Extra's Descent

A little over a year after the calamity happened, Holy Britannia had learned how to harness portals at an astonishing scale.

However, they still couldn't manage to mitigate the sheer capacity of the portal.

For that reason, it took a lot of magic power just to empower a single portal scale, the size of a two story building. That was because that size was all they were capable of.

However, after the blackmarket raid—or rather—partnership, they uncovered what the blackmarket was actually capable of.

From their words, they called it a "Nexus Ring."

To be able to harness portals at a smaller scale. Which is of course—under a cooldown.

But at the moment, they didn't want it to be released to the public yet.

So they had to take the bigger portal instead.

"Woah!"

"I've seen it on TV before, but I never expected it to look that big."

For everyone, this would be their first time using a portal, evident by their gawking eyes, staring at the portal in awe.

Everyone with the exception of Brandon, Amelia, Belle, and the others who participated in the auction raid.

That being said, they all entered the portal in clusters.

WHII—

***

" I know they said it would be cold, but I didn't think it would be this cold…."

Amelia, who was wearing a thick fur coat, a scarf, gloves, and boots, casually said.

"Yeah…."

Brandon agreed, fading white mists leaving his breath.

Although the two had experience with snow in the past, the current climate took it to a whole new level.

It was quite peculiar.

The place was called Aetherwild Woods. Reasons being; its mystical atmosphere.

In the past, Aetherwild was known for its perfectly green scenery with healthy tall trees and abundance of wildlife.

However, right now, it was nothing but a land of permafrost. The trees, once tall and full of life, now stood frozen and pale.

Their branches, once filled with birds and animals, were covered in frost, shining faintly under the weak sunlight. The ground was solid ice, with snow piled thickly over it.

Everything was quiet.

The usual sounds of the forest—rustling leaves, birdsong—were gone, as if the cold had not only frozen the land but silenced it.

Even the streams had stopped flowing, now locked in ice beneath the dim light filtering through the frost–covered trees.

"W-What is this…."

"Huu… huu…."

However, the others had a more colorful reaction compared to Amelia and Brandon.

Belle was rubbing her shoulders profusely, shivering intensely, even under the baggy set of clothing. The same went for Artoria and Ray, who looked as if they couldn't bear the climate anymore.

Brandon and Amelia did feel the cold. However, they had built up quite the tolerance. For that reason, their reactions were much more tame compared to the others.

As Brandon looked around, every cadet present had the same response.

"Huu…. Can't we have the training camp somewhere?"

"Haaa…. I'm gonna freeze to death."

Clap, clap—!

A sudden clap resounded from somewhere, grabbing everyone's attention. They all turned their heads towards the source.

There, the familiar sight of Bellion, adorning the Imperial Army's official uniform, stood proudly.

Beside him were the instructors. For some reason, every instructor in the combat department was present.

Then who remained in the academy?

It was then.

WHIII—

Portals appeared from the side. Several cadets emerged from it and Brandon's brows raised, scanning further.

His gaze landed on Reinhard who had just emerged from the portal. Followed by; Claire, Amy, and Rachel.

"Hmm…."

He had initially thought this training camp was only for class A. But now that he took a good look, class B and C were also present.

Those given facts told him enough of what this training camp entailed.

It was a joint training camp.

For whatever reason it was a surprise, Brandon couldn't tell.

But most probably, since class A had actual Imperial Army members such as; Belle, Amelia, Ray, and Artoria, and they had access to private information, especially regarding the training camp.

Meaning, they've done it to keep information from leaking further.

No matter what they did, it was impossible to keep information about the training camp hidden.

Especially if someone were as sneaky as Belle, who took a photo of the training camp's information.

It was then when Bellion's voice echoed, cutting through the cold.

"For the next two months, you'll be on your own. Survive in this frozen wilderness, face monsters, and adapt. This isn't about your mana core; it's about your flexibility in the unknown. No help will come. Your survival depends on how well you can handle unpredictability."

All of a sudden, Bellion's eyes narrowed. The air around him shifted and Brandon swallowed his saliva.

"I'm well aware the information was leaked. However, did none of you think that we allowed the leak to happen?"

"Hah."

Brandon sneered. This old man…

"The group of four you've formed? They're your rivals. You'll each receive badges with trackers, holding your information. If you lose your badge, you fail. Of course, you can also take the badges of the other participants. However, it will fetch you a few points.

Your rivals should be your priority."

He paused, scanning the baffled looks on the cadet's faces.

"Teaming up is strictly forbidden for class A. For classes B and C, you may work together with your rivals if you wish."

The scoring system could be summarized as;

Priority badges: 20 points.

Regular badges: 1 point.

To qualify as a pass, they must have twenty points by the end of the training camp, giving the weaker class B and C a dilemma if they should even team up with their rivals or an outside party.

"One badge, or it's an automatic fail. Trust no one but yourselves. This is not just survival. It's a competition."

And finally, he finished his announcement.

"Your mission is to prove you can thrive in any situation. Strength and power alone won't save you here. Use your instincts and endure the cold. Good luck."

At that, despite the harsh climate, the flames ignited in all the cadets present.

What was once a pact forged between friends—had turned into a heated sense of rivalry. They all looked at each other with obvious malicious intent.

Brandon and Amelia were no exceptions.

Amelia looked at him with an innocent smile. However, Brandon could tell there was hidden meaning beneath her smile.

"We finally get to compete. I won't be holding back, so make sure you don't either."

"Sure."

"Don't leave us out of it."

Belle cut in. Behind her was Raven, Artoria, and Ray.

"None of you hold back just because you're…. couples,"

Belle definitely hesitated there.

"Of course, General."

Ray flashed a salute.

"Yes, General. Don't worry. I can finally vent my frustrations to…. Ray."

Artoria narrowed her eyes at Ray.

"E-Eh…. What did I do?"

"Forget it."

"...."

Ray tried to ease Artoria.

"A-Art…. we can talk about this…."

"Hehe."

However, Artoria just flashed him a mischievous smirk.

"...."

Before they could argue even further, all of a sudden, magic circles materialized right above them and every cadet present.

A small insignia fell from the magic circle.

It was the tracker.

Once again, Bellion's voice resounded.

Bellion's voice rang out once more as the insignias fell into the cadets' hands.

"These are your trackers. They hold your identity and will log your performance."

He held his badge aloft.

"Inject a small amount of mana into the tracker. When you do, a screen will appear showing your name and image. This is the key to your success—or your failure. If your badge is taken, you fail. Guard it with your life."

The cadets followed his instructions, their badges glowing as each screen flashed to life.

Brandon's showed his name, followed by a clear image of his face. He glanced at Amelia, whose badge also flickered with her own identity.

Bellion continued.

"You are responsible for your badge. Lose it, and you're out. Take others, and you rise."

For classes B and C, class A students were akin to a boss fight, and a psychological battle between their fellow peers.

While for class A, it was a bounty hunt.

Enough had to be said, they were immediately dismissed soon after.

Cadets wasted no time and began to disperse, disappearing into the cold forest.

"I guess this is where we part ways."

Belle's voice echoed, their attention fixed on her.

"I'll go ahead first. I know you guys are….."

Belle's words trailed off from there and walked ahead.

"Wanna come with me, Raven?"

As she walked, she looked behind, meeting Raven's gaze.

"I'll pass, General. I'll definitely lose my badge to you."

"You caught on…."

Belle shook her head and disappeared into the forest.

"Guess I'll be going too, guys."

Raven soon followed and left.

The air around Artoria and Ray were quite heated at the moment.

For that reason, Brandon ignored them and grabbed Amelia's wrist.

"Hm?"

"Come with me for a second."

"You gonna try and steal my badge?"

"Maybe."

The two headed into the forest and stopped as soon as Brandon realized there was no one around.

Silence ensued until Brandon broke the said silence.

"After this, we'll be enemies."

"Mhm."

Then, he leaned close, pressing his lips on hers. Amelia had no objections, accepting his passionate affection, her back pressing on the tree.

Then, they pulled away from one another.

The corner of Brandon's lips pulled up as he raised his hand.

Amelia's eyes widened upon noticing the item in his hand.

"H-hey!"

"Just kidding."

Brandon returned her badge and walked away soon after.

"I won't be returning it the next time we see each other—"

Boom—!

A magic sword flew from somewhere, piercing the ground, halting Brandon's words.

With a smirk, Amelia said,

"And that sword won't miss the next time we meet."

"Hah."

Brandon sneered at her.

"Scary…."

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