The arena lights shifted again as the next names locked into place.
The sound of quiet conversation faded as cadets leaned forward, their attention sharpening. The air inside the massive structure felt heavier now, the earlier excitement replaced with focused anticipation. Every fight now mattered. Every mistake could end a run.
The screen brightened.
June Kade — Gamma Squad
Bran Norix — Epsilon Squad
June exhaled slowly.
"...Well," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's me."
Nyra glanced at him.
"You ready?"
June gave a half shrug.
"I mean… ready is a strong word."
Castiel tilted his head slightly.
"You'll be fine."
June looked at him.
"That's exactly what people say right before something terrible happens."
David almost smiled.
Lucian spoke calmly.
"Spear user. He favors distance. Counter-based fighting."
June nodded slowly, watching Bran step into the arena.
"Yeah, I noticed earlier… he waits for mistakes."
Mira spoke quietly.
"Then don't give him one."
June let out a breath.
"...Easy to say."
He rolled his shoulders once, loosening his arms.
"Alright," he said quietly. "Let's not embarrass ourselves."
He stepped toward the tunnel.
The arena doors slid open.
Light spilled across the polished floor as June entered the ring.
The barrier shimmered around him, the faint hum returning as the energy field sealed the combat zone. The crowd noise softened again, replaced by the subtle sound of shifting metal seats and distant murmurs.
Across from him, Bran Norix stepped forward.
He was taller than June.
Lean.
Controlled.
A long spear unfolded in his hands with a smooth mechanical extension. The shaft lengthened slightly as faint energy lines traced along its surface. The tip shimmered with pale light, vibrating faintly as if humming with restrained power.
June stared at it for a moment.
"...Yeah," he muttered. "That looks unpleasant."
Bran didn't respond.
He simply lowered into stance.
One foot forward.
Spear angled.
Ready.
Commander Vance's voice echoed.
"Begin."
Bran moved instantly.
The spear shot forward like a striking snake, the tip extending mid-thrust as the energy blade lengthened. June stepped sideways immediately, boots sliding slightly on the polished floor as the spear passed inches from his chest.
June blinked.
"...Okay, that's fast."
Bran pulled the spear back smoothly.
Then attacked again.
This time the weapon swept horizontally, forcing June to duck. The blade cut through the air above him with a sharp hiss.
June rolled backward, pushing off the floor and creating distance.
He spun his baton into his hand.
The compact weapon unfolded smoothly, extending into a reinforced combat baton lined with faint energy channels.
June spun it once.
"Alright… let's do this."
Bran stepped forward.
The spear thrust again.
June sidestepped, the tip slicing past his shoulder. He moved forward slightly, testing distance.
Bran pulled back instantly.
The spear snapped downward.
June jumped back, the tip striking the floor with a sharp crack that echoed across the arena.
June exhaled slowly.
"...Yeah… definitely not getting hit by that."
Above, Nyra leaned forward.
"He's controlling distance."
Lucian nodded.
"June needs to close in."
Castiel watched carefully.
"He's reading timing."
Below, June circled slowly.
He tilted his head slightly.
"You always this quiet?"
Bran didn't respond.
June sighed.
"Alright… cool… strong silent type. I respect it."
Bran lunged again.
Faster.
June stepped sideways.
The spear thrust again.
June moved forward this time, stepping inside the attack range.
Bran reacted immediately.
The spear reversed direction in a tight arc, cutting toward June's ribs.
June twisted sideways, barely avoiding the blade.
"...Okay," June muttered. "That was close."
He stepped forward again.
Faster now.
The baton snapped forward.
Metal struck the spear shaft with a sharp crack.
Bran pulled back.
June followed.
He spun the baton and struck again, aiming lower.
Bran stepped back again.
June pressed.
"Yeah… that's right… back up."
Bran's eyes narrowed slightly.
He shifted his stance.
Then lunged again.
June stepped inside.
The spear reversed—
June ducked beneath it.
He moved forward.
Closer.
The baton snapped upward.
Bran blocked with the shaft.
June twisted his wrist, redirecting the strike, then stepped inside the spear's range.
Bran tried to pull back—
Too late.
June's baton stopped inches from Bran's chest.
Silence filled the arena.
Bran looked down at the baton.
Then up at June.
June tilted his head slightly.
"...Yeah… I think we're done here."
Bran exhaled slowly.
"...I yield."
The barrier flashed.
Commander Vance spoke clearly.
"Winner — June Kade."
The arena reacted.
Above, Nyra smiled faintly.
"He adapted quickly."
Lucian nodded.
"He forced close range."
Castiel smirked slightly.
"Nice work."
David watched quietly.
June stepped out of the arena, exhaling slowly as he approached them.
"...Okay," he muttered. "That went better than expected."
Nyra nodded.
"You stayed calm."
June shrugged.
"I just kept thinking… don't get stabbed."
Castiel chuckled faintly.
"Good strategy."
June leaned against the railing, watching the arena again.
"...Alright," he said quietly. "Who's next?"
The screen above flickered.
New names began forming.
Phase Two continued.
And Gamma Squad—
Was moving forward.