Prepare Yourself

Lin and Draco stood side by side at the academy's loading dock, their backpacks ready and excitement in their hearts. They had both earned their spots at Grenguard, the prestigious training ground for aspiring heroes of Shing district.

This was the actual beginning of their journeys to become a part of the Seal Squad, the defenders of mankind.

"It's finally happening, dude!" Lin exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Yeah, it feels like a dream come true," Draco replied, a sense of accomplishment swelling within him.

Their hard work and determination had paid off, and now they were about to embark on a new chapter of their journey to become true soldiers.

Feng and May were there to see them off, along with other friends of the rangers who had gathered to bid them farewell.

"You have worked hard to enhance your skill,"the voice in Lin's head began,"the stronger your body and mind, the more effective your skills. It will possibly get tougher from here. You have to believe you can do it, and trust I got your back."

"You guys better come back as legendary heroes!" Feng said, a mix of pride and sadness in his voice.

"We'll do our best!" Lin grinned, patting Feng on the back.

May hugged Lin tightly, her eyes welling up with tears. "Take care of yourself out there. You better come back in one piece."

"I promise, I'll come back stronger than ever. War changes a man," Lin assured her, flexing his muscles.

Draco, usually stoic and reserved, surprised them all by giving May a small smile. "Don't worry, we'll be back before you know it."

"Alright boys, let us get moving," Sergeant Malcolm's voice echoed.

Sergeant Malcolm was in the company of Sergeant Ringeck, the cadet combat instructor and squad commander Koyoshi, the Ranger's instructor.

With final hugs and farewells, Lin and Draco boarded the airlift that would take them to Grenguard.

As the vehicle departed from the academy, Lin looked back at the place that had become his second home.

Lin was sitting next to Draco, the only cadets amongst twenty-two rangers.

The expression the rangers wore clearly showed they didn't want the cadets with them, especially since they stole the spot from their class captain.

"We've come a long way, ignore the gnarling stares," Lin said, reflecting on their journey.

"We sure have, whatever stunt they pull, let'sstick together and get out of it," Draco agreed, a rare hint of sentiment in his voice.

The road to Grenguard was not just a physical journey but a journey of growth and self-discovery. Lin and Draco have faced numerous challenges, honed their skills, and are beginning to forge an unbreakable bond, to stay safe against rangers who now consider them enemies.

As the transport journeyed on, Lin felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. Grenguard was renowned for its rigorous training and tough instructors, but Lin was ready to embrace the challenges ahead.

"Zen, are you excited?" Lin asked, tapping his wristband.

"I'm an AI, so I don't experience emotions, but I'm here to assist you every step of the way," Zen replied.

"I know, and I'm glad to have you with me," Lin said, grateful for Zen's guidance and support.

The transport arrived at Grenguard airbase, and the students stepped out into a new world of possibilities. The training grounds were vast, and the atmosphere buzzed with energy and determination, yet it was peaceful.

As they entered the academy, they were greeted by the sight of other students, each with their own dreams and ambitions. Lin and Draco were ready to prove themselves among the best.

Lin couldn't wait to join the other students in training and battling against each other.

"Seemed like we will have to compete against other students from other camps," Lin said to Draco, noticing the different uniforms the students were wearing.

"Come on, let's settle in first, then we can find out anything we want to and begin training," Draco replied.

"How about we explore before settling in?" Lin asked, excitement in his voice.

Draco was reluctant. He wanted to go lie down and be alone, but Lin insisted.

The advanced training setting at Grenguard was a marvel of modern technology and innovation. The facility was vast, with state-of-the-art training grounds and cutting-edge simulation rooms.

Every corner of Grenguard was designed to push the boundaries of what young soldiers could achieve and prepare them for the challenges they would face in the field.

One of the most impressive sections of Grenguard was the Mechabot Training Arena.

Here, young soldiers honed their skills in piloting and controlling gigantic mechs – towering machines equipped with advanced weaponry and tactical systems. The arena featured various terrains, from dense jungles to urban cityscapes, allowing soldiers to adapt their strategies to different environments. The mechs were controlled through neural interfaces, enhancing the connection between the pilot and the machine.

After the Mechabot Training Arena was the Virtual Combat Simulation Room, it was an advanced, immersive training environment. Here, soldiers faced virtual enemies, ranging from humanoid and hellhound andriods to complex out of this world AI-driven adversaries.

The simulation room used cutting-edge holographic technology to create lifelike scenarios, testing soldiers' decision-making, reflexes, and teamwork. This simulation was crucial for developing their combat skills and preparing them for real-life combat situations.

As Lin and Draco explored the vast and impressive facility of Grenguard, they marvelled at the advanced technology and cutting-edge training grounds.

"Draco, can you believe we made it here?" Lin exclaimed, excitement evident in his voice.

Draco nodded, a rare smile gracing his usually stoic face. "I always knew we had what it takes. Grenguard wouldn't have accepted us otherwise."

Lin chuckled. "You're right. But still, it's hard to believe we're really here. This place is incredible."

Draco nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The training facilities here are unlike anything I've ever seen before. I can't wait to get started."

As they continued their exploration, Lin couldn't help but notice Draco's demeanour. The usually reserved and aloof Draco seemed genuinely interested and engaged.

"I have to admit, I was a bit surprised when you called me to hoin you trade in our credits for a spot at Grenguard," Lin said, curious about Draco's sudden change of heart.

Draco shrugged nonchalantly. "I figured it would be a good opportunity to enhance my combat skills and learn to utilize advanced tech. Plus, you genuinely wanted to be here. Besides, it's not like I have anything better to do."

Lin raised an eyebrow. "You mean you don't have any grand plan to take down the hellhounds or something?"

Draco smirked. "Taking down the hellhounds is still on my agenda, but I've learned that rushing into things without proper preparation is not the smartest approach. Grenguard can help me become even more formidable."

"I guess you're right," Lin agreed, gaining a newfound respect for Draco's practicality.

As they walked through the Virtual Combat Simulation Room, Lin couldn't resist asking, "So, Draco, how about a friendly spar to test out these new training grounds?"

Draco raised an eyebrow, considering the proposition. "Why not? It'll be good to see how much you've improved since we have never fought, I can'thelp but wonder if you have a chance against me."

They stepped into the simulation room and geared up with the neural interfaces, connecting them to the virtual combat system.

"Prepare yourself, Lin," Draco said with a hint of excitement in his voice.