The Iron-Wing Games, Part II

At the end of the first day, the results for the Skyborne Trials were released. The cadets, their uniforms still dusted with the residue of the grueling obstacle course, gathered around the large display board erected in the center of the training grounds. Excitement mingled with anxiety as murmurs filled the air.

“I hope I made it to the top ten,” Hikari muttered, gripping his flight harness tightly. His usual optimism had given way to a rare moment of nervousness.

“I just hope I didn’t embarrass myself,” Leona said, brushing her hair out of her face. Her cheeks were still flushed from the adrenaline of the day.

The board flickered to life, a soft hum preceding the projection of the rankings. The cadets fell silent as the names and points illuminated the screen.

Gasps and whispers broke the silence as the rankings lit up on the large screen. Reina’s name stood boldly at 4th followed by Emi in 6th and Hikari in 9th. Among Kaito's students, these were the only names to make it to the top ten.

Reina smirked, her usual confidence amplified as she crossed her arms. “Well, I guess it’s only natural,” she said, glancing at Hikari.

Hikari, wide-eyed with surprise, scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. “Whoa, I actually made it?” he mumbled, a grin spreading across his face.

Emi’s expression was a mixture of relief and determination. “I’m in,” she whispered to herself, her fists clenching momentarily before relaxing. Her eyes lingered on the rankings, her resolve quietly building.

At the other end of the spectrum, Katsuhito’s name appeared further down the list, just barely making it past the middle, and Tatsumi’s was even lower. Katsuhito scowled, his jaw tightening as he folded his arms.

“This is ridiculous,” Katsuhito muttered under his breath, his glare shifting toward Tatsumi.

“Maybe if you’d been less busy showing off,” Tatsumi shot back, his voice low but dripping with disdain.

“You’re one to talk,” Katsuhito retorted, his tone laced with irritation.

There was evident tension between the two, their rivalry clearly having hindered their performance. Meanwhile, Shizuka, Takumi, and Leona, though not in the top ten, still earned respectable scores and maintained composure, focusing more on improving their standing.

“Well, it’s not like I expected to make it to the top right away,” Leona said, her tone light yet tinged with quiet determination. “Next time will be different.”

Fuyuko Sato’s authoritative voice cut through the murmurs. “Listen up! Today’s scores reflect not just your individual abilities but also your adaptability, cooperation, and strategy. Tomorrow’s formation battles will be your chance to redeem yourselves or solidify your standing. Don’t let one setback define you.”

As the cadets began to disperse, some left with renewed resolve, others quieter as they reflected on their performance. Reina, walked with her head high. Hikari lingered near Leona.

“I think you did great” Hikari said with an encouraging smile.

Leona glanced at him, her lips curling into a small but determined smile. “Thanks, but I’m not stopping here.”

She looked at the board one last time, her gaze shifting to Reina and Emi’s name above hers. Quietly, she murmured, “I’ll catch up.”

As the first day of the games wrapped up, Kaito decided it would be a good idea to congratulate his students on their performance during the trials and offer some advice for the upcoming formation battle. However, as he hurried toward them, he was struck by an unsettling sensation—like someone was watching him.

He paused, scanning his surroundings, but saw nothing unusual.

“Probably just my imagination,” he muttered under his breath, shaking off the feeling.

Just as he was about to move forward, he accidentally bumped into someone. The encounter was brief, and the person quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Glancing down, Kaito noticed a note lying on the ground where the person had stood. Frowning, he picked it up and unfolded it.

The message inside was short and chilling: “Don’t dig any further.”

Kaito’s eyes narrowed as he reread the cryptic warning. The unease he had brushed off earlier returned, stronger than before.

It was the second day of the games, and an air of determination filled the cadets. After seeing the results from the first day, they were more resolved than ever to prove themselves in the formation battles.

The cadets were instructed to gather at the entrance of the hillside just outside the academy gates. Once they were assembled, Fuyuko appeared, hovering above them with a megaphone in hand.

Wasting no time, she began to explain the rules of the formation battles.

“This challenge will consist of 10 teams, each with seven members and you’ll be assigned a base at strategic locations around the terrain. However, six cadets will remain unassigned to teams and will serve as wanderers within the forest.”

Her voice carried a sharp edge as she continued.

“These wanderers will have Gravitic Manipulators placed on them that will limit their ability to fly. They’ll also face various dangers scattered throughout the terrain. Your task is to locate these individuals and escort them to safety within the allotted time. But remember,” She paused for effect, “with only six people to save and ten teams competing, not everyone will succeed. Only the first six teams to successfully rescue a wanderer will pass this test. The rest will be eliminated from this stage.”

The gravity of Fuyuko’s words settled over the cadets, and they exchanged tense glances, their resolve either solidifying or wavering under the weight of the challenge.

The weight of the competition sparked mixed emotions—fear took hold of some, while others found their determination reignited.

“This means we’ll have to think up strategies and build teamwork in no time... and with people we barely know,” Shizuka murmured, shaking her head. “Talk about a challenge.”

Leona, her brows furrowed with worry, sighed softly. “I just hope I end up in a good team,” she said, almost to herself.

“Alright!” Fuyuko’s sharp voice cut through the murmur of voices, commanding attention once again. “I’ll assign the teams now.”

The cadets waited anxiously as Fuyuko announced the groups. Once the assignments were made, the newly-formed teams were sent to designated locations around the terrain. They wasted no time, huddling together to brainstorm strategies.

The task was riddled with challenges. They had no idea where the wanderers had been placed or where the other teams might be lurking. Every decision had to be calculated, every move precise. Success would require not just speed and smarts, but also a willingness to collaborate with unfamiliar faces.

The wanderers, however, were chosen from among the top scorers of the Skyborne Trial. Hikari, Emi, and Haru found themselves selected, alongside three other cadets.

After having the Gravitic Manipulators secured to their arms, effectively grounding their ability to fly, the six wanderers were blindfolded and taken to separate locations deep within the sprawling forest that surrounded the hills.

Meanwhile, anticipation crackled in the air as the audience watched the unfolding events on large screens, eager to see how the cadets would tackle the challenge.

Fuyuko raised the megaphone one final time. “Teams, your mission begins... now!”

With that, the Iron-Wing Games plunged into its second trial, where wit, resilience, and teamwork would be put to the ultimate test.

The forest buzzed with activity as the trial unfolded. Teams scattered in all directions, their movements monitored by the hovering cameras above. Among the chaos, Tatsumi’s team struggled to find any semblance of coordination.

“Why are you just standing there? Move!” a tall cadet barked at another, his tone laced with irritation.

“Don’t tell me what to do!” the other snapped back, their faces inches apart in a heated argument.

Tatsumi observed the unfolding chaos, his hands clenched into fists. They were losing precious time, and their disorganization was making them an easy target for failure.

“Enough!” Tatsumi’s voice thundered, silencing the bickering.

The cadets turned to him, stunned by the authority in his tone. Tatsumi wasn’t known for stepping up like this, but desperation had pushed him out of his shell.

“Listen up,” he began, his voice calm but firm. “We’re not going to win this by acting like a pack of wild animals. If you want to pass, follow my lead.”

One of the cadets crossed their arms, skeptical. “And what makes you think you’re in charge?”

Tatsumi locked eyes with them, his voice unwavering. “Because no one else is stepping up, and we’re running out of time. If you want to fail, be my guest. But if you want to win, trust me.”

His confidence caught them off guard. Reluctantly, the team members nodded. Tatsumi quickly laid out a plan, assigning roles based on their strengths and weaknesses. “You’re good with recon,” he pointed to one cadet. “Scout the path ahead. You,” he motioned to another, “cover our flank. Stick together, and no unnecessary risks.”

As they moved out, the transformation was palpable. Under Tatsumi’s leadership, the team worked like a cohesive unit, efficiently navigating the terrain and avoiding the traps. Their teamwork paid off as they rescued one wanderer and immediately set their sights to the safe zone.

Tatsumi’s team had turned into an unexpected powerhouse, earning first place with moments to spare.

Elsewhere, the other teams worked diligently, with varying levels of success. Kaito’s students managed to pass despite their challenges, though it was a close call for some.

As this was going on, Kaito noticed that Emi was no longer being shown on the screen. It was unmistakable that something was wrong and he wasted no time head out to find her.

Emi who wasn’t paying attention to the contest had spotted a faint movement in the tall grasses—a shadow that seemed out of place. Curiosity mixed with unease, and she veered off course to investigate.

“Hello?” she called out, her voice barely a whisper.

The grasses rustled, but no response came. She crept closer, her heart pounding. As she pushed through the foliage, she realized too late she had stepped into a danger zone.

A warning beep sounded from her Gravitic Manipulator, and the ground beneath her began to shift. A sharp rumble echoed through the forest as a massive boulder dislodged from the hillside above, careening straight toward her.

Panic surged as Emi tried to move, but the manipulator’s effect slowed her down, making escape impossible. Her legs felt like lead, and the boulder loomed closer, its shadow swallowing her.

She braced herself, shutting her eyes tightly as she screamed inwardly.

The world suddenly tilted. She felt arms around her, lifting her off the ground with incredible force. Wind rushed past her face as the boulder crashed into the earth with a deafening roar, missing her by mere inches.

Breathless and disoriented, Emi slowly opened her eyes to find herself cradled in Kaito’s arms. His face was stern, but the relief in his eyes was unmistakable.

“Kaito-sensei...” she murmured, her voice trembling.

“You’re safe now,” he said firmly, setting her down gently.

The forest grew quiet again, save for the distant shouts of cadets still completing their tasks. The trial had ended, but for Emi, the moment lingered—a reminder of just how close she had come to losing everything.