The soldier gestured toward the expansive training grounds, and Leo's eyes widened in awe. The advanced facilities and cutting-edge technology far surpassed anything he'd seen in Ascension Island.
His gaze landed on a young girl, Nia Bahari, battling a wooden robot with relentless determination. Despite her valiant efforts, she struggled to land a hit. The soldier's voice carried a hint of amusement. "That's our brilliant Nia Bahari. Don't be fooled by her fighting skills – her intellect is her greatest asset. She's an inventor and a valuable asset to N.V.P."
Leo's curiosity piqued as he watched Nia's unwavering dedication. He pondered the diverse backgrounds of N.V.P. members and the significance of youth in leadership positions. The soldier's words sparked more questions than answers, and Leo's mind whirled with possibilities.
The soldier's casual mention of Nia's American origin sparked Leo's interest. He'd heard stories, but this was his first encounter with someone from a different world. The thought lingered, adding to his growing fascination with the N.V.P. and its enigmatic members.
Leo's gaze lingered on Nia, impressed by her determination despite her struggles with the robot. The soldier's words sparked curiosity about the diverse backgrounds of N.V.P. members.
"What's the average age of N.V.P. soldiers?" Leo asked, intrigued by the youthful energy surrounding him.
The soldier chuckled. "Well, let's just say we're a young but fierce team. Your squad leader,Thane Blackwood , is one of the older ones, but he's still got it."
Leo nodded, his mind racing with questions about the N.V.P.'s structure and leadership. As he followed the soldier through the training grounds, he caught glimpses of other recruits honing their skills.
The sound of clashing metal and shattering glass filled the air, punctuated by shouts and laughter. Leo felt a surge of excitement and nervousness as he prepared to join their ranks.
The soldier stopped in front of a large building. "This is your barracks. You'll be meeting your squad leader soon. Get settled, and don't hesitate to ask questions."
Leo nodded, his eyes scanning the facility. He took a deep breath, ready to embark on this new chapter of his life. Little did he know, his journey with N.V.P. would be filled with challenges, surprises, and revelations that would test his limits and change him forever.
As Leo sat in the barracks, surrounded by 32 soldiers of varying ages, the atmosphere transformed into a bustling marketplace. Soldiers chatted, shared stories, and exchanged banter, their camaraderie palpable despite their differences.
A boy around Leo's age approached him, initiating a friendly conversation. "Hey, buddy! You've been sitting here alone... What's your name?"
"Leo Atlantis," he replied, extending his hand. "And you are...?"
"I'm Edward Summer Walker. Nice meeting you, Leo. You're new to this, right?" Edward asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Leo nodded, and Edward continued, "I'm also new. In fact, we all are. This barracks is filled with trial soldiers."
"Trial soldiers?" Leo repeated, confusion etched on his face.
Edward chuckled. "Haven't you read the memo? Trial soldiers are those who either didn't make it at Nyxian Paradoxian school or got recruited without attending. We're all here to prove ourselves worthy of joining N.V.P. – and only 10 of us will make the cut."
Leo's eyes widened as Edward explained the grueling tests and competitions ahead, including the possibility of fighting each other. He felt a surge of unease and betrayal, realizing Kael and Melaina hadn't disclosed this information.
Despite his reservations, Leo steeled himself for the challenge. He'd do whatever it took to rescue Zoë and prove his worth.
Leo nodded his gratitude toward Edward. "Thanks for the information, Edward."
Edward smiled and replied, "No problem."
As Leo glanced around, the atmosphere shifted from relaxed to tense. Every soldier's face seemed to convey a sense of rivalry, their eyes burning with determination.
The sudden arrival of Thane Blackwood, a man in his early thirties, commanded silence. With an authoritative tone, he introduced himself as the supervisor of the Protector Membership Test.
"Your goal is to aim for the top ten," Thane declared. "Teaming is optional, but this year's tests, designed by Nia Bahari, will push you to your limits. The door at the rear is your starting point."
Thane's words dripped with intensity. "A true soldier must be brave, strong, smart, and confident. Don't underestimate your competition – everyone here is your rival."
As Thane finished speaking, tags with names and numbers were distributed. "These tags will track your progress," he explained. "As you level up, your number will change."
With that, Thane gestured toward the door. "Let the test begin." The room erupted into motion, soldiers rushing toward the door, each determined to prove their worth. Leo stood up, his heart racing with anticipation and a hint of fear. He was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Sophia finally got back to Daisy's shop...
"Leo's not here yet," Kofi replied, his tone nonchalant.
Sophia's eyes widened in desperation. "What do you mean he isn't here yet?"
Kofi shrugged. "He's gone to recruit himself as an N.V.P. I think you're overreacting, Sophia."
Sophia's concern only deepened. "Don't worry, he's going to be fine?" she repeated, her voice laced with frustration.
Meanwhile, Daisy sat back in her chair, a knowing smile on her face as she watched the exchange between her teammates with amusement.
Sophia's gaze swept the shop, searching for a familiar face. "Where's Elara?"
Kofi gestured casually. "She got bored and decided to do some investigation of her own."
Sophia's expression turned stern. "You could have stopped her."
Kofi's smile grew wider. "Don't worry, Reiner's with her." He nodded towards Elara's pet dog, which seemed to reassure Sophia only slightly.
"You take things too lightly, Kofi," Sophia said, her voice tinged with exasperation.
-------------------------------------------------------
As Melaina continued her search for clues, flanked by some of the soldiers, her mind began to wander. She couldn't shake off the worry about Leo's fate. Had he already faced Kael's wrath? Or perhaps he'd even begun the test?
The thought of him progressing without her should have brought a sense of relief, but instead, it only heightened her concern. Melaina couldn't deny the attachment she'd formed with Leo in such a short span – barely two days. She'd grown accustomed to his presence, and now his absence felt unsettling.
Melaina pushed aside her emotions, refocusing on the task at hand. She needed to stay sharp, to uncover the secrets hidden within the mysterious surroundings. Yet, the nagging worry about Leo lingered, refusing to be dismissed.
As Leo entered the imposing fortress-like room, a chilling aura enveloped him. The air was thick with an unspoken threat, and he couldn't shake the feeling that survival depended on strength.
He glanced down at his number tag: 032. The last in line. A flutter of anxiety stirred in his chest. Were these numbers a reflection of their abilities? He pushed the thought aside, focusing on his goal. Making it to the top 10 was all that mattered.
But there was a catch – a crucial one. He had to achieve this feat without revealing his connection to Sina or leveraging her granted abilities. The pressure mounted, and Leo steeled himself for the challenge ahead. He would have to rely on his own merits, prove himself worthy, and keep his secret safe.
Sophia's eyes widened in shock as she processed Elara's words. "Test? Competition?" she repeated, her voice laced with alarm.
She couldn't help but wonder if Leo was okay, and her anxiety spiked. Sweat began to bead on her forehead as Elara elaborated on how she'd encountered Edward Summer Walker, a recruited soldier heading to N.V.P headquarters to take the test.
It was clear: Leo was among the recruiters. Sophia's fear and desperation intensified. She felt helpless, unsure of what to do next.
Kofi, however, remained impassive, his expression unyielding. His perspective differed starkly from the others. He thrived on raw, unbridled violence, with no room for strategy or finesse. The idea of stealthy infiltration didn't sit well with him.
But it didn't matter. Barging into the headquarters to rescue Leo wasn't an option. They were powerless to intervene. Leo's fate now rested in his own hands, and Sophia could only wait anxiously, hoping he'd emerge unscathed.