The announcement hall buzzed with nervous energy as hundreds of students packed the massive space. Roland leaned against a back wall, watching the social hierarchy play out in real-time. The children of noble families clustered near the front, their uniforms pristine and postures perfect. Behind them sat the merchant class students, trying desperately to mimic their social betters. At the edges, like Roland himself, lurked those deemed less worthy – the Empties, the ones who didn't quite fit.
Cole sprawled in a seat near the middle, trying to look casual while stealing glances at the military officials gathering on stage. Despite his usual bravado, tension lined his shoulders. Ian sat beside him, practically trying to disappear into his chair.
"Attention." A stern-faced military official stepped forward, his voice cutting through the chatter like a blade. "The next month will determine your specialized training paths. All students will complete mandatory courses in combat fundamentals, essence theory, military history, and tactical applications. Your performance during this period will determine your eligibility for advanced specializations."
Roland noticed Eva Frost's calculating gaze sweep the crowd. She sat with perfect posture beside her twin, their matching white uniforms making them look like ice sculptures among the standard blacks and grays.
The official continued, "Your essence compatibility and combat proficiency will be closely monitored. Those showing particular aptitude may be selected for prestigious combat divisions or specialized essence manipulation courses and will recieve high ratings on your ChronolQ watches" His eyes briefly flickered toward the room's edges. "Alternative paths will be available for those with... different capabilities."
The ChronolQ wasn't your average timepiece – it was the mysterious watch every student discovered strapped to their wrist after coming to in that godforsaken military field. The Chronol Family's creation went way beyond telling time; instead of the old-school Crystal method everyone was used to, these bad boys could read your power level with scary accuracy. Within months of hitting the market, they'd left smartphones in the dust. Who needed a phone when you had a holographic display floating above your wrist, packed with features that made phone brands look like they were stuck in the Stone Age?
Whispers erupted immediately. "Did you hear about the new combat specialization?" "They say General Frost's daughters are guaranteed spots." "Wonder what they'll do with all the Empties..."
Cole was unusually quiet as they filed out, his typical smirk replaced by something more thoughtful. Roland caught Eva watching him with that unnerving intensity of hers, like she was solving a particularly complex puzzle. Roland, not knowing what to do just awkwardly nodded and looked away.
****
The cafeteria was packed by lunch, a sea of uniforms and competing conversations. Roland had chosen his spot carefully – the usual corner table, clear view of exits and the rest of the room, minimal exposure to the general population. That's why he spotted the trouble brewing immediately.
Three upperclassmen had cornered a younger student – another Empty by the way they were treating him. The kid couldn't have been more than fifteen, scrawny and terrified as they knocked his tray to the ground.
It reminded Roland of Ian. Although he himself was an empty, he was not at all as scrawny and weak looking as Ian, he is in fact considered buff by the general population which is why those with weak abilities usually avoid him, for fear of retaliation from him.
"Shouldn't even be here," one of the upperclassmen sneered. "Taking up space that could go to someone useful."
Roland's hands clenched as memories flooded back – similar words, similar sneers, similar helplessness. The grimoire pulsed against his spine, its heat spreading through his body like liquid fire. Beneath his skin, invisible symbols burned with increasing intensity.
Shadows in the cafeteria began behaving strangely, stretching in impossible directions. The lights seemed to flicker, though no one else appeared to notice.
Before Roland could decide whether to intervene, Cole materialized beside the upperclassmen. "Problem here?" he asked, casual tone belied by the dangerous glint in his eyes.
"None of your business, Cindercrest," the leader spat. "Unless you're an Empty sympathizer now?"
Cole's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Just wondering why three third-years need to gang up on one kid. Not very impressive, is it?" Flames danced between his fingers – not an attack, but a reminder.
The situation might have ended there, but a group of senior military students had noticed the commotion. Roland watched the political calculations play across Cole's face as he realized the implications of defending an Empty in public.
The shadows under the tables writhed as Roland's stress peaked. A nearby essence measurement crystal cracked without warning, drawing sharp looks from Eva and Ava, who watched from a different corner of the room.
Ian, who separated from them for a short while after the announcement for some reason came back with bruises, surprisingly, broke the tension. He appeared suddenly beside Cole, whispered something in his ear. Cole's expression shifted to understanding, then he laughed loudly. "Come on, guys. We're making a scene over nothing. Kid probably tripped. Right?" He gave the upperclassmen a meaningful look.
They backed down, unwilling to challenge both Cole's social status and his obvious power. But Roland heard the whispers starting already – "Cindercrest's gone soft." "Hanging out with Empties..." "His father won't like that..."
The temperature in the cafeteria gradually returned to normal, shadows settling back into their proper places. But Roland noticed Eva writing something in a small notebook, her eyes darting between him and the cracked crystal.
Combat class that afternoon brought new tensions. Training Ground C hummed with essence-measuring equipment as James Well announced the partner battle exercise. "Choose wisely," he warned. "Your partner's strengths and weaknesses will affect your own performance evaluation."
Roland expected to be left partnerless. Instead, Eva Frost walked directly to him, ignoring the shocked whispers of their classmates. "You'll do," she said simply.
Her twin sister, Ava, declined to participate at all, watching from the sidelines with an unreadable expression. Cole, after a moment's hesitation, paired with Ian.
"I assume you have some combat training," Eva said as they prepared, her tone clinical. "Given your... situation."
Roland nodded, trying to ignore the way shadows pooled strangely around his feet. "I know how to move. But if things get weird with your essence..."
"Then we adapt." Something almost like curiosity flickered in her ice-blue eyes. "Unless you're scared?"
Across the field, Cole was trying to coax Ian out of his defensive shell. "Come on, partner. Show them what you've got!"
Well's voice cut through the chatter. "First match: Frost and Kuiper versus Cindercrest and Shaw. Begin!"