Aoroi took his seat in the middle row, the chatter of excited students filling his ears. He observed their smiles and laughter, a marked contrast from the tragedy only days prior. During the entrance exams, a deadly virus had ripped through the candidates. Screams still echoed in Aoroi's mind, the stench of blood and fear clinging to his memory.
Yet his new classmates seemed unfazed. Their conversations danced around the horrific events, focusing only on their achievement in being accepted to the prestigious Emoji Academy.
Aoroi grimaced. Were they so caught up in their own egos that they dismissed the deaths of their peers? The virus had culled the applicant pool with ruthless efficiency. Only the cunning and lucky survived.
Aoroi himself had barely escaped exposure. But the Council hadn't cancelled the exams, forcing candidates to navigate the carnage. Step over the convulsing bodies. Ignore the cries for help. A ruthless test of ability, without mercy.
Gazing at the cheerful faces surrounding him, Aoroi wondered - had they earned their place here? Or merely profited from the misfortune of others? The question lingered as he observed his privileged classmates, their innocence not yet stripped away.
The clicking of heels on the corridor outside pulled Aoroi from his thoughts. His classmates fell silent as a woman entered the room.
"Good morning, class. I'm Miss Sasha Drugo, your homeroom teacher."
Aoroi recognized her as the proctor who had announced the exam results. Her gaze was sharp, posture rigid. This was not a woman to cross.
"Congratulations on being accepted into Emoji Academy. You are the elite, hand-picked by the Council to become the next generation of imperial heroes."
Some students sat taller at her praise. Aoroi remained wary, sensing there was more.
"Do not expect your training to be easy. We will push you to your limits and beyond. The Empire needs champions, not fragile children."
Miss Drugo's heels clicked as she paced the front of the room.
"Trust that we will break you down and rebuild you as warriors. Your old lives are ashes. Here, you will be forged anew."
Aoroi met her eyes, seeing the truth there. Softness would not be tolerated. To survive this place, he would need to become iron-willed and cold as steel.
The Academy's crucible awaited.
Miss Drugo's speech left an uneasy silence hanging over the class. Aoroi braced himself, sensing this was only the beginning.
"It looks like he is here just on time! I'd like to introduce you to your class captain! This is Captain Ghost, he will be responsible for your basic form technique training and squadron missions," she added.
Everyone was entranced by her gentle yet powerful voice but one thing seemed off. She was standing all by herself and there was no sign of the captain so they started whispering one to another, wondering who she was talking about.
Suddenly a man's voice was heard coming from all directions of the classroom, "Yoiiiiiii!!!"
Every student was left in a state of suspense as they looked round the classroom, trying to figure out exactly where the voice was coming from and who spoke it.
Without warning, a ghostly figure phased up through the floor. A few students gasped as the translucent form hovered before them. It was a young man with a skin complexion between thin white and grey with shades of black round his eyes and a captains insignia on his academy uniform, with eyes that glowed an ethereal blue.
"Hello, children," he said, lips curling into a sly smile. "I'm Captain Ghost, your class leader."
His voice echoed as if traveling through a long tunnel. Aoroi stared, unsure what to make of this spectral entity.
Miss Drugo gestured to the apparition. "Captain Ghost will be your guide and mentor. You will treat him with utmost respect."
The captain gave an exaggerated bow. "Oh, you all look so fresh and innocent. We'll have to fix that, won't we?" He let out an eerie, disembodied chuckle.
Aoroi felt a chill, wondering what this supposed mentor had in store for them. He did not trust the mischievous glint in those glowing eyes.
Miss Drugo stepped aside as a holographic screen flickered to life behind her. "Let me provide a brief overview of our principles and expectations here at the Academy."
She began summarizing the school's strict rules and rigorous training. Aoroi listened intently, steeling himself. The days ahead would surely test him to his limits.
"Now then," said Miss Drugo, turning to face the class as the holographic display faded away. "It's time you all got a taste of what's in store during your time here."
She nodded to Captain Ghost. "I'll leave them in your capable hands. Take them down to the combat arena for their first training session."
"With pleasure," replied the specter, flashing his eerie grin. He beckoned the students to their feet. "Come along, children. Adventure awaits!"
The class filed out of the room apprehensively, following the floating form of their ghostly guide. Aoroi stuck close to Mirai and Bombshell as they made their way through the ornate halls of the academy.
After several twists and turns, they arrived at a bank of elevators. The doors opened automatically, and they crowded inside the expansive lift. Captain Ghost hovered in the rear as the doors slid shut.
They began their descent, dropping swiftly into the earth. 25 minutes passed in tense silence. Aoroi watched the floor numbers tick lower and lower. He wondered just how far underground they were going. What awaited them in this combat arena?
He looked to Mirai and Bombshell, seeing his own nervous excitement reflected in their faces. They were heading into the unknown, but they would face it together. Anticipation hung thick in the air.
Finally, the elevator slowed to a stop, and the doors opened with a ding. Captain Ghost floated out ahead of them. "This way, children! Destiny calls."
They followed him out into the dimly lit corridor beyond, steeling themselves for whatever trials lay ahead.
Captain Ghost led them into a massive underground arena, lit only by sparse flickering lights high above. The space felt cavernous, with dark shadows clinging to the edges.
As Aoroi's eyes adjusted, he made out rows of cages lining the perimeter, housing shadowy forms that shuffled and clattered. The sound of leathery wings beating the air grew louder. He looked up to see flocks of black vultures circling overhead, their cries echoing through the chamber.
A chill went down his spine. This place felt ancient, filled with menace. He moved closer to his friends, taking comfort in their presence.
Captain Ghost turned to address the nervous students. "Welcome to Arena A, where your combat training shall commence. The path of a hero is fraught with peril. Here, you will be pushed to your limits, facing challenges designed to break you. Those who survive will emerge stronger."
His ghostly eyes scanned their faces. "I offer now, to any who wish it, the chance to walk away. If you do not think you have the courage to face death itself, speak now or forever hold your peace."
His chilling words hung in the air. The students glanced at each other uneasily, but no one spoke up. They had come too far to turn back now.
Captain Ghost grinned. "Very well then! Let the training begin."
Aoroi felt his heart pounding as he glanced around at his fellow students. To his surprise, nine of them stepped forward, declaring their intention to leave.
Murmurs broke out among those remaining. Aoroi noticed some of his peers shaking, while others had eager glints in their eyes.
After the dissenters had filed out, Captain Ghost turned back to the group. "Now then, let's sort out the wheat from the chaff, shall we? I need two volunteers - those among you who consider themselves the strongest."
Almost immediately, Mirai and Bombshell stepped forward, chests puffed out.
"We'll take your challenge, Captain!" declared Mirai boldly. Bombshell nodded, smirking.
Aoroi studied them both. Mirai emanated confidence, while Bombshell looked ready to explode. This should be interesting, he thought. His palms were sweaty, but he was excited to see what Captain Ghost had in store for them.
The spectral hero gave an approving nod. "Good, good! Now listen closely..."
He proceeded to explain a game involving dodging stickers tossed at their heads. Aoroi listened intently, clenching his fists. The fates of the entire class rested on Mirai and Bombshell's shoulders now. He found himself hoping they would succeed, even as apprehension gnawed at his gut.
This was only the first test at Emoji Academy. Many more challenges awaited. But they would face them together.
Mirai's eyes shone with anticipation as Captain Ghost explained the rules.
"If either of you can dodge even one of my stickers," he said, holding up a sheet of colorful dots, "then your whole class will be exempt from today's training."
"Bring it on!" shouted Mirai, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Captain Ghost chuckled. "Very well. Let's begin."
In a blur, the dim lights begun to flicker and the ground begun to shake. The mood in the arena shifted. A nervous energy rippled through the students. All eyes turned towards the source - a large iron door at the far end. It swung open with an ear-splitting creak, revealing only darkness beyond.
"What's that?" Bombshell whispered. A deep rumble emanated from the blackness behind Captain Ghost. The atmosphere of the arena became tense and student's hearts pounded as a massive shape lumbered into view...