The hushed aftermath of the instructor's critique lingered in the air as students slowly gathered their belongings. Aston went to the center table to return the card and the datapad. He glanced at Lyra, who was standing there with furrowed brows.

Gray stretched languidly on Aston's shoulder while Mirage remained perched above, waiting for Aston to exit the room.

"She's right, you know," Lyra said quietly, breaking the silence as she secured her bag. "We were so focused on just identifying what was there, we didn't really… see it."

"Yeah," Aston replied, nodding. "What kind of creatures were they? Why were they moving like that? We just relayed the raw data."

Lyra met his gaze. "Chill picked up faint vibrations as they moved. Almost like… skittering. But I didn't think it was important enough to mention."

Rowan approached them, Seria trailing behind. "That was… intense," Rowan commented, a slight grimace on his face. "Instructor Ilyen does not pull any punches."

Seria nodded in agreement. "Her expectations are high. But I suppose that's what it takes to be an effective scout."

"Your Light Sensing Labrador seemed to perform well, Seria," Lyra observed.

Seria offered a small, almost shy smile. "It did identify the stationary heat source we were tasked with finding quickly. But the instructor pointed out that I was slow to recognize the camouflage netting it was hidden under. The labrador relies too much on visual input; it need to be more aware of other environmental cues."

Cutting in, Rowan extended his hand towards Lyra, "Rowan, a friend of both Aston and Seria. Lyra, right? How's teaming with Aston?"

Lyra took the offered hand as the bell chimed. "Right. He's dependable. The previous instructors were right about him. Has high potential," she commented. "The bell just rang, it's gonna be the next class in a few minutes. Wanna tag along?"

Both Seria and Rowan nodded as they exited the room. Mirage swooped outside, following the group.

"The next class is… Long Range Observation & Risk Profile with Instructor Elric Dane," Rowan announced, checking his timetable using his phone. "Recon Wing A."

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As they navigated the bustling corridors toward the other wing of the Recon building, the atmosphere seemed to subtly shift again. There was a palpable sense of discipline in the air, a feeling that this next class would be less about theoretical knowledge and more about the practical application of strategic thinking.

As they entered, the room had a different layout compared to the previous classrooms. The space was arranged in a semi-circle around a large holographic projection table, with individual workstations equipped with advanced-looking optical devices.

Standing calmly near the projection table was a man who exuded an air of quiet authority. Instructor Elric Dane was of middling height, with sharp, intelligent eyes that seemed to assess each student as they entered. His demeanor was composed, almost detached, and his attire was a simple, dark gray uniform that sparked practicality rather than ornamentation. He held himself with a stillness that hinted at years spent in observation and analysis.

As the students settled into the workstations, the instructor's gaze swept over them, his expression unreadable. When the last student had taken a seat, he began to speak, his voice calm and measured, yet carrying an underlying weight of experience.

"Welcome to SAD-102. My name is Elric Dane. As some of you may know, my background lies in intelligence operations. This class is not about the thrill of close-quarters combat or the intricacies of spirit beast biology. It is about seeing what others do not, understanding the potential for danger before it materializes, and making calculated decisions based on incomplete information."

He gestured towards the holographic projection table, which flickered to life, displaying a complex terrain map.

"In scouting, you will often find yourselves operating far from friendly lines, relying solely on your ability to observe and interpret the environment. You will need to identify threats from a distance, assess their capabilities, and determine the level of risk involved in approaching or engaging them."

He picked up a sleek, metallic device from the table. "These are enhanced observation lenses, capable of magnifying distant objects with remarkable clarity and filtering our various environmental distortions. Familiarize yourselves with them."

As the students reached for the devices at their workstations, the instructor continued, "Today's session will focus on identifying potential ambush points and assessing the associated risks. We will analyze various topographical maps and simulated scenarios. Your task will be to pinpoint areas where an enemy force might lie in wait and to articulate the factors that make those locations strategically advantageous for an ambush."

He paused, his gaze sharp. "Remember this: a scout who walks into a trap is a liability, not an asset. Your ability to observe from a distance and understand the subtle signs of danger is paramount to your survival and the success of your mission. This class will train you to see the unseen and to calculate the cost of every step you take."

Aston picked up the observation lenses. They felt cold and solid in his hands. As he looked through them, the holographic map sprang into sharp focus, revealing contours and features he hadn't noticed with the naked eye. He had a feeling the class would demand a different kind of focus, a more analytical and strategic way of thinking.

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