Zara - Rank: 6 DUAL {ELEMENT-WIND}

Levi - Rank: 7 DUAL {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Nora - Rank: 8 QUAD {ELEMENT-WIND}

Oliver - Rank: 9 QUAD {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Grace - Rank: 10 QUAD {ELEMENT-WIND}

Mason - Rank: 11 QUAD {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Lucas - Rank: 12 QUAD {ELEMENT-WIND}

Elena - Rank: 13 QUAD {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Isaac - Rank: 14 QUAD {ELEMENT-WIND}

Avery - Rank: 15 QUAD {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Logan - Rank: 16 QUAD {ELEMENT-WIND}

Harper - Rank: 17 QUAD {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Elijah - Rank: 18 QUAD {ELEMENT-WIND}

Sophie - Rank: 19 QUAD {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Dek - Rank: 20* DUAL {ELEMENT-ICE}

Eamk - Rank: 21 QUAD {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Liam - Rank: 22 OCT {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Emily - Rank: 23 OCT {ELEMENT-WIND}

David - Rank: 24 OCT {ELEMENT-WIND}

Aiden - Rank: 25 OCT {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Mia - Rank: 26 OCT {ELEMENT-WIND}

Emma - Rank: 27 OCT {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Lucia - Rank: 28 OCT {ELEMENT-WIND}-INFECTED

Crash - Rank: 29* DUAL {ELEMENT-FIRE}

Kah - Rank: 30 OCT {ELEMENT-ROCK}

Supervisor 009911: (continuing) Each group has been designed to maximize your potential. You will train with your assigned partners, pushing each other to new heights. Let's begin with the Dual groups. Dek, Crash, step forward.

Dek: (stepping up, glancing at Crash) Looks like we're partners, Redhead.

Crash: (rolling his eyes) don't slow me down, Mophead.

Supervisor 009911: (smiling slightly) Good to see the camaraderie already. You two will focus on mastering your elements and complementing each other's abilities. Your unique awakening has shown great promise.

Luna and Noah stepped forward next, both with determined expressions. Their unknown elements added a layer of mystery to their training.

Luna: (calmly) We'll find out what we can do soon enough, Noah.

Noah: (nodding) Let's make it count.

Supervisor 009911: (nodding) Indeed. For the Quad groups, you'll be training in squads of four. The synergy between wind and rock elements will be crucial for your missions.

[Nora, Oliver, Grace, and Mason moved into formation, their eyes reflecting the focus required for their upcoming tasks.]

Nora: (to her team) We need to be in sync. No room for mistakes.

Mason: (grinning) Don't worry, we've got this.

[The remaining cadets, forming the Oct groups, were visibly eager to start. Their training would involve complex team strategies, harnessing the power of their elements in harmony.]

Emily: (whispering to Mia) This is it. Time to show what we can do.

Mia: (nodding) Let's give it our all.

Supervisor 009911: (addressing all) Your training begins now. Each group will have a designated instructor. Focus, adapt, and push beyond your limits. This is where you become actual operatives.

[Dek and Crash shared a determined look as the cadets dispersed to their training areas.]

Dek: (smirking) Ready to see who's the better elementalist?

MEANWHILE

Crash: (grinning) You're on, Mophead. Let's burn and freeze our way to the top.

[The health room was dimly lit, its sterile environment starkly contrasted with the tension in the air. Rank 28, Lucia, sat on one of the beds, looking dazed and distant. Ace, Rank 1, lounged casually beside him, his expression unreadable. Instructor 9 watched them from the monitor with a growing suspicion.]

Ace: (leaning in close, inspecting Lucia's face) Tch. What's wrong with you? You look like you've been eating poor-quality chocolate. (grabs a handful of Lucia's hair and yanks out a few strands) Oof, brittle, too.

Lucia: (winces, barely reacting) What are you talking about?

Ace: (smirking, ignoring Lucia's question) There's nothing like homemade chocolate. Let me tell you how to make it. (leans in even closer, voice dropping to a creepy whisper) First, you need high-quality cocoa beans. Roast them to perfection until you can smell the rich aroma. Not too burnt, not too raw. Just right.

Lucia: (blinking slowly, trying to focus) Why are you telling me this?

Ace: (continues as if he didn't hear) Once they're roasted, you crack them open and separate the nibs from the husks. It's a delicate process. You have to be gentle but firm. (his fingers twitch as if demonstrating) Then, you grind the nibs into a paste, adding sugar and vanilla for that perfect sweetness.

Lucia: (shuddering, feeling uneasy) Ace, stop. This isn't normal.

Ace: (eyes glinting with a strange light) Oh, but we're not done yet. The mixture needs to be tempered. Heat it, then cool it down. Heat, cool, heat, cool. Until it's smooth and glossy. (smirks) That's the secret to the perfect chocolate.

Lucia: (struggling to keep his eyes open) Why… why are you telling me this?

Ace: (tilts his head, looking almost sympathetic) Because, my dear Lucia, you seem to have forgotten what quality tastes like. And we can't have that, can we? (leans back, satisfied) Now, you'll remember.

[On the monitor, Instructor 9 narrowed his eyes, his suspicion deepening. He watched the interaction closely, noting Ace's unusual behaviour.]

Instructor 9: (muttering to himself) What is he up to? This is more than just odd behaviour. He's... conditioning him.

[Ace turned suddenly, his eyes locking onto the hidden camera. He smiled slowly, knowingly, chilling Instructor 9's spine.]

Ace: (speaking to Lucia, but directed at the camera) Remember, Lucia. Quality over quantity. Always. (pauses, then looks directly at the camera) And for those watching, maybe it's time you learned the recipe, too.

[Lucia's head slumped forward, his eyes closing as he fell into a deep, uneasy sleep. Ace stood up, stretching lazily.]

Ace: (to himself) Well, that was fun. (turns to leave) Time to clean up and get back to business.

[Instructor 9 quickly switched off the monitor, his heart racing. He needed to inform the higher-ups about this interaction. Something wasn't right with Ace, and it was more dangerous than he initially thought.]

Instructor 9: (speaking into his communicator) This is Instructor 9. We have a situation with Rank 28. Immediate attention is required.

[As Ace walked down the hallway, he hummed a tune to himself, his mind already moving to the next step in his plan. He would continue to play his games, manipulate those around him, and ensure he stayed at the top. After all, quality was his speciality.]