HUNTERS ALLIANCE - CHAPTER 11: THREADS BEING PULLED

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The academy library was unusually quiet.

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Only the occasional turning of pages and scratching of pens broke the silence.

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Lira Water sat alone at a wooden table near the tall windows. Sunlight filtered through the glass and painted golden patterns across the pages of the mana textbook in front of her.

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Her long blue hair was tied behind her head to keep it from falling over the book. One hand supported her cheek while the other slowly traced the diagrams on the page.

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Mana Channels.

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Mana Circulation.

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Elemental Synchronization.

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The subjects were complicated, but she preferred them over physical training.

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At least books didn't punch back.

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"...If mana enters the core and circulates through the secondary channels..." she quietly muttered.

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A shadow suddenly appeared beside her.

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Lira looked up.

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A staff member stood there.

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"Miss Lira Water?"

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"Yes?"

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"Professor Garrick would like to see you in his office."

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Lira blinked.

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"Me?"

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The staff member nodded.

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"Immediately."

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The moment he walked away, Lira stared at the book.

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"What did I do?"

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She couldn't remember breaking any rules.

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She wasn't late to class.

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She hadn't gotten into any fights.

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Unlike Roshan.

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The thought made her sigh.

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Closing her textbook, she stood up and headed toward the instructor wing.

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---

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Professor Garrick's office was located on the second floor.

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The heavy wooden door looked intimidating.

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Just like the man himself.

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Lira knocked.

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"Enter."

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The deep voice immediately sent a chill down her spine.

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She opened the door.

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Professor Garrick sat behind his desk.

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His large frame almost made the chair look small. His scarred face remained expressionless while stacks of reports rested beside him.

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The room smelled faintly of old books and coffee.

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"Sit."

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Lira quickly obeyed.

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The chair creaked softly as she sat down.

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For several seconds Garrick simply stared at her.

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It felt like being examined by a monster.

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Finally he spoke.

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"You are Lira Water."

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"Yes, Professor."

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"You are acquainted with Roshan Ryn."

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Lira blinked.

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That wasn't what she expected.

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"Yes."

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Garrick folded his arms.

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"How close are you?"

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The question caught her completely off guard.

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"What?"

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"How close are you?"

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Lira frowned.

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"We grew up together."

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"Hm."

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Silence filled the office again.

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Lira shifted slightly.

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Her mind wandered to the rumors spreading around the academy.

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A few days ago several government officials had visited Roshan.

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Nobody knew why.

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Nobody knew what happened.

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But people talked.

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Students always talked.

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Some claimed Roshan had noble blood.

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Others believed he was secretly related to an important commander.

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One ridiculous rumor even claimed he was chosen by the barrier itself.

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None of it made sense.

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Garrick's voice interrupted her thoughts.

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"You've heard the rumors."

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Lira nodded slowly.

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"A little."

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"A little is enough."

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The professor leaned forward slightly.

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"Watch Roshan."

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Lira stared at him.

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"What?"

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"Observe his behavior."

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She frowned.

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"Why?"

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"Because he may place himself in situations he cannot handle."

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Lira remained confused.

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"Professor... isn't that his problem?"

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Garrick's eyes narrowed slightly.

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"What do you mean?"

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"I mean Roshan makes his own decisions."

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She crossed her arms.

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"I can't control his emotions."

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A small silence followed.

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Then Garrick spoke.

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"If you wish to protect your friend, you will."

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Lira immediately shook her head.

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"No one can control another person."

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"Perhaps."

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His voice remained calm.

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"But influence is another matter."

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Lira didn't answer.

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She wasn't sure where this conversation was heading anymore.

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The professor stood and walked toward the window.

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His hands rested behind his back.

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"The academy produces hunters."

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He looked outside.

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"Hunters die every day."

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Lira remained silent.

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"Sometimes strength kills them."

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"Sometimes arrogance."

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"Sometimes ambition."

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His eyes hardened.

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"And sometimes attention."

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Lira slowly understood.

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"You're worried about Roshan."

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Garrick didn't answer directly.

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"Attention attracts opportunities."

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He turned toward her.

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"And opportunities attract dangers."

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The room became quiet again.

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Lira thought about Roshan.

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He was stubborn.

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Too stubborn.

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If someone challenged him, he accepted.

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If someone insulted him, he responded.

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If someone told him not to do something...

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He usually did it anyway.

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A small sigh escaped her lips.

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"That sounds like him."

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For the first time, Garrick's expression softened slightly.

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"Exactly."

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Lira hesitated before asking.

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"How did you know we're friends?"

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Garrick immediately answered.

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"Human behavior."

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"Huh?"

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"If two individuals spend the majority of their time together, they are usually friends."

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Lira blinked.

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That was surprisingly simple.

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"Oh."

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She slowly nodded.

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"I guess that makes sense."

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Garrick returned to his chair.

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"For now, continue your studies."

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"That's all?"

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"That is all."

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Lira stood.

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"Thank you, Professor."

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She still didn't understand everything he meant.

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But one thing was clear.

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Something was happening around Roshan.

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Something the instructors weren't talking about.

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And she didn't like it.

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---

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Far away from Garrick's office.

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Inside another section of the academy.

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Instructor Reese sat alone.

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The woman's fingers slowly tapped against her desk.

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A smile rested on her face.

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Patient.

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Calculating.

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Dangerous.

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Several reports lay open before her.

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One report contained Roshan's name.

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Another contained evaluations of his social interactions.

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Reese slowly closed the folder.

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"So..."

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Her smile widened slightly.

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"It's finally time."

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She stood from her chair.

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Walking toward the window, she looked down at the academy grounds below.

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Hundreds of trainees moved between buildings.

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Most were ordinary.

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Some were talented.

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A few were exceptional.

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Roshan belonged in the final category.

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Which made him useful.

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Very useful.

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But people were easier to shape when isolated.

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Friends complicated things.

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Friends asked questions.

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Friends created doubt.

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Friends interfered.

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Her eyes narrowed.

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"Daren."

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"Miko."

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"Lira."

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One by one she spoke their names.

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The people closest to Roshan.

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The people she intended to remove from the equation.

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Not permanently.

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Just enough.

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Enough for distance to grow.

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Enough for cracks to form.

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Enough for Roshan to depend on different people.

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Reese smiled.

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"The first step is always separation."

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The game had already begun.

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Roshan simply didn't know it yet.

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---

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Suddenly loud static echoed throughout the academy.

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BZZZZZT.

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Students looked up.

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The academy communication system had activated.

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Large speakers mounted around the campus crackled to life.

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A voice filled the grounds.

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"Attention all trainees."

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Students stopped walking.

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Others stepped out of buildings.

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Everyone listened.

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"Attention all trainees."

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"The second physical training assessment will begin tomorrow morning."

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Groans immediately erupted across the academy.

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"Oh come on!"

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"We just finished the first one!"

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"Are they trying to kill us?"

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The announcement continued.

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"All first-year trainees are required to report to Training Field Three at 0600 hours."

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"Attendance is mandatory."

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"Failure to appear will result in disciplinary action."

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The message repeated once more before ending.

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Students immediately began complaining.

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Lira heard the announcement while leaving the instructor building.

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Her shoulders dropped.

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"Tomorrow?"

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She looked toward the training fields.

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"Roshan is going to love this."

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Meanwhile, somewhere else on campus, Roshan sneezed.

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---

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Far beyond the academy.

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Inside the capital.

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A meeting was underway.

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Several councilors sat around a massive circular table.

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Maps covered the walls.

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Expansion plans.

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Trade routes.

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Construction projects.

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Military budgets.

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Dozens of documents were spread before them.

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A commander stood at the center.

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His expression was serious.

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"The PLE report requires immediate attention."

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The room remained quiet.

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Several councilors exchanged glances.

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One finally spoke.

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"We are aware."

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"Then action should be taken."

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"The monster population is increasing."

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"The outer settlements are becoming vulnerable."

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Another councilor sighed.

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"And yet expansion remains our priority."

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The commander frowned.

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"People may die."

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A third councilor leaned back.

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"And people will also die if resources become limited."

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The discussion quickly grew tense.

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Arguments filled the room.

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Some supported the commander's concerns.

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Others prioritized development.

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Roads.

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Cities.

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Resources.

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Territory.

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Eventually the head councilor raised a hand.

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Silence followed.

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"The report will be reviewed."

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The commander narrowed his eyes.

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"When?"

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"Later."

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The answer felt like a slap.

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The head councilor calmly folded the document.

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"We have more immediate matters."

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The PLE report was placed among a stack of unfinished paperwork.

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Ignored.

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Delayed.

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Forgotten.

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For now.

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The commander watched silently.

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A bad feeling settled in his chest.

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Outside the council chamber, construction crews worked tirelessly.

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New buildings rose toward the sky.

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New districts expanded outward.

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The kingdom continued growing.

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Unaware of the storm gathering beyond its walls.

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And somewhere far outside the barrier...

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Something watched.

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Waiting.

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Patient.

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Just like Reese.

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Just like fate.

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And soon, all of their paths would collide.37Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGOxSKOh3v

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