"Wait, so that means Veiler Handler Hansel is weaker than our handler Aki? He was given the unit B with the ranking of 43 though?" one cadet asked, clearly confused.
Seyfe leaned back against a rock, stretching his legs out as he mulled over the question. "Well, not exactly," he replied with a chuckle. "It's more complicated than just 'stronger' or 'weaker.' The rankings and the units are based on more than just raw power. Aki's abilities are incredible, no doubt, but Hansel's got his own strengths that make him just as dangerous in his own right."
A cadet raised an eyebrow. "So, you're saying Hansel might actually be more... refined?"
"Yeah," Seyfe said, nodding. "Hansel's more about precision and tactics. He's not just about blowing things up. It's why he's in the Absorber unit. His ability to adapt, to take control of a situation and absorb what's needed, it's all about control. And in that sense, he's just as deadly as someone with Aki's raw power."
"But Aki's rank is 23, and she can obliterate anything she touches with that Weaver ability of hers." The cadet looked skeptical. "So, how's that fair? She's ranked higher than Hansel, but you're saying he's more refined?"
Seyfe thought for a moment before responding. "It's about the kind of danger you bring to the table. Aki's Weaver ability makes her lethal in a direct fight, yeah, but in a lot of scenarios, you need more than just raw power. You need finesse. Hansel can take on a target without leaving a trace, and that's the kind of skill that makes him effective in the field. Aki might be ranked 23, but in her case, they need her power to deal with certain threats head-on. It's all about how they're used and what the mission requires."
"Right," the cadet said, finally understanding. "So, rankings and units are about the role you play, not just your power level?"
"Exactly," Seyfe replied. "Aki's power is a great asset, no doubt. But Hansel's ability to manage situations, take control, and make calculated decisions is what keeps him where he is. The rankings don't just reflect strength—they reflect how well you fit into your unit and the kind of operations you're best suited for."
The cadets absorbed the information, and a silence fell over the group as they continued to digest the complexities of the Veiler system. It wasn't as simple as they had imagined, but it was starting to make sense.
The earpiece crackled to life, and the voice of one of the cadets came through loud and clear, causing the others to pause in their chatter.
"Wait, how do you have this information?" asked one of the cadets, his tone curious.
Seyfe frowned, adjusting the earpiece as he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "I... well, I accessed the Veiler Archive. Aki gave me the password in case of emergency."
There was a moment of silence before another voice chimed in, "Wait, you went into the Veiler Archive? How did you even get that access?"
Seyfe hesitated, then responded, "She gave it to me. Said it would help me understand more about the Veilers, their operations, and... well, anything I needed for when I'm out there on the field."
Another cadet's voice came through, tinged with disbelief, "Hold up. She gave you the password for that? I've been in this squad for months and still don't have access to any of that stuff. What the hell, man?"
Seyfe bit his lip. "It wasn't like she just handed it over randomly. It was for emergencies. I'm not exactly snooping around, just... trying to understand some things."
The group went silent for a beat before one of them muttered, "Man, that's crazy. Aki must really trust you."
Seyfe could feel his chest tighten slightly, but he kept his voice casual. "Yeah, I guess so." He paused, then added, "But don't go telling anyone about it, alright? I don't want the higher-ups breathing down my neck for accessing restricted info."
A low chuckle came through the line. "Sure, sure, your secret's safe with us."
Another voice, still sounding a bit confused, spoke up, "But seriously, that's some insider knowledge you got there. You're sitting on a goldmine of info."
Seyfe sighed, leaning back slightly. "I wouldn't say it's that much of a goldmine. It's just useful for when I need to know more about what's going on. It's not like I'm diving into everything there."
The line quieted for a moment, and then a voice broke through, light-hearted and joking, "Well, damn, you're living the dream with all that access. Just don't forget about us when you're in the know, alright?"
Seyfe smirked despite himself. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just focus on the mission, alright? We're supposed to be observing the Spearhead squadron, not gossiping over the comms."
There was a round of chuckles through the line, and Seyfe felt the tension ease up a bit. But in the back of his mind, he couldn't shake the feeling that maybe he was getting too deep into things that weren't his business.
The earpiece crackled and a voice broke through the chatter of the cadets, catching them off guard.
"Looks like Aki's precious boys here are having fun, huh?"
Jannet's voice rang clear and sharp, cutting through the conversation and surprising everyone.
"Wait, how did you...?" one cadet sputtered, confusion clear in their voice.
"Who knows," Jannet replied nonchalantly, her voice dripping with playful menace. "I could snoop in here too if I wanted."
The cadets exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to react.
"And for your information," Jannet continued, "yes, your insights are correct. But don't forget why Aki, your handler, is ranked 23rd. Of course, Hansel is great on his own, but if they ever fought—Aki could easily kill him if she wanted to."
The silence that followed was heavy. No one knew how to respond to that. Jannet, however, seemed to find amusement in their stunned silence.
"Now, I suggest you focus on your task and stop gossiping about things you don't fully understand," Jannet added with a sly smirk, clearly enjoying the discomfort she had caused.
The cadets quickly snapped to attention, their earlier chatter silenced by her presence and her words. Seyfe, however, couldn't help but feel a knot tighten in his stomach. He had learned something new, something that shifted his view of both Aki and the Veiler world he was still trying to understand.
Seyfe sat at his desk, the familiar hum of the electric fan filling the otherwise quiet room. The light from his Cellik flickered softly as it cast a pale glow on the pages he was scribbling on. His hand moved quickly, writing down every detail from his assignment, from the long hours of watching the Spearhead Squadron to the patrol mission in the dead cities.
His eyes occasionally wandered to the clock on the wall, the minutes ticking by as he continued his work. It was tedious—every word felt like a weight added to his already burdened shoulders—but it was necessary. Each report would serve as his official record for the training, his steps toward becoming a Veiler, and yet, something about it felt... off. Like he was writing down the story of someone else's life, not his own.
The silence in the room was deafening, save for the buzzing fan. He could hear the distant sounds of cadets walking the hallways outside, but here, in this room, it felt as though he was trapped in a bubble of isolation, trapped in his thoughts and the ink he bled onto the paper. The hours passed slowly, the fan's monotonous hum a reminder that time was slipping away, but Seyfe couldn't quite escape the feeling that he was marking time in some sort of limbo.
His mind kept returning to the things Jannet had said—about Aki, about Hansel, about their world. Every word seemed to echo, a reminder that this world was built on secrets, on layers upon layers of hidden truths. He wasn't just a cadet anymore; he was part of something much bigger, something dangerous. But what would happen once the training was over? What would happen to him when he finally stepped into the world outside these walls?
Seyfe set his pen down for a moment, staring at the report in front of him. The words blurred for a moment, and he let out a long breath, trying to focus on the task at hand.
There would be time to think about all of that later. For now, he had to finish his report.
Seventy-two hours later, Seyfe sat back in his chair, his body aching from the long stretch of time spent hunched over his desk, writing down every detail, every observation. The pages were finally filled, the report done. A mix of relief and exhaustion washed over him, but the feeling was fleeting. The moment he had been dreading was now upon him—the final step.
He could already hear the murmurs of his fellow cadets in the hallways, the rustle of movement outside the dorm room, signaling the upcoming announcement. It was time to return to the field. The Overseer cadets were expected to submit their reports directly to Aki. She would review everything, and from there, who knew what would happen next.
Seyfe stood up, stretching his stiff limbs. He looked at the pile of papers in front of him, then at his Cellik, waiting for the final signal. Aki would be the one to call the shots, as always. But this time, there was something different in the air. The tension was palpable, like a storm waiting to break.
His thoughts wandered back to everything that had happened during this phase of training: the patrol mission, the revelations about Aki, the unsettling feeling of being part of a larger, more dangerous game. What was the true purpose of the Overseer Squadron? What was the point of all this? He had been observing, taking notes, learning the system... but what would it all lead to?
Before he could get lost in thought, his Cellik buzzed. A message from Aki. He glanced at the screen, then stood, grabbing his report.
It was time to go.