HSBA Delta Branch: Where Paths Cross Again - CHAPTER 13

[HSBA Delta Training Camp Branch — Administration Building & Landing Zone | 7:43 P.M.]

Night had already settled over the HSBA Delta Branch.

The chaos of Day Zero Test was finally ending.

Slowly.

Painfully.

Exhaustingly.

Across the trainee dormitories—

Medical transport teams carefully carried unconscious trainees toward their assigned rooms.

Some had simply reached their physical and mental limits.

Others had collapsed from complete exhaustion.

Yet all of them had already been medically cleared.

No longer in danger.

Only sleeping.

Only recovering.

Meanwhile—

The trainees requiring additional observation were escorted toward the infirmary.

Medical staff moved carefully.

Professionally.

Quietly.

Monitors beeped softly.

Recovery beds filled steadily.

Everything remained under control.

Elsewhere—

The training grounds were already being dismantled.

Instructor William supervised equipment retrieval.

Instructor Hazel organized medical inventories.

Instructor Abigail verified patient transfers.

Instructor Khione and Instructor Zeirah collected biometric blindfold units.

Instructor Hajime looked exhausted.

Instructor Renesmee looked equally exhausted.

Instructor Deia silently hauled equipment crates.

Everyone was tired.

Very tired.

But work still remained.

Meanwhile—

Inside the Administration Building—

The eight main instructors were still working.

Instructor Faye.

Instructor Mark.

Instructor Landrieu.

Instructor Azhette.

Instructor Syndie.

Instructor Arch Jude.

Instructor Monique.

Instructor Jonathan.

Stacks of paperwork covered the conference tables.

Passed candidates.

Failed candidates.

Medical evaluations.

Performance reports.

Final rankings.

Graduation recommendations.

Everything needed completion before midnight.

Unfortunately—

Nobody could focus properly.

Because the same question remained.

Where were they?

Instructor Britney.

Instructor Sapphire.

Instructor Skyrish.

Instructor Amethyst.

Instructor Bailey.

Instructor Raphael.

Instructor Nexcialine.

Instructor Ravielle.

Still missing.

Still absent.

Still completely unreachable.

Instructor Mark checked his bracelet again.

Nothing.

No messages.

No updates.

No reports.

Instructor Monique sighed.

“…This is becoming ridiculous.”

Instructor Landrieu nodded.

“…It’s been almost the entire day.”

Instructor Jonathan frowned.

“…Instructor Sapphire would never disappear during Day Zero Test.”

Instructor Azhette looked toward the window.

“…Neither would Instructor Britney.”

Instructor Syndie crossed her arms.

“…Something happened.”

Nobody argued.

Because everyone was thinking exactly the same thing.

Then—

WHUP.

Silence.

The entire room froze.

A distant sound echoed across the camp.

Helicopter blades.

Instructor Faye immediately stood.

“…What?”

WHUP.

The sound rapidly grew louder.

Outside—

Multiple instructors immediately looked toward the sky.

Instructor William stopped moving.

Instructor Hazel looked up.

Instructor Dave froze.

Instructor Karylle blinked.

Instructor Morixette looked confused.

Instructor Vanessa frowned.

Because nobody had been informed of any scheduled arrivals.

Nobody.

Especially not from Headquarters.

The helicopter descended rapidly.

Its silhouette becoming visible against the darkening sky.

Then—

Several instructors immediately recognized the markings.

And collectively froze.

“…No way.”

“…That’s HSBA International Headquarters.”

“…Main HSBA International Headquarters.”

“…Why are they here?”

The helicopter finally descended toward the landing zone.

WHOOOOOOOMP.

Dust exploded outward.

The landing lights illuminated the entire area.

Every nearby instructor immediately straightened.

Alert.

Ready.

Anxious.

The helicopter touched down.

THUD.

The blades slowly began decelerating.

Then—

The side door opened.

Everyone expected executives.

Officials.

Inspectors.

Instead—

A medical officer stepped down first.

Then another.

The entire landing zone fell silent.

Confusion immediately spread.

Then—

The next figure appeared.

Instructor Sapphire.

Being carefully assisted down the helicopter stairs.

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Because—

She was injured.

Nothing life-threatening.

But injured.

Bandages visible.

Bruises visible.

Fatigue obvious.

Instructor Faye’s eyes widened.

“…Instructor Sapphire?”

Then—

Instructor Skyrish appeared.

Then Instructor Amethyst.

Then Instructor Bailey.

Then Instructor Raphael.

Then Instructor Nexcialine.

Then—

Instructor Britney.

Supported by two Headquarters medical personnel.

And finally—

Instructor Ravielle.

The entire camp froze.

Because Instructor Ravielle looked injured too.

A bandage wrapped around one forearm.

Several visible bruises.

Uniform partially damaged.

Yet somehow—

Her posture remained perfectly straight.

Then—

The surprises continued.

More figures emerged.

Instructor Sahm.

Instructor Patrick.

Instructor Blade.

Instructor Bryce.

Instructor Louie.

All injured.

All exhausted.

All clearly returning from the same operation.

Then chaos erupted.

Instructor William moved first.

Immediately.

His quintuplets daughters following behind him.

Instructor Khione.

Instructor Zeirah.

Instructor Hajime.

Instructor Renesmee.

Instructor Deia.

Then his twin sister Instructor Hazel.

All rushing forward.

“Britney!”

“Brie!”

“Mom!”

Instructor William reached her first.

His voice filled with concern.

“What happened?”

“Why are you injured?”

“Where did you go?”

Instructor Britney looked exhausted.

But still smiled weakly.

“…Hi.”

“HI IS NOT AN ANSWER.”

Even Instructor Ravielle almost laughed.

Nearby—

Instructor Abigail and Instructor Shade immediately reached Instructor Nexcialine.

“Nex!”

“Are you okay?”

Instructor Nexcialine raised both thumbs.

“…Mostly.”

“…MOSTLY?”

Elsewhere—

Instructor Dave suddenly froze.

Because he had finally seen someone else.

“…Sis?”

Instructor Sahm looked up.

Then smiled tiredly.

“…Hey.”

Instructor Dave immediately crossed the remaining distance.

Concern obvious.

“What happened?”

“Why are all of you injured?”

“Where have you been all day?”

Instructor Sahm sighed heavily.

“…Urgent mission.”

Silence.

Several nearby instructors immediately listened.

Instructor Sahm continued.

“…Headmaster Gaius recommended thirteen personnel.”

“…Headquarters pulled us out in the middle of Day Zero Test.”

Instructor Dave blinked.

“…Wait.”

“…Today?”

“…Yes.”

The answer nearly broke him.

Instructor Sahm rubbed one temple.

“…Trust me.”

“…It’s been a long day.”

Instructor Dave immediately looked worried again.

“…Do Mom and Dad know?”

Instructor Sahm nodded.

“…I contacted them while we were in transit.”

“…Instructor Rhaine and Instructor Jordan already know.”

That visibly relaxed him.

Nearby—

More instructors continued gathering.

Instructor Yanzhi.

Instructor-in-Training Ysabelle.

Instructor Khyzelle.

Instructor Cyrus.

Instructor Sharmyst.

Instructor Ashryn.

Instructor Raffy Angel.

Instructor Zhameia.

Instructor Jaspher Miracle.

Instructor Khylee.

Instructor Brylle.

Instructor Euphy.

Instructor Zephyr.

Instructor Lyana.

Instructor Lawrence.

Instructor Eunice.

Instructor Khezia.

Instructor Xavier.

Instructor Sophie.

Instructor Angel.

Instructor Mikee.

Instructor Cheshire.

Instructor Autumn.

Instructor Seven.

Instructor Zhayne.

Instructor Zhyriel.

Instructor Maeve.

Instructor Francine.

And many more.

All checking on the returning group.

Especially Instructor Ravielle.

Because nobody had known her long—

Yet somehow her condition immediately attracted concern.

Partly because she was the newest instructor.

Partly because nobody knew who she actually was.

And partly because she had disappeared on her very first day.

Meanwhile—

The eight main instructors finally arrived at the landing zone.

Instructor Faye.

Instructor Mark.

Instructor Landrieu.

Instructor Azhette.

Instructor Syndie.

Instructor Arch Jude.

Instructor Monique.

Instructor Jonathan.

All equally stunned.

Then—

One of the Headquarters medical officers approached.

Holding several brown envelopes.

“…Instructor Faye.”

Instructor Faye accepted them automatically.

Then froze.

Because written across the envelopes—

Were five names.

Instructor Sahm.

Instructor Patrick.

Instructor Blade.

Instructor Bryce.

Instructor Louie.

TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION.

HSBA DELTA BRANCH ASSIGNMENT.

Silence.

Instructor Mark slowly looked over.

“…You’re kidding.”

Instructor Azhette immediately grabbed one.

Instructor Jonathan adjusted his glasses.

Instructor Monique blinked.

Once.

Twice.

“…They’re transfers?”

The medical officer nodded.

“…Effective immediately.”

Instructor Landrieu looked horrified.

“…Headquarters sent us six transfers in one day?”

“…Including Instructor Ravielle.”

Nobody knew how to process that.

Especially after realizing—

Instructor Sahm was the eldest daughter of Instructor Rhaine and Instructor Jordan.

The Head Instructor and Assistant Head Instructor of the Main HSBA International Training Camp.

Which meant—

Another highly trained Main HSBA International Training Camp graduates had just arrived.

The medical officer offered a polite nod.

“…All personnel are stable.”

“…Minor injuries only.”

“…No hospitalization required.”

Collective relief immediately spread.

Then—

Instructor Faye finally asked the question everyone wanted answered.

“…What kind of mission injured all thirteen of you?”

Silence.

Several of the returned instructors exchanged glances.

Then—

Instructor Britney looked toward Instructor Ravielle.

Instructor Ravielle looked toward Instructor Sapphire.

Instructor Sapphire looked toward Instructor Skyrish.

Instructor Skyrish immediately answered.

“…Classified.”

The entire HSBA Delta Branch groaned simultaneously.

“…Of course it is.”

“…Naturally.”

“…Why would we get answers?”

Even Instructor Jonathan looked offended.

Meanwhile—

The Headquarters medical personnel began returning toward the helicopter.

Mission completed.

Patients delivered.

Transfers completed.

Documentation handed over.

Before boarding—

The lead medic paused.

Then spoke one final time.

“…Headquarters extends its congratulations regarding today’s Day Zero Test graduates.”

Instructor Faye nodded respectfully.

“…Thank you.”

The medic returned the nod.

Then boarded.

Moments later—

The helicopter doors closed.

WHUMP.

The blades accelerated once more.

Dust swept across the landing zone.

And slowly—

The helicopter rose into the night sky.

Leaving behind—

An exhausted HSBA Delta Branch.

Thirty-seven graduates.

Six new transfers.

One mysterious instructor with a classified file.

And thirteen injured personnel who somehow managed to disappear for an entire day, complete a classified mission, return from Headquarters, and still somehow arrive before dinner paperwork was finished.

As the helicopter vanished into the darkness—

Instructor Landrieu stared toward the sky.

Then looked at the injured group.

Then looked at the transfer files.

Then looked at Instructor Ravielle.

“…I want one normal day.”

Instructor Azhette immediately answered.

“…Denied.”

“…Obviously.”

And somewhere beside them—

Instructor Nexcialine raised her hand weakly.

“…Can our next classified mission please involve snacks instead?”

For the first time all day—

Laughter echoed across the HSBA Delta Branch.

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