“Let’s debrief, shall we?” Judith announced cheerily. Both squads were sitting across from one another at the banquet table. No member was without their post-trial scars, Norok noticed; Will sported a massive bruise turning a grisly yellow on his right cheekbone. Kell’s uniform jacket was torn to shreds, a series of small burn marks dotting his sleeves. Even Daimona was covered in bruises and scrapes along her arms. He wanted to ask what happened, but his sister seemed deep in thought, leering at Frode’s giddy face across from her.

  “Why rub it in our faces?” Irina muttered, bristling as Kell’s hands hovered over her chest, slowly mending the impact Leka’s arrow had left. “We lost. What is there to say?”

  Pultz sighed, placing his hands on his hips. “C’mon, don’t be a poor sport. There was plenty to celebrate on both sides tonight. Even I’m impressed.”

  Judith reached a hand out to the table. Green ribbons extended from her hand, creating a live map of the forested area. The trees parted, revealing miniature versions of each participant making their way through the woods. “This year’s rescue trial was beyond a success. Each of you exhibited an unprecedented level of skill, and you really proved yourselves worthy of your placement here.”

  She waved her hand over the ribbon diorama, and the view centered in on the miniatures of Will and Bash. Norok snorted as the Will figure tripped, falling face-first into an exposed root. Will rolled his eyes without a word.

  “Private Lotsvatinus, your cunning during tonight’s trial was without a doubt the most impressive feature,” Judith continued. “You effectively isolated your opponents and relied on your team to communicate their whereabouts. You scouted further ahead without rushing in, the true mark of a wise leader.”

  Across the forest line up, red ribbons tied themselves in balls, rolling all across the scene. As they flashed their thin limbs and wagging tongues, Norok realized they signified Bash’s monsters. He grimaced at the sight. There had to be at least fifty of them on the table, and Norok hadn’t seen a single one. Her monsters could be anywhere, he thought, and no one would even know.

  “Th-thank you,” Bash bowed her head gratefully.

  “That being said, the distance you kept between yourself and your teammates was almost your downfall,” Pultz interjected. The diorama changed, showing Frode appearing from thin air before Bash and Will. The miniature Frode began chatting at Will, distracting him as Bash escaped to the side. There, Bash stalked behind Judith and Daimona.

  “I-i-i-it’s true,” Bash admitted. “I couldn’t h-have handled Daimona on m-m-my own.”

  Daimona didn’t reply. Instead, she glared darkly at Bash, the faintest growl kicking up in the back of her throat. The look unsettled Norok; he had only seen it when they were children, when Daimona had to be muzzled for her teeth instead of her magic. He had watched in horror as she tore the throats of other subjects in the facility, clawing out the eyes of any ill-prepared caretaker. Norok shuddered.

  “Which brings us to our praises for Squad 46,” Judith said warmly. Will perked up, visibly excited by the notion that he had done something right.

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  “Over the course of the last three trials, we’ve noticed a distinct difference in the combative output between your two squads,” Pultz continued stiffly. “Before, everything could be thrown to luck. But after tonight, it’s clear that despite their tactical ineptitude, Squad 46 gives nothing but their all for every task. Your dedication and loyalty to the cause make you all fearsome opponents.”

  “Was that a compliment? It kind of sounds like he just called us strong but stupid,” Kell whispered to Irina.

  “He did not call us weak, like usual,” Irina said with a shrug.

  “It’s better than nothing,” Will added.

  The diorama shifted again, this time showing Kell and Daimona holding off Judith.

  “Both Prodikor and Daimona were excellent in warding off their attacker, immediately adapting to my range and coming up with a concise strategy that suited both of their techniques. Not many people can hold off a sergeant--”

  “--not many people try,” Pultz snickered.

  Judith nodded approvingly. “But you two did on both accounts. I have no doubts that you’d do well in a real operation together.”

  Kell grinned at Daimona. She flashed him an eager thumbs-up in return.

  “In short, I want to applaud both squads for their bravery tonight, and I’ll be looking forward to seeing your results in the final trial,” Judith clapped her hands together, offering a curt smile to both captains. “For now, get some rest. You’ve earned it.”

  As everyone exited the room, Will motioned for the rest of his squad to join him in the lobby. They huddled together, with Irina keeping her stark posture a foot outside the circle.

  “Great work tonight, team,” Will said excitedly.

  “Yeah, we really killed it out there!” Kell agreed, nudging Daimona. She stuck her nose up, a proud, smug look on her face.

  “I really did, didn’t I?”

  “I just wanted to say I’m very proud of you all, and even though this wasn’t a victory, earning the approval of the sergeants is a huge leap for us. Let’s finish bootcamp just as strong, alright?”

  The group all echoed their affirmations, breaking off to go retire for the evening. Norok turned, ready to race after Kell, but Irina dug her fingernails into his shoulder and yanked him back. His blood ran cold.

  “Tadpole,” she said sternly. “You used your magic on me.”

  “That was--”

  Irina’s nails pierced through his shirt, piercing into his flesh as she forced him to look at her. “I told you what would happen if you did that again.”

  Norok tried to focus his panicking mind. He’d have to push her back to escape-- or push himself up? Could he even get out of her range in time? He had seen firsthand just how fast she was in the woods. She’d tear him into pieces in seconds, no matter how far he tried to run.

  Irina’s grip relented. To his surprise, Irina’s face softened, and quietly, almost politely, she said, “Next time, you give signal. So I know what is coming.”

  “O-oh,” Norok stuttered. “Yeah, I can do that.”

  “We will practice,” Irina said sharply, brushing past him. “But later. Tonight, we sleep.”

  As he watched her back disappear around the corner, Norok let out a long exhale. He had survived the rescue trial, Leka and Rik, and now Irina’s wrath too. He could only hope he’d survive whenever later was too.