Walker continued briefing them on the creatures until lunchtime.
"Alright, everyone," he said at last. "We'll break here for lunch. Go get something to eat and be back in one hour and thirty minutes. When you return, we'll discuss the best ways to combat these creatures."
Chairs scraped as people stood and filed out of the room.
Jacob stayed seated.
Walker noticed immediately. He frowned. "Aren't you going to lunch?"
"I'm not hungry," Jacob replied.
Walker sighed and walked closer. "Kid, I really like your dedication and discipline—but you need to eat. Once the physical training starts, you're going to wish you'd taken advantage of moments like this."
Jacob looked up, listening.
"And more than that," Walker continued, "you need to talk to the other recruits. Bond with them. In a fight, they'll be the ones watching your back. They'll be the deciding factor between whether you live or die."
Jacob nodded slowly, then stood and exited the classroom.
In the dining quarters, Jacob collected his food and scanned the room. He spotted Lucas sitting alone at a table, staring down at his tray.
Jacob walked over and sat beside him.
Lucas flinched slightly, surprised. "Uh... didn't think anyone would want to sit near me. First day, and I'm already a screw-up."
Jacob shrugged. "I don't think you're a screw-up. Well... maybe a little."
Lucas snorted and smiled faintly. "Yeah. Fair."
They ate in silence for a moment before Lucas spoke again.
"So... you got family?" Lucas asked quietly.
Jacob's jaw tightened. "Yeah. Had. My parents didn't make it. I've got a little brother out there somewhere. I'm going to find him."
Lucas nodded, expression serious. "I was on my way home from school when the attack started. Street went crazy. I saw a bus full of kids trapped when one of those things flipped a car. I helped get them out and led them to a shelter."
Jacob looked at him, surprised. "You saved a bus full of kids?"
Lucas shrugged. "Didn't feel heroic. Just... didn't want them to die."
Jacob gave a small, genuine smile. "Sounds heroic to me."
"So... what about you?" Jacob asked after a moment. "You got any family?"
Lucas hesitated, then nodded slowly. "My parents died in a car accident when I was young. After that, my grandmother raised me. She passed away two years ago." He let out a quiet breath. "I've been on my own since then. Still went to school, though. I wanted to build a good life for myself in the future." He gave a small, bitter smile. "Guess that's not really happening anymore."
Jacob looked at him, his expression softening. "Man... I'm really sorry to hear that."
They sat there for a while, talking quietly, the noise of the dining hall fading into the background.
Jacob glanced at his watch. "Looks like we've got ten minutes left. We should head back to the classroom."
Lucas groaned as he stood. "Yeah... I don't want to do any more push-ups."
Jacob smirked. "Trust me, neither do you."
As they headed back, Jacob realized something unexpected—he was actually enjoying himself. Since learning about his parents' deaths, the only person he'd really talked to was Emily. Every other thought had been consumed by finding his brother.
As they walked, Jacob thought to himself,
I guess it wouldn't hurt to loosen up a bit.
Jacob and Lucas entered the classroom just as the allotted time ended and took their seats. The low murmur of conversation faded as everyone settled in, tension returning to the air.
Sergeant Walker stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back.
"Welcome back, everyone. I hope you all managed to eat," he said evenly. "You'll need the energy."
He paused, letting his gaze sweep across the room.
"Now," Walker continued, "let's get into combat engagement."
The lights dimmed slightly, and the display behind him flickered to life once more.
"I'm going to be very clear with you," he said. "These creatures are not invincible. If they were, humanity would already be extinct. But killing them requires discipline, awareness, and knowing exactly where and how to strike."
He tapped the screen, bringing up the image of a Scavenger.
"Scavengers first. You've already seen these. Small. Fast. Reckless. Their biggest weakness is their lack of coordination once separated from the pack. Alone, they panic. Their bones are fragile, especially the neck and skull. A clean strike to the head will kill them if you commit."
Walker's eyes hardened.
"Hesitation gets you killed. Half-swings get you killed. If you strike, you strike to end the fight."
The image changed.
"Next Sky Reapers. These are not ground fighters. Their wings are their lifeline. Damage one wing and they lose balance. Break both and they're finished. The chest cavity is protected by dense muscle, but the joints, shoulders, knees, and ankles are vulnerable."
He pointed sharply at the screen.
"If one dives at you, do not freeze. Roll. Let it overshoot. Then strike while it's recovering. Sky Reapers rely on momentum. Take that away, and they're exposed."
The screen shifted again.
"Night Stalkers," Walker said, his voice lowering. "These are killers. Silent. Patient. They hunt fear."
Several trainees swallowed.
"They avoid direct confrontation unless they know they have the advantage. Their eyes are sensitive to sudden light, flares and flash bursts. Blind them even briefly, and they lose spatial awareness."
Walker leaned forward.
"But listen to me carefully. If for some reason you are alone at night and you hear nothing no wind, no insects, no movement you're already being hunted. At that point, your best option is escape, not engagement."
The image changed once more.
"Burrowers," Walker continued. "These creatures don't fight you they fight the terrain. If the ground trembles beneath your feet, move immediately. Don't try to locate it. Don't wait."
He clenched his fist.
"When they surface, the mouth and inner tissue are soft. That's your opening. But you will not get a second chance if you miss."
Finally, the massive silhouette of a Brute filled the screen.
"These are not enemies you duel," Walker said flatly. "Brutes are walking fortresses. Their armor plates protect vital organs, but the joints neck, underarms, backs of the knees remain exposed."
He turned back to the room.
"You do not face a Brute alone. Ever. You distract. You cripple mobility. You create openings for Marked abilities or Runeshard weapons. Anything else is suicide."
Walker shut off the display.
"One more thing," he said. "Creatures feel pain. Some fear it. Some don't. But all of them react to damage. Use that. Control the fight."
His gaze locked onto the trainees.
"Your goal is not glory. It's not revenge. It's survival—for you, for your team, and for the people behind you."
Silence filled the room.
Walker straightened.
"This knowledge keeps you alive. Memorize it. Because out there, mistakes don't get corrected."
He folded his arms.
"Class dismissed for now. we are headed to the training room"