The sound of heavy boots hitting stone echoed across the field.
Everyone turned to look.
An instructor walked forward, her long black coat swaying with every step. Her face was calm but serious—like she'd seen war up close. Several other instructors followed behind her, each just as silent.
She stopped in front of the students and scanned their faces.
"This is not a normal test," she said in a firm voice. "This will be a battle royale… but it will feel like a real war."
Some students tensed up. Others frowned or whispered quietly.
The instructor raised one hand.
At once, black armor appeared in front of every student. It floated in the air, almost like it was breathing. Dark energy pulsed from it, as if it had a life of its own.
"This armor is new," she explained. "It was made using Wrimms—creatures from the Shadow Dimension."
She walked slowly between them as she spoke.
"These suits will shape themselves to your body. Just touch them. Give it a bit of Aether."
