The academy courtyard was unrecognizable. Once a place of whispered conversations and teenaged drama, it now thrummed with the tension of war. Rows upon rows of students, organized by year, stretched across the expanse. The crisp lines of their formations betrayed an air of discipline, but their faces told a different story—equal parts fear, doubt, and grim determination. Above them, glowing holograms projected the intricate topography of Vexar Prime. The planet's sprawling cities flickered in and out of focus, their names etched in harsh, angular text.

  He glanced sideways. Marcus stood a few feet away, his sword laid flat across his back. Beside him, Mia tested the tension of her bowstring, her lips moving in what looked like a silent prayer. Andrew, uncharacteristically focused, adjusted the grip on his mace, his wiry arms flexing with each motion. Their presence grounded Jeremy, even as doubt clawed at the edges of his mind. A subtle nod passed between them, a silent pact that they would see this through together.

  "Hey," Marcus said, breaking the silence. "You know we’ve got your back, right?"

  Jeremy blinked, caught off guard. He nodded quickly, gripping his spear tighter. "Yeah. I know."

  "Good," Marcus replied, smirking faintly as he sheathed his sword. "We’re not letting you play hero alone out there."

  Mia lowered her bow and stepped closer, her expression unusually soft. "It’s okay to be nervous, Jeremy. Everyone is. Just... don’t carry it all by yourself."

  Jeremy managed a weak smile. "Thanks. I’ll try."

  Andrew chuckled, his tone lighter than it had been all morning. "Don’t try. Just do it. And if you mess up, well, that’s why we’re here. To save your sorry butt."

  The faint laughter that rippled through the group was enough to ease some of the tension. Jeremy felt a small, fleeting sense of comfort in their words, even as the enormity of their task loomed over him.

  Mia glanced toward the rows of other students preparing nearby, her voice quiet but steady. "Do you think they’re as scared as we are?"

  Marcus followed her gaze, his smirk fading. "They’d be stupid not to be. But fear’s not the problem—it’s letting it stop you that’ll get you killed."

  Andrew adjusted the straps on his mace, his expression pensive. "You think this is how Dad felt? Before his first mission?"

  Jeremy hesitated, the question striking a chord. He hadn’t thought about their father in that light—Adrian Hoppins, always so confident in himself. "Probably," he admitted finally. "But he’d never say it."

  Marcus chuckled, his tone tinged with admiration. "Your dad’s a hard guy to read. But I bet even he had moments like this. Everyone does."

  Around him, the chatter of preparation ebbed and flowed. Jeremy’s gaze drifted to the students further down the line. Some looked ready to charge into battle, their faces set with grim resolve. Others clutched their weapons with trembling hands, eyes darting nervously as if searching for an escape. Jeremy swallowed hard. The simulations had been brutal enough—he couldn’t stop imagining how many of these faces he wouldn’t see again after this mission.

  Mia broke the silence. "Do you think it’ll be worth it?" she asked softly, her fingers toying with the edge of her bow. "All of this? Us going out there, fighting a planet that we’ve never heard of before now?"

  Jeremy hesitated. He wasn’t sure how to answer. Marcus, however, straightened, his voice low but firm. "It has to be. If we don’t hold the line, who will? My parents always said, 'If you have the power to fight, you have the duty to serve.'”

  Jeremy flinched at the mention of Marcus's parents. The memory of their faces flashed in his mind—now lifeless because of his mother. Jeremy forced himself to stay silent, his hands clenching tightly around his spear. Of all the times to tell Marcus, this definitely wouldn’t be the right time.

  A quiet determination settled over the group. Around them, the academy courtyard continued to buzz with preparations, but for a brief moment, the four of them felt connected, ready to face the storm together.

  The air grew heavy as Headmaster Velorn ascended the central platform, his robes catching the sunlight like gold. His voice, deep and commanding, cut through the courtyard like a blade.

  “Students,” Velorn began, his words laced with gravity, “today you cease to be trainees. Today, you become part of humanity’s defenders.”

  The courtyard fell silent, every head turning to face the Headmaster. His gaze swept over the assembly, sharp as a predator’s. “You stand on the brink of war. The Xelarians will show no mercy. They will seek to crush our spirit, to destroy our way of life. But we will not falter.”

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  Jeremy felt his stomach churn as Velorn’s words settled over them. The Headmaster’s voice carried no theatrics, only a cold certainty that made the stakes painfully clear.

  “Vexar Prime is a critical battleground. Too long have they stayed a thorn in humanity’s space. Your task is simple yet monumental: reclaim these cities, eliminate all Xelarians, and establish footholds for our forces.”

  The holograms above shifted, zooming in on key areas of Vexar Prime. Jeremy’s eyes tracked the glowing outlines of strategic objectives, the names of cities blurring together in his mind. His heartbeat quickened as he realized the enormity of the task before them.

  “Remember,” Velorn pressed, “you are not alone. You are part of something greater. Trust in your training, in your equipment, in each other. And know this: failure is not an option.”

  Jeremy felt the weight of Velorn’s gaze settle on him for a fleeting moment. Jeremy’s jaw tightened as he straightened his posture, his resolve hardening despite the storm of emotions within.

  “May humanity prosper,” Velorn finished, his voice ringing with finality.

  The students responded in unison, their voices a thunderous echo: “May humanity prosper!”

  As the crowd broke into motion, Jeremy turned back to his friends.

  “Ready?” Jeremy asked, forcing the word out through the tightness in his throat.

  Marcus smirked. “Ready as we’ll ever be.”

  The students began to organize themselves. The academy staff gathered them into large groups, each tasked with a specific city. The sheer scale of the operation made it clear just how critical their role would be in the coming days. Amid the buzz of activity, the sound of Mr. Hendrikson’s booming voice cut through the air, commanding everyone’s attention.

  "This," Hendrikson began, pointing at a hologram of a city, "is Varnis. The capital of one of the Xelarians’ major factions, and the most critical objective for this operation. Its tangled streets and towering skyscrapers make it a natural stronghold, but also a death trap for the unwary. Expect urban environments that require adaptability—tight alleyways, multi-level structures, and an ever-present crowd of civilians that you have to eliminate."

  He pointed to glowing markers scattered across the city. "There are three key locations you need to prioritize. First, the Central Nexus Tower—here," he tapped the largest marker, "a hub of their communication network. We take it down, and their command structure collapses."

  The hologram shifted, highlighting a sprawling industrial district. "Second, the Forge District. This is where they manufacture their war machines. Neutralizing this will cut off their supply chain and weaken their front lines."

  The hologram revealed another crucial location: the Grand Conductor Station. Hendrikson’s tone shifted, underscoring its importance. "Unlike us, the Xelarians lack teleportation technology. Their entire transportation network for this continent depends on this station. Securing it will cripple their ability to reinforce or evacuate troops across a vast portion of the planet. Expect heavy resistance here—this is as strategic to them as it is to us."

  Finally, the display zoomed in on an ornate building surrounded by fortified walls. "And last, the Atrium of Accord. It used to be a diplomatic center for the city's leaders. Now, it’s where the Xelarians' most powerful commanders gather. We suspect their leader, Krelan, operates from here. If you encounter him, do not engage alone. Krelan and his commanders are at Tier 2, far beyond your current capabilities to take alone."

  Hendrikson’s gaze swept over the students, his expression steely. "The stakes are clear. Your groups have been assigned to Varnis because you are the most skilled of your batch. Stay sharp. Work together. And above all, win."

  The gravity of his words settled over the students like a heavy shroud. Jeremy’s heart pounded as he absorbed the information. He exchanged a glance with Marcus, whose jaw was set with determination.

  Varnis. The name echoed in his mind like a distant drumbeat. He barely noticed when their batch was called forward until Marcus nudged him.

  “Hey,” Marcus whispered, his smirk faint but reassuring. “Time to move, Jeremy.”

  Jeremy nodded, his grip tightening on his spear. Around him, the group began to file into the teleportation queue, their expressions ranging from grim determination to quiet fear. Mia adjusted her quiver, her fingers brushing the fletching of her arrows with steady purpose. Andrew lingered a step behind, his mace strapped across his back. He placed a hand on Jeremy’s shoulder.

  “You’ve got this,” Andrew said, his voice firm and calm.

  Jeremy managed a small smile. “We all do.”

  Inside the teleportation chamber, the air was thick with the hum of magic. The platform beneath their feet pulsed faintly, attuned to the massive spellwork required to transport so many at once. Jeremy scanned his surroundings, taking in the faces of his batchmates—some familiar, others strangers. Despite their differences, they were united in this moment, bound by the shared weight of the mission.

  Instructor Mira entered the chamber, her presence commanding as always. But there was something different about her today. The sharp edges of her voice softened as she addressed the group.

  “Listen up,” Mira began, her gaze sweeping over them. “This isn’t a simulation. Out there, it’s life or death, for you and for those who depend on us. Stay sharp, watch each other’s backs, and remember your training.”

  Jeremy swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to speak. He clutched his spear tightly, its familiar weight an anchor against the rising tide of his nerves.

  The teleportation array flared to life, bathing the chamber in blinding light. Jeremy’s vision blurred, his body tingling as the magic took hold. The hum grew louder, a crescendo that seemed to echo in his very bones. He clenched his jaw, his final thought a silent promise: I will keep them safe.