First Test: Not My Fault the System Broke

“Today… you’ll face your first official test as cadets.”

Instructor Lianne’s voice echoed across Nova Academy’s main training arena.
Morning light glinted off the metallic floor, while the new cadets stood in neat formation—
Except for one at the far end, yawning shamelessly.

Deren pulled his hoodie tighter over his head, standing at a lazy angle and staring at the ceiling as if wishing a comet would crash down and end the day early.

“Today’s test is a real-time combat simulation.
You’ll face simulated Metavore units based on actual combat data.
Teams that survive and complete the mission will earn contribution points and direct evaluations from the Aether Corps.”

The moment “Aether Corps” was mentioned, most cadets instantly straightened their postures.
Some even adjusted their breathing to look cooler.

Deren?
Still sleepy.

“First team: Cadet Kael, Cadet Ryn… and Cadet Deren.”

Deren: “…Why is it always me?”

Kael: “This is our golden chance! Time to prove ourselves!”

Ryn: “…Or prove that we’re unprepared and get stuck in extra training for a week.”

Simulation Start.

The arena morphed into a ruined digital city.
Smoke, collapsed buildings, and distant explosions created the illusion of a real battlefield.
Through the fog, three simulated Metavores emerged.

“Target: Tier-4 Metavores. Objective: Survive and activate the distress beacon within 7 minutes.”

Kael charged forward, his weapon glowing.
“Let’s—AAARGH!”

The first strike sent him flying into a pile of rubble.

“…Okay. Maybe not that fast,” he groaned.

Ryn moved efficiently, firing Core bullets at the Metavore’s legs to draw aggro.
“Deren! You brought some support tools, right?!”

Deren stood in the middle of the ruins, unzipping the small bag he always carried.
He pulled out… a thermos.

“…Deren?”

“Relax, I need a drink first.”

Ryn nearly threw his gun to the ground.

But then Deren activated a small sphere with a glowing lens in its center and tossed it toward the Metavores.

“Defensive mode. Focus on diversion.”

The device emitted an energy pulse that immediately drew one Metavore’s attention, then exploded with a light shockwave—
just enough to disrupt their sensors.

“You made that?” Ryn asked while firing at a Metavore’s head.

“Failed weapon. Originally meant to be a home alarm.
Ended up electrocuting anyone who walked by.”

Meanwhile, Kael pushed himself back up—limping, but full of energy.
“I’ll activate the beacon!”

He sprinted to the center console—
but the button didn’t work.

“Deren! The switch is dead!”

Deren sighed, walked over casually, popped open the beacon panel, pulled out a pair of tweezers from his hoodie pocket, and—

ZAP!

The beacon lit up.

“We’re done here.”

Simulation stopped.
System reset.
A massive screen displayed the results:

Team Deren – Mission Completed in 4:38. Efficiency Score: Highest.

All the cadets turned toward them.
Instructor Lianne crossed her arms, staring at the data.

“Deren… you must have military engineer experience.”

Deren: “Me? I’m just a freelance tech. Fix toasters sometimes.”

Kael threw his arm around Deren’s shoulder.
“Bro! We’re legends after our first test!”

Ryn narrowed his eyes.
This guy… he’s not normal.

Up in the observation room…

Lieutenant Sarka watched the simulation results on-screen.

“He bypassed a supposedly unhackable simulation system… in under ten seconds.”

Reiner stood calmly behind her.

“It’s time we tested him further. But not yet.
He’s… different.”

Meanwhile, Deren just wanted to go back to his room and finish the nap he’d postponed.

“What’s the point of being the fastest…
if I still don’t get to rest?”