The forest thinned out as Seraphina and Mia reached its outskirts, the rich scent of damp earth fading into the crisp air of the open clearing. Ahead, about sixty recruits stood in disciplined lines, their postures straight and uniform. Despite their rugged appearances, they moved in sync like soldiers forged in fire.
Seraphina raised a brow, her sharp green eyes sweeping over the scene. "Didn't you say there were 400 recruits? This looks more like a local book club."
Mia snorted, pushing her glasses up. "They all got eliminated. Sent packing. This is what's left of the competition."
Seraphina chuckled softly, her voice laced with amusement. "They didn't last, huh? Well, I can't say I'm surprised. If this is the highly trained soldiers, the rest must've been pathetic."
As they walked closer, their attention turned to a lone middle-aged man standing before the disciplined group. His eyes were sharp, betraying the easygoing demeanor he had displayed in his earlier banter with Grand General Sinclair. He exuded authority, standing relaxed but radiating undeniable control over the situation.
Mia perked up, quickening her pace before shouting in a practiced voice, "Report!"
Seraphina rolled her eyes but mimicked the call, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "Report."
The man turned his attention to the duo, his gaze lingering a moment longer on Seraphina, studying her with a flicker of intrigue. Then, with an effortless motion, he gestured toward the lined-up recruits. "Mia Rainfield, go stand in line."
Mia winked at Seraphina as she moved to join the disciplined ranks, whispering cheekily, "Good luck, Sera."
Seraphina watched her go, smirking slightly, before turning back to the man who was now walking toward her. He stopped a few paces away and addressed her loudly enough for the recruits to hear, "You. Come stand here beside me."
Without hesitation, Seraphina stepped forward, her movements smooth and self-assured. The group's attention turned to her, their eyes riddled with curiosity, amazement, jealousy—even a hint of admiration. But Seraphina remained unfazed. She'd been under this spotlight before, and this was just another crowd.
The man gave her a scrutinizing look, then turned back to the recruits. "All of you already introduced yourselves before the test began. But now we've got ourselves a new guest who decided to show up late."
He gestured toward Seraphina and smirked. "Go ahead, introduce yourself."
Seraphina scanned the crowd, her expression unmoved. "I'm Sera… aka one and only JJ."
An awkward silence hung over the clearing. The recruit's eyes widened, with disbelief written on their faces.
William Carl—the middle-aged man—burst out laughing, clapping a hand over his mouth as if to contain his amusement.
"That's it? No inspiring speech? No 'I will be the best' declaration?"
You sure are an odd one, Sera."
Seraphina tilted her head slightly, offering him a disgusted glare that could've frozen fire. But returned to normal the next second.
She shrugged, saying. "Not really my style."
Unbothered, William coughed awkwardly, straightening his jacket. "Well, alright then. Go get in line with the others." His tone shifted slightly, teasing. "Though I bet falling from the sky in the middle of the night was a tough way to start, huh?"
Seraphina's lips twisted into a look of pure disdain, but she didn't dignify his words with a response.
William cleared his throat, recovering quickly. "Anyway, I guess you all know me by now—I'm William Carls. I'll be your instructor until this training ends.
And now, I'll be announcing the test results."
The crowd stiffened slightly, a faint murmur rippling through the ranks.
William produced a clipboard, glancing down dramatically. "First place, with a stunning 56 badges… Seraphina !"
The group erupted into murmurs and side-eyes, their jealousy barely concealed. Some whispered about her daring reputation, others exchanged annoyed looks, but all of them gazed at her with varying levels of intrigue.
Seraphina just smirked at the reactions around her. Cathleen, in particular, had gone rigid, her expression unreadable except for the sharp glint in her eyes.
William continued, "Second place, Cathleen , with 49 badges. Third place, Arthur , with 46 badges. And fourth place… Mia , with 45 badges.....fifth place....."
Once the results were announced, William motioned toward the edge of the clearing. "Alright, gather your things. There's a plane waiting to take us back. Let's move."
Mia punched the air triumphantly. "Woo-hoo! Fourth place! Not bad for someone who had no cobra-kicking training!"
Seraphina rolled her eyes but allowed a faint smirk to tug at her lips.
As soon as William turned to leave, the recruits closed in on Seraphina like a wave, their curiosity spilling over.
"OH my god, I am your biggest fan?" one asked eagerly.
"Did you really fall out of the sky?!" another chimed in.
"why are you not wearing your uniform?" another one said.
"Are you really that JayJay?" someone else whispered in awe.
Seraphina sighed, running a hand through her hair. "One question at a time, guys. I know you can't control yourself, but be patient."
Everyone was left speechless at her narcissistic response.
From the edge of the group, Mia grinned mischievously, calling out her misery "I hope this was worth getting first place."
Seraphina smirked knowingly. "You're bold for someone who's supposed to be my friend, Mia."
The recruits surrounding them laughed.
Meanwhile, a few feet away, Cathleen stood apart, her arms crossed as she glared in Seraphina's direction. A tall guy beside her nudged her shoulder, grinning. "Looks like you've got some competition, Cathleen. I'm surprised you didn't take first place."
Cathleen slapped his hand off her shoulder, eyes narrowing. "Shut up, Arthur." Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and strode toward the plane, her jaw set.
Seraphina, watching from the corner of her eye, smirked. "Oh, this is going to be fun."