Morning arrived far earlier than anyone wanted.

  A loud voice suddenly echoed throughout the dorm hallways.

  “WAKE UP!”

  Oscar slammed his face deeper into his pillow.

  “Five more minutes…”

  The voice continued.

  “Thirty minutes until orientation starts!”

  Oscar slowly pushed himself upright, rubbing his eyes.

  “Why do people have so much energy this early in the morning?”

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

  He laughed when he saw Oscar’s face.

  “You look wretched. Actually… you always do.”

  Oscar groaned.

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

  Students were already moving through the halls toward the courtyard.

  The academy seemed to never sleep.

  Oscar flopped back onto his bed.

  Aster grinned mischievously.

  “Water Convergence,” he whispered.

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

  Oscar jumped upright instantly.

  “YOU MF!”

  Aster 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.

  Alexander looked Oscar over and smirked.

  “Gnarly bed head.”

  Oscar shrugged.

  “Who cares about making hair look good anyway?”

  Elaina turned toward the door.

  “Everyone ready?”

  The group responded together.

  “Ready.”

  Elaina pushed the door open and the group stepped outside.

  A cool breeze moved across the academy grounds, and the plaza buzzed with activity.

  Alexander 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.”

  Aster 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 it’s the first time Elaina hasn’t taken the top spot.”

  A third student chuckled.

  “Interesting… this year’s class might be fun to watch.”

  Oscar felt their gazes.

  “Yo, Aster,” he whispered. “People are staring.”

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  Elaina didn’t even turn her head.

  “Those are upperclassmen from the Vanguard class. Don’t make a scene.”

  Oscar 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.”

  Vega spoke calmly.

  “We are on time.”

  Clarence shrugged.

  “Take your seats.”

  The forty-eight first-year students filled the plaza.

  Three classes.

  Sixteen students per class.

  Once everyone was seated, a tall man stepped forward.

  The entire plaza fell silent.

  “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.”

  “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 of a Guardian is far more dangerous than you imagine.”

  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,” 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?”

  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.

  Oscar crossed his arms.

  Good to know 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.

  Vale turned back toward the initiates.

  “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.

  Clarence approached Class 1-A.

  “Follow me.”

  They walked toward a large training facility.

  The doors slid open.

  At the center of the room stood a glowing crystal sphere.

  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.”

  Aster leaned toward Oscar.

  “This is going to be hell.”

  Oscar remained focused.

  “Good.”

  Clarence pointed toward the crystal sphere.

  “This device measures power and control.”

  “Strike it.”

  “That’s all.”

  He looked toward Vega.

  “You will go first.”

  “Elaina 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.”

  “Vega. Begin.”

  Vega stepped forward calmly.

  He slowly drew his sword.

  “Champion: Crown Sever.”

  In a single motion—

  His blade flashed.

  The crystal sphere split cleanly in half.

  Clarence nodded.

  “I anticipated that.”

  “I brought extras.”

  Vega returned to his place.

  “Elaina.”

  He paused.

  “Please hold back.”

  The air changed.

  Energy gathered around her.

  Her golden eyes glowed.

  “World Balance: Black Hole Arrows.”

  Several arrows of compressed gravity shot forward.

  The crystal sphere exploded into fragments.

  Clarence sighed.

  “How many do we have left?”

  A facility attendant responded.

  “Five, sir.”

  Clarence rubbed his forehead.

  “Alexander. Your turn.”

  Alexander stepped forward.

  Lightning crackled around his body.

  “Storm: 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.

  “Oscar.”

  His eyes sharpened.

  “Go.”

  Oscar stepped forward.

  For the first time…

  Everyone would see his technique.

  No hiding it now.

  “Combat Mode: Dead Man’s Intuition.”

  A massive skeletal figure appeared behind him.

  The room went silent.

  The skeleton merged with Oscar’s body.

  “Death Knuckle.”

  Energy gathered in his palm.

  Bone reinforced his fist.

  Oscar lunged forward—

  CRACK.

  The crystal sphere shattered instantly.

  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.