Chapter 1 - RECRUITS AND THE E-CLASS PROMOTION

FAINT – CHAPTER 1: “RECRUITS AND THE E-CLASS PROMOTION”

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PAGE 4

Panel 1

Wide shot – The capital skyline looms under a sterile, futuristic haze.

CAPTION: “Present Day — 18 Years Later”

(Capital of the World United Government.)

Panel 1

Wide shot – Open military yard.

100 recruits stand in formation. In the far background: steel fences, watchtowers.

KERT (off-screen):

“ATTENTION!!”

Panel 2

Wide shot – Sergeant Kert stands before the recruits, hands behind his back, scarred face, Sargent hat.

Four Corporal Officers stand behind him at attention.

KERT:

“You recruits are the future of this Government—”

“The next generation of heroes and officers.”

Panel 4

Tight close-up – Kert’s face. A single tear falls. His eyes hidden by his cap.

KERT:

“—and for that, it’s truly an honor to stand before you…”

Panel 5

Medium shot – In the crowd.

Recruit 11 looks unimpressed. Recruit 60 giggles, whispering.

RECRUIT 11:

“Is he crying?”

RECRUIT 60:

“I know right… what a joke.”

Panel 6

Close-up – Corporal Daley, smirking with narrowed eyes and a thick mustache.

DALEY (smirking):

“…They’re making a mock of you, Sarg—”

“Those recruits back there.”

Panel 7

Sgt. Kert turns to Daley, confused.

Daley still faces forward, smirking.

DALEY:

“Insubordination isn’t tolerated in the WUG—”

“You won’t let them get away with it, right… leader?”

SORA (frantic):

“I don’t think they meant anything!”

Panel 8

Crowd shifts. All eyes fall on Recruits 11 and 60.

11: Hands in pockets, side-eyeing.

60: Terrified, hands raised.

RECRUIT 60:

“How’d he know it was us—?!”

“We barely even made a sound!”

RECRUIT 11:

“Tsk…”

Panel 9

Half-body – Kert looks down, upset.

KERT (disappointed):

“I see—then we’ll set up the cage match…”

“For insubordination against an officer of the WUG Academy…”

Panel 10

Kert continues to look down.

Daley grinning, eyes closed.

Sora frantic.

Two other corporals remain silent.

DALEY:

“Good, that’s more like it. Follow the rule book.”

“—Teach them respect.”

SORA:

“Kert, don’t you think—”

“Isn’t that too much…”

PAGE 5

Panel 1

Wide shot – Makeshift cage match. A large circle formed by recruits.

From the crowd POV: Recruit 11 stands relaxed, hands in pockets.

Recruit 60 stands tense, glancing left at the crowd.

CROWD (chanting):

“Yea! Fight!”

RECRUIT 11:

“Well, I didn’t expect this turn out… oh well.”

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Panel 1.5

Close-up – Recruit 60, terrified, hands up, pleading.

RECRUIT 60:

“This has to be some sort of test—”

“You’re not actually gonna hurt me, right?”

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Panel 2

Close-up – Recruit 11 smirks.

RECRUIT 11:

“I can’t promise you that.”

Panel 2.5

In the crowd – Recruit 32 nudges Recruit 33, gesturing like a con artist.

RECRUIT 32:

“How ’bout it? Want to make a quick bet—”

“I bet on 11 because he’s stronger.”

“But if 60 wins, I’ll pay double.”

RECRUIT 33 (confused):

“Who are you?”

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Panel 3

Close-up – Recruit 32 forcing a handshake, grin wide.

RECRUIT 32:

“I can’t tell you my name — rules of the trial.”

“But you can call me 32.”

“Now what’d ya say? You in?”

RECRUIT 33 (awkward):

“Um—sure, I guess…”

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Panel 4

Close-up – Recruit 32, same smile, now thinking to himself.

RECRUIT 32 (thoughts):

“She has no clue about my power foresight…”

“I already can feel the outcome!”

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Panel 4.5

Crowd frontal shot – 32 watches eagerly, hands close to chest.

55 leans forward to see over others.

RECRUIT 32 (thoughts):

“Recruit 11 will finish this in seconds!”

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Panel 5

Tiny panel – Kert shouts.

KERT:

“BEGIN!”

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Panel 6

Full-body shot – Recruit 11, now hands out of pockets, smirking confidently.

RECRUIT 11:

“How about it—I’ll give you the first shot…”

“—So you can at least say you tried before I kill you!”

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Panel 6.5

Half-body – Recruit 60, terrified, pleading.

RECRUIT 60:

“Wait—what if we don’t have to fight—”

“Maybe they want us to apologize instead!”

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Panel 7

Corner shot – Recruit 60 turns toward the officers, pleading.

In the background, Recruit 11 gets into fighting stance.

RECRUIT 60:

“Right? It has to be a test on respect—”

“If we apologize, we might pass!”

“To teach us a lesson on—”

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Panel 7.5

White-background speed panel – Recruit 11 punches Recruit 60 mid-sentence.

His fist drives into 60’s ribs with a sonic burst.

RECRUIT 11:

“STOP WITH THE FANTASY!”

SFX: BOOM!

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Panel 8

Wide shot – Recruit 60’s body launches across the circle, caught by recruits in the front line.

His eyes are rolled back — unconscious.

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Panel 8.5

Close-up – Recruit 60’s limp, unconscious face in the crowd’s arms.

RECRUIT 11 (off-panel):

“This government doesn’t care about your morals—”

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Panel 9

Half-body – Recruit 11 walks forward, smirking.

RECRUIT 11:

“They just want to know if you’re powerful enough…”

“To disrespect them!”

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Panel 9.5

Small panel – Recruit 11 grabs 60 by the collar, lifting him up.

(Only a sliver of 60’s unconscious face visible.)

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Panel 10

Wide shot – Recruit 11 slams 60 into the ground, cracking the floor.

The front-line crowd flinches and turns away.

RECRUIT 11 (shouting):

“AND YOU WEREN’T ONE OF THEM!”

SFX: BOOOOMMM

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Panel 11

Ground shot – Recruit 60 is bloodied, unconscious.

Cracks spread under him.

Recruit 11 kneels beside him, winding up another punch.

RECRUIT 11:

“I’m not done just yet!”

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PAGE 6

Panel 0.5

Wide shot – Right as Recruit 11’s fist is about to land again—

Ms. Merble appears, intercepting it with a glowing palm.

A burst of energy smoke erupts from the clash.

SFX: CLASH!

MS. MERBLE:

“That’s enough—”

“You proved your point already!”

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Panel 1

Small panel – Recruit 11 jerks his arm back, annoyed.

Ms. Merble stays still, hand still in front of 60’s face.

RECRUIT 11:

“Tsk… I was just starting to have fun.”

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Panel 1.5

Side/back shot – Recruit 11 walks away, hands in pockets.

Ms. Merble kneels beside the unconscious Recruit 60, still watching 11.

In the crowd: Recruits look shocked — except Recruit 32, arms raised in celebration.

RECRUIT 11 (walking away):

“Guess there’s some in the WUG who still care after all…”

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Panel 2

Close-up – Recruit 32 makes a “score!” motion with his hand.

His other hand is out toward Recruit 33.

RECRUIT 32:

“Yes! I won—”

“Time to pay up your end!”

RECRUIT 33:

“Wait, you knew all along, didn’t you?!”

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Panel 3

Front POV – Recruit 32 smiles nervously, sweat forming.

Still holds his hand out.

RECRUIT 32:

“O-Of course not… I mean,”

“The guy was obviously stronger—”

“So it was a safe bet, right?”

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Panel 4

Close-up – Recruit 33, skeptical and pulling back slightly.

Looking at his outstretched hand.

RECRUIT 33:

“Well, either way I can’t pay you right now—”

“We’re not allowed to carry money in the academy.”

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Panel 5

Side shot – Recruit 32 deflates. Hand still out, face dropped.

Background shows the crowd starting to disperse.

RECRUIT 32 (disheartened):

“Oh yeah… I forgot about that.”

“It is our first day—”

“We’ve got two more weeks… yay.”

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Panel 5.5

Wide shot – SGT. Kert stands at a distance, palm to face, sighing.

Behind him:

– Sora is concerned.

– Daley still smirking.

– Ms. Cassy stands calmly behind Kert.

KERT (sighing):

“He guessed right… it was a test of respect.”

“—11 was too powerful and didn’t want to listen.”

DALEY:

“That’s exactly how this nation was built.”

“The strong have the last say… and the first.”

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Panel 6

Kert begins walking away.

Sora watches him with concern.

Ms. Cassy looks forward with a steady, unreadable expression.

Daley grins without saying a word.

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Panel 6.5

Front POV – Ms. Merble on one knee beside Recruit 60’s unconscious body.

She shouts off-panel for help.

In the far background:

– Recruit 1 (Saki) watches calmly.

– Recruit 2 (Cal) shows concern.

– Recruit 3 (Toya) remains chill and unreadable.

MS. MERBLE:

“Bring a medic — now!”

RECRUIT 2 (Cal):

“I sure hope he’s okay…”

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Panel 7

Close-up – The trio.

Cal looks at Saki.

Toya chimes in while Saki remains focused forward.

CAL:

“The ranks between them weren’t even close—”

“It was over before it started.”

TOYA:

“I’m not surprised… it’s their way to send fear to the weak.”

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Panel 7.5

Closer focus – Toya’s half-face speaking calmly.

Center is Saki’s face, serious and slightly annoyed.

TOYA:

“—And for us, we’re already strong…”

“So they’ll find something stronger to restrain us.”

SAKI:

“Tsk…”

PAGE 1

Panel 2

Interior – Grocery store.

Close-up – Yota holds a mop, sweat on his brow, looking up bitterly.

YOTA:

“Aw, this place sucks.”

Panel 3

Close-up – ‘Employee of the Month’ wall. A smug kid grins in a photo.

YOTA (thoughts):

“Four years… and I couldn’t even make manager.”

“And the boss’s kid wins every month.”

Panel 4

Medium shot – Yota mopping the floor calmly.

YOTA:

“Still… can’t complain too much.”

“The pay sucks though.”

Pause.

“Even if I’m just a low-class, former wanted person. — Former, right?”

Panel 5

Yota sets the mop and bucket beside a breakroom fridge.

YOTA:

“Anyway — shift’s almost up. These F-Class restrictions are nearly done.”

Panel 6

Close-up – Yota’s face, contemplative.

YOTA:

“…Can’t believe it’s already been eighteen years…”

“And I still haven’t found the fifth one.”

Panel 6.5

Medium shot – Yota, finger on chin, gazing at a breakroom calendar behind him.

YOTA:

“I thought I would’ve felt his power… especially by now—”

“I wonder where he could be…”

Panel 7

Yota tosses his apron toward the rack. In the background, Mr. Sato reads a newspaper near the exit.

YOTA:

“I’m off!”

MR. SATO (grumbling):

“Mmmrph… yeah, whatever. Just get outta here.”

Panel 9

Small panel – Yota’s unimpressed, sarcastic face.

YOTA:

“What a surprise — you don’t care…”

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PAGE 2

Panel 1

Exterior – A run-down apartment building.

LABEL: “F-Class District 4”

YOTA (from inside):

“C’mon… c’mon…!”

Panel 2

Interior – Yota’s messy apartment. He lounges on the couch, gaming.

Trash, clothes, ramen cups scattered.

TV SCREEN:

“GAME OVER.”

YOTA:

“Not again…!”

Panel 3

TV view – His character is downed.

YOTA (off-panel):

“Thirty tries?! Who makes games this hard?”

“Where’s the fun in that?!”

Panel 5

Corner shot – Yota, legs crossed, smirks while restarting. His phone vibrates next to trash.

YOTA:

“…Okay. One more.”

SFX: Clink!

Panel 6

Table POV – Yota glances down, curious.

NOTIFICATION (small text on screen):

“To Yota — From World United Government”

YOTA:

“Hm?”

Panel 7

Over-the-shoulder close-up – Yota holds phone in one hand, controller in the other.

PHONE TEXT (visible):

“Official Notice: Promotion Confirmed

Rank Update: F-CLASS → E-CLASS

New privileges unlocked. View Restrictions.”

YOTA:

“E-Class? That’s it?!”

Panel 8

Yota rants while still holding the phone.

YOTA:

“I waited five years—”

“Just to move up one class?!”

Panel 9

Close-up – Yota’s hand covers his face.

YOTA:

“Is it because I was a former felon?—”

“…But that wasn’t even my fault. That’s not fair.”

Panel 10

Tight on Yota’s defeated face.

YOTA (muttering):

“Told them everything… and this is what I get—”

“What did I expect trusting the WUG…”

Panel 11

Yota sighs, eyes dim but not hopeless.

YOTA:

“At least the upgrade can give me better pay…”

“Help me get away from this dump…”

PAGE 3

Panel 1

Close-up – Yota’s hand knocking on a door labeled: “Manager.”

SFX: Knock knock knock

MR. SATO (from inside):

“Come in!”

Panel 2

Interior – Mr. Sato lowers his newspaper, squinting at Yota.

MR. SATO:

“What do you want.”

Panel 3

Yota stands in front of the desk, nervous but hopeful.

YOTA:

“Well—I just got promoted to E-Class…”

“I was hoping for a small pay raise?—”

Panel 4

Close-up – Mr. Sato smirks behind his glasses.

MR. SATO:

“About that… we won’t be needing you anymore.”

“We’re cutting labor costs.”

Panel 5

Close-up – Yota’s shocked face, teeth clenched slightly.

YOTA (thoughts):

“What?! There’s only four employees!”

“He just doesn’t want to pay me my worth…”

Panel 6

Mr. Sato shrugs lazily, leaning back.

MR. SATO:

“But — if you want to work off the books…”

“There’s still an opening.”

Panel 7

Yota gives an awkward side-eye — sarcastic, annoyed, unimpressed.

YOTA (mutters to himself)

“Yea… no thanks.”

Panel 8

Interior – Yota exits the office, mid-step.

Behind him, Mr. Sato shouts with a raised fist.

YOTA (walking off):

“I quit.”

MR. SATO:

“Get back here!”

“That E-Class promotion means nothing, you hear me?!”

Panel 9

Exterior – Yota stands at the store exit.

A shopper inside stares while holding a baby.

Yota sighs to himself, calm but annoyed.

YOTA (muttering):

“Well, that’s done…”

“Now I just need another job. Great.”

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END OF CHAPTER 1