Azrael opened the mission attachment and began studying the secret realm's topographical data with growing fascination. Rather than the flat, static maps he'd expected, the device displayed a fully three-dimensional holographic projection that rotated slowly before his eyes.
Every detail had been rendered with remarkable precision, mountain peaks, forest canopies, river systems, and structural ruins all mapped with accuracy that spoke of advanced reconnaissance capabilities.
"This must be the work of specialized cartography cards," Azrael mused, admiring the technical sophistication. The level of detail surpassed anything he'd encountered during his previous secret realm expeditions, suggesting the military took these training exercises far more seriously than university welfare programs.
Within the comprehensive map, a small section glowed crimson, his designated operational zone where Silver-level entities awaited elimination.
"Forest terrain," he observed with satisfaction, studying the mountainous landscape dotted with dense vegetation. "Fortunate that I invested time in genetic harvesting before this assignment."
The area presented both opportunities and challenges. While forest environments offered excellent concealment and tactical advantages for someone with Pride's enhanced capabilities, they also provided similar benefits to the demons he'd be hunting. Stealth would work both ways in such terrain.
Azrael tapped the red zone, and additional information cascaded across the display in neat tactical summaries.
[Operational Theater: Mixed ecosystem supporting diverse demonic populations]
[Threat Assessment: Confirmed Silver-level entities of various subspecies]
[Environmental Factors: Dense canopy, uneven terrain, multiple water sources]
[Special Notes: Enhanced biodiversity compared to controlled realm environments]
"Excellent," Azrael breathed, genuine excitement coloring his voice. Unlike the sterile, managed environment of the [Night Banquet] secret realm, this theater promised genuine ecological variety. The demons here had evolved in natural conditions rather than artificial captivity, meaning they'd likely developed more sophisticated survival strategies and combat capabilities.
The realm itself bore the bureaucratic designation [Unnamed Territory 47-C], proof that the Empire of Aetherlight hadn't yet established permanent control over this particular dimensional space. Such uncontrolled realms offered both greater dangers and superior rewards compared to their domesticated counterparts.
Just as Azrael prepared to pocket his device, the communication software chimed with an incoming message. The notification originated from the group chat labeled [Loving Family], Master Lucian's inner circle that had remained completely silent since his initial admission.
[Corey: Finally escaped from that nightmare realm. Good to be back in civilization.]
[Corey: Have eldest brother and second sister emerged from their assignments yet?]
[Corey: Junior sister, your antisocial tendencies really need addressing. Take lessons from my sparkling personality.]
[Corey: Wait, Teacher accepted another disciple?]
[Corey: Welcome to the family, junior brother! 🎉]
Azrael's eye twitched as messages flooded the chat with machine-gun rapidity. This Senior Brother Li presented a completely different personality profile from Alice's reserved nature, a verbal hurricane who apparently never encountered a silence he couldn't fill with enthusiastic commentary.
[Azrael: Greetings, Senior Brother Three. I look forward to your guidance.]
Based on the group's composition and Corey's casual references to other members, Azrael deduced this was likely his third senior brother in Master Lucian's hierarchical structure.
[Corey: Such formality! We're family now, no need for excessive politeness.]
[Corey: Speaking of family bonding, my recent expedition was absolutely hellish.]
[Corey: The secret realms have become significantly more dangerous lately. Demon diversity and tactical sophistication have increased exponentially.]
[Corey: Several Emerald-level Cardians in my operation were killed outright. EMERALD-LEVEL! Can you believe it?]
[Corey: Thank the ancestors we managed complete clearance. Left nothing alive in that cursed place.]
The casual mention of Emerald-level casualties sent chills down Azrael's spine. His third senior brother was clearly operating in frontier territories, either the coastal defense lines or the northern borders where high-tier demons posed constant threats to Imperial security.
Complete extermination protocols indicated the realm had been deemed too dangerous for control measures. Rather than attempting to establish management infrastructure, military forces had simply killed everything and sealed the dimensional access points.
[Corey: Why is everyone so quiet?]
[Corey: Did the chat die while I was typing?]
[Alice: Present.]
[Azrael: About to enter practical training realm. Will contact you afterward, Senior Brother Three.]
[Corey: Understood! Stay safe, junior brother. Though I suppose junior sister isn't the youngest anymore, ]
Azrael pocketed his device before Corey could launch into another conversational barrage. Around him, the other students had begun filing through the dimensional portal, leaving him increasingly isolated at the staging area.
The military instructor approached with obvious impatience. "Having second thoughts, student? If fear is affecting your judgment, withdrawal remains an option. However, you'll forfeit all future practical training opportunities within our program."
"My apologies," Azrael replied with appropriate deference. "I was handling urgent communication from my teacher."
The mention of Master Lucian's involvement immediately shifted the instructor's demeanor from irritation to respectful understanding. "Of course. Please proceed when ready."
Without further delay, Azrael stepped through the swirling portal and felt reality shift around him as he crossed into the unnamed realm.
The first sensation that greeted him was water, torrential rain that fell with such intensity it seemed the very heavens had declared war on the landscape below. Each droplet struck with surprising force, creating a constant percussion that drowned out most ambient sound while reducing visibility to mere meters.
Across the staging area, other students huddled in whatever shelter they could improvise, their equipment already sodden despite waterproof precautions. The rain transformed the ground into treacherous mud that sucked at boots and made every step a potential hazard.
"What's the plan here?" one student called to his teammates, shouting to be heard above the aquatic bombardment. "Do we wait for better weather?"
Kevaugn, leading his small team with characteristic determination, shook his head decisively. "Unknown duration for weather improvement. We proceed immediately toward our objective zone."
His team members nodded agreement, though their expressions carried obvious reluctance about venturing into such hostile conditions.
"Where's that freshman who replaced you as Battle Club main?" another student inquired, scanning the staging area with curious eyes. "Don't see him anywhere. Think he got cold feet?"
Kevaugn's expression remained carefully neutral despite the subtle provocation. "Anyone pursuing a serious Cardian career must face challenges like this eventually."
"I refuse to believe someone afraid of Silver-level opposition could have defeated me."
Even as he spoke, Kevaugn caught sight of Azrael's solitary figure near the portal entrance, the young man apparently conducting some form of environmental assessment rather than seeking immediate shelter.
"He's operating solo," the first student observed with obvious concern. "This is supposedly his first practical training exercise, right? Seems unnecessarily dangerous for someone without team support."
The comment sparked uncomfortable silence among Kevaugn's group. While formal Lore Cardian duels followed civilized rules with safety protocols, secret realm operations offered no such protections. Even experienced teams sometimes suffered casualties when demons proved more cunning or numerous than intelligence estimates suggested.
For a first-time participant attempting solo operations, the risks multiplied exponentially.
"We focus on our own mission parameters," Kevaugn finally declared, though his voice carried notes of uncertainty. "Someone with his demonstrated capabilities should manage basic survival."
Survival, yes, he thought privately. But successfully completing the elimination objectives? That's considerably more challenging.
Meanwhile, Azrael extended his mental energy outward in careful pulses, probing the storm's supernatural properties with methodical precision. Experience had taught him that secret realm environments often concealed hidden dangers within seemingly natural phenomena.
"Interesting," he murmured after completing his analysis. "Pure precipitation without magical contamination or demonic influence."
The conclusion surprised him slightly. Many secret realms featured weather patterns infused with supernatural energies that could drain mental power, induce hallucinations, or provide environmental advantages to native creatures. This storm appeared to be nothing more than an unusually intense natural weather system.
After confirming his position using the device's GPS functionality, Azrael made his tactical decision. Pride flowed across his body like liquid shadow, transforming him from a seemingly ordinary student into the three-meter-tall nightmare that had become his signature appearance.
The metamorphosis drew shocked stares from every student within visual range. Those who had witnessed similar transformations during his Battle Club demonstrations recognized the display, but newcomers recoiled with instinctive terror from the alien predator that had materialized among them.
Ignoring their reactions with practiced indifference, Azrael activated the [Pointed Wings] genetic module. Muscular membranes erupted from his enhanced frame with wet tearing sounds, unfurling into the bat-like flight apparatus that had served him so well during his mountain expedition.
Several students stumbled backward as they processed what they were witnessing, a fusion of human intelligence with biological capabilities that transcended normal understanding. The sight challenged everything they thought they knew about Lore Cardian limitations.
"What the hell is that supposed to be?" someone whispered with horrified fascination.
"Some kind of biological armor system?"
"I've never seen anything like it in our textbooks."
Azrael coiled his enhanced leg muscles and launched himself skyward with explosive force, the powerful wing beats carrying him rapidly away from the staging area. Within moments, he had become a dark silhouette against the storm clouds, leaving a wake of disturbed air and bewildered students in his path.
His aerial departure created a white contrail through the heavy rain as he accelerated toward his operational zone, the enhanced speed allowing him to cover distance that would have taken ground-based travel hours to traverse.
Behind him, the remaining students watched until his form disappeared entirely into the gray infinity of the storm.
"That was the new Battle Club main member," Kevaugn stated matter-of-factly, though his voice carried undertones of grudging respect. "His capabilities extend beyond what most of us initially assumed."
One of his teammates shivered despite the warm rain. "I'm starting to understand why you lost that challenge match."
Kevaugn nodded slowly, his tactical mind already processing the implications of what they'd witnessed. Whatever Azrael's true capabilities might be, they clearly transcended normal Silver-level parameters. The question was whether such power would prove sufficient for the challenges that awaited within the unnamed realm's depths.
Only time would provide that answer, assuming any of them survived long enough to compare notes about their respective missions.
The storm continued its relentless assault as the remaining students began their own journeys into the unknown, each group carrying equipment and hopes that might prove inadequate for the trials ahead.
Far above, a black and red figure cut through the gray sky with predatory grace, already planning the hunt that would soon begin in earnest.