The group began making its way towards the training area. Along the way, they observed the countless other groups slowly arriving at their dormitories. The housing complex they were in was vast, large enough to house hundreds of trainees, which made it clear that their month here would not be one of peace and quiet during training.
As dozens of trainees passed by, Rain kept a vigilant eye out for the girl from his vision. While Elys and the others conversed among themselves, Rain kept to his own thoughts, desperately trying to recall even the tiniest details—but to almost no avail.
She had dark hair… or was it brown? Long or shorter? Damn it, I’m forgetting details.
The vision felt like a dream; now I can only remember the main parts of it.
Frustration welled up in him, and he regretted not writing everything down when he had the chance. His face must have betrayed his feelings, because Elys gave him a concerned look.
“Rain, you doing okay?”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Rain realized they were already outside.
“Y-Yeah, just… lost in my thoughts, I guess.”
“Oh, don’t be worried, you have an amazing Reflection. Just try your best!”
Rain let out a light chuckle. Elys might have misunderstood what was on his mind, but Rain still appreciated having someone to rely on during these stressful times.
“Thanks, man. I’m actually more curious about the others, not just our group. There are unlimited Reflections in the world… makes you think what others can do.”
“Yeah… it’s weird, isn’t it? Even just a couple of weeks ago, I didn’t put any real thought into the Selection, and now it’s my whole life…”
Before Rain could continue, Officer Trant stopped in front of a massive building that resembled a gymnasium.
“Alright, everyone, listen up. Behind me is Training Center A, the main building for large exercises. It won’t be used much for your regular lessons, but your exams will take place here. We’ll go in, find ourselves a spot, and begin. The main examination will be you showing me your Reflections. If your Reflection isn’t easily demonstrated, as is often the case with crafting or utility-based ones, we’ll arrange another time in a more suited location. Combat-focused Reflections should have no problem demonstrating their capabilities on the target dummies. However, if you wish, you can also finalize your combat exam by showing your skills against a captive Shard we have on site.”
Rain’s head immediately shot up.
They keep Shards here for training? And the main exam is to fight one?
The thought sounded insane, putting newly Selected without training against Shards, but then again, in a month, things would only be far worse. Perhaps some hands-on experience could help them adapt faster to the Mirror.
“I assure you, it’s very safe for the observers. The fighter, however, will receive no assistance, so think carefully about whether you’d rather wait until later to complete your exam.”
“Any questions?”
The group glanced at one another in silence until Naomi finally spoke.
“Is the exam strictly limited to one person at a time, or could two fight together if their Reflections are compatible?”
All eyes turned to the siblings, curiosity radiating from the group.
“The combat exam is for single combat only,” Officer Trant replied. “Since the Mirror might scatter you into different areas, we need to ensure every trainee can fight for themselves. Later in the month, we’ll have group fights, where you can show off your combined abilities.”
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With a smile and a nod, Naomi answered, “Alright, thank you.”
“Let’s head in then.”
The group followed Officer Trant into the massive training center. Inside, the building looked more like a military hangar. At the entrance, an older man sat in the large administration area, quietly observing them. To their left stretched a seemingly endless hallway leading to multiple entrances and viewing booths. The main training area, however, dwarfed everything else, its sheer size was astonishing.
I think this place is longer than the path I walk to Granny’s house.
“Alright, looks like we’re the first group to arrive. That means we don’t have to walk as far.”
Rain could only imagine the chaos once every group was gathered here.
Officer Trant approached a terminal, scanned a card, and with a mechanical hiss, the door to the viewing booth unlocked.
“This is the viewing booth, or waiting area. Stay here. I will summon each of you individually. Don’t worry, this shouldn’t take long.”
Checking his watch, Trant looked up.
“First up, we have… Elys. Come on out.”
For a brief moment, Elys froze, his fear plain to see, a rare sight. Then, quietly, he walked toward the door and followed Trant into the training area.
The group sat in silence, watching through the reinforced glass and the multiple cameras.
“Alright, first, tell me your Reflection.”
Rain was surprised they could hear everything; there were microphones built in.
“Uhm, well… I have… very enhanced eyesight.”
“Eyesight? So not a combat-focused Reflection.”
While Elys spoke, Trant was already typing notes on a floating keyboard projected from his watch. Then he touched his earpiece and said:
“Earl, bring a small Shard to area H-9.”
Moments later, the building began to rumble as heavy machinery shifted beneath them. The group stood up in anticipation, staring as a distant hatch opened and a metal cage rose from the far side of the training center.
Ah, he’s testing his vision by making him describe a Shard.
Rain squinted, but all he could see was a black smudge.
It doesn’t look big…
“Elys, can you tell me what you see inside that cage?”
Elys took a deep breath, his eyes suddenly widening in shock.
“I-It’s… a wolf? Gray skin, with patches of dark fur. It has six legs and two tails. Its face is pointed, like a drill, but filled with countless teeth.”
The viewing booth erupted in surprise.
“Whoa, he can really see that well?”
“That’s incredible!”
Rain felt relieved that his friend had received such a useful Reflection, but he couldn’t handle his disbelief. Although he couldn’t see it, Elys described it pretty well.
‘A drill shaped wolf with six legs…and he called it a ‘small’ Shard…Even one of those would cause a massacre inside the slums.’
It was his first-ever encounter with a Shard, if that even counts as an encounter; even so, Rain felt shivers running down his spine, while the other trainees looked quite calm and collected.
‘They must have already learnt so much about different Shards…I got a lot to catch up on.’
“Ah, it’s probably a driver wolf,” Rina said from the side, with several of the educated trainees nodding in agreement.
“Yeah, it’s a fairly common Shard. They’re weak when alone, even a non-blessed could defeat one with some training, but in packs they’re deadly if they surround you.”
“W-Why do they call it a driver wolf?” Jun asked from right beside Rain, nearly making him jump.
Since when was he next to me? That scared the hell out of me.
“Elys was right about the shape—it’s because their faces resemble screwdrivers, though the exact form can vary.”
‘That’s… effective naming, I guess.’
By then, the group had stopped listening to the examination, and before long, Elys was already walking back. He entered the room looking calmer than before.
“Uh, Officer Trant told me Lance is up now.”
Hearing this, Lance gave Naomi a quick nod and headed out for his exam.
“Oh man, that was terrifying! I didn’t know how he’d test me… that wolf looked disgusting, honestly,” Elys said, settling back down into his usual self.
“Can’t believe we’re going to have to fight against these things… and worse.”
“Yeah…”
Rain was still quite taken aback; the task at hand seemed insurmountable now. Before he could continue his thoughts, however, the microphone came back on, drawing everyone’s eyes back to the window.
“Lance, it’s your turn. Show me your Reflection.”
“Officer Trant, I would like to finalize my exam.”
“Whaaat?!”
Elys shot up in disbelief.
“He’s going to fight a Shard?!”
