After three weeks of individual training, the recruits seemed to have been reshaped both physically and mentally. From the initial gasps and groans to now becoming accustomed to the hardship and pain, they gradually understood that this was not about "learning how to fight," but "learning to become soldiers."
Cain could clearly feel his muscles becoming firmer and his breathing rhythm more precise. His dreams at night shifted from memories of his home planet to the training tower in the camp, always bathed in moonlight before dawn.
Ze remained silent but was no longer so distant. He began joining others in cleaning equipment after meals and sometimes even volunteered to take over night patrol duties for tired comrades.
In the fifth week, the "Group Training Phase" officially began.
In the early morning, as they gathered in front of the training ground, the instructor pulled out a list and announced loudly:
"Starting today, everyone will be divided into five-person teams to undergo a series of cooperative training and mission simulations. The tasks will test your coordination, strategy, and trust."
Cain frowned slightly upon hearing this. He had always been accustomed to acting alone, but he knew that a real battlefield did not allow for solitary warriors.
His team member list was posted on the bulletin board:
‣ Cain (Captain)
‣ Ze
‣ Tario
‣ Aina
‣ Rodi
As he approached, Aina pushed through the crowd and came up to him. "What a coincidence, we're in the same group."
"Or maybe it was arranged on purpose," Tario said, patting Cain on the shoulder. "This team is basically the top five of this batch, right? Like a benchmark squad."
"...Or maybe it's to put pressure on us," Rodi added quietly from the side.
Ze stood at the back, hands in his pockets, glancing at the list before turning away.
The group training was moved to the "Cooperative Trial Area" on the east side of the camp. Originally a natural forest, it had been transformed by the elves and humans to include:
Survival Collaboration Zone: where they must establish a habitat without supplies and defend against simulated night attacks.Mission Simulation Room: a maze constructed with elven runes, where mission objectives (such as rescue, intelligence gathering, or point defense) can be set for tactical exercises.Inspiration Resonance Field: a special elven structure that enhances team emotional sensing and coordination, said to allow perception of team members' emotional fluctuations through natural force fields and plant neural resonance.
After a brief introduction to the training grounds for the coming weeks, Cain and the others returned to their dormitories to prepare for the upcoming training modules. These exercises were not arbitrarily designed; they aimed to adapt to battlefield changes and learn how to operate as a team to increase survival chances.
The next morning.
As usual, at dawn, the horn resounded throughout the camp. The plains were still covered with morning mist, and the dew on the ground had not dried, yet the recruits had already gathered on the training ground, awaiting new orders for the day.
Cain stood in the front row, the hair on his forehead slightly damp with sweat. His gaze was more determined than when he first arrived. Ze stood to his right, expressionless but continuously observing the documents in the instructor's hands.
Aina and Tario were whispering to each other, while Rodi stood at the end of the line, appearing relaxed but constantly scanning his surroundings like a vigilant hound.
This was their first day officially undergoing "cooperative training" as a team. Instructor Moya stepped forward, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority:
"Starting today, you will enter the next phase of training. This is no longer just about honing your individual skills but testing your potential as a tactical unit."
He flipped open the tablet in his hand, the screen switching to a projection of a wooded battlefield.
This was the site for tonight's training exercise—the Night Capture the Flag.
A slight stir arose among the recruits, with an atmosphere of curiosity, excitement, and pressure mingling.
"The Night Capture the Flag takes place in a woodland battlefield modified by the elves, filled with 'Star Moss' that reacts to heat sources, sound-sensitive vines, and simulated enemies," the instructor began describing the training ground.
"Each team must infiltrate the opponent's territory to capture the flag and bring it back to base, with lethal attacks prohibited."
Hearing this, Ze frowned but remained silent.
"Only use specially designed training weapons, and if hit three times, you're considered 'dead.'"
Many recruits showed expressions of alarm.
"No lights are allowed; you can only use natural vision or the night vision dew gifted by the elves," the instructor continued.
"Isn't that my forte?" Aina's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"The goal is to train your night reconnaissance, stealth abilities, and team coordination and judgment."
With that, Cain began contemplating the key information provided by the instructor and looked at his team members to start assigning their respective tasks.
As night fell, the night capture exercise officially began.
"After dark, it's hard to distinguish friend from foe. This exercise is meant to teach you to see the light in the darkness."
With these words, Instructor Moya tossed down night vision dew—a natural extract from the elves. When applied to the eyelids and behind the ears, it temporarily granted night vision and enhanced hearing.
The training ground was a redesigned woodland, with uneven terrain mixed with "Star Moss" planted by the elves. This moss emitted a faint blue glow and would flicker when a heat source approached, revealing any sneaking individuals.
Cain's team assigned Cain and Ze the task of capturing the flag, while Aina used her keen senses to guide the team forward, and Tario and Rodi created noise to disrupt the enemy's judgment.
As night descended, the entire camp was enveloped in starlight and fireflies.
Ze moved lightly among the moss, his steps leaving almost no trace. He had demonstrated excellent spatial awareness and movement control during individual training, which now proved invaluable.
"Two people moving southeast, their rhythm is chaotic, not like patrol guards, probably rookies," Ze whispered.
Cain tilted his head slightly and asked in a low voice, "Should we detour?"
"No, go straight through them; they're about seven meters apart, can't hear each other," Ze's eyes glinted with a hint of mischief.
A few minutes later, the two silently bypassed the patrol and successfully captured the flag.
During the retreat, Tario deliberately detonated a sound bomb in the northwest corner to draw the enemy's attention. Rodi took the opportunity to slip into the flank, almost playing the role of a shadow warrior.
Upon returning to base, Ze handed the flag to Cain, whispering, "You take it in. You're the face of this team."
Cain accepted the flag and, for the first time, looked directly at Ze, a rare smile appearing on his face.
After the night capture exercise ended, a large fire was lit on the west side of the camp.
This was the camp's designated "Free Night": after completing a major group training, each team could relax around the campfire, enjoying simple heated dried vegetables or roasted opal nuts as a reward to replenish their energy.
Cain planted the flag in the ground, the red and silver-gray fabric fluttering slightly in the firelight, symbolizing—they had finally transformed from a group of lone wolves into teammates who could trust each other.
Tario laughed, munching on the nuts, "I never thought your sound bomb would be that accurate! Cain, that was the most creative feint I've ever seen on the training ground!"
Aina sat by the fire, her hands cupping her cheeks, her eyes squinting with laughter. "And Ze, he's like a reincarnated night beast, moving so fast even I couldn't catch the sound."
"That's because you skipped dinner, your hearing's off," Rodi rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smile on his face. "But seriously, it feels like we're actually becoming a 'team.'"
Cain looked around at everyone, feeling a long-lost warmth in his heart. They had persevered through individual training, and now, they had achieved a victory in this dark night.
"Hey, Ze," Cain called out towards the perimeter.
In the shadows, Ze was sitting against a tree trunk, knees hugged to his chest, his gaze not on the fire but quietly looking at the few stars in the sky.
"Come over and join us, your opal nuts aren't even opened yet."
Ze glanced at him, then quietly replied, "You guys eat, I'm not hungry."
"Afraid we'll get mad at you for having such good training results?" Tario joked, waving a fist.
But Ze just shook his head, his voice soft, "Some people are used to finding peace in quiet places, not in the bustle."
With that, he stood up and walked into the forest path, his steps silent, as if merging with the night itself.
There was a moment of silence by the fire.
Aina tilted her head, "Is there... something going on with him?"
Cain watched the direction he left, saying nothing.
The campfire continued to burn, casting light on young yet weary faces. Meanwhile, Ze's silhouette remained a mystery yet to be unraveled in the night.