The training grounds bore the scars of my merciless regime.
Craters from shadow bombs pockmarked the earth. The dummies hung in tatters, their straw guts spilled across the dirt. Even the reinforced steel targets bore deep gouges—courtesy of Volkin's fangs and my own relentless drills.
I wiped sweat from my brow, surveying the damage.
Good.
[System: Progress Report]
Shadow Assimilation: Mastered (Synchronization 89%)
Lightning Resistance: B+ → A- (Evelyn's bolts only char my skin now)
Volkin's Evolution: Juvenile → Adult (C-Rank → B-Rank)
Sasha's Bloodfire: Semi-Stable (50% chance she doesn't immolate allies)
Not bad for three weeks of near-death training.
But now?
One. Week. Left.
The Faction's State
The roar of my new bike's engine cut through the morning quiet as I skidded to a stop at the academy gates. The sleek black machine—purchased with Layla's generous "advance payment"—purred beneath me. I patted the handlebars. Worth every credit.
The classroom was chaos when I arrived. No teacher in sight—just students arguing, negotiating, and in some cases, outright bribing each other to join their factions. At the front, Layla, Liora, and Rayne stood like rival generals scouting talent.
I strode up to Layla, ignoring Rayne's venomous glare. "Commander. Vice Commander Ashen reporting. What's the situation?"
Liora scoffed before Layla could answer. "Classes are suspended for the week, sleeping beauty. Or did you miss that announcement yesterday too?"
I blinked. "...Ah. Right."
Layla pinched the bridge of her nose. "We're finalizing our roster. We need two more members, and we're scouting Class 1A for candidates."
I grinned. "Leave it to me. I'll have names for you by evening."
Liora's eye twitched. "We've already lost, thanks to certain people taking this lightly—"
I cut her off. "Didn't I say leave it to me? Or do I need to remind you whose orders are absolute?"
Liora opened her mouth, but Layla held up a hand. "Fine. Who do you suggest?"
I pointed to Sasha, who had been quietly pretending not to eavesdrop. She stiffened, eyes widening in panic.
"Her?!" Liora and Layla said in unison.
"She's the weakest in direct combat!" Liora argued.
"Maybe," I said, shrugging. "Or maybe people have hidden strengths. Ever think of that?"
Layla sighed. "Fine. And the last member?"
I smirked. "Aurelia."
Liora's face darkened. "Absolutely not."
I leaned in, voice dropping. "You want to win? Then trust my strategy."
The Plan
Sasha was perfect—a ticking time bomb with her Bloodfire curse. Against Kali's poison? Ideal.
Aurelia? I would use her against Rin—lightning versus water. I'd make sure he took ten times the voltage.
Rayne himself? Layla could handle him.
And Nyx? Still recovering from our last VR battle, weakened from her clash with Rin and Cecilia.
[System: Cold. Calculating. I love it.]
"Just getting started."
Nowa Dawn - Final Roster
Layla Nowa (Commander) – Still annoyingly righteous, but her swordwork was lethal.
Ashen Crimson (Vice Commander) – The brains and the bastard of the operation.
Lucielle Crimson (Vanguard) – My dear sister fought like a cornered wolf. Family tension? Useful.
Eren Whitehound (Assassin) – Surprisingly obedient after his humbling. Fear worked wonders.
Noora Whitehound (Long Range) – Her ice arrows could pin a fly from half a mile away.
Liora Nowa (Tactical Support) – Layla's sister, sharp as a razor and twice as cold.
Sasha Whitehall (Wild Card) – Our walking war crime. One emotional breakdown from burning the forest down.
Aurelia Dawncrest (Bait) – Acquired via… persuasion. Rin wouldn't attack her. Probably.
Garrick Voss (Shield) – A mountain of muscle with a brain to match.
Elara Sylph (Scout) – Silent, deadly, and loyal only to Layla.
Galat's Vanguard - Opposition
Rayne Thorne (Leader) – Still wanted me dead. Cute.
Rin (Main DPS) – Protagonist-tier plot armor. Our biggest problem.
Kali (Poison Specialist) – Sasha's designated target.
Nyx (Illusions) – Recovered fully. Shit.
Cecilia Thorne (Ice Blade) – Rayne's sister and wildcard.
Darius Kael (Brute Force) – All strength, no strategy.
Seraphina Loire (Elven Archer) – Still pissed about her tongue.
Vexis Mordren (Necromancer) – Annoying, but predictable.
Talon Rook (Dual Blades) – Fast, but fragile.
Mirage (Doppelganger) – The wildcard.
Final Preparations
I found Sasha hyperventilating behind the barracks, her veins pulsing crimson.
"Breathe," I ordered, tossing her a mana-suppression bracelet. "Wear this during the battle. It'll delay the Bloodfire long enough for you to take Kali down with you."
She stared at me, horrified. "Y-You're sacrificing me?"
I smirked. "I'm making you a hero. Die dramatically, and the Whitehounds will erect a statue in your honor."
She looked ill. Perfect.
As for the others?
Layla drilled formations. Lucielle sharpened her sword. Eren practiced stabbing dummies in the back.
All according to plan.
One Week Later…
The Obsidian Forest loomed before us, its twisted trees whispering secrets. The air hummed with anticipation—and the acrid scent of impending violence.
Layla turned to me, violet eyes burning. "Ready?"
I cracked my knuckles.
"Let's go burn down Rayne's dreams."