The courtyard was unusually silent. The usual hum of students was gone, replaced by an electric tension in the air.
Damon, Lira, and Will stood in formation, alert. Crimson eyes scanned every movement, every shadow.
From the rooftop, a shadow shifted. The beautiful, powerful girl stepped forward, landing gracefully in the courtyard. Energy pulsed subtly around her, a sign of her formidable ability.
[System Alert: High-Priority Threat — Female Combatant Detected]
⚡ 1) The Confrontation
The girl's gaze locked on Damon. "I'm here to test you. Prove your worth—or fail."
Damon's system immediately activated. Predictive lines and trajectories overlaid the battlefield.
[Threat Level: Elite — Combat Potential Exceeds Average Student]
[Recommended Response: Team Coordination + Maximum Efficiency]
The girl moved like lightning, attacking Damon with a series of precise strikes. Damon dodged and countered, integrating his system's predictions seamlessly.
Will flanked her, intercepting her attempts to break through to Damon. Every move he made was protective—his dark eyes never leaving Lira for long, subtle jealousy flickering whenever her attention lingered elsewhere.
Lira's energy barriers flowed like water, redirecting attacks, shielding both Damon and Will, and manipulating the battlefield to create openings for their counterattacks.
The girl's attacks weren't just physical—they carried subtle attempts to unnerve Will and Lira. Will's protective instincts flared.
"Don't look at her like that," he muttered to Lira, as one of the girl's energy blasts narrowly missed her.
Lira's eyes softened briefly, her pulse reacting to his tone. "I'm fine… we're fine," she whispered, but Will's glare at the girl only intensified.
Damon noted it silently. Emotional tension detected — can influence tactical response. System integration recommended.
[Team Synergy Adjustment: Emotional + Tactical Integration Active]
Despite the emotional tension, the trio adapted flawlessly:
Damon predicted the girl's attack patterns.
Will intercepted and protected Lira when the strikes targeted her.
Lira manipulated the battlefield, creating subtle shifts that forced the girl to adjust constantly.
The girl's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected the combined predictive, physical, and barrier-based coordination.
[System Update: Predictive Combat Suite — Active]
[Team Coordination: Maximum Efficiency]
After several moments of intense combat, the girl stepped back, energy pulsing around her in a graceful defensive stance.
"Impressive," she said, a faint smile on her lips. "Not just the unclassified one… all of you. I'll report this."
She leapt back onto a nearby rooftop and vanished into the shadows, leaving the trio standing together—breathing heavily but victorious.
Will exhaled, still tense. His gaze softened only toward Lira, a mix of relief and possessiveness in his eyes.
Lira's cheeks flushed faintly, smiling softly at him. Damon smirked lightly, crimson eyes flicking between the two.
[Observation: Emotional + Tactical Dynamics — Noted]
[External Threat: Observer Reports Expected]
High above, the mysterious observers in their control room watched the encounter, taking meticulous notes.
[Subject Damon Vale: Survived Elite Test]
[Team Synergy Confirmed — Emotional Integration Effective]
[Directive: Continue Observation — Next Stage Pending]
The courtyard returned to calm. But the shadow of challenge had only grown longer.