Inside a dimly lit control room, a crowd of military officers, analysts, and sergeants sat hunched over an array of monitors.
Each screen displayed different battlefields, corresponding to one of the numerous teams undergoing their simulated war challenge.
The atmosphere was tense. Some teams were already struggling, falling apart under the relentless waves of enemies. Others showed tactical brilliance, but most recruits were failing, their inexperience was painfully clear.
Yet, despite the chaos of multiple teams facing their challenges simultaneously, most of the eyes in the room were locked onto one screen.
Atticus's challenge.
A single, commanding presence stood at the front of the room, his hands tucked behind his back, his posture relaxed yet imposing.
Colonel Zenon.
The mere fact that he was present was shocking. Zenon rarely, if ever, attended these evaluations. He had seen it all before, and nothing ever excited him.
And yet, here he was.
