He looked at his mom curiously. “What was your first Challenge like, mom?” She had told stories about her adventures in the Beyond before when he was really young but he knew it was filtered. You don't tell all the horrors you've seen to your child who hadn't even started much of life yet after all. 

She went silent for a few seconds, her gaze distant. “It was… not pleasant at first. The expansion effort was just starting out at the time, especially in the place where I ended up. We had to clear out any hostile areas before setting up base. It was there where I met your dad.” She chuckled a bit. 

“Oh he acted like he was so tough during our missions but he was such a sweetheart. Ahem, anyways, my point is, you will most likely end up near a human base and the people in charge there would help you hunt and after absorbing enough Sparks crystals, they would send you back through a warp Gate.”

She took a sharp right turn and continued. “But that's not guaranteed. So always stay on your guard. I've already taught you about all the types of creatures you can expect to face and all the current human bases. Use those info wisely.”

As she drove, he saw that they were nearing a huge Beyonder steel reinforced gate. ‘Those materials must've cost a fortune’, he thought. His mom took out a slick card and placed it near the scanner. After a heartbeat, the massive gate retracted and slowly opened. They drove inside and Rowan couldn't help but catch his breath. 

The Academy was massive. The compound spanning acres upon acres of land. It was built more like a fortress than a place of learning. ‘I mean, it is a place of learning for warriors.’ Most of the buildings were not that tall but they were wide, some built in honeycomb structure and others were beautiful Rotundas covering massive areas, like an architecture trapped in a time capsule, completely from a different era.

“Most of the facilities are underground. Those Rotundas are the archives and the artifact library. The security is tight there, so if you want to go in, you have to get clearance from one of the head professors.” His mom continued with a sigh “This place has changed quite a bit since I was a student…”

After a while, they reached one of the honeycomb buildings and parked near the corner. Rowan carried his backpack and both of them got out. His mom went ahead, prompting him to follow. 

“Let's get you signed up. Since you're joining late, they need to rearrange your accommodation. I have already informed them about your arrival in advance so it won't take long.”

They entered the entrance, which opened after scanning the slick card. They went towards what looked like a reception desk with many projected screens hovering above it. There was a woman who looked to be in her late 20s, typing furiously on her AR terminal. 

A tall girl with black hair was standing in front of the desk, waiting for the receptionist to confirm something. 

“Oh. I thought you were gonna be the only late arrival. Guess there's someone else, Little Star.”

Indeed, nearing the desk, he saw that the girl looked his age. She had strange golden eyes with fair skin. As she looked at his direction, he noticed that there was a beauty mark under her left eye. Her hands were covered in dark gloves. Getting closer, he realized that they were of the same height. 

‘She's definitely not from a normal family. Maybe her parents are Blessed too, like mine.’

The receptionist looked up from the screen and her eyes went wide. “Oh! Master Irene! It's good to see you! Are you here for your son's admission?”

She looked at him and stared for a few moments. His mom chuckled and answered “Yes. Is everything ready or are there any additional requirements?”

The woman blinked and looked at his mom again. “Oh… uh No! Everything is ready! The applicant should just sign here!”

She made one of the projected screens appear in front of him and gave him a stylus. He quickly signed his name and gave it back. A hover bot floated near his face and waited. The woman explained “Please look into the scanner.”

Rowan stood still and the bot scanned his eyes. After it's done, the woman nodded. “Blessed Applicant, Rowan Sterling, confirmed. Here's your id.” She gave him small collar clip that projected his general information with a button. 

“Excuse me. What about my id?” The girl standing near them said with a hint of impatience. 

“Please wait a minute, miss. We are still arranging your accommodation. Since you applied late and there was no prior notification, it is taking some time. But you can join the classes now if you wish to while we prepare the rest. Please just sign here and let the hover bot scan your eyes.”

The girl nodded and repeated the same process he just went through.

They walked away a bit further from the reception desk and his mom spoke in a low voice: “I have to go now. Since the classes are about to start, you shouldn't miss it. I'll come visit again with your sister when you're about to set off. Until then, stay safe and eat healthy, okay?”

He nodded. His mom ruffled his hair and smiled. “Don't worry, you'll do great here! Remember to make friends, Little Star. Oh and don't break too many hearts, okay?”

‘Huh?’ He looked at her in confusion. 

She just laughed softly, waved and went away towards the entrance and got in her car. He watched her drive away with a bit of sadness and confusion. 

“Blessed Applicant Eirlys, confirmed. Please take this and you're set.”

He turned around and started walking towards his room, checking his id for the number. “Um, Applicant Rowan, you can leave your backpack here. The hover droids will take them to your room. For now, I recommend both of you to go to the training rooms and attend the classes. Follow the bot, it will take you there.”

He nodded and followed the droid. The girl, Eirlys, close behind. They walked through wide corridors lined with reinforced steel and took a left turn. ‘I should probably get to know her since we're gonna be in the same classes.’

They went inside an elevator and it took them down. There was an awkward silence. After a while, the elevator door opened. 

While he was thinking on what to say, they already reached in front of a large opening where it looked like a typical training ground from the military but a bit smaller. 

All the walls here were brightly lit and there were already people inside the room in front of them. A middle aged man wearing training pants and a full sleeved grey training shirt with a well built body, who Rowan assumed was the instructor, noticed them standing outside and approached them. 

“You two must be the new applicants I was informed about. Rowan and Eirlys, right?”

Both of them nodded. 

“Good. The classes were just about to start. Come in.”

With that, Rowan, for the first time in his life, entered a class full of people his age.