Ray sat on a wooden bench inside the changing room, his posture relaxed, though his mind was anything but.
He was still in his Jaeger uniform.
The fabric felt familiar against his skin, yet the setting made it feel different. This wasn't a battlefield. Not really. It was something else entirely—controlled, observed, contained.
Valerie stood nearby, arms crossed, her expression carrying a hint of skepticism.
"You sure you don't want to use me?" she asked.
Ray shook his head lightly.
"I'll be fine," he replied. "Besides, I didn't bring any gear with me. Showing up in full armor out of nowhere would raise more questions than it's worth."
Valerie didn't look entirely convinced.
Before she could press further, Sakura spoke from the side, her tone calm as always.
"Don't worry," she said. "It's just a mock battle."
Ray let out a quiet breath, though his focus had already begun to sharpen.
