The Vanguard Base showers steamed with a constant hiss of water against metal drains. The sharp smell of soap, sweat, and disinfectant hung in the air, mingling with the echoes of soldier boots slapping the slick floor. It was the one place where uniforms stripped away rank, where every recruit looked equally bare, and every weakness was ripe for exploitation.Kai entered quietly with his towel over his shoulder. His posture was calm but he was alert. He knew eyes followed him everywhere he went inside the base. Some eyes sparked mockery, some jealousy, and some, lingering disdain. Despite having secured his position at Vanguard through pure merit, the others couldn’t stomach the idea that the once-humiliated boy from Ironsphire Academy now commanded respect, even if unofficially.Caz Brenner stood by the far wall, leaning casually against a tiled column. He had a wolfish grin tugging at his lips. He was the kind of recruit who thrived on cruelty in mundane moments. He was a predat

The training chamber was still filled with the murmurs of other soldiers after Caz Brenner’s defeat. But the noise had shifted. Before, Kai was mocked, laughed at and scorned, but now, there was now murmuring, suspicion, and an uncomfortable weight about Kai since he had been knocking down even the most powerful among them. They kept wondering how he continued defeating each of them. Caz sat on the edge of the mat. He was rubbing his ribs with his face flushed red with humiliation. He glared at Kai but didn’t step forward again. All that was left within him was his pride that had been broken in front of everyone. He still flashed back to that moment of ridicule and despair. He then wondered how Kai managed to get him to keep silent in this manner.Then, he grinded his teeth. He thought Kai would fight him at that very moment. But Kai was ever silent. He grinded his teeth and clenched his fist even though he knew there was nothing he could do to fight Kai anymore. However, there wa

The victory over Harlen Drex still hung in the air like smoke after a fire. The recruits at Vanguard base hadn’t stopped talking about it since Kai had dismantled the tall brawler in the front of the entire barracks.But instead of basking in the triumph, Kai stood silently in the commander’s chamber with a rigid posture and he maintained a steady gaze.Commander Draegon’s office walls were made of steel. Visible holographic maps flickering with zones of red and blue. Veteran officers surrounded the commander with unreadable expressions, as though Kai was another item on their endless list of calculations.“You showed adaptability in the duel,” Draegon said at last. His gravel voice cut through the low sound of the machinery. “But fighting one brute in front of recruits is different from surviving what lies beyond these walls. You will undergo a trial.”“A trial, sir?” Kai kept his voice neutral even though he was surprised. “Reconnaissance,” another officer spoke, adjusting his data

The sound of iron against iron rang across the Vanguard base’s training field. Rows of recruits were lined up under the bright lights. The weapons in their hands were glinting under the gaze of instructors. Today was not just an ordinary drill. It was the Weapons proficiency trial, where each soldier demonstrated accuracy, speed, and composure under simulated battle condition. Scores would be posted for all to see and it would be forever etched into their record.For Kai, every eye was already watching. Not with respect yet but with expectation. Expectation that the so-called “scholar boy” would finally stumble.Torrin Blayk saw to that.The tall recruit leaned against the rack of firearms. A smirk tugged at his lips. His voice cut through the clamor with sharp mockery.“Don’t trip over your pen, Kai. This isn’t about your pretty notes, this is about real weapons. Tools for real soldiers.”Laughter rippled through the ranks.Another chimed in, emboldened by Torrin’s tone. “What’s t

The mess hall buzzed with laughter as trays clattered against metal tables. Normally, recruits shoveled food down with the desperation of soldiers whose days were built around grueling drills. But today, the hall was quieter than usual. All eyes tilted toward one figure walking calmly between the tables.Kai Draven.His performance news on the knife gauntlet had spread like wildfire through the base. Some whispered with admiration and others with disbelief. But for a certain group, it was a challenge and an insult to their rank.Four of the elite recruits lounged together near the center of the hall.Their uniforms were sharp and their voices were cutting. They were known by their name and reputation.The first one is Vex. He was lean and wolfish, always grinning with cruelty.Mara was the second. She had cold eyes that could strip a person to the bone. The third person is, Drayk. He is broad-shouldered with a voice like gravel and the last of them is Joran. He was slick-tongued and