𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝙸𝙽 𝙼𝙴𝚃𝙰𝙻 𝚂𝙷𝙰𝚁𝙳𝚂

Chapter 4

M/n had his back pressed up against the wall, his thumb resting on the trigger. He could hear the loud footsteps of the robots as they walked about the hall. His heart was pounding in his chest as he heard them getting closer and closer with every passing second.

Just outside the force field, the supervising officers, General, and armory staff watched. Officer Ukai, General Ukai's grandson, stepped out of one of the training rooms when he heard the commotion. Walking behind him were Kageyama and Hinata.

"What's going on?" Hinata asked curiously, looking around.

"No idea."

"Looks like a simulation," Kageyama muttered.

Ukai looked around, noticing the armory staff and his grandfather. "Stay here, you two."

He walked over to the General and tapped his shoulder.

"Ah. Keishin," General Ukai said, his tone coming off as though he were annoyed by Keishin's presence.

"What's going on here?"

"Cadet L/n is currently undergoing a simulation. Our Artillery Ward wanted to test out a prototype."

"Cadet..." The younger Ukai muttered before his eyes widened, "Why would you send out a cadet...?!"

"Relax. I simply put the offer on the table. He volunteered of his own free will, knowing full well that there was a possibility he could die."

"But--"

General Ukai put a hand up, causing Keishin to keep quiet. Hinata and Kageyama walked over, despite Keishin's earlier instruction to stay where they were.

"Cadet Hinata, Cadet Kageyama."

They both saluted and greeted the general. Hinata looked out at the dome. "Sir, what's going on?"

"One of your fellow cadets is testing out a prototype."

Hinata looked back at the old man, his eyes wide. "Really? Who?"

"Cadet L/n from Aoba Johsai," Keishin responded.

"L/n...?!"

The two gripped the railing and watched the scenes that were unfolding inside the dome. Holographic screens were off to the sides, showing what was going on inside the facilities.

Meanwhile with M/n...

Four...

He listened closely to the footsteps.

No, five...

The loud sounds echoed throughout the small space.

Damn it! They're all walking at the same pace!

He was beginning to panic. Even though he had done this millions of times, it was the first time he had ever done something solo. He had always had some form of backup.

Shit...! They're getting closer...!

On the outside, Supervising Officer Hamada observed with wide eyes. "M/n..." she muttered.

She then turned to General Ukai. "General!"

The old man turned back. "He can't do this! There are too many! There's no backup! He--"

"Officer Hamada."

She stopped, seeing the expression on the general's face.

"What are the basics of war simulation?"

"The basics-- Well...the simulation was designed to mimic reality--"

"Exactly right.. This is a mere simulation. The only thing that can kill him is the prototype in his hands, should it be defective. Or have you forgotten that? It seems as though Cadet L/n has forgotten as well. How to distinguish reality from imagination. But...a year in simulation...will do that to you."