Chapter 11: The Commander's Cadets

The next day, the dormitory was so quiet that the sound of a needle drop could be heard. That peaceful stillness was shattered by a loud bell ringing through the dorm, piercing the calm atmosphere.

"Arghhh!" Fatty grumbled, rolling out of bed.

"Is it morning already?" Hazen mumbled, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

Cain, already awake, glanced over at Ghain, who was still fast asleep. "C'mon, get up. It's morning," Cain said, pulling the duvet off Ghain.

"Leave me alone. I want to sleep," Ghain groaned, grabbing the duvet and pulling it back over his head.

"You'd better—" Cain began, but was cut off by a calm, authoritative voice booming through the speakers.

"Everyone, get to the shadow pit in thirty minutes. If you're late, you will not like the outcome."

Ghain's eyes snapped open. "Thirty minutes…" he muttered.

"Thirty minutes!" Hazen, Ghain, and Fatty echoed in unison.

Cain shook his head at their shocked expressions. "You all should go take your baths."

Fatty turned to him, eyes wide with panic. "Bath? Do you really think I have time for that? I won't make it there in thirty minutes!" He scrambled to find some clothes. "Where are my pants?!"

"Finally!" Fatty muttered in relief, snatching his pants off the floor.

"If we're late, who knows if they'll release some new beast to eat us?" Ghain muttered, hurriedly pulling on his clothes.

"Have you taken your bath? Why bother us?" Hazen asked as she buckled her belt.

"I've had my bath," Cain said flatly, crossing his arms.

The three froze, staring at him in disbelief.

"You could've woken us!" Fatty accused, running toward Cain, fists clenched. "You want us to be smelly today?!"

"I tried!" Cain laughed, dodging Fatty's swing as he leaped onto a nearby bed. "Not my fault you sleep like the dead!"

"Liar!" Fatty yelled, chasing after him.

Cain sprinted out of the dorm toward the shadow pit, laughing as Fatty bolted after him. Hazen and Ghain stood there laughing, watching the chaos unfold.

"They've left us," Hazen said with a chuckle, before running after them.

"Hey! Wait up!" Ghain called out, chasing after Hazen.

---

In the shadow pit, the atmosphere buzzed with energy. Groups of recruits chatted among themselves, filling the space with noise.

"Hazen, do you see Fatty and Cain?" Ghain asked, scanning the crowd.

"Yeah, over there," Hazen replied, pointing toward them as they approached.

"You two settled already?" Hazen asked as they reached Fatty, who was holding a plate of pancakes.

"As expected of Fatty. Give me some, I haven't had breakfast," Hazen said, reaching out for a piece.

"No way! If you're hungry, go get your own!" Fatty replied, running off to protect his pancakes.

"Hey! Don't be so stingy!" Hazen laughed, chasing after him.

Ghain watched them run off, shaking his head in amusement. Cain smiled as his gaze followed Fatty, who was munching on his food, sprinting to stay ahead of Hazen.

….

Commander Kyle strode into the pit with his usual cold, unapproachable demeanor, flanked by four other officials. The recruits immediately fell silent, all eyes turning to him as they instinctively moved closer, waiting for his instructions.

Commander Kyle's gaze swept across the crowd. "I want four equal lines, now," he ordered.

Without hesitation, the recruits scrambled into formation, each one hoping for a moment of recognition from the commander.

"As you all know, I am Commander Kyle," he began, his sharp tone commanding attention. "These are the officials who will train you. Each line will be led by one of them. I'll choose first."

He stepped toward the first line, but something caught his eye—a petite figure in the next line, smiling at the chubby guy behind her. A flicker of anger crossed Kyle's face, though he couldn't quite explain why he felt upset.

"I'll take the next line. Line two," he said, his tone laced with irritation.

A man dressed in a navy-blue military outfit, with caramel skin and a friendly smile, addressed the first line. "Good morning, everyone. I'm Ravi, and I'll be training you. Put in your best effort, and face each day better than the last."

A muscular, light-skinned man with a cigarette dangling from his lips took charge of the third line. "I'm Jayden," he said coolly, scanning his group. "I'll be your trainer."

The fourth official, a tall man with a mischievous grin, waved at his line. "I'm Hardin. I may not be as strong as Kyle, but I promise, I'm not that bad."

Commander Kyle's voice cut through the air once more. "Everyone has your trainers. Obey and respect them. I'll take my leave now." With that, he gestured for line two to follow him.

Hazen turned to Ghain and Cain, who were in a different line. "I guess Fatty and I are leaving now. See you later," she said, waving as she followed Commander Kyle's lead.

Cain noticed Ghain's gaze lingering on the door long after Hazen had disappeared.

"They're gone already. Why are you still staring?" Cain asked.

Ghain sighed. "I wish I was in the same line as Hazen and Fatty."

"How would I survive with boring Cain" Ghain thought his gaze still on the door.

Cain glanced at the door, then back at Ghain. "We're in the same dorm. We'll still see them during lunch. Now, focus—our trainer's here. There's no way he'll be bad."

…

Meanwhile, Hazen followed Commander Kyle down a long, dimly lit hallway. Kyle stopped abruptly in front of a massive black door and, with a push, revealed a large room with barred windows and flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows. In the center stood a wide ring, proud and intimidating.

"Get in a straight line," Kyle ordered. Without hesitation, the recruits lined up, standing rigidly, waiting for what was next.

Hazen's eyes followed Commander Kyle as he moved to a table and picked up what looked like a necklace. Confusion crossed Hazen's face. "What's that?" she wondered silently.

"This is an invincible cloak. It would help you repel the sun you have to have it on twenty four hours ready for any battle any time of the day" Commander Kyle said as he walked up everyone giving the cloak to them.

When he got to Hazen, he gave Hazen the cloak who stretched her hands out to take it and put it on immediately, Commander Kyle passed him,

"Why does his hands look slim and delicate despite being a man? Why do I pay attention to every details in him?" he thought as he continued moving down handing the cloak to all new members.