The announcement appeared during a morning assembly, projected across Sparkshire's central courtyard with immense clarity that made ignoring it impossible.
MANDATORY FIELD EXERCISE - TIER TWO SHROUD INCURSION
All first-year candidates will participate in a controlled Shroud exploration. Deployment scheduled for three days from announcement. Prepare equipment. Review the survival protocols. Expect combat engagement with Crawler entities.
Murmurs rippled through the assembled students —excitement from some, apprehension from others, careful neutrality from those experienced enough to recognize the danger beneath the controlled exercise designation.
