The training ground was filled with smoke. Explosions echoed as the six trainees darted between cover.
"Teaha, Mira — take the left flank!" Lara commanded, flipping behind a barrier. "Nisa, Kevin, center push!"
"Copy!" Kevin grinned and launched forward. "Come on, abs partner!"
Nisa didn't respond, already ahead with her blade slicing clean through a target drone. Bihoo, covering the right side with silent precision, observed her movements closely — the way she moved, too fast and too clean to be ordinary.
Suddenly, the floor panel beneath Nisa lit up.
"Trap!" Bihoo shouted.
In an instant, metal spikes erupted — but before they could hit, a blur moved. Bihoo had dashed across the field, grabbing her waist and pulling her out just in time.
They crashed behind cover.
Nisa landed on top of him, tense. Their eyes met briefly.
Then she stood up calmly, dusting herself off like it was routine. "Thanks."
Bihoo, still catching his breath, blinked. "...You're welcome."
She didn't look back.
Kevin appeared, wide-eyed. "Wait, that's it? You two just survived death and all I get is a thanks?"
"I don't owe drama," Nisa said flatly, moving ahead. "Mission isn't over."
Lara smirked. "She's tough."
Bihoo stood slowly, watching her. Something about her jade pendant glinting under her belt caught his eye. That stone… where have I seen it before?
As the team regrouped, the final wave of training drones appeared. But even through the chaos, Bihoo's gaze lingered on her — quiet, unreadable.
Nisa, from the corner of her eye, noticed.
She said nothing.
To be continued…