Chapter 1283: A Very Enthusiastic Welcome

EEEEEEEE! EEEEEEE!

THUD!

The sound of thick metal barriers slamming into the ground fortunately rang throughout the Academy.

Yes.

Fortunately.

Because if D-29 hadn’t reported in time that the sudden barrier activation, or rather, their abrupt confinement, had been initiated by the Academy instructors themselves instead of some terrorist organization, that heavy sound of finality would’ve probably been followed by something considerably louder.

Like an explosion.

After all, one Oliver Mylor had already pulled out his ever-so-handy mines with the same instinctive ease a particularly jumpy person might’ve reached for a revive pill!

The blonde was even eyeing the rapidly closing exits, clearly calculating where he should throw one.

Meanwhile, Xavier, Kyle, Princess Kira, Ada, and even Luca already had a leg poised to spring into action.

And judging by the energy gathering around several of them, subtlety hadn’t even crossed their minds.

Strangely enough, while Theo and Noah didn’t particularly think about things like hostage situations, only one redhead seemed to react for an entirely different reason.

Jax didn’t feel that familiar prickle of danger crawling over his skin.

There were no goosebumps warning him that something terrible was about to attack.

Instead, he felt something arguably worse.

Dread.

Deep, inexplicable dread.

"..."

He had a horrible feeling he wasn’t going to like whatever came next.

And apparently, his instincts were right.

Because just as D-29 managed to convince everyone not to attack the Academy doors and probably traumatize the other students in the process, the panicked screams echoing throughout the hallways were interrupted by a cheerful announcement.

"Greetings, cadets! Welcome to this year’s annual First-Year Field Training Program. In lieu of the Main Auditorium, all first-year students are asked to proceed toward Training Arena 2 via the guided lanes. Your prompt and orderly cooperation is expected."

"..."

Several cadets slowly looked around.

What?

Before anyone could properly process the announcement, glowing projections suddenly flickered to life across the floor.

One after another, bright arrows appeared along the corridor, forming a clear path toward the outskirts of the Academy.

Then, as though the first announcement hadn’t already been perfectly audible, the same unusually cheerful voice began repeating it, only to be gradually drowned out by the increasingly panicked voices of the students.

Luca saw his good brother react first.

"?!"

Ollie jumped so violently that he looked like he’d just discovered the floor beneath him was on fire.

Unfortunately, Luca couldn’t exactly reassure him either.

Because even he wasn’t entirely sure what was happening!

At the very least, he’d experienced something similar when they were abruptly woken by blaring alarms for their first assessment exam. But that had only involved students from the Mecha Combat Division, so he could kind of understand why everyone else seemed so apprehensive.

In times like this, it was probably best to ask someone who might know a little more.

The golden-eyed cadet looked around before instinctively turning toward his husband, only to pause when he noticed the subtle annoyance already settling across Xavier’s face.

Not at him, of course.

But his husband was definitely narrowing his eyes at the spots where the hidden speakers should be.

Apparently, Xavier didn’t appreciate this particular surprise either.

Not everyone seemed to share that sentiment, though.

Because before Luca could think much more about it, D-29’s excited voice suddenly sounded privately inside his head.

"Wow, Host! The footage for your first field trip is already starting out wonderfully! It hasn’t even been five minutes, and we’ve achieved this level of anticipation!"

Luca blinked.

Anticipation?

He wasn’t entirely sure that was the word he’d use.

Still, as a first-time field trip attendee, the dungeon owner supposed there were at least some positive things to focus on!

For one, the Academy clearly intended to include all of its first-year students.

They were even being remarkably thorough about making sure nobody accidentally left before the activity started!

Luca glanced back at the massive containment barrier.

Perhaps the instructors were simply worried someone might get lost?

It was definitely different from the field trips he’d seen or heard about before. Then again, this was a military academy, so maybe they simply had their own way of doing things.

But more than that, Luca couldn’t help thinking about how strangely nice it felt to be so thoroughly included.

Instead of being kept away from the other students, he was being treated as part of the group that absolutely had to participate.

Admittedly, that felt really nice for a kid who’d spent so many years being asked to wait outside while everyone else discussed the details of a much-awaited trip he wouldn’t be joining.

So even if everyone else had their reservations about actually following those dreaded arrows, the guild leader of DG seemed more than willing to take the first step.

Then again, if only anyone else knew what Luca Kyros was thinking.

Because his interpretation of the situation was a considerable distance away from the thoughts currently running through the minds of several other freshmen.

__

Kidnapping.

Illegal confinement.

Educational terrorism.

There was probably a very good reason those barriers existed, and judging by how many students were already staring longingly toward the sealed exits, the Academy had apparently learned from experience.

Unfortunately, Oliver Mylor seemed ready to lead the internal protest.

The blonde stared at the glowing arrows on the floor.

Then at the sealed doors.

Then at the mine still sitting comfortably in his hand.

His face gradually twisted in disbelief.

How?!

How had everything come to this?!

He’d practically risked his life preparing for this damned field trip!

He’d endured that horrible Manual, nearly worked himself into the ground trying to control his newly awakened ability, and even accepted the possibility of attending school wrapped like an oversized spring roll.

All because he didn’t want to miss out!

And now the activity he’d nearly died to attend sounded suspicious enough that the instructors apparently needed to lock the students inside before announcing it?!

Ollie’s eye twitched.

What kind of field trip required containment barriers?!

More importantly, what the hell had those instructors been thinking when they came up with this?!

Well, great question.

Unfortunately, instead of their increasing doubts being quelled, opening the doors to the training hall only seemed to make things worse.

Because even if the young cadets were somehow given ten more eyes each, only Luca Kyros would still think this looked anything like a field trip.