The seven cadets reassembled back into Vanguard Hall, their training uniforms bearing the subtle marks of their first real battles. Sweat stains, torn fabric, and the lingering scent of monster blood marked them as survivors.

Each cadet approached the verification station, their datapads glowing with recorded proof of their kills. The scanner emitted sharp chimes as it processed the data: Shadow Panther, Thornback Boar, Shadowmaw Wolf, Ironback Bear, Flame Salamander, Razorclaw Lynx, Steelback Porcupine.

Commander Thorne studied the results displayed on his terminal, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched until he gave a single, curt nod.

“You have passed the first test.”

His voice carried no warmth, only cold acknowledgment. Seraphina straightened her shoulders while Marcus flexed his still-aching knuckles.

“But remember this,” Thorne’s tone hardened like steel. “Humanity controls only half the world. The rest belongs to monsters.”

“Our cities survive behind shielded walls, but walls alone cannot hold forever. That is why every city maintains Defender outposts, striking down threats before they reach civilization.”

Kai shifted uncomfortably, his spatial awareness picking up the tension in the room.

“Even so, there are places beyond the outposts, wastelands where even S-Rank Defenders hesitate to tread. Only the Sentinel’s presence keeps the balance.” Thorne’s eyes swept across each cadet. “What you faced here was nothing.”

“Your first mission will take place at one such Defender outpost.” The announcement hit like a physical blow. “Normally, these are assignments given to Academy students after three years of training, once they’ve reached E-Rank combat ability.”

“Three years?” Marcus muttered under his breath.

“But you seven have already slain E-Rank monsters. You will be sent early, under the command of a Vanguard graduate who now serves as a Defender.”

Adrian processed this information carefully. They were being thrust into real danger far ahead of schedule, but that aligned with everything they’d been told about the Vanguard Program.

Before the weight of their situation could fully settle, Thorne raised his hand. Reality shimmered as a holographic catalogue materialized in the air before them.

Rows upon rows of skill books appeared, each one glowing with contained power. Fire techniques, ice manipulation, spatial magic, healing arts, poison crafting, sonic abilities, and dozens more filled the display.

“As a reward for your first hunt, and to prepare for your mission, each of you may select one skill book.” Thorne gestured to the floating catalogue. “Choose wisely. It will be delivered to your suite.”

The cadets stared at the vast selection, each book representing months or years of training compressed into learnable form. Adrian’s eyes moved across the options, searching for something that would complement his supposed Echo affinity.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit NovelBin for the authentic version.

One by one, the cadets stepped forward.

Kai stepped forward first, his fingers searching through the holographic display until they settled on a particular skill.

“Spatial Rend.” His voice carried quiet confidence. “Creates controlled tears in space that slice through matter like a blade.”

The skill would give him his first true offensive capability beyond mere teleportation. Thorne nodded as Kai’s selection registered.

Seraphina moved next.

“Radiant Barrier. Forms shields of star-forged light that burn whatever strikes them.”

The defensive skill would complement her Solar Beam perfectly.

Marcus cracked his knuckles before approaching the catalogue.

“Shard Shot. Launches sharp metal projectiles from my own body.”

Finally, a ranged attack to match his close-combat prowess.

Elena stepped forward next. “Frozen Ground. Creates wide areas of treacherous ice to control battlefield movement.”

The tactical advantage was obvious. She could dictate enemy positioning while maintaining her own mobility.

Damon’s approach was methodical, his poison affinity guiding him to a particular technique.

“Venomous Barb. Ranged projectiles of concentrated toxins.”

Now he can target a specific enemy without affecting anyone else, and the skill would let him poison enemies before they could close the gap.

Lyra stepped forward last among the six, “Resonance Shatter. A skill that focuses sound waves to find and exploit the structural weaknesses in inorganic material, perfect for breaking armor or terrain.”

Perfect for breaking through protective barriers. The selection completed, she retreated to her position.

The hall grew still as Adrian’s name echoed from Commander Thorne’s lips. The catalogue shimmered before him, endless affinities glowing like captured starlight.

Whispers rippled through the assembled cadets. Marcus smirked openly while Damon’s eyes narrowed with interest.

“Echo can copy anything, right? Let’s see what trick he tries.”

Seraphina’s voice carried subtle mockery.

“Doesn’t matter what he picks. Skills aren’t so easy to learn just because you can ‘mimic’ them.”

Every gaze bore into Adrian as he stepped forward.

His hand hovered above the infinite choices.

The world waited to see what the SSS-Rank “copycat” would choose.

Adrian stepped forward calmly, though inside his mind was sharp and alive.

“So far, I’ve only refined Fireball. I’ve never truly tested my ability to analyze someone else’s skill. That’s what [Source] is meant for, the comprehension of all powers, not just one.”

“On this mission, I’ll see six rare affinities unleashed before me. That’s my chance to learn, to confirm that I can replicate and refine what others wield. Why waste this opportunity by picking something I can easily study later? I should choose what’s rare, what’s difficult, something I might never get to see again.”

The catalogue glowed before him. He reached without hesitation.

“[Gravitic Snare], Gravity Affinity.” His voice carried no uncertainty. “Creates a localized field of pressure that pins or slows a target for one to three seconds. Short range, requires intense concentration. Drains mana steadily while active.”

The announcement rippled through the hall. Jealousy and skepticism spread like sparks.

“Of course he gets to choose whatever he wants.”

“Gravity? That’s tied to Space. Everyone knows how impossibly difficult it is to comprehend.”

“He’s overreaching. Echo users can’t stabilize something like that.”

Seraphina’s eyes narrowed, unreadable, while Kai let out the faintest scoff. To him, anyone dabbling near Space or Gravity without true affinity was destined to fail.

Adrian’s expression remained calm. He offered no explanation, no rebuttal, only returning to his place in the line. His mind was already focused ahead, on the battlefield, on the rare chance to observe and understand the powers of those around him.

Commander Thorne broke the murmurs with a sharp command.

“You have four days. Use them well. Learn your new skills, test them against the forest beasts, or refine them in the training hall’s simulations. After that, you leave for your first mission.”

The weight of his words settled in. Four days to turn fragile beginnings into something sharp enough to face the outside world. Four days before theory became survival.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep