Chapter 533:Preparing.

Chapter 533: 533:Preparing.

The coordinator gestured toward the battlefield map.

"Every class will receive limited information concerning the terrain. Additional intelligence must be gathered through reconnaissance or acquired from strategic objectives."

The display changed again.

"Hidden missions will become available at unpredictable intervals. Some will reward combat performance. Others will require research, engineering, logistics, or tactical decision-making."

Ravenna’s eyes brightened.

Silver noticed and smiled.

"Looks like your specialization might be useful," he said to her.

She nodded.

"Very."

The coordinator continued.

"Students will be required to remain within the designated battlefield for the duration of the competition unless eliminated or medically withdrawn. Supplies will be limited, and instructors will not intervene unless safety protocols are triggered."

He paused.

"Your class commanders will receive additional instructions tomorrow."

The display changed one final time.

[Seven-Class War Begins in Seven Days.]

[Prepare Accordingly.]

The hall erupted into excited conversation.

Silver leaned back and smiled.

"Well."

Ravenna looked toward him.

"What?"

He glanced toward Helena.

"Looks like we have a week to catch up," he excitedly said.

Helena nodded with a sigh.

"You’re going to make my life difficult, aren’t you?" She said.

He grinned.

"Probably."

Ravenna laughed.

Helena shook her head but despite herself, she smiled. That evening, Class Four held its first full strategic meeting since Silver and Ravenna returned.

Helena stood before a large tactical display while Caleb, Rowan, Mina, and the remaining students gathered around.

The absence of Elias remained noticeable. His usual position near the rear of the room was empty.

For a moment, Silver’s gaze lingered there, then he looked toward Helena as she began speaking.

"We’re not going to pretend we’re the strongest class."

Several students exchanged glances.

She continued.

"Class One has Dillian and several other high-performing students. Class Two has Antony and Rebecca. Class Five has Jude, whose kinetic redirection makes direct assaults extremely difficult."

She gestured toward the display.

"And we’ve lost nearly a month of coordinated training with two of our strongest members."

Silver nodded and Ravenna remained silent.

Helena continued.

"But that doesn’t mean we can’t compete." She looked across the room. "We survived Hollow Creek."

The atmosphere changed.

Her expression softened slightly.

"We lost someone there. And I don’t intend to pretend that experience made us stronger in some simple, convenient way."

Several students lowered their heads.

She continued.

"But we learned things other classes haven’t had to learn yet," she said, her voice becoming firmer. "We learned what happens when communications fail. When supply routes collapse. When the enemy is stronger than expected. And when the people beside you are depending on your decisions."

Silver looked toward her.

Helena continued.

"That’s what we’re going to use."

She turned toward Silver.

"Ruddington."

He straightened.

"Yes?"

"You chose Field Adaptability."

He nodded.

"Yes."

"Then I want you helping us develop contingency plans."

He smiled faintly.

"Understood."

She looked toward Ravenna.

"Arkland."

Ravenna straightened.

"Yes?"

"Research and Beast Studies."

She nodded.

"Yes."

Helena gestured toward the battlefield map.

"Several hidden objectives may involve environmental analysis or simulated beast activity. I want you studying every piece of information we receive."

She smiled.

"Of course."

Helena looked toward Caleb.

"You’re leading one of our frontline defense squads."

Caleb grinned.

"Finally."

Rowan sighed.

"Please don’t destroy the base."

Caleb looked offended.

"I make no promises."

Several students laughed.

Helena shook her head and looked across the room.

"We have seven days." She paused. "Let’s make them count."

Later that night, Silver returned to his room and opened his system.

He had spent most of his Affection Points, but the resources he’d purchased had already begun producing noticeable results.

His spatial abilities were becoming more efficient, his physical foundation was stronger, and his Rank Three energy saturation had continued increasing through training and the effects of the High-Grade Soul Energy Condensation Elixir.

[Status Overview.]

[Name: Silver Ruddington.]

[Rank: Three.]

[Rank Three Energy Saturation: 57%.]

[Spatial Sense Lv3.]

[Short-Step Lv3.]

[Space Slash Lv3.]

[Spatial Distortion & Barriers Lv2.]

[Spatial Displacement Lv1.]

[Phantom Draw Lv4.]

[Advanced Swordsmanship Lv3.]

[Primal Strength Lv3.]

[Iron Bones Lv3.]

[Spatial Energy Efficiency: Significantly Improved.]

[Physical Foundation: Strengthened.]

[Current Affection Points: 5,814 AP.]

He studied the display.

Fifty-seven percent.

His growth had been extraordinary but he wasn’t satisfied. He remembered the Rank Five assassin, the overwhelming difference in strength, the suppression equipment, the way his barriers had shattered, and the helplessness he’d felt when his spatial abilities failed to create enough distance.

He slowly clenched his fist.

He wasn’t ready to defeat someone like that but he was getting closer. And unlike before, he now understood that becoming stronger wasn’t simply about increasing his rank.

It was about becoming someone who could survive when everything went wrong. Someone who could protect Ravenna. Someone who could stand beside his friends.

And someone who wouldn’t be helpless when his family’s enemies finally decided to move openly.

He closed the interface and looked toward the academy lights outside his window.

He smiled faintly.

"All right."

Elsewhere within Alpha Three, Ravenna sat inside her dormitory, examining the Phoenix Heart Seed’s latest results. She could feel she was almost fully integrating it and Rank Three was just around the corner.

She looked at the energy circulation in her body and smiled.

She was almost there.

But her attention soon shifted toward the old photograph resting beside her research notebook.

Ravenna slowly picked up the photograph. For several seconds, she studied it, then whispered, "Mum..."

She thought about the research department, the restricted archives, the strange biological specimens, and the way senior administrators had reacted whenever she mentioned something related to Project 006.

Her expression hardened.

She had chosen Research and Beast Studies because she wanted answers, and despite everything that had happened, she hadn’t changed her mind. If anything, she was more determined than ever.

Ravenna placed the photograph inside her notebook and closed it. For now, she would concentrate on the Seven-Class War, continue improving her abilities, reach Rank Three, and when the opportunity came, she would resume investigating the mysteries surrounding her mother.

Because somewhere beyond the academy, something was still happening. The abnormal beast migrations hadn’t completely stopped.

The escaped Tier Seven creature remained missing, nd several military research facilities had recently reported unusual activity near their outer perimeters.

The world was slowly and quietly changing... Far more dangerously than most people realized.