Kane sat in class, a restless hum filling his thoughts, bouncing from one question to the next. What was he doing here, really? How did he always end up as Leo's unwilling partner in mayhem? And why did he keep letting himself get dragged into Liam's logical schemes? Even now, as he looked around the bustling classroom, he wondered if there was a place he truly belonged.
It was a noisy morning, as always in Veridan Academy, with students settling into the day's rhythm. The academy, renowned across the city, prided itself on dividing classes based on academic merit. Liam was in Class A, breezing through lessons and earning the top marks as effortlessly as breathing. Kane, meanwhile, found himself in Class C—average, forgettable. And as for Leo… well, let's not even talk about that.
Class C was filled with the school's middle-tier students, a mix of talents that didn't quite make the grade but were far from failures. It wasn't that Kane couldn't keep up—he'd just always felt a step out of sync. Here, he was nothing more than a face in the crowd. Nobody in Class C seemed to know he existed, much less acknowledge him.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and the room fell silent as Andy strode in, flanked by his usual pack of troublemakers. Kane felt a familiar pang of dread as they sauntered over, each grinning like they'd already won whatever game they were playing. He kept his gaze down, hoping they'd pass, but no such luck.
"What's up, Kane?" Andy sneered. "Still acting invisible?"
Kane didn't respond, keeping his gaze glued to the desk. He'd long learned that giving them a reaction was like handing them fuel.
Before Andy could push further, their homeroom teacher, Ms. Ferris, swept into the room, and the gang hurried to their seats, the moment broken. Lessons began, and the hours blurred as Ms. Ferris droned on, covering concepts Kane could hardly focus on.
By the time the bell rang for lunch, Kane felt as though he'd been underwater, barely surfacing for air. Finally, he slipped out to find his friends, catching sight of Leo's scowling face just outside their classroom.
"You mean to tell me," Kane said, suppressing a laugh, "that you hounded us for two days about that assignment, only to not even do it?"
Leo groaned, rubbing the back of his head. "I was going to finish it right before class. Then she caught me."
Kane shook his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. "What an idiot."
The rest of the day passed without much excitement, the usual buzz of lessons and chatter echoing through the hallways. Just as the final bell neared, Ms. Ferris returned to the classroom, her expression uncharacteristically serious.
"Class, I have an important announcement," she began, her gaze scanning the room.
Kane straightened in his seat, sensing the weight in her words.
"Two months from now, enrollment will open for the military academy," she said. "Some of you may know that this is a prestigious opportunity. The academy offers training in power usage, combat, and defense strategies. While enrollment is optional for some, it's mandatory for others."
Kane's heart pounded. He'd almost forgotten. This was the academy—Veridan's only direct link to the front lines.
Ms. Ferris continued, "Even for those who aren't required to attend, the academy offers training that could prove invaluable in the future. Anyone who wishes to enroll should prepare accordingly."
The room buzzed with energy, students murmuring and exchanging glances. The academy was a rare chance to hone the skills and powers they could otherwise never afford. For some, it was a step toward honor, a chance to prove their worth. But for Kane, the reality was more complex.
As he tuned out the chatter, his mind drifted to the tales he'd grown up with, the warnings whispered among the older generations about the Uracks. They were a threat Kane had only ever known through rumors, but his parents' generation had lived through the days of panic that followed their arrival. It had started, according to history books, decades before he was even born.
Back then, humanity was already grappling with a groundbreaking discovery: the Essence stones. It was an era of rapid change, with scientists working to unlock the mysteries of these stones that had been unearthed in the early days of space exploration. They were unlike any mineral or compound on Earth, and their potential was limitless. These stones emitted a type of energy capable of granting humans extraordinary abilities—if harnessed properly.
With time, engineers created devices called power hubs, allowing those who could afford it to access the energy held within the Essence stones. But, of course, power came at a price. Only the wealthiest could afford hubs, leaving the masses untouched by the revolution. The world, Kane had always thought, was divided between the powerful and the powerless.
Then, just over a decade after the discovery of Essence stones, Earth was shaken by the arrival of the Uracks. They were the first intelligent alien life humans had ever encountered—a civilization advanced enough to travel galaxies. At first, there was awe, curiosity. But that hope quickly turned to dread as the Uracks' intentions became clear.
The Uracks sought Earth's core to preserve their own dying world. They argued that without Earth's core, their planet would perish, and so would their people. But humanity understood the price of their request: ripping out the core would shatter the planet, dooming every living being on Earth.
A conflict was inevitable. The Uracks had arrived prepared, their own technology unmatched. But with the development of power hubs, Earth's forces were bolstered, sparking a brutal war. The conflict raged to a stalemate, with both sides suffering heavy losses, until one day, without warning, the Uracks disappeared, leaving humanity in a tense truce with an enemy who could return at any moment.
Kane swallowed, the reality settling in. Despite the years since the Uracks' retreat, fear lingered. And though the power hubs had given humanity a fighting chance, they remained costly, controlled by a government eager to capitalize on its power. Kane knew all too well that power hubs were accessible only to the wealthy, while orphans like himself and others on society's margins were forced to make a different choice.
Ms. Ferris's voice snapped him back to the present. "For those of you in certain circumstances, such as orphans," she said, her gaze briefly meeting his, "the academy is mandatory. This is the price we pay for the government's aid."
Kane felt a mix of emotions—anger, frustration, a lingering resentment. For him, Liam, and Leo, there was no choice in the matter. They'd been offered a helping hand, only to find themselves shackled to an obligation that served someone else's interests. The academy was meant to protect the future, but for them, it was just another form of control.
Ms. Ferris concluded, "Registration will begin in two months. As for the academy's start date, that information will be provided when available." She dismissed them with a curt nod, leaving the classroom buzzing with excitement and tension.
Students poured into the hall, voices mingling as they discussed their plans. Kane walked in silence, his mind racing. He met up with Liam and Leo, who were both buzzing with nervous energy.
"Two months to get ready," Liam said, a spark of determination in his eyes. "We're going to have to train harder than ever if we want to make it through."
Leo grinned, nudging Kane. "Bet I'll have something to show off by then. You both might as well start preparing to see me at the top of our class."
Kane forced a smile, but his mind was somewhere else, weighed down by the reality of what lay ahead. Just as they were about to leave, a sudden notification flashed before his eyes, causing him to jolt.
The system—back after days of silence.
[Host is too weak]
[New Mission: Both host and allies must join the military academy]
[Reward: ??]
[Penalty: Death]
Kane's stomach twisted as he stared at the message. He slowly looked at his two friends with trembling hands and they took also noticed the despair in his eyes and almost choked.