Chapter 513:Selections.

Chapter 513: 513:Selections.

The following morning, the Academy issued an announcement that immediately captured the attention of every first-year student.

The announcement appeared on the academy’s central information network shortly after breakfast.

[ALPHA THREE ACADEMY - FIRST-YEAR DEVELOPMENT NOTICE]

[Following the completion of the initial foundational training period, all first-year students are now eligible to select an additional specialization field.]

[Specialization training will be conducted alongside standard combat instruction, military discipline, and rank-development exercises.]

[Available Fields:]

[Combat Specialization]

[Command and Strategy]

[Field Adaptability and Survival]

[Research and Beast Studies]

[Reconnaissance and Intelligence]

[Medical and Support Operations]

[Engineering and Logistics]

[Students are advised that specialization selection does not permanently restrict future career development.]

[Further instructions will be provided during the afternoon assembly.]

Silver read the announcement while sitting inside the academy cafeteria. Across from him, Ravenna was eating breakfast.

Caleb sat nearby, staring at the notification with an expression of profound concentration.

"Seven choices," he muttered.

He glanced toward him.

"That’s usually how counting works," he said in sparky voice.

Caleb looked up.

"Ha ha, very funny."

Ravenna smiled.

"What are you thinking of choosing?" She asked.

Caleb leaned back.

"Combat."

Silver nodded.

"Of course."

Caleb frowned.

"What’s that supposed to mean?" He defensively asked.

Silver gestured toward him.

"You solve most problems by hitting them with a hammer."

Caleb stared at him, eyes narrowed, for a few seconds before nodding.

"Exactly. Why change something that works?" He responded with an obvious tone.

Ravenna laughed.

Rowan, who had been quietly eating beside him, shook his head.

"You’re impossible."

He grinned.

"Thank you."

Silver looked toward Ravenna.

"What about you?"

She hesitated, then smiled.

"I think I’ve already decided," she quietly said.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

She nodded.

"Research and Beast Studies."

His eyes widened.

"Really?" He asked, almost too loudly.

She looked amused.

"That surprised you?"

"A little."

She tilted her head.

"Why, I thought it would be a little obvious?"

He considered before responding.

"Because you’re one of the strongest combat students in our year. I thought you might choose Combat or Reconnaissance."

She sweetly smiled.

"I can still train my combat abilities while studying that."

He nodded.

"True."

She looked toward the notification.

"But I’ve been thinking about what happened at Hollow Creek."

His expression became serious as she continued.

"That creature we fought. The one with the abnormal limbs and armor."

Silver nodded slowly.

"I remember."

"It didn’t look like any naturally occurring beast I’ve studied."

He remained quiet.

Ravenna continued.

"And the research station we investigated before coming to Alpha Three..." She lowered her voice enough for only him to hear. "Project 006."

He glanced toward the surrounding students, then back at her.

She smiled faintly.

"I want to understand it."

Silver studied her.

For a moment, he remembered the records they’d discovered, the broken containment tanks, the photographs of experimental subjects, and the references to Selena, Ravenna’s mother.

He looked toward her.

"Are you sure?" He quietly asked.

She nodded.

"Yes."

He smiled.

"Then I think it’s a good choice."

Her expression softened.

"Really?"

"Of course." He leaned back. "Besides, having someone who understands why a monster has six limbs when it should only have four sounds useful."

Ravenna laughed.

"That’s a terrible way to describe research."

He shrugged.

"Practical applications."

She shook her head, then looked toward him.

"What about you?"

Silver smiled.

"Field Adaptability and Survival."

She raised an eyebrow.

"That sounds exactly like you."

He nodded.

"That’s the idea."

Caleb looked between them.

"So you’re going to learn how to survive in the wilderness, and Ravenna’s going to learn how to dissect monsters?"

Silver considered.

"Basically," he replied.

Caleb grinned.

"Romantic."

She rolled her eyes.

"Caleb."

He raised his hands.

"I’m just saying."

Silver laughed, then looked toward Ravenna.

Their schedules would become considerably different once specialization training began.

He’d spend more time outside the academy, learning survival techniques and unconventional battlefield tactics while she would spend more time inside laboratories and research facilities.

They wouldn’t be together nearly as often during the day but strangely, he found that he was looking forward to it.

Ravenna deserved interests that belonged entirely to her, and he had his own path to follow.

He smiled.

"Guess we’ll have more things to talk about at dinner."

Ravenna looked toward him, then smiled.

"I suppose we will."

The specialization assembly took place that afternoon inside one of the academy’s largest lecture halls.

All 176 first-year students attended, filling the rows beneath the enormous display screens while instructors from the seven specialization departments waited near the stage.

Silver sat beside Ravenna.

Antony occupied the seat directly behind them, his orange hair tied into its usual bun. Dillian sat several rows away with members of Class One. Jude and Rebecca were also present, along with students from the remaining classes.

The academy’s senior training coordinator stepped onto the stage.

"Students."

The hall quieted.

"During your first training period, you have been evaluated primarily on your individual abilities, foundational combat performance, and capacity to operate within structured teams." He paused. "That stage is now complete."

Several students exchanged excited glances.

The coordinator continued.

"From this point onward, your development will become more specialized."

A large display appeared behind him and seven categories were shown.

"Contractors are not interchangeable soldiers. Every individual possesses different abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and potential applications. A Contractor who excels in direct combat may struggle with reconnaissance. A talented strategist may lack the physical ability to survive prolonged engagements. A researcher may never become a frontline combat specialist, yet their discoveries could save thousands of lives."

Silver listened carefully.

The coordinator continued.

"Your specialization will determine which additional instructors you study under, the practical exercises you undertake, and the advanced training resources available to you."

He looked across the hall.

"However, understand this clearly. Specialization does not replace your normal training. Every student will continue participating in combat exercises, military instruction, and rank-development programs."

Several students nodded.

The coordinator gestured toward the display.

"Combat Specialization will focus on advanced weapon proficiency, ability integration, and direct engagement techniques. Command and Strategy will emphasize leadership, operational planning, and tactical decision-making. Field Adaptability and Survival will train students to operate under unpredictable conditions, limited resources, and rapidly changing environments."

Silver smiled faintly, since that sounded perfect.

"Research and Beast Studies will focus on beast biology, core structures, mutation patterns, and the practical applications of recovered materials. Reconnaissance and Intelligence will cover tracking, surveillance, information gathering, and infiltration. Medical and Support Operations will focus on battlefield treatment and support abilities, while Engineering and Logistics will emphasize equipment maintenance, defensive construction, and operational supply management."

The coordinator paused.

"Your selections must be submitted before midnight."