"Welcome, students, to our Ascension Academy," the booming voice of one of the Pillars of Humanity echoed through the plaza.
His words vibrated through the air as if resonating with each of the students individually. It had a weight to itself that silenced the crowd instantly.
"I hope in the coming days, you will come to feel at home here. I won't lie—some of you will hate, being away from your homes, from your loved ones. But for the next few years, this academy will be your home. If you can find a way to love it, you'll only be making things easier for yourselves."
The speaker was none other than Sylas Alexander Thorne, one of the four Pillars of Humanity. His name alone was enough to command respect, but seeing him in the flesh—albeit in an illusionary form—was something else.
According to information in his [Mind Palace], Thorne was exactly one hundred and thirty-six years old, yet he looked no older than forty. His jet-black hair was thick and full, his face clean-shaven, and his features unmarked by the ravages of time. He was handsome in the way most awakened were, and possessed a presence that far exceeded anyone, even evident through the illusionary form.
"I want all of you to look over my head," Thorne said, his voice flowing like river water, "at the black Obelisk standing at its centre, or as many have come to call it, the epicentre of our awakened society."
Roy had already noticed the alien-looking structure earlier, a monolith that stood out against the sleek modern connected structures of buildings that surrounded it. The connected building was also a modern wonder, but at Thorne's words, he turned his gaze fully towards it. The Obelisk was a lofty, foreboding spire of black stone, far taller than any other building. It loomed like a dark spear thrust into the earth, solitary and overbearing.
"You guessed it right. This is the Obelisk that prevents dungeons from spawning within the domain we call Haven," Thorne continued. "But more importantly, it stands as a symbol of the blood and sacrifices your predecessors made. They fought and died to give you the safety to train and enter the awakened world of your own accord.
"In the coming weeks, most of you will enter the Obelisk for your Rite of Passage. Some of you, I can see, have already gone through the trial. And some of you have had the misfortune of encountering demonic beasts and earning your awakened status the hard way. Congratulations and condolences to each of you for surviving."
At this, murmurs rippled through the crowd, students glancing around in curiosity, trying to identify those who had already passed their trials. Roy's mind drifted to Zeva—the girl was from the outskirts, unprotected by the Obelisk's influence. Could she be one of the ones who had awakened through fighting demonic creatures?
"Most of you belong to the fourth generation, with a handful from the third and fifth generations mixed in," Thorne went on. "You were born into a world more stable than those before you, a world that no longer bears the scars of Integration as heavily. You don't know the dark times when your predecessors fought desperately to secure the future you now inherit. Now, it is your turn to carry the torch forward."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the students before continuing, "None of you are like your predecessors, the first generation. No, you were born with superior constitutions, sharper minds, and some of you even possess heaven-defying gifts. Your generation is stronger than any before it, more prepared to rise above the challenges of the awakened world."
Some stupid boys even cheered at that.
"And yet, many of you feel inadequate, unprepared for what lies ahead. The awakened world is merciless. Status, wealth, your family's power—none of that matters out there. In a twisted way, it is a fair system that rewards effort. The only one who can save you out there is yourself."
Thorne's voice grew colder, more severe. "That's why we created the Ascension Academy. Here, just like in the awakened world, your background is irrelevant. Your connections, your wealth—they hold no weight here. All that matters is your ability to push yourself, to become the best version of who you can be."
A brief silence followed, the tension in the air thick. Thorne's tone shifted again, becoming more pragmatic. "I won't keep you in the dark about how our academy works. Since the moment you boarded the train, we've been observing you, compiling information to determine where each of you fits, and which class and rank you'll be assigned. And we will continue to do so. The academy is nothing you heard or read. It will challenge you, try to put you to the breaking point. Only those who can stand back from it will prosper.
"But before all of that, you'll need to choose your dorms and make your way back to the VIP Lounge where your families—and many guild representatives—are waiting. Remember, not all dorms are the same. The best are limited, and they'll go to the quickest among you. But rest assured, all the rooms come with the essentials you'll need to survive your time here."
His words hung in the air like a final challenge. "Welcome to Ascension Academy."
With that, the massive screen blinked out, and chaos erupted. They waited about two seconds, before a couple of Students leapt from their seats, prompting the rest of them to scramble towards the towering dormitory buildings. They dashed as if the rooms would disappear before their very eyes. Technically, it would, considering the others would take it for themselves.
"Hey! It's not a test, kids!" an instructor shouted. "And that's the general gym. First-year dorms are in that building."
Roy too joined the run, though he was not as crazy as some of the students. He followed the rest of the crowd which quickly corrected its course. Most of them hurried into the building ahead, but Roy slowed as he spotted a large map displayed on a screen by the entrance. There were some similar-minded people with him.
He paused for a moment, taking it all in. Activating his [Memory Palace], he absorbed the map's details, storing it in his mind for easy access. Understanding it took only a few extra seconds. His gift had ranked up after his Rite of Passage, and Roy was still figuring out just how much more powerful it had become.
As he finished processing the map, a familiar voice suddenly spoke behind him. A figure materialised out of nowhere. "So, you didn't finish last after all."