HSBA Delta Branch: Where Paths Cross Again - CHAPTER 3

[HSBA Delta Training Camp — Hidden Masters of the Committee Office | 9:13 P.M.]

The underground operations chamber glowed softly beneath the HSBA Delta Branch.

Blue digital screens flickered across the massive walls.

Surveillance feeds rotated continuously.

Encrypted terminals hummed quietly.

Operational maps remained active.

But despite the usual calm atmosphere—

Instructor Faye still couldn’t focus.

Not completely.

Because across the room—

Instructor Deia quietly stood beside Instructor Britney.

And every single time Instructor Faye accidentally looked at the seven-year-old child.

Her chest tightened again.

The resemblance was unbearable.

Not merely appearance.

Everything.

The eyes.

The calmness.

The posture.

The terrifyingly elegant silence.

Even the way Instructor Deia observed the room without speaking too much, felt exactly like Instructor Britney.

Instructor Faye swallowed softly.

“…This is impossible…”

Instructor Mark quietly stood beside her.

He understood immediately what his wife meant.

Because even him still found himself staring occasionally.

Instructor Landrieu crossed his arms while observing quietly.

“…It’s unsettling.”

Instructor Azhette nodded slowly.

“…Not even similar anymore.”

“…That child literally feels like a younger Britney.”

Instructor Syndie looked amazed.

“…Even her smile…”

Instructor Monique covered her mouth softly.

“…It’s exactly the same…”

Instructor Jonathan adjusted his glasses quietly.

“…Presence can’t normally be inherited that accurately…”

Nearby—

Instructor Deia smiled politely at Instructor Khione after receiving a warm drink from her older twin sister.

And immediately—

Instructor Faye stiffened again.

Because that smile—

Was exactly Instructor Britney’s smile.

Gentle. Beautiful. Soft.

Yet somehow—

Still overwhelming.

Instructor Faye unconsciously looked toward Instructor Britney.

Then toward Instructor Deia again.

And for a terrifying second—

It genuinely felt like she was seeing two versions of the same person standing beside each other.

One older. One younger.

Instructor Azhette noticed Instructor Faye’s expression immediately.

“…You’re scared.”

Instructor Faye flinched slightly.

Silence.

Then—

She admitted quietly.

“…A little…”

Instructor Mark gently touched her shoulder.

Instructor Faye exhaled slowly.

Because her mind suddenly replayed earlier—

“Tonight… my youngest daughter Instructor Deia will join me…”

At that time—

She thought nothing of it.

After all—

She had already met the other daughters before.

Instructor Khione.

Instructor Zeirah.

Instructor Hajime.

Instructor Renesmee.

All kind.

All powerful.

All clearly Instructor Britney’s children.

But Instructor Deia—

Was different.

Different enough to make old memories hurt again.

Painful memories.

Old fears.

Past wounds between her and Instructor Britney that still quietly lingered somewhere deep inside her heart.

And now—

Seeing a smaller version of Instructor Britney herself standing only meters away, made those memories return far too vividly.

Meanwhile—

Across the operations chamber—

Instructor Skyrish lazily rested against the large digital table.

“…Deia, stop unintentionally terrifying people.”

Instructor Deia blinked innocently.

“…I didn’t do anything, Aunt Skyrish.”

That voice—

Even that voice—

Made Instructor Faye shiver slightly again.

Instructor Bailey immediately laughed softly.

“…See? Even the way she answers.”

Instructor Raphael crossed his arms while grinning.

“…Carbon copy.”

Instructor Nexcialine nodded dramatically.

“…It’s honestly scary sometimes.”

Instructor Sapphire sighed softly while reviewing reports.

“…You all say that every year.”

Instructor Amethyst smiled faintly.

“…Because every year it becomes more accurate.”

Instructor Deia tilted her head calmly.

“…Mom says I only inherited her face.”

Immediately—

Several instructors almost choked.

Even Instructor Britney paused mid-reading.

Instructor Raphael burst into laughter first.

“…NO.”

“…You inherited EVERYTHING.”

Instructor Skyrish laughed loudly.

“…Even the terrifying aura package.”

Instructor Bailey covered her smile.

“…Complete set.”

Instructor Deia blinked quietly.

“…Oh.”

The room softened slightly from laughter.

Even Instructor Faye managed a small nervous smile.

Then—

Buzz.

A sudden vibration broke the atmosphere.

Instructor Britney glanced down at her phone casually.

But the moment she read the message—

Her expression changed.

Very slightly.

Small.

Almost invisible.

But—

Instructor Sapphire noticed immediately.

Instructor Skyrish straightened slightly.

Instructor Amethyst paused.

Instructor Bailey blinked.

Instructor Raphael’s smile faded.

Instructor Nexcialine looked up instantly.

Because they recognized that expression.

Instructor Britney slowly stood.

Silent.

Then—

Another buzz.

And another.

Messages rapidly arriving.

The underground office slowly quieted.

Instructor Faye noticed immediately.

“…What happened…?”

No answer.

Instructor Britney’s eyes scanned the message again.

Once.

Twice.

Then—

Without speaking—

She opened a private group chat.

PHANTOM CREST SQUAD.

And forwarded the messages she screenshot earlier after reading it twice.

Immediately—

Phones vibrated around the room.

Instructor Sapphire froze first.

Instructor Skyrish’s lazy expression disappeared instantly.

Instructor Amethyst straightened sharply.

Instructor Bailey’s eyes widened.

Instructor Raphael’s face lost color.

Instructor Nexcialine blinked slowly.

“…What…?”

Instructor Skyrish immediately grabbed her phone.

“…No way…”

Instructor Bailey whispered softly.

“…Ravielle…?”

Nearby—

The other instructors exchanged confused glances.

Because the seven of them suddenly looked genuinely shaken.

Instructor Raphael immediately opened the screenshot.

Sent by Instructor Britney.

[Screenshot]

From: Company Commander Pierre

Ravielle officially processed and finalized her discharge papers this morning.

Her military service has now formally ended.

Attached below is her updated contact number as requested.

Silence.

Complete silence.

Instructor Nexcialine slowly sat down.

“…She left too…”

Instructor Bailey covered her mouth.

“…Three years…”

“…Only three years after us…”

Instructor Skyrish stared quietly at the phone.

“…She really discharged…”

Instructor Amethyst whispered softly.

“…Why didn’t she tell us…?”

Meanwhile—

Elsewhere across different HSBA International Branches—

Other phones vibrated simultaneously.

Instructor Sahm.

Instructor Patrick.

Instructor Blade.

Instructor Bryce.

Instructor Louie.

All receiving the screenshot sent by Instructor Britney.

And every single one of them froze too.

Because until now—

All of them believed Ravielle was still active.

Still guiding recruits.

Still serving.

But now—

She had left too.

Meanwhile—

Inside the HSBA Delta Branch underground office—

The others remained confused.

Instructor Faye carefully observed them.

Because whatever message they received—

Clearly affected them deeply.

Instructor Jonathan narrowed his eyes slightly.

“…Who’s Ravielle…?”

Instructor Mark quietly added.

“…Why do you all suddenly look worried…?”

Instructor Skyrish immediately forced a lazy grin.

“…An old friend.”

Instructor Bailey nodded quickly.

“…A very stubborn old friend.”

Instructor Raphael crossed his arms again.

“…She disappeared on us.”

Instructor Nexcialine sighed dramatically.

“…Changed her contact number without telling anyone.”

Instructor Azhette frowned slightly.

“…That serious?”

Instructor Sapphire answered calmly before anyone else could say too much.

“…Ravielle used to work closely with us before.”

“…We simply lost communication.”

Careful.

Measured.

No mention of their military past.

No mention of their veteran service.

No mention of squad leadership under Ravielle.

Nothing.

Instructor Britney remained silent while staring at the newly sent contact number.

Then—

Quietly—

Another realization hit all twelve members of Phantom Crest Squad at once.

No wonder Ravielle never replied.

Because all this time—

They were messaging a number she no longer used.

And suddenly—

Guilt hit them hard.

Instructor Bailey lowered her head slightly.

“…She probably thought we abandoned her…”

Instructor Raphael exhaled quietly.

“…Especially after we all left together without her knowing…”

Instructor Nexcialine looked troubled for once.

“…And she was the last one to find out…”

Instructor Sapphire closed her eyes briefly.

“…No…”

“…She probably thought we forgot her.”

Silence followed again.

Heavy.

Quiet.

Even Instructor Britney’s calm expression softened slightly.

Because all of them knew one thing about Ravielle—

She carried burdens alone.

Always.

Never asking help.

Never letting others worry.

Instructor Skyrish immediately opened the new contact number.

“…I’m messaging her.”

Instructor Bailey nodded instantly.

“…Same.”

Instructor Raphael already typing.

“…She better answer.”

Instructor Nexcialine whispered softly.

“…Please answer…”

Meanwhile—

The rest of the Masters of the Committee remained confused.

Curious.

Concerned.

Because they had never seen the seven instructors react like this before.

Not even once.

And yet—

None of them realized—

The people standing before them—

Instructor Britney.

Instructor Sapphire.

Instructor Skyrish.

Instructor Amethyst.

Instructor Bailey.

Instructor Raphael.

Instructor Nexcialine.

Were once veteran soldiers themselves.

A past intentionally buried.

A history carefully hidden.

And somewhere far away—

Unaware of the chaos she accidentally caused—

Ravielle quietly sat alone in another city.

Holding her newly processed discharge papers.

Still believing—

That perhaps—

Her Phantom Crest Squad had already forgotten her long ago.

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