Jai steadied himself for his second attempt, the room's AC cool against his skin. Planting his feet deliberately in front of the combat dummy, he pivoted on his left foot, his body becoming a blur as he executed ten precise rotations. His vision flickered like a corrupt display screen, desperately struggling to refocus, but he powered through the dizzying sensation. As he spun to a halt, his fist connected squarely with the dummy's chest, the impact rippling its soft outer layer.

The effect was devastating- his strike tearing clean through the dummy's reinforced material, leaving a circular, fist-sized hole straight through its torso. Small particles of skin drifted down like snow. Ecstatic, energy coursing through him, Jai turned to Ms. Minawa with an eager grin that lit up his entire face. "Can I try five layers?"

Intrigued by his determination, she nodded. "Let's see what you've got."

Wasting no time, his body moved with awkward precision. Another clean hit shattered the five-layered dummy, sending fragments scattering across the floor. Energized by his success, he rode the wave of momentum, requesting more layers. Ten layers in, despite channeling every ounce of strength he could gather, his punch failed to penetrate.

"Take one layer off," Jai insisted, sweat glistening on his forehead.

With the adjustment made, Jai's next strike broke through nine layers with explosive force. From the sidelines, Derro watched with poorly concealed irritation, his jaw clenching visibly.

"Looks like 9 is my max," Jai admitted, flexing his fingers experimentally.

"Whaaaaaat?!" Kalla's cry echoed off the walls as she threw her hands in the air in frustration. "I'm only just reaching ten, and Jai's already basically there? What gives!"

Ms. Minawa stepped forward, ready to teach. "Relax, Kalla. Some Saviors are naturally stronger than others. Not all Circuits are just for fighting. You should focus on your strengths."

Kalla's shoulders slumped as she lowered her gaze to the scuffed floor. "Right, I'll do that," she murmured.

Ms. Minawa's hands came together in a sharp clap that cut through the tension. "Now then! That's enough for today, everyone. Expect tomorrow to be harder and longer, so come prepared!"

As the other students filtered out through the building's halls and elevators, Ms. Minawa pulled out a slip of laminated paper and handed it to Jai. "This is the layout of the D.O.M.E., short for Designated and Orbicular Modern Edifice. It's time to give you a tour of the school!"

He unrolled the paper, studying the schematics. Two precisely rendered diagrams displayed the side and top views of the facility, each room and floor meticulously labeled. Following the blueprint's guidance, they made their way toward the Training Terminals center, where an elevator would descend for pickup.

Jai tilted his head back, looking straight up toward the distant ceiling, its height a wonder of engineering. The Training Terminal's need for training space had forced the second floor to be suspended high above it, supported by support beams that curved elegantly from the walls like metallic ribs. In the center, a circular hatch smoothly retracted as the elevator platform descended just above the ground floor where Jai and Ms. Minawa waited.

"Alright Jai, bring us up."

"Yes ma'am!"

The elevator platform was stark in its simplicity - no walls, no railings, just a clean piece of metal beneath their feet. Jai's eyes searched for controls, finding nothing but smooth surfaces. Minutes ticked by as he fiddled with its mechanisms, his frustration mounting until, in a moment of annoyance, he tapped his foot against the platform. Without warning, the surface came to life, ascending smoothly toward the second floor.

Activating through tapping? That's a neat trick.

"Excellent work Jai, you catch on fast. I like to let students figure things out themselves. It's a better teaching technique."

"Genius! Simply genius, Ms. M"

"Ms. M?"

"Oh! My bad, is it too soon for nicknames?"

She paused, considering the question before answering, "No, not at all. I like it."

Reaching the second floor, a flood of light blinded Jai, momentarily washing everything into pure white. As his eyes gradually adjusted, the interior materialized before him. They stepped out onto the pristine floor, their footsteps echoing in the vast space. Circular lights dotted the ceiling of the box-shaped room like constellations. Four imposing doors commanded each wall, their surfaces gleaming under illuminated signs: Cafeteria, Clinic, Gym, and Transport.

First, the self-serve cafeteria, its interior a careful arrangement of scattered tables surrounding self-serve food stations. Vending machines were pushed up against the wall, presenting snacks and sodas galore. Jai's dry throat drew him toward the nearest soda machine. His eyes scanned the selection, finding only one brand - Shift Soda, housed in boring gray cans. Digital text scrolled endlessly across the display screen, marching in an infinite loop.

200 Credits...200 Credits...

Confusion creased Jai's features as he stared at the unfamiliar currency. "What the hell is a Credit?"

"They're our currency. 90 percent of credits are digital, but 10 percent of them are physical." As she spoke, Ms. Minawa presented a coin from her pocket.

The coin sat delicately between her fingers, its surface catching and fragmenting the light on its shiny surface. Irridecent blue streaks around its edge, filled with minimal energy. At its heart, two inversed C's overlapped, bisected by a single clean line - the city's physical representation of value, worth 100 Credits.

Ms. Minawa inserted two coins into the machine. Internal mechanisms whirred and clicked, resulting in the distinctive sound of a can dropping into the collection tray. She grabbed it and passed it to Jai, who searched the unremarkable container in his hands, finding instructions etched with laser precision into the base.

Directions:

1. Shake

2. Think a flavor

3. Pop it open

4. Enjoy!

Think of a flavor?

An idea sparked in Jai's mind, mischief dancing in his eyes. Gripping the can as he shook it with almost maniacal enthusiasm, the liquid inside sloshing against the cans walls. His thoughts intently focused on his chosen combination.

Bacon Banna Bubblegum! Bacon Banna Bubblegum! Bacon Banna Bubblegum!

The can's dull gray surface shifted like liquid mercury, settling into a warm pink hue that seemed to match the synchronized flavors within.

Only one way to find out if it worked!

Jai's thumb found the tab, and he braced for the carbonated explosion. The top cracked open with a soft hiss, defying his expectations. Its aroma wafted upward - first the sweet, candied notes of artificial bacon, followed by subtle tropical banana. His curiosity peaked as he lifted the can to his lips, letting the liquid coat his tongue. The flavors bloomed in sequence, each one distinct yet harmoniously blended.

Unable to contain himself, he tilted the can back, chugging its contents. Streams of pink soda escaped, dripping down his face. The empty can made a hollow sound as he crushed it, followed by a satisfied exhale. The back of his hand wiped away the liquid before it got sticky.

"This may just be the best soda I've ever drank! The bacon paired with the banana so well! Not to mention that bubble gum aftertaste! I did not expect that to work."

"Pretty neat huh? Just be careful not to think of anything nasty when you shake. It will capture those tastes, regardless if you've tasted it or not," She says with a visible shiver.

"Genius!" Jai stated.

How does it work? What other kind of science is possible here? I want to know! No! I need to know!

Curiosity consumed him like a fever, his thoughts racing with possibilities. His arm drew back, muscles tensing as he prepared to break the vending machine's reinforced glass. Ms. Minawa remained oblivious, but before his fist could complete its journey, a sharp voice cut him off.

"Don't you dare! Saviors don't break vending machines."

Jai's body locked mid-motion, his head turning to Nera seated at a nearby table. Her gaze, keen and unwavering, pinned him in place like a butterfly under glass. Lowering his arm with exaggerated casualness, he attempted to play it cool with nervous whistling.

Ms. Minawa's smile carried a hint of approval as she folded her arms. "Excellent job Nera, I see you are as sharp as ever."

Nera's only response was to return to her meal, her attention dropping away as quickly as it had arrived. Her dedication to what was right manifested in economic movements - no wasted motion, no unnecessary words. Ms. Minawa turned back to Jai, handing him a small cloth bag that clinked with the sound of shifting coins.

"Next time use these, don't let impulse take over. Money rules in this world; remember that."

Jai nodded, and she continued, her voice taking on an instructional tone, "Roughly 2 million credits are sitting in your account right now. Use that money to fuel the fire of your intrigue. Although, I recommend you prioritize clothes and necessities for your dorm first."

"2 million Credits?! Is that a lot?"

"Depends on what you spend it on. Each student gets about a million more every month anyway, so don't sweat it."

The sheer magnitude of the number overwhelmed Jai's senses, his knees buckling as he fainted comedically, the polished floor cool against his back. Ms. Minawa's footsteps echoed as she made her way out, ready to continue their exploration.

Her fingers snapped sharply, the sound of her voice patient. "On to the next room, hustle up now Jai."

Following her directive, he scrambled to his feet, leaving the cafeteria behind. Nera remained in her solitude, the quiet broken only by the sounds of her chewing. The peace was interrupted by rapidly approaching footsteps, followed by Jai's head suddenly whipping around the doorframe, his expression bright.

"I forgot to mention. Your hair is ridiculously badass! It really suits you!" He punctuated the statement with a playful wink.

The unexpected compliment caught her mid-chew, her eyes widening fractionally. Ms. Minawa's voice drifted down the corridor, calling for Jai with diminishing patience.

"Oops, gotta dip! See you around Nera!"

Jai darted off, quickly catching up with Ms. Minawa. She held the Clinic door open, revealing a space for medical conventions. Instead of the expected shelves and reception desk, rows of healing pods lined the walls like sleeping giants. Each unit connecting to the facility's infrastructure through a network of cables - thick powerlines intertwined with delicate, thin data lines. These technological marvels stood ready to heal any wound or cure any disease, their efficiency measured only by the severity of the patient's condition.

The gym was next, a room dedicated to physical improvement. Racks of weights stretched across the wall, their weight increasing in increments. Every conceivable piece of equipment waited at the ready - bench presses, deadlift platforms, and curl stations created a place of potential. In a rack of this iron paradise, Derro was mid squat rep, five 45-pound plates flanking each side of the bar. His form held true through the nearly 500-pound descent, each muscle fiber trembling with the effort. The successful rep ended with an adrenal scream that reverberated off the walls.

Leaving Derro to his session, oblivious to their brief observation, they proceeded to the final destination. The transport room, occupied only by a solitary landing pad, its surface marked with precise guidance patterns.

"Every day past 2:00, the city opens for students to visit. Here is where you'll be picked up and dropped off. Just give the AI a location, and the automated vehicles will take you there. No sweat."

"Anywhere? In the entire city!?"

"How else could you go shopping? You would be bored out of your mind locked up here in this school. The city is yours to explore, on the condition that you never draw too much attention to yourself."

"Why's that?"

"Simply protocol Jai, it causes too many problems down the line."

"Understood, you have my word Ms. M!"

The conversation was interrupted by the persistent buzzing of Ms. Minawa's phone. Excusing herself, she stepped away to take the call. When she returned, her casual expression had shifted serious.

"I'm being called into a meeting, so I'll leave you to explore the 3rd floor. Just remember to attend your solo session at noon. It's located in Room 1, just use the map if you get lost."

They returned to the elevator platform together, a final farewell. As she stepped onto the metal surface, her foot tapped for its ascension.

"Oh, and that reminds me. Since you're new here, you'll need an escort to the city tonight. Try asking Kalla, she needs something to get her mind off training!" The words followed her dramatic ascent through the opening in the ceiling.

The hatch sealed behind her, leaving Jai alone with his thoughts and the unfolded map. His eyes traced the layout of the third floor, excitement building with each new detail discovered. His face lit up, excitement building within him.

This just keeps getting better!