Ten students could only stand paralyzed as they took in the view. In front of them was a chasm spanning at least a few hundred meters. Wispy clouds floated in the hole that tunneled past the bedrock and into pure darkness.
"Well, now I know how this district got its name." Terran swallowed, looking down. The controlling urge that had since been reduced to a calling was clearly trying to draw him into what could only be considered Gaia's anus.
"Hey look, there are some of the other students, and some are wearing different uniforms. I think those guys are from the two other academies." Oliver pointed out.
By this time, many cars had pulled up to the edge of the abyss. Moreover, other groups gathered around the rim, staring down into what they could only imagine.
The scene was eerie as there were only a few meters around the edge before the wall of haze. The haze gave off the illusion that there was only one path forward, and that path was down into the unknown.
Time passed in silence, and soon everyone had arrived. Stepping out of a black SUV, the chancellor took a small device and positioned it over his throat.
"I welcome you all to the abyss. The future of the Oasis, and the answer to all our problems." Despite the distance, his voice fell on everyone's years as crisply and clearly as if he was a few feet in front of them.
"I'm sure you all have many questions. I will go ahead and answer a few, but the rest you will have to find on your own throughout the next few days.
The abyss was discovered when humanity was on its last legs. From there, the Oasis was built around it. You all may just see a hole, but it is so much more, as you will soon find out for yourselves.
The Oasis is merely a cap to the bottle that we call the abyss. Inside this bottle are floors, each having environments harsher than the next, as well as ever-increasing amounts of world energy. However, even the abyss has been losing world energy in recent years. Just like our surface, the production has been severed.
Inside the floors are resources, treasures, and secrets that supply our city. Still, with reward always comes risk. That's where the Pathfinders come in. Those who dedicate their lives to exploring the abyss in search of a path to our salvation. The answer to which we will find at the bottom of the abyss. Somewhere we are, unfortunately, yet to reach.
This week, you and your groups will be exploring the wilderness on the second floor. Your goal will be to survive. However, rewards will be distributed in the form of pseudo blessing books for those that bring back the most mana cores from the beasts that inhabit the floor. These mana cores can be turned back into world energy and extend the time we have left before the Oasis turns into another speck in the wasteland.
More specifically, the team that brings back the most mana cores from the strongest beasts will be granted a pseudo blessing that will allow them to travel back and forth from the Abyss to the Oasis."
"Pseudo blessing books!" Terran listened quite intently but hearing the reward had gotten him excited. While he could gain blessings quite easily, they did not come without a price. He was quite interested in how his system would react to a pseudo blessing. Moreover, he wanted to learn how they worked. How could a power granted by a god be passed around like a cheerleader?
The chancellor continued as Terran got excited, thinking about the mechanics behind pseudo blessings. "Mana beasts are classified the same as our blessings. Their rank is determined by their strength.
It is advisable to only take on mana beasts at your own rank. With intelligence and teamwork on your side, you should not struggle with the weaker beasts. However, above B-rank, the beasts start becoming intelligent, so exercise caution.
Of course, this competition is optional, and your number one priority is survival. However, if you aspire to become a pathfinder, I suggest you try your best. It's good to start building your track record if you want to join a good team after leaving the academy."
The chancellor droned on for several minutes, continuing to inform them about their upcoming competition. During that time, the driver passed out a small marble-looking object to each of the students that would supposedly set off an alarm if ever crushed, notifying a nearby teacher. They were to use the marble if they were ever put in a truly life-threatening position. In addition, they also passed out a basic watch to every student, their only function being the ability to tell time.
"We will now be heading to the first floor, where you all will have six hours to get accustomed to the locals before jumping into your ascent."
"Locals?" Everyone seemed confused, but soon their minds were distracted by something else.
The drivers began to wave their arms in silly motions. At first, it looked like they were just practicing conducting an orchestra, but soon, white whispy portals formed in front of them.
Seeing all the drivers performing the same skill, Terran had one thought, "pseudo blessings?"
However, Terran didn't have the luxury to mull this over for long. All because his group was soon ushered into the newly formed portal.
On the other side of the portal was a pristine white hall carved out of marble. Humongous pillars reached into the air towards a dome ceiling far out of reach.
All the students soon funneled into the single hall.
"Alright, I expect you all back here within 6 hours. Until then, have fun exploring the city. Just try to stay out of trouble."
"City? Wasn't the Oasis supposed to be the only city?" This single question caused the crowd of students to erupt in conversation.
Terran's group too shared questioning looks, but before anyone could ask, Oliver spoke up.
"Come on, you guys heard the chancellor! Let's go explore!" No one argued, and the group of ten soon headed towards the exit.
Leaving the building, they were met with the second biggest surprise of the day. It was almost as if they were back in the Oasis. Skyscrapers stretched on as far as the eye could see. A few meters away was a street bustling with people.
"How? How could we not know about this? It doesn't make sense!" Oliver was the first to speak.
"Doesn't it?" Terran smirked, not because of Oliver's question but because of the answer.
History was well documented that humanity's last straw came from the powerful blessed grabbing hold to as many resources as they could manage.
How was this any different? With the help of blessings, the federation and a select few families had full control over all the resources. However, it didn't end there. With the federation's control, no rising blessed could ever hope to gain access to power without first becoming a puppet. Terran did not think but was instead positive. The federation had a method to force blessed born here under a similar contract.
Despite having a good guess to Oliver's question, Terran let it go unanswered. While he was sure it was true, there were likely other reasons. At least he hoped there were.
"Whoa! Look! Look at the sky!" It was Ina that spoke this time.
At once, everyone tilted their heads up. Instead of the expected darkness, there was a mix of swirling yellows, oranges, and whites.
"It's beautiful." An unfamiliar voice whispered.
Terran turned to see it had come from Holly. Both Holly and Ollie had not made a peep ever since Terran had arrived in the auditorium, and he had started to doubt if they even knew how to talk.
"Come on, that's enough standing around! Let's go explore!" None of these students had ever left the confines of the Oasis, so it wasn't hard to imagine how excited they were.
They were indoor cats that had just discovered the back porch, and soon, they would be heading outside.
With that, the group of 10 headed out into the city.
"Why does this place smell so good?" Ina asked the question on everyone's mind.
"Look there are restaurants and so many at that!"
"Wow! The food's so cheap!"
"I think it's beast meat! Do you think it tastes good?"
"If it smells anything like it tastes then it has to!"
"Let's eat! Ina, I can pay for you!"
"No, let me pay Ina!
Hearing Ross and Elias arguing over this. Terran could not stop himself from chuckling out loud. For which he received several glares.
While the food was still expensive, it was unimaginably cheaper than anything found in the Oasis.
The 10 ended up at a ramen shop, and Ross and Elias split Ina's bill. Unfortunately, most of the group was not rich. However, they still got a generous monthly stipend from the government for being registered blessed under 18. Even Terran had received a decent sum as a registration bonus which could be used through his ID.
Nutrient fluids kept them all healthy, but it was tasteless at the end of the day. After rarely consuming food, even the slightest taste bud activation would fill them with utter bliss.