Sgt. Damascus led the team and Lt. Grey to some kind of classroom that was actually outside the main building. The team didn't really understand what was going on, since they hadn't been informed where they were heading. They just assumed that maybe their class would be different from the others.
Of course, they were right about that—after all, these were the very special first-years. The first first-years to actually obtain the high grade that they had. Normally, ordinary first-years would be labeled around grade one or two.
But these ones? They skyrocketed straight to grade five in just their first year, and they didn't even look like the bunch that could achieve such a milestone—apart from Flash. For a guy like him, it was expected that he could achieve that grade. But even then, Sgt. Damascus and Lt. Grey were expecting him to maybe obtain grade four at best.
Now that all of them had managed to do the impossible, it was obvious why the decision had been made—especially after evaluating Mikeal's performance. He, out of everyone, was the real reason both of the most powerful first responders—who hadn't been on the battlefield in quite some time—had decided to train them personally.
Everyone knew about the legend of the first-years who did the impossible. Everyone understood why they were under Sgt. Damascus and Lt. Grey.
In just a few days, the team had earned themselves one heck of a reputation. Everywhere they went, they were recognized—and now it looked like they had just made themselves a new enemy.
So, the decision to train them outside the main building was a necessary one. If they were going to be trained by the best, they needed the best equipment and the best environment.
They stepped outside, which was something new to the team. They hadn't been informed—they were just following orders. What confused them even more was how they passed through so many empty classrooms—classrooms that seemed perfectly suited for them.
But the walk proved beneficial. They got the chance to see what actually went on behind the scenes during the preparations for dealing with cannibals.
They even saw a first responder running toward Sgt. Damascus, talking urgently.
"Sir, we've gotten confirmation from the scouts that the new grade of cannibals are coming our way. What should we do?" the soldier asked.
"You're asking the obvious, soldier. You know what you need to do. Take good care of them," Sgt. Damascus said without even bothering to stop or evaluate the information on the laptop.
"Yes, sir. Troops, let's get ready to go to war! Prepare the M16s, and let's conquer the skies!" the first responder reported through his earpiece—and then took off running.
The truth was, both Sgt. Damascus and Lt. Grey were walking so fast it was hard for the team to keep up.
"Wow, they're fast," Hector complained, trying to catch his breath.
Everyone else didn't seem to have a problem—they were walking at a steady pace and keeping distance.
Mikeal, on the other hand, was walking casually at the back of the group. He was just looking around, seeing fighter jets and pilots getting ready for liftoff. It was a beautiful sight for him. He remembered the stories told by his former guardian, who had a deep love for being a first responder.
Though the outside was a bit busy and chaotic, Mikeal could hear every conversation being held. He heard every word perfectly, like his senses were sharper than ever.
After what felt like a never-ending walk, Sgt. Damascus pulled out his ID and scanned it at some kind of facility. The doors opened—and when the team walked inside, they couldn't believe what they were seeing with their very own eyes.
"Whoa," they all gasped, stunned.
The facility was impressive. The space it offered, the seats—each marked with their last names—and the sheer size of the room, which had everything from food to armory.
"Is this our new class?" Celine asked, exploring every corner of the place.
"Now, Ms. Gates, a class is something that would mean you sit down and learn something. But no—this is not a class. This is a training ground," Lt. Grey clarified.
"Then what is this?" Flash asked.
"This, my friends, is your new training facility," Sgt. Damascus said. And that was all he said.
The team obviously didn't understand what he meant. They assumed maybe their learning was just called a 'training facility' for a fancier effect.
So everyone took their seats and waited for a presentation from their new teachers. And just as expected, Sgt. Damascus had a full presentation prepared.
He explained everything—even using charts to detail the whole process the team should expect.
"Okay, is everyone clear on what's expected of them?" Sgt. Damascus asked, lighting up another cigar.
"Yes, sir!" the team responded.
Then Sgt. Damascus let Lt. Grey take over.
"Okay, now before we continue with our lessons for today, Sgt. Damascus and I have decided that in order to better understand your strengths and weaknesses, you guys are going to have to spar against one another," she said.
That definitely caught them off guard. They didn't know how to react or even what to expect.
"But… it's just the five of us. So how will we be able to spar together?" Alexis raised a very valid concern.
"You don't have to worry about that, Ms. Sky. Just know that one of you will have to fight me or the Sergeant himself," Lt. Grey smiled—without giving the slightest hint of who would fight her or Sgt. Damascus.
The team exchanged looks, all thinking the same thing: who was the unfortunate soul about to fight the two most powerful soldiers in the whole academy?
This sounded like music to Flash's ears. He was hoping—praying—that he'd get the opportunity to deal with one of his enemies. His eyes were locked on Mikeal.
"Well, I don't care who chooses who, but just know and accept that when it comes to him, he's mine," Flash said, pointing at Mikeal.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Hart, but your opponent is none other than Mr. House himself. Which means that Mr. Park will be my opponent," Sgt. Damascus cracked his fingers.
Mikeal had been distracted and didn't catch most of what was being said—but he definitely heard it when they said he was going to fight Damascus.
"Me?" Mikeal pointed to himself.
He may have had an advantage—maybe even a cheat code—but he wasn't dumb enough to think that going head-to-head with Damascus was anything less than a death sentence.
Judging by Sgt. Damascus's muscular physique and towering presence, despite being an older man, he was still lethal. From everything Mikeal had learned, Damascus was more than just a man—he was a killing machine. Compared to cannibals and their grades, Damascus was on another level.
"Okay, the first to start off the sparring session is none other than Alexis Sky and Celine Gates," Sgt. Damascus called out.