HSBA Delta Branch: Where Paths Cross Again - CHAPTER 7

[Gaius Mansion — Guest Room | 7:03 A.M.]

Soft morning light filled the elegant guest room completely now.

The large curtains swayed gently from the cool breeze slipping through the slightly opened balcony doors.

The mansion remained quiet.

Peaceful.

Refined.

Ravielle stood in front of the tall mirror silently adjusting the sleeves of her formal black instructor uniform.

Not military.

Yet somehow—

Still familiar enough to tighten her chest.

The dark uniform fit perfectly.

Neat. Professional. Elegant.

A silver HSBA insignia rested near the collar.

For several long seconds—

She simply stared at her reflection.

Instructor Ravielle.

The title still felt strange.

Her fingers unconsciously brushed against the edge of the sleeve again.

Then—

A quiet knock echoed from outside.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

“…Miss Ravielle?”

The same gentle maid from earlier stood outside the room.

“…Headmaster Gaius is waiting inside his office.”

Ravielle immediately straightened instinctively.

“…Understood.”

The maid bowed politely.

“…Please follow me once you’re ready.”

“…I’m ready now.”

The maid smiled softly.

“…This way, Miss Ravielle.”

Ravielle quietly inhaled once before finally stepping outside the guest room.

And deep inside—

Her anxiety quietly returned again.

Because soon—

She would finally meet Headmaster Gaius’s grandchildren properly.

The people assigned to guide her.

The people who would secretly monitor whether she adapted successfully or not.

The people who would know—

That despite publicly entering as an official instructor transferred from Main HSBA International Headquarters—

She was actually still adjusting.

Still learning.

Still technically an instructor-in-training behind the scenes.

And what worried her most—

What if they hated handling her?

What if she slowed them down?

What if she disappointed them immediately?

Ravielle quietly lowered her gaze while walking through the massive mansion hallways.

“…Please don’t let them be terrifying…”

Unfortunately—

She had absolutely no idea who those “grandchildren” actually were.

[Gaius Mansion — Private Office Corridor | 7:13 A.M.]

The maid finally stopped in front of two enormous dark wooden doors.

Gold carvings decorated the surface elegantly.

The maid bowed respectfully.

“…Headmaster Gaius is inside.”

Then she carefully opened the doors.

Inside—

Headmaster Gaius already sat behind his massive office desk calmly reviewing several documents.

Beside him stood Zachary.

Perfect posture.

Formal attire.

Sharp gaze.

And in his hands—

A secured black leather case.

Inside it—

The classified confidential records of Instructor Ravielle.

The very documents that would later be handed directly to the eight chosen main instructors of the HSBA Delta Branch.

Instructor Faye.

Instructor Mark.

Instructor Landrieu.

Instructor Azhette.

Instructor Syndie.

Instructor Arch Jude.

Instructor Monique.

Instructor Jonathan.

The moment Ravielle entered—

Headmaster Gaius looked up.

Then smiled warmly.

“…Ah.”

“…There’s our newest instructor.”

Ravielle immediately bowed respectfully.

“…Good morning again, Headmaster.”

Headmaster Gaius quietly studied her appearance.

Then nodded once in approval.

“…Very good.”

“…You already look like part of the instructors division.”

Ravielle looked mildly embarrassed.

“…Thank you…”

Headmaster Gaius slowly stood afterward.

“…Are you ready to go?”

The question instantly tightened Ravielle’s chest again.

HSBA Delta Training Camp Branch.

Her new environment.

Her new responsibility.

Her new beginning.

Ravielle quietly inhaled.

Then nodded properly.

“…Yes, Headmaster.”

But despite her calm answer—

Deep inside—

Her thoughts remained restless.

Would his grandchildren accept her?

Would the instructors judge her?

Would she survive adapting to this entirely different system?

What if she embarrassed herself immediately in front of elite HSBA instructors?

Headmaster Gaius seemed to notice the lingering nervousness in her eyes immediately.

Because his expression softened slightly.

“…Relax.”

“…You’ll be fine.”

Ravielle nodded slowly.

“…I understand…”

Headmaster Gaius smiled faintly afterward.

“…Since you’re already ready…”

He turned calmly toward the far side of the office.

“…Let’s go.”

Ravielle blinked slightly when Headmaster Gaius approached what looked like an ordinary wooden wall beside the bookshelves.

Then—

CLICK.

A hidden mechanism quietly activated.

RUMBLE.

Part of the wall slowly slid sideways.

Revealing—

A concealed private hallway.

Ravielle stared briefly.

“…There’s a hidden passage inside your office…?”

Zachary looked completely unsurprised.

Headmaster Gaius merely smiled calmly.

“…Shortcuts become useful when one grows older.”

Ravielle looked mildly stunned.

Then quietly followed behind them.

[Gaius Mansion — Private Passageway | 7:23 A.M.]

The hidden corridor was surprisingly elegant.

Soft overhead lighting illuminated the hallway while polished dark floors reflected faint golden light beneath their footsteps.

The passage remained quiet except for the soft echoes of their shoes.

Zachary walked ahead carrying the secured black leather case carefully.

Meanwhile—

Ravielle walked beside Headmaster Gaius silently.

And the deeper they walked—

The more reality finally settled inside her chest.

She was truly leaving now.

Leaving uncertainty behind.

Leaving civilian confusion behind.

Heading toward another training camp once again.

Different system.

Different people.

Different purpose.

But still—

A place where her experience might finally matter again.

Headmaster Gaius calmly spoke beside her.

“…HSBA Delta Branch instructors can appear overwhelming initially.”

Ravielle immediately looked toward him attentively.

“…But they are competent people.”

A small pause.

“…And despite how troublesome my grandchildren can be sometimes…”

A faint amused smile appeared.

“…They protect their own very seriously.”

Ravielle quietly nodded.

“…I’ll do my best not to become a burden.”

Headmaster Gaius immediately answered—

“…That mindset alone already proves you won’t be one.”

Ravielle blinked slightly.

Then quietly lowered her gaze again.

[Gaius Mansion — Underground Garage | 7:33 A.M.]

The hidden hallway finally opened toward a massive underground garage.

Several luxurious black vehicles rested beneath bright overhead lighting.

Security personnel quietly stood nearby.

The moment Headmaster Gaius arrived—

Everyone respectfully bowed immediately.

“…Headmaster.”

Zachary calmly approached one of the vehicles first.

Then immediately opened the rear passenger door respectfully for Ravielle.

“…Miss Ravielle.”

Ravielle nodded politely.

“…Thank you.”

As she carefully entered the vehicle—

Headmaster Gaius instinctively placed one hand above her head gently.

“…Careful.”

Ravielle blinked softly.

Because the gesture felt strangely fatherly.

“…Thank you…”

Once she settled properly inside—

Headmaster Gaius carefully closed the door for her himself.

Then Zachary immediately moved toward the opposite side.

Opening the other rear passenger door for Headmaster Gaius.

At the same time—

Instinctively shielding the older man’s head as well.

“…Careful, Sir.”

Headmaster Gaius chuckled softly.

“…You’ve been saying that for years already.”

“…And I’ll continue saying it, Sir.”

That earned a faint amused smile from Ravielle inside the vehicle.

Once Headmaster Gaius settled beside her—

Zachary closed the door securely.

Then immediately circled toward the driver’s seat.

The secured black leather case containing Ravielle’s classified records rested safely beside him.

A few seconds later—

The engine quietly started.

And slowly—

The massive black vehicle began moving.

Leaving the underground garage.

Passing through the private estate roads.

Then finally—

The enormous gates of Gaius Mansion slowly opened.

Morning sunlight flooded across the vehicle as they exited the estate completely.

And for the first time since her discharge—

Ravielle truly felt like she was moving toward somewhere new.

Toward—

HSBA Delta Training Camp Branch.

Toward—

A second chance.

[HSBA Delta Training Camp Branch — Instructors Dormitory Hallway | 7:43 A.M.]

Meanwhile—

Far away inside the Delta Branch—

Several instructors already looked exhausted despite the day barely beginning.

Outside the instructors dormitory hallway—

Instructor Bailey stared suspiciously at her phone.

“…I still don’t trust Grandpa’s message.”

Instructor Raphael crossed his arms.

“…Same.”

Instructor Skyrish leaned lazily against the wall.

“…‘Special surprise’ sounds dangerous.”

Instructor Nexcialine looked half-asleep already while holding coffee.

“…Maybe he adopted another child.”

Instructor Sapphire answered immediately.

“…No.”

Instructor Amethyst sighed softly.

“…Definitely no.”

Even Instructor Britney looked mildly thoughtful now while rereading the message.

From: Headmaster Gaius.

[Prepare yourselves later.]

[I have a special surprise for all seven of you.]

[You will definitely love it.]

Instructor Bailey narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“…That sounds emotionally threatening.”

Instructor Raphael nodded seriously.

“…Historically accurate.”

Instructor Skyrish muttered.

“…Last time Grandpa surprised us, Raphael ended up unconscious.”

“…THAT WAS ONE TIME.”

“…Three times.”

Nearby—

Other instructors slowly emerged from their dormitory hallways as well.

Instructor William.

Instructor Khione.

Instructor Zeirah.

Instructor Hajime.

Instructor Renesmee.

Instructor Deia.

Instructor Hazel.

Instructor Abigail.

Instructor Shade.

Instructor Maeve.

Instructor Zhyriel.

Instructor Khezia.

Instructor Francine.

Instructor Dave.

Instructor Zhayne.

Instructor Felice.

Instructor Kaizer.

Instructor Cheshire.

Instructor Khylee.

Instructor Brylle.

Instructor Khyzelle.

Instructor Cyrus.

Instructor Sharmyst.

Instructor Ashryn.

Instructor Autumn.

Instructor Seven.

Instructor Euphy.

Instructor Zephyr.

Instructor Avery.

Instructor Lyana.

Instructor Lawrence.

Instructor Eunice.

Instructor Xavier.

Instructor Sophie.

Instructor Angel.

Instructor Jaspher Miracle.

Instructor Raffy Angel.

Instructor Zhameia.

Instructor Chelaine.

Instructor Kevin.

Instructor Lianne.

Instructor Sharmaine.

Most looked exhausted.

Because despite the approaching Day Zero Test—

Many of them barely slept after their night operational duties.

Especially—

The eight chosen main instructors of HSBA Delta Branch First Team.

Instructor Faye.

Instructor Mark.

Instructor Landrieu.

Instructor Azhette.

Instructor Syndie.

Instructor Arch Jude.

Instructor Monique.

Instructor Jonathan.

All of them had dark circles visible beneath their eyes already.

Instructor Faye quietly rubbed her forehead.

“…I want sleep.”

Instructor Mark handed her coffee silently.

Instructor Landrieu looked dead inside.

“…Day Zero Test preparations should be illegal.”

Instructor Azhette sighed softly.

“…And yet we do this every year.”

Instructor Jonathan adjusted his glasses quietly.

“…At least this batch survived longer than expected.”

Instructor Monique nodded faintly.

“…Barely.”

Meanwhile—

Inside the trainee dormitories—

Most normal trainees remained completely unconscious from exhaustion.

Completely unaware—

That several “trainees” among them were actually already part of the instructors division secretly.

Inside another dormitory hallway—

Instructor Yanzhi slowly opened one eye.

Nearby—

Instructor Flint looked barely alive beneath his blanket.

“…I refuse to wake up.”

Instructor Justin muttered sleepily from the opposite bed.

“…Same.”

Trainee Laurie groaned quietly nearby.

“…Five more minutes…”

Trainee Ashley still looked half asleep while sitting upright already.

Trainee Mirco quietly stared blankly at the ceiling.

Meanwhile—

Trainee Ysabelle sat silently at the edge of her bed already awake.

Calm. Composed. Quiet.

Yet even she looked slightly tired after last night’s operational duties.

None of the four hidden passers—

Trainee Ysabelle.

Trainee Laurie.

Trainee Ashley.

Trainee Mirco.

Realized yet—

That they had already passed their true Day Zero Test three days ago.

And somewhere outside the HSBA Delta Branch—

A black vehicle quietly continued driving closer.

Inside it—

Ravielle silently stared outside the window while morning sunlight illuminated her face softly.

Her heartbeat remained uneasy.

Because very soon—

She would finally arrive.

Very soon—

She would meet the instructors.

Very soon—

She would unknowingly reunite with the Phantom Crest Squad once again.

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