Chapter 9: The Real Training**
**The Commander's Trial**
Shen's blade clashed against the Commander's, sparks flying with each strike. Sweat dripped from his brow, but his movements were sharper than ever.
**Kenya** (watching intently): *"Shen's strength has improved… a lot."*
**Ruke** (wide-eyed): *"Whoa! The Commander's energy is insane!"*
The others murmured in awe as Shen pushed the Commander back—until the Commander raised a hand.
**Commander**: *"Enough. Let's end this."*
A surge of energy blasted from his palm, sending Shen crashing to the ground. Defeated.
**Commander**: *"Next. Kenya."*
Shen staggered out of the training zone as Kenya stepped in, cracking her knuckles. Hours later, the grueling session finally ended.
**Shen** (panting): *"Damn… that was intense."*
**Kenya** (grinning): *"Yeah. But it felt good."*
**Ruke**: *"Next up—basic training."*
**Eliz** (nodding): *"Right…"*
Shen groaned. *"Their training's brutal."*
And so, day after day, they endured. Six months passed in a blur of sweat and steel—until one day, the Commander vanished.
---
### **The Commander's Disappearance**
A sudden message. A rushed departure. The Commander left for Perth—and never returned.
Weeks passed. Shen, Kenya, Ruke, and Eliz sat in the dining hall, unease gnawing at them.
**Shen**: *"Hey… has anyone seen the Commander lately?"*
**Kenya**: *"No. Not for days."*
Murmurs spread through the room like wildfire.
**Whispers**: *"He went to Perth… an Arcane disaster hit. The battle's still raging."*
**Shen** (eyes widening): *"What did they just say?"*
**Kenya** (grim): *"He's fighting. Alone."*
A spark ignited in Shen's eyes.
**Shen** (grinning): *"Then let's go help him!"*
**Kenya**: *"Are you insane?! We've seen those Arcanes—they're massive!"*
**Ruke**: *"We can't win."*
**Eliz**: *"She's right."*
But Shen's determination burned brighter. *"Come on, guys! We've trained for this!"*
Just then—
**Captain Luez** (leaning against the doorway): *"Planning a little trip, are we?"*
**Shen** (startled): *"Captain! Uh… don't tell anyone."*
The Captain smirked. *"If you want my silence… take me with you."*
---
### **The Midnight Escape**
That night, under the cover of darkness, the group gathered at the edge of the battleground.
**Captain Luez**: *"Alright, let's move. But first—any of you know how to ride a Revilsor?"*
Silence.
**Shen**: *"No."*
**Kenya**: *"Nope."*
**Eliz**: *"No idea."*
**Captain** (sighing): *"…Me neither."*
**Shen** (grinning): *"Captain, shouldn't you know *everything*?"*
**Captain** (dryly): *"If captains had all the answers, we'd never discover anything new."*
Then—
**Ruke** (raising a hand): *"I can ride one."*
**Shen** (pumping a fist): *"Ruke, you legend!"*
**Ruke**: *"But how do we *get* a Revilsor?"*
The Captain's smirk returned. *"Leave that to me."*
Minutes later, they stood before a sleek, armored vehicle.
**Shen** (grinning): *"Perfect. Let's roll!"*
---
### **The Road to Perth**
Ruke revved the engine, and the Revilsor roared to life. Dawn approached as they raced across the wasteland—
—only for the ground to *split open* beneath them.
A monstrous Arcane erupted from the earth.
**Ruke** (swerving): *"OH COME ON!"*
**Kenya**: *"What the hell is that?!"*
**Eliz**: *"Another Arcane?!"*
**Shen** (eyes blazing): *"I'll handle it!"*
In a flash, his blade was out. He moved like lightning—striking before the others could blink.
**Ruke** (stunned): *"What *was* that?!"*
**Kenya** (smirking): *"That's what six months of training looks like."*
Ruke's fear melted into resolve. *"Then I'm fighting too!"*
**Kenya**: *"Wait, where are you—?!"*
But Ruke was already leaping out. *"You drive!"*
**Kenya** (panicked): *"I DON'T KNOW HOW!"*
The Revilsor careened wildly as Shen and Ruke battled the Arcane.
**Shen**: *"Why'd you follow me?!"*
**Ruke**: *"You're getting stronger. I won't be left behind!"*
Just as Kenya nearly plunged into a crater—Ruke lunged back inside, slamming the brakes.
**Kenya** (panting): *"Where's the Arcane?"*
**Shen** (wiping his blade): *"Dead."*
But the Captain's voice cut through their relief.
**Captain** (tense): *"Then… what are *those*?"*
Dozens of armored figures loomed on the horizon—**Arcane Knights**, their weapons gleaming.
And in the distance, a familiar figure stood amidst the carnage.
**Commander** (cutting down knights with ease): *"Pathetic. But this *general*…"*
His gaze locked onto a towering shadow—**the Arcane General**.
---
### **Episode End**