Monday morning arrived far earlier than anyone wanted. A loud voice suddenly echoed throughout the dorm hallways.

“WAKE UP!”

The shout echoed off the stone walls and rattled through the room like a speaker.

Yudo slammed his face deeper into his pillow. “Five more minutes…” 

The voice continued. “Thirty minutes until orientation starts!”

Yudo slowly pushed himself upright, rubbing his eyes. “Why do people have so much energy this early in the morning?”

Across the room, Ryukai was already dressed and ready for the day.

He laughed when he saw Yudo’s face. “You look wretched. Actually… you always do.”

Yudo groaned. “Yeah, yeah. I want to go back to sleep.”

Students were already moving through the halls toward the courtyard. Footsteps echoed overhead and below them. Doors opened and closed throughout the dorm as initiates rushed to get ready.

The academy seemed to never sleep.

Yudo flopped back onto his bed. Ryukai grinned mischievously.

“Water Convergence,” he whispered.

A small splash of cold water hit Yudo’s face.

Yudo jumped upright instantly.

“WHAT THE!”

Ryukai burst out laughing. “Well, you’re awake now.”

Within minutes, the two were dressed and heading downstairs. By the time they reached the common area, most of the students had already gathered.

Elaina and Lillie stood near a window, quietly talking. The sunlight streamed through the glass behind them, reflecting faintly off Elaina’s white hair.

Renki looked Yudo over and smirked. “Gnarly bed head.”

Yudo shrugged. “Who cares about making hair look good anyway?”

Lillie turned toward the door. “Everyone ready?”

The group responded together.

“Ready.”

Elaina pushed the door open, and the group stepped outside. A rush of wind moved across the academy grounds, carrying the scent of fresh grass and morning dew. The plaza buzzed with activity as students moved between buildings.

Renki looked around with a grin. “I’m glad this place actually looks like a normal academy. I thought it would be gloomy.”

Lillie smiled. “From what I’ve heard, the academy becomes very lively after the entrance exam.”

Ryukai exhaled in relief. “That actually makes me feel better.”

Students from the other two dorms were already gathered in formation. 

Whispers spread through the crowd. 

“They’re the top class this year.” 

“And they’re the last ones to arrive.”

Several upperclassmen stood along the edges of the plaza watching them walk in.

“So those are the top six Initiates?” one said.

Another nodded. “The prince scored first. Apparently the higher up thought Elaina would take the top spot.”

A third student chuckled. “Interesting… this year’s class might be fun to watch.”

Ryukai felt their gazes. “Yo, Yudo,” he whispered. “People are staring.”

Lillie didn’t even turn her head. “Those are upperclassmen from the 3-A class. Don’t make a scene.”

Ryukai grinned. “Do I look like the type of person that would make a scene?”

“Yes.”

“…Fair enough.”

The final row of chairs belonged to Class 1-A.

Clarence approached them. “You’re late.”

Virsen spoke calmly. “We are on time.”

Clarence shrugged. “Take your seats.”

The forty-eight first-year students filled the right side of the plaza. The rest of the plaza had the same format. Three classes. Sixteen students per class. Rows of chairs stretched across the stone courtyard while instructors stood stationed along the perimeter.

Once everyone was seated, a tall man stepped forward. The entire plaza fell silent. Conversations died instantly. Even the upperclassmen standing around the edges straightened slightly.

“My name is Lucian Vale,” he said. “You may call me Principal Vale.”

He spread his arms slightly. “Students who passed the entrance exam… welcome to Aegis Academy!” 

He paused, his gaze sharp. 

“There are forty-eight of you in each year.”

“There is a strong possibility that not all of you will remain.”

Silence deepened across the plaza.

“Some of you will fall.”

“Some of you will choose to quit.”

He looked across the students.

“But how you respond to hardship will define you.”

“The path to become a Guardian is an arduous one." 

He continued.

“There is more to Aegis Academy than strength. You will be challenged physically and mentally.”

He gestured toward a large ranking board behind him.

“These are the top students in each grade.”

He then turned toward the second- and third-year students.

“And as you already know… your positions are not safe either.”

The older students nodded.

“First-years,” Principal Vale continued, “your instructors will evaluate and rank you constantly.”

“If you grow complacent… you will lose your place.”

Many initiates glanced toward Class 1-A.

One whispered quietly. “So we can take their spots?”

Principal Vale smiled slightly. “Yes. You absolutely can.”

“There will be plenty of opportunities to prove your strength.”

Competition lit in the eyes of many students.

Yudo crossed his arms. So the rankings can change...

Principal Vale continued.

“You will train.”

“You will fight.”

“You will be evaluated constantly.”

He paused.

“And eventually…”

His gaze hardened.

“Some of you may earn the title of Guardian.”

Several students straightened immediately.

That title was the highest honor anyone could receive.

Principal Vale turned back toward the first years.

“You begin at the bottom.”

“Climb your way to the top.”

He raised his voice.

“Now go! This is only the beginning of your story!”

Energy surged through the plaza. Students immediately began talking among themselves. Some looked motivated. Others looked nervous. A few looked excited at the challenge ahead.

Clarence approached Class 1-A. “Follow me.”

They walked toward a large training facility. The doors slid open. Training platforms lined the walls. Reinforced pillars stretched toward the ceiling, and rows of equipment occupied the far side of the room. 

At the center of the room stood a glowing crystal sphere. Mounted atop a reinforced platform, it pulsed with soft blue light that illuminated the surrounding floor.

Clarence turned to the students. 

“While the other classes are settling into their rooms…”

“I’m putting you to work.”

The entire class groaned.

Clarence remained expressionless. “I warned you.”

“If you do not take this seriously, I will send you home.”

He raised four fingers.

“I will test four things.”

“Combat.”

“Control.”

“Coordination.”

“Adaptability.”

Ryukai leaned toward Yudo. “This is going to be hell.”

Yudo remained focused. “Good.”

His eyes sharpened.

The more training I can get the faster I can get to Two.

Clarence pointed toward the crystal sphere.

“This device measures power and control.”

“Strike it.”

“That’s all.”

He looked toward Virsen.

“You will go first.”

“Amane next.”

He sighed.

“This is one of the few times you will be evaluated alone.”

“That’s why I advised you to build relationships with your teammates.”

He stepped aside.

“But enough talking.”

“Keisho. Begin.”

Virsen stepped forward calmly. The room grew noticeably quieter. He slowly drew his sword.

“Champion Trait: Crown Sever.”

In a single motion, his blade flashed. The crystal sphere split cleanly in half. The cut was so precise that neither half moved for a brief moment before sliding apart.

Clarence nodded.

“I anticipated that.”

“I brought extras. A lot of them.”

Virsen returned to his place.

“Amane.”

He paused.

“Please hold back a little.”

The air changed.

Energy gathered around her. Her golden eyes glowed. The floor beneath her feet creaked faintly under the sudden increase in pressure.

“World Balancer Trait: Black Hole Arrows.”

Several arrows of compressed gravity shot forward. The crystal sphere exploded into fragments. The shards scattered across the floor like shattered glass.

Clarence sighed. “How many do we have left?”

“Five, sir.” A facility attendant responded. 

Clarence rubbed his forehead. “Kazamine. Your turn.”

Renki stepped forward. Lightning crackled around his body. The sharp scent of electricity filled the room.

“Storm Trait: Lightning Lance.”

The attack slammed into the crystal sphere, shattering it. Before the fragments could fly outward, a gust of wind caught them mid-air and lowered them safely to the ground.

Clarence nodded. “Excellent control.”

Then he turned. “Kishiyoshi.” His eyes sharpened. “Go.”

Yudo stepped forward. For the first time, everyone would see his power.

No hiding it now.

“Combat Mode: Dead Man’s Intuition.”

Cold energy spread through the training hall. A skeletal figure, seemingly made from multiple bodies fused together, appeared behind Yudo. The temperature felt like it dropped several degrees.

The room went silent. Several students unconsciously stiffened. The skeleton merged with Yudo’s body.

“Death Knuckle.”

Energy gathered in his palm. Bone reinforced his fist. Yudo lunged forward.

CRACK!

The crystal sphere shattered instantly. Fragments exploded outward before scattering across the platform.

Behind him, the other students stared. No one quite knew how to react.

What they had just witnessed…

Didn’t feel natural.

It felt artificial.