CHAPTER 56: [56] PROJECT CRUCIBLE

Xavier chose a seat that gave him a clear view of both exits and most of his classmates. Calypso deliberately sat in a different section, surrounded by her growing circle of female friends. She glanced at him once, her expression unreadable, before turning back to whatever Ashley was saying.

The doors closed, and the train began to move with barely a whisper. Only the blur of tunnel walls visible through the windows indicated their speed.

"So where exactly are we going?" Alexander asked.

"The Gate Simulation Complex," Phantom replied, standing casually despite the train’s acceleration. "Located on the far side of Island Three."

Nolan adjusted his glasses, his usual nervousness momentarily forgotten in his excitement. "The GSC is operational? I thought that was still in development."

"Officially, it is," Phantom agreed. "Unofficially, it’s been running for almost six months."

Xavier leaned forward. "What exactly is a Gate Simulation Complex?"

"Exactly what it sounds like, Mr. Valentine. A facility designed to recreate the conditions of various gate types in a controlled environment." Phantom’s mask turned toward him. "Think of it as a training ground where mistakes don’t result in death or dismemberment."

"Usually," he added after a beat.

Sayuri made a small, distressed sound.

"Don’t worry, Ms. Tanaka," Phantom said, his tone softening slightly. "I won’t let any harm come to any of you."

The train began to decelerate, the tunnel walls outside resolving into distinct shapes rather than a continuous blur. They emerged into another station, this one clearly newer than the first. The crystal lighting here had a greenish tint, and the platform was narrower.

"We’ve arrived," Phantom announced as the doors opened. "Welcome to what the board of directors refers to as ’Project Crucible.’"

They filed out onto the platform, where a woman in a white lab coat waited. Her gray hair was pulled back in a bun, and she wore thick-framed glasses that magnified her pale blue eyes.

"Dr. Simmons," Phantom greeted her. "Class 1-D, as requested."

"Right on schedule," Dr. Simmons replied, her gaze sweeping over the students. "Follow me, please. The observation deck is prepared."

She led them through another set of security doors and into an elevator large enough to accommodate all fifteen students plus Phantom and herself. The elevator ascended rapidly, causing Xavier’s stomach to lurch slightly.

When the doors opened, they stepped into what could only be described as a command center. One entire wall was transparent, looking out over an enormous enclosed space at least the size of four football fields. The space was divided into distinct sections, each with different terrain features. One area appeared to be dense jungle, another a urban landscape of half-demolished buildings. A third resembled a cave system with crystalline formations jutting from floor and ceiling.

"This," Dr. Simmons said with undisguised pride, "is where we create gates."

Xavier moved closer to the transparent wall, his mind racing with implications. "You can create gates? Artificially?"

"Not true gates," Dr. Chen clarified. "Simulations. We replicate the environmental conditions, energy signatures, and common threat types without actually tearing holes in dimensional fabric."

"The real question," Phantom interjected, "is why we would need such a facility." He turned to face the class. "Any theories?"

"Training," Alexander suggested immediately. "Controlled environments to prepare hunters for real gates."

"Research," Nolan added. "Studying gate phenomena without the risks of actual dimensional breaches."

"Weapon development," Kyrie said, earning surprised looks from his classmates. He shrugged. "What? It’s obvious. You create fake gates to test new ways to close real ones."

Phantom nodded slowly. "All correct, to varying degrees. But there’s another reason, one more fundamental to your education here." He moved to stand beside Dr. Simmons, his masked face reflecting in the transparent wall. "We create these simulations because understanding gates—truly understanding them—is the only way to survive them."

He gestured toward the massive chamber below. "Today, you’ll observe a standard Tier-2 dungeon gate simulation from the safety of this deck. You’ll see third-year students navigate its challenges. You’ll watch them succeed or fail based on their awareness, their coordination, and their understanding of gate mechanics."

His voice hardened. "And perhaps then you’ll appreciate why I’m so insistent on basic skills like Essentia sensing and situational awareness."

Kyrie crossed his arms. "So we’re just going to sit here and watch? Like some boring field trip to the zoo?"

"I didn’t come to Catalyst to be a spectator," Naomi added.

"I agree with Kyrie," the blonde haired guy said, tapping his finger against the glass. "Watching others won’t teach us what making our own mistakes would."

Damn. I really should learn his name.

Alexander stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back. "With respect, Professor, practical experience seems more valuable than observation."

A chorus of agreement rippled through the class. Even Sayuri nodded, though she kept her eyes on her sketchbook, already capturing the layout of the facility in quick pencil strokes.

Phantom let them finish before turning his masked face toward them. "Tell me, Mr. Walker, what are you wearing right now?"

Kyrie glanced down at his academy tracksuit. "What’s that got to do with anything?"

"And the rest of you?" Phantom continued, gesturing to the class. "Anyone wearing proper hunter gear? Combat boots with reinforced soles? Clothing with impact absorption? Essentia-conductive materials?"

The class fell silent.

"No? How about weapons?" Phantom’s voice remained level, but carried an edge. "Has a single one of you visited the Support Studio to be fitted for your personal equipment?"

Xavier straightened, recognizing the point. In his previous life, he’d never entered a job without proper tools. The idea of facing even a simulated gate without specialized gear was amateur hour.

"We don’t have access to that stuff yet," Calypso pointed out from across the room.

"Exactly, Miss Valentine." Phantom nodded. "And why is that?"

"Because we’re not ready," Xavier answered, earning a sharp look from Kyrie. "We haven’t proven we can handle the basics yet."

"Correct." Phantom approached the glass, standing beside Xavier. "Hunter gear isn’t just for protection. It’s designed to amplify your Essentia, minimize energy expenditure, and provide tactical advantages in gate environments. Without it, you’d be operating at roughly thirty percent effectiveness."

He turned to face the class. "The third-years you’re about to watch have spent two years learning to merge their abilities with their equipment. Their weapons are extensions of themselves. Their clothing responds to their Essentia signatures."

Dr. Simmons adjusted her glasses. "The mortality rate for hunters entering gates with improper equipment is eighty-seven percent higher than those properly outfitted."

"So when do we get our gear?" Beppo asked, already imagining the social media posts.

"When you demonstrate you won’t get yourselves killed with it," Phantom replied simply. "Now, the simulation is about to begin. Pay attention to how the third-years move, communicate, and utilize their equipment. There will be a detailed analysis afterward."