HSBA Delta Branch: Where Paths Cross Again - CHAPTER 14

[HSBA Delta Training Camp Branch — Administration Building & Landing Zone | 8:03 P.M.]

The helicopter had already disappeared into the night.

Its distant rotor noise fading into silence.

The dust had settled.

The darkness had returned.

And yet—

Nobody seemed particularly eager to leave.

Partly because everyone was exhausted.

Partly because thirteen injured personnel had just returned from a classified mission.

And mostly—

Because there were still far too many unanswered questions.

Under the landing zone lights—

Instructor Sapphire slowly adjusted the bandage wrapped around her arm.

A faint wince escaped her.

Immediately earning concerned looks from multiple people nearby.

Instructor Faye frowned.

“Sit down.”

Instructor Sapphire smiled weakly.

“I’m fine.”

“That’s exactly what injured people say.”

“Fair.”

Several instructors snorted.

Then—

Instructor Sapphire glanced toward the Administration Building.

“Before I forget…”

Her expression became serious.

“How many passed?”

The surrounding instructors immediately understood what she meant.

Day Zero Test.

The final results.

Instructor Faye nodded.

“Out of one hundred thirty-seven actual candidates…”

A brief pause.

“Only thirty had passed.”

Instructor Sapphire blinked.

Then slowly nodded.

“Thirty.”

Instructor Mark folded his arms.

“Brutal year.”

Instructor Jonathan sighed.

“Very brutal.”

Then Instructor Faye continued.

“Adding Instructor Yanzhi.”

“Instructor Flint.”

“Instructor Justin.”

“Instructor-in-Training Ysabelle.”

“Instructor-in-Training Laurie.”

“Instructor-in-Training Ashley.”

“And Instructor-in-Training Mirco.”

She closed the results folder.

“That makes thirty-seven graduates in total.”

A small smile appeared on Instructor Sapphire’s face.

“I see.”

Then she lowered her head slightly.

“Thank you.”

The eight main instructors looked surprised.

Instructor Sapphire continued quietly.

“For managing Day Zero Test without the eight of us.”

Her eyes briefly moved toward Instructor Ravielle.

Then toward Instructor Britney.

Instructor Skyrish.

Instructor Amethyst.

Instructor Bailey.

Instructor Raphael.

Instructor Nexcialine.

“We know today wasn’t easy.”

“Especially after we disappeared without warning.”

A brief silence followed.

Then—

Instructor Ravielle stepped forward.

Despite the bruises.

Despite the bandages.

Despite looking like she should already be resting.

She lowered her head slightly.

“My apologies as well.”

She offered a small respectful nod.

“Disappearing on my first day was not exactly the introduction I intended.”

Several instructors blinked.

Because somehow—

Hearing those words from her felt stranger than hearing them from anyone else.

Then—

Instructor Britney spoke.

“Sorry for worrying everyone.”

Instructor Skyrish nodded.

“Sorry.”

Instructor Amethyst smiled apologetically.

“Our fault.”

Instructor Bailey raised one hand.

“Sorry.”

Instructor Raphael sighed.

“We should’ve expected this reaction.”

Instructor Nexcialine scratched her cheek.

“Yeah… Sorry…”

One after another—

The apologies continued.

Until all eight had spoken.

The landing zone became quiet.

Then—

Instructor Faye finally sighed.

A long sigh.

The kind of sigh produced only by people who had survived Day Zero Test paperwork.

“It’s alright.”

Several heads turned toward her.

Instructor Faye shrugged.

“It was an urgent Headquarters mission.”

“None of us could’ve stopped it.”

“Especially today.”

Her gaze shifted toward the Administration Building.

“We were all too busy trying to keep Day Zero Test from setting the branch on fire.”

That immediately earned laughter.

Even Instructor Ravielle smiled slightly.

Instructor Faye shook her head.

“You came back alive.”

“That’s what matters.”

The atmosphere immediately relaxed.

Instructor Sapphire smiled.

“Thank you for understanding.”

Then she looked toward the surrounding instructors.

“And congratulations.”

The nearby graduates looked surprised.

Especially Instructor Yanzhi and Instructor-in-Training Ysabelle.

Instructor Sapphire continued.

“To everyone who passed.”

“To everyone who survived.”

“To everyone who earned the right to step into our world.”

A respectful silence followed.

Then—

Instructor Sapphire stretched slightly.

Immediately regretted it.

And winced.

Several people laughed.

“Don’t do that.” Instructor Abigail said.

“Trying not to.”

Then Instructor Sapphire cleared her throat.

“Anyway.”

“Tonight, all Masters of the Committee personnel are ordered to rest.”

That immediately earned approval from almost everyone present.

“Today’s been long.”

“Everyone’s exhausted.”

“Especially the thirteen of us.”

Several injured instructors nodded vigorously.

“Once cleanup is finished.”

“Once records are secured.”

“Once training grounds operations are completed.”

She pointed toward the Instructors Dormitories.

“Go sleep.”

Instructor Landrieu immediately looked emotional.

“Those are the most beautiful words I’ve heard all day.”

“Agreed.” Instructor Mark said.

“Strongly agreed.” Instructor Jonathan added.

Laughter spread again.

Then—

Instructor Sapphire turned toward the five transferred instructors.

Instructor Sahm.

Instructor Patrick.

Instructor Blade.

Instructor Bryce.

Instructor Louie.

A warm smile appeared on her face.

“Welcome to HSBA Delta Training Camp Branch.”

The five immediately straightened.

“You may all rest as well.”

“Don’t worry.”

“I’ll show you your assigned rooms later.”

Instructor Sahm smiled.

“Thank you.”

Instructor Patrick nodded.

“We appreciate it.”

Instructor Blade bowed slightly.

“Thank you.”

Instructor Bryce grinned.

“Looking forward to it.”

Instructor Louie smiled.

“Thank you for the welcome.”

Then—

The eight main instructors suddenly remembered something.

“Oh.”

Instructor Azhette blinked.

“Right.”

Instructor Monique immediately nodded.

“We haven’t actually welcomed them yet.”

Instructor Faye stepped forward.

“Welcome to HSBA Delta Training Camp Branch.”

Instructor Mark nodded.

“Glad to have you.”

Instructor Jonathan adjusted his glasses.

“Welcome.”

Instructor Landrieu smiled tiredly.

“Hopefully your first week is less chaotic than today.”

“Impossible.” Instructor Azhette said immediately.

Everyone laughed.

The five transfers bowed slightly.

Despite their injuries.

“Thank you.”

“We appreciate the warm welcome.”

“We look forward to working with everyone.”

Then—

A completely unrelated voice suddenly interrupted.

“…Why am I still hungry?”

Silence.

Everyone slowly turned.

Instructor Nexcialine stood there.

One hand resting against her stomach.

Looking genuinely confused.

“Didn’t we already eat?”

Another voice answered immediately.

“That’s what I’m wondering too.”

Instructor Bryce was doing exactly the same thing.

One hand on his stomach.

Equally confused.

The entire landing zone stared.

Instructor Ravielle stared at both of them for several seconds.

Then finally spoke.

“…You two are still hungry?”

A pause.

“After eating almost every dish the Main HSBA International Headquarters served earlier?”

Instant laughter.

Instructor Britney immediately lost composure.

Instructor Sapphire nearly choked.

Instructor Skyrish looked away.

Instructor Amethyst started laughing.

Instructor Bailey laughed.

Instructor Raphael laughed.

Instructor Sahm laughed.

Instructor Patrick laughed.

Instructor Blade laughed.

Instructor Louie laughed.

Even Instructor Faye looked amused.

Meanwhile—

Instructor Bryce and Instructor Nexcialine looked mildly offended.

“That’s not true.”

“It is absolutely true.” Instructor Ravielle replied.

More laughter erupted.

Then Instructor Ravielle suddenly paused.

“Oh.”

A thoughtful expression crossed her face.

“My mistake.”

Everyone looked toward her.

She nodded seriously.

“I forgot.”

A dangerous smile appeared.

“You two already evolved into eating monsters years ago.”

“My apologies.”

The explosion of laughter that followed was even worse.

Instructor Britney nearly doubled over.

Instructor Sapphire grabbed her side.

“Stop…”

“I’m injured…”

“Don’t make me laugh…”

Instructor Skyrish covered her face.

Instructor Bailey turned away.

Instructor Raphael looked completely defeated.

Because apparently—

This conversation had happened before.

Many times before.

Instructor Nexcialine scratched her head awkwardly.

Instructor Bryce did exactly the same thing.

The synchronized reaction only made everyone laugh harder.

Then—

Instructor Nexcialine suddenly blinked.

“…Wait.”

“Actually…”

She yawned.

“Why do I suddenly feel full now?”

Instructor Bryce also blinked.

“…Me too.”

The two stared at each other.

Then simultaneously laughed.

“Goodnight, Ravielle.”

“Goodnight, brothers and sisters.”

The surrounding Delta instructors froze.

Before anyone could react—

Instructor Ravielle unexpectedly smiled.

A genuine smile.

Soft.

Warm.

Rare.

Then she laughed quietly.

“Alright.”

“You two stop it already.”

“Goodnight.”

The two immediately pointed at each other.

“RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.”

And somehow—

Despite being injured—

Both took off.

Actually running.

Toward the dormitory area.

The entire landing zone erupted into laughter.

Instructor Ravielle watched them disappear.

Then slowly shook her head.

A fond smile lingering on her face.

“It’s been how many years now…”

“Yet those two are still childish.”

She sighed.

Still smiling.

Then looked toward the others.

“Alright.”

“Goodnight, everyone.”

Immediately—

Instructor Britney.

Instructor Sapphire.

Instructor Skyrish.

Instructor Amethyst.

Instructor Bailey.

Instructor Raphael.

Instructor Sahm.

Instructor Patrick.

Instructor Blade.

Instructor Louie.

All together.

Almost naturally.

“Goodnight, Ravielle.”

“Goodnight, brothers and sisters.”

Then—

The remaining eleven injured instructors began walking away together, with Instructor Ravielle among them, since Instructor Nexcialine and Instructor Bryce had already run away earlier despite their injuries.

Helping one another.

Supporting one another.

Laughing quietly.

Moving toward the Instructor Dormitories.

Like people who had known each other for a very long time.

A very, very long time.

And as they disappeared into the night—

Silence slowly settled over the remaining instructors.

A thoughtful silence.

A suspicious silence.

A deeply curious silence.

Instructor Landrieu finally spoke first.

“…Okay.”

Nobody answered.

Because everyone knew exactly what he was about to say.

“Something is extremely fishy.”

Immediate agreement.

Instructor Jonathan adjusted his glasses.

“Very fishy.”

Instructor Monique nodded.

“Painfully fishy.”

Instructor Mark folded his arms.

“Did anyone notice they all said the exact same thing?”

Several heads nodded.

“Goodnight, Ravielle.”

“Goodnight, brothers and sisters.”

Instructor Jonathan repeated the words thoughtfully.

“Every single one of them.”

Instructor Landrieu pointed toward the dormitories.

“And why did Instructor Ravielle act like she knew Instructor Bryce and Instructor Nexcialine’s eating habits?”

“Not just knew…” Instructor Monique added.

“She sounded like she’d been dealing with them for years.”

“Years…” Instructor Jonathan agreed immediately.

Then he repeated another part.

“It’s been how many years now... yet those two are still childish.”

Silence.

Everyone remembered it.

Because Instructor Ravielle hadn’t sounded surprised.

She’d sounded accustomed to it.

Completely accustomed to it.

Instructor Mark frowned.

“Instructor Bryce and Instructor Nexcialine weren’t offended either.”

“Not even slightly.” Instructor Syndie agreed.

“They reacted like they’d heard it hundreds of times before.”

“Thousands.” Instructor Azhette corrected.

Then she paused.

Thinking.

Analyzing.

Trying to make sense of it.

Eventually—

She sighed.

“Maybe they became close during the mission.”

The others considered it.

Then—

Instructor Landrieu immediately shook his head.

“No.”

Everyone looked toward him.

He pointed toward the direction the group had left.

“You don’t build that kind of familiarity in one day.”

Silence.

Nobody argued.

Because unfortunately—

He had a point.

A very good point.

Instructor Jonathan looked thoughtful.

“Especially not with the new transfers.”

His gaze narrowed.

“Instructor Sahm.”

“Instructor Patrick.”

“Instructor Blade.”

“Instructor Bryce.”

“Instructor Louie.”

“Even they reacted naturally around Instructor Ravielle.”

“Like they’d known her forever.”

The silence returned.

Heavier this time.

Because the more they thought about it—

The stranger everything became.

Instructor Azhette finally groaned.

“Great.”

Instructor Mark sighed.

“What now?”

Instructor Azhette pointed toward the dormitories.

“Now we have six new transfers.”

“One classified instructor.”

“An entire group that clearly knows each other.”

“And absolutely no answers.”

Instructor Landrieu looked toward the night sky.

Then sighed dramatically.

“I asked for one normal day.”

Instructor Jonathan adjusted his glasses again.

“You’re in HSBA.”

“Stop asking for impossible things.”

The collective groan that followed echoed across the landing zone.

And somewhere in the distance—

Faint laughter could still be heard from the direction of the Instructor Dormitories.

While the mystery surrounding Instructor Ravielle only grew larger once again.

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