Jun stood at the edge of the training field, sweat dripping down his face as he completed the last of his 100 pushups. His body had transformed into a hardened machine—muscles taut, reflexes sharp, and endurance unmatched. The once-doubtful stares of his peers had turned into looks of respect, even admiration.

“Time,” he muttered, checking the stopwatch clipped to his belt. He nodded to himself, satisfied with his progress. Despite the grueling two years, he hadn’t missed a single day of training. 100 pushups, 100 squats, and a 10km run had become as routine as breathing.

Nearby, Alya leaned against a tree, her arms crossed and a smirk on her face. “Still doing that ridiculous training regimen? You know you’ve already outpaced half the recruits here.”

Jun glanced at her, his expression calm. “It’s not about them. It’s about being ready for whatever comes next.”

Kael approached, her usual stern demeanor intact. “Captain Ren’s coming. He wants to see you.”

Jun grabbed his water bottle, taking a long sip before nodding. “Let’s go.”

The Meeting

In the command center, Captain Ren Saito stood with his usual imposing presence. Maps and holographic displays filled the room, showing various hot zones across the globe. As Jun, Alya, and Kael entered, Ren turned to face them.

“Yoshida,” Ren began, his eyes scanning Jun’s frame. “You’ve come a long way.”

“Thank you, Captain,” Jun replied, bowing slightly. “But I still have a lot to learn.”

Ren’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Modesty suits you, but don’t sell yourself short. Two years ago, I saw potential. Now, I see results. You’ve exceeded my expectations.”

Kael raised an eyebrow. “He better have, considering the hell you put him through.”

Ren ignored the remark, gesturing to the map. “The Harbinger threat hasn’t slowed down. If anything, they’ve grown more coordinated. We’ve identified a new attack pattern targeting civilian hubs across the Eastern Continent. We need every capable soldier on the front lines.”

Jun stepped forward. “What’s our mission?”

Ren fixed his gaze on Jun. “Your mission, Yoshida, is to lead.”

The room fell silent. Jun blinked, unsure if he’d heard correctly. “Lead? Captain, I’m not—”

“You’ve proven yourself,” Ren interrupted. “But leading isn’t just about strength. It’s about making decisions under pressure, inspiring those around you, and carrying the weight of responsibility. Starting tomorrow, you’ll take command of Squad 14.”

Squad 14

Jun left the command center with a mixture of pride and apprehension swirling inside him. He had spent two years pushing his limits, proving he belonged in the Sentinel Strike Force. But leading others? That was a challenge he hadn’t prepared for.

As he walked back to the barracks, he passed a group of recruits sparring. A familiar voice called out to him.

“Yoshida! Fancy seeing you here.”

Jun turned to see Alya and Kael standing by the sparring ring. His eyes widened in surprise. “What are you two doing here? I thought you stayed with the Northern Division.”

Alya grinned, leaning against the ropes. “We did—until about six months ago. The Sentinel Strike Force reshuffled personnel based on specialization, and, lucky us, we ended up here. Word on the street was you’d been training like a madman.”

Kael crossed her arms, her expression neutral but with a faint hint of approval. “Didn’t think you’d last, but it looks like you proved me wrong.”

Jun chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s good to see you both. I thought I’d be on my own here.”

“Don’t get too comfortable,” Alya teased. “You’re still the rookie in my book.”

Jun smirked. “We’ll see about that.”

Later that night, Jun sat on his bunk, staring at the ceiling. The weight of his new responsibilities pressed down on him, but so did the memories of how far he had come. With Alya and Kael by his side again, the challenge ahead didn’t feel quite as daunting.

As the lights in the barracks dimmed, Jun clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes.

“Two years of training for this moment,” he thought. “No powers, no shortcuts. Just hard work and grit. Let’s see if it’s enough.”