Alex's transition from the academy's evaluation to the orientation hall was swift and unceremonious. The staff member, upon noting his 'F' rank, ushered him along without a second glance—no applause, no accolades. He joined the ranks of those who had passed, their runes awakened, yet like them, he was in the dark about the nature of his own rune and its powers.
In the vast hall, Alex found himself amidst a sea of 'F' rankers—nearly a thousand strong. It was a significant number, yet a mere drop in the ocean compared to the city's teeming billions. The other ranks, each to their own, were dotted around the hall, their attention fixed on the central stage where a man was speaking.
The dean's voice resonated throughout the hall, clear and commanding. "Welcome to this year's mass evaluation. Here, you are all cadets, irrespective of rank. I was a mere 'D' rank when I started, and now, I stand before you as the dean," he said, his eyes glinting with reminiscence.
Regaining his focus, he addressed the crowd, "For those who don't know me," his gaze drifted to where the 'F' rank cadets gathered, "I am Dean Anderson. In the coming hours, you'll be given access to your rooms or dorms based on certain criteria. Your schedules, whether mandatory or elective, will also be decided by various factors." He gestured towards the trainers flanking the stage. "I'll leave you in their capable hands to explain further." With that, the trainers saluted, and Dean Anderson exited the stage with poise.
Alex followed Private Morris, his eyes scanning the digital display on his wrist one last time to confirm his group number. As they walked, he couldn't help but notice the subtle yet unmistakable differences that rank bestowed upon each cadet. The higher-ranked cadets strode with an air of confidence, their paths cleared and their escorts deferential. In contrast, Alex and his fellow 'F' rankers were herded more like foot soldiers, a stark reminder of their place at the bottom of the hierarchy.
The group navigated through the academy's corridors, the sounds of the orientation hall fading behind them. The walls were adorned with banners celebrating the academy's history and achievements, but as they descended to the lower levels, the décor became sparse, the atmosphere more utilitarian.
Finally, they arrived at the F rank dormitory. The door slid open with a hiss, revealing a long, dimly lit corridor lined with doors. "This is it," Private Morris announced. "Your new home."
She led them down the hallway, stopping at each door to assign rooms. "Remember, cooperation is key," she reminded them. "You'll need to work together to succeed here."
When they reached door number 346, Alex took a deep breath and stepped inside. The room was compact, with two bunk beds, a small bathroom, and a closet—the simplicity of it a far cry from the grandeur of the upper levels. His roommates, already settled in, looked up briefly before returning to their own devices.
Alex chose an empty bunk and sat down, taking in his surroundings. The reality of his situation was setting in, but so was a sense of determination. He was here to learn, to grow, and to climb the ranks. This was just the beginning.
As the door closed behind Private Morris, leaving Alex alone with his new roommates, the room was momentarily silent. Then, Tom, the tall and lanky one, stretched out his hand in a welcoming gesture.
"Hey, I'm Tom," he said with a friendly nod. "Grew up on the outskirts of the city. My folks run a small repair shop—nothing fancy, but it got me here."
Chloe, with her compact frame, offered a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, hinting at a resilience hard-earned. "I'm Chloe. Came from a little town you've probably never heard of. I'm here to make sure my family's name means something more."
Robert pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, his demeanour calm and collected. "Robert's the name. My mother's the head librarian back home. She taught me that knowledge could be a ticket to anywhere—even here."
Alex settled onto the lower bunk, the room's sparse furnishings a stark reminder of his 'F' rank status. The chatter of his roommates filled the space, a constant buzz of excitement and anticipation about the future. They were discussing their runes, each sharing the details of their awakening—flames, shadows, and even the rare healing runes.
He listened, a frown etching his face as he realized he had no such story to tell. No one had informed him of his rune's nature, no display had flashed its form or function. He was in the dark, an anomaly among his peers.
"Hey, what about you, Alex? What rune did you awaken?" Tom from the top bunk called out, his curiosity clear.
Alex hesitated, the weight of all eyes upon him. "I… I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "They didn't tell me anything after the evaluation."
A murmur rippled through the room, a mix of surprise and scepticism. "How can you not know?" the girl Chloe with the steely gaze asked, her tone incredulous. "Didn't you check your digital display?"
"I did, but there was nothing there—just my name and rank," Alex replied, feeling a surge of frustration. "No rune, no description, nothing."
The room fell silent, the gravity of the situation dawning on them. To be uninitiated was one thing, but to be uninformed was another. It was unheard of, a glitch in the system, or perhaps something more.
Robert, a quiet observer until now, spoke up. "That's odd. Everyone gets their rune information. Maybe there was a mistake, you should check with a trainer".
Alex nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope. Maybe Robert was right, maybe it was just a minor error that could be fixed easily. He reached for his tablet, which was lying on his bed, and tapped on the screen. He scrolled through the menus until he found his timetable, which showed his classes and activities for the next week. He compared it with Tom's, who had his tablet open as well.
"Looks like we have the same schedule," Tom said, smiling. "We're both in level one, basic training. We'll learn how to activate and use our runes, as well as some combat skills and tactics."
Alex forced a smile back, but felt a pang of envy. Tom had awakened the rune of fire, a powerful and versatile element that could be used for offense and defence. His digital display showed a red flame icon, along with a brief summary of his rune's abilities and limitations.
Alex wished he had something like that, something to give him a sense of identity and belonging in this new world.
He glanced at the other tablets, noticing the variety of runes and elements among his roommates. Chloe had the rune of metal, a solid and sharp element that could be shaped into weapons and armor. Her display showed a silver star icon, along with a detailed analysis of her rune's properties and potential.
Robert had the rune of water, a fluid and adaptable element that could be manipulated into various forms and states. His display showed a blue drop icon, along with a simple overview of his rune's functions and challenges. And then there was Alex, with nothing but a blank space where his rune information should be.
"Oh, well, I'll just ask a trainer tomorrow probably just some error or something" Alex said nonchalantly.
"Yup, anyways who's hungry, because I'm starving and I heard you can eat as much as you want here" Tom said rubbing his belly.
The group's mood lightened at the prospect of a hearty meal, the day's uncertainties momentarily forgotten.
"Sounds like a plan," Chloe said, her earlier concerns set aside in favour of addressing the more immediate issue of hunger.
Robert, closing his tablet, looked up with a smile. "I've heard the same. Let's put that rumour to the test."
With a collective sense of purpose, they exited the dormitory, the corridors of the academy echoing with the sounds of cadets and the distant clatter of dishes. Alex, leading the way, felt a sense of belonging. The digital display on his watch glowed, its arrows and maps a beacon through the maze-like halls.
The canteen was a lively hub of activity, filled with the aromas of cooking and the buzz of conversation. They found a spot among the other cadets, their trays laden with food, and for a while, the only thing that mattered was the meal in front of them and the company they shared.
As they ate, they talked about everything and nothing—classes, instructors, and the quirks of academy life. Laughter mingled with the clinking of cutlery, and Alex felt the weight of his rune dilemma lift, if only for the evening.
With full stomachs and lighter hearts, they made their way back to the dormitory. The day had been long, and tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for now, they were content. They were a team, and together, they would face whatever the academy had in store.