I let out a deep sigh. I really shouldn’t be doing this... but—
Without saying a word, I gently patted her head. Then, I reached for the emblem pinned to my vest, unfastened it, and held it out to her.
She stared at me for a moment, but the expression on her face shifted to something more cheerful. Well, glad that’s over… but it means I’ve failed.
I turned away, slipping out of the hall as quietly as I could, trying to avoid drawing any attention.
"Wait!"
The tester’s voice rang out, stopping me in my tracks. I looked back, and Aerin was staring at me too, her expression a mix of confusion and something else I couldn’t quite place.
I turned back, confused. "Uh... yes?" The tester stepped forward, holding something out. "Take this."
I hesitated before reaching for it, another emblem. "Both of you passed." That was all he said.
Still puzzled, I glanced at Aerin one last time before stepping out of the hall.
Thankfully, I got the emblem, and with a relieved smile, I muttered to myself, "Phew... at least I passed."
Now, onto my next destination, the Core Academy. Apparently, after passing the test, all students are supposed to go to the Grand Hall to hear a speech from the Headmaster. I’d never met the Headmaster before, so I was curious what it would be like.
After a bit of walking, I finally arrived at the Grand Hall.
It was massive. The circular seating stretched upward in tiers, creating a stadium-like atmosphere. Each row curved slightly toward the central floating stage, which was where the Headmaster would address us. Glass walls surrounded the hall, offering a panoramic view of the sky city below, giving everything an almost surreal feeling, like we were suspended between worlds.
The hall was packed with students, each one seated in sleek, ergonomic chairs that seemed to hum with quiet energy. I couldn’t help but feel a bit small in comparison to this grand place, but I quickly found a seat and settled in, eager to see what the Headmaster had to say.
The moment I sat down, the atmosphere shifted, and I could tell that the announcement was about to begin.
After a minute or two of waiting, a girl suddenly appeared on the stage, her arrival almost as if she’d teleported there. It was so fast, I couldn’t even tell how it happened. But one thing was clear—she was powerful.
She cleared her throat, and the entire Grand Hall fell silent as her voice echoed throughout.
"My name is Kaisa. I am the Headmaster of this school. You can address me as Headmaster or just Kai for short."
I couldn’t help but stare. She looked about our age—young, maybe even younger than some of us. And yet, her presence was undeniable, her voice commanding despite her appearance. It was all a bit confusing, but I stayed focused on her words.
"First off, I’d like to congratulate all of you who passed the physical test. As you know, this school has tiers, rankings, and systems unlike any other. We are here not just to educate, but to shape the future and eliminate Soulth from humanity."
Her words echoed with weight, and I could sense the gravity in her tone.
"You are all only sixteen, but your journey starts here and now, for the next four years. However, don’t think it will be easy." With a snap of her fingers, a magical hologram appeared beside her, displaying a tier ranking system that made my eyes widen:
As the hologram flickered away, she continued. "The higher your tier, the more special you are. And the more special you are, the more privileges you gain. The school will assign you special quests, give you more access, and help you grow. But remember, students are treated equally here. Only those who prove themselves will be rewarded with greater privileges."
Her expression was serious but calm. She spoke with a confidence that made me believe every word she said. This wasn’t just some girl, she was a force to be reckoned with.
"Finally, everything here is cost-free. We provide everything you need to succeed. But there’s one more thing I want to mention."
Her gaze swept across the crowd, and I could sense that whatever came next was going to be important.
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