As Kane gazed out the spacecraft window, his eyes caught sight of a distant yellow object—a small rock, at first, no bigger than a pebble. Yet, with each passing second, it seemed to grow, transforming from a stone to a boulder, and finally into a colossal yellow moon, larger than Earth itself.
This was Astoria-9, one of the moons orbiting a gas giant in the distant Helios system. Mr. Gregory, their instructor, had explained its significance before the journey. Now, seeing it for himself, Kane was captivated, and so were his friends, along with the other new recruits. There was no doubt that this was one of the most incredible sights they'd ever seen.
On old Earth, a trip like this would have taken lifetimes. But with advances in technology, interstellar travel had become so efficient that spacecraft breaking sonic limits were practically ordinary.
The intercom crackled, bringing Sergeant Gregory's voice. "This, recruits, is Astoria-9," he announced. "It's home to the Academy—a place of rigorous discipline and intense training. Prepare for everything you thought you knew to be challenged."
"Everyone to your stations, we are preparing to land," he added before the intercom cut off.
The recruits quickly took their designated seats. With a soft hum, the engine accelerated as they neared the pale yellow atmosphere of Astoria-9. Moments later, they breached the moon's atmosphere, and the yellow-hued skies unfolded below. The landscape was striking—a vast, rugged terrain of towering mountains and deep valleys stretching to the horizon. From orbit, it looked peaceful, untouched, almost mystical.
As the ship descended, the Academy came into view: a sprawling complex of sleek, modern structures surrounded by vast training grounds. The architecture was striking—massive, high-tech buildings with spires that seemed to pierce the sky, surrounded by fields and combat arenas for training.
When the ship finally touched down on the landing pad, Sergeant Gregory's voice boomed again, ordering the recruits to exit.
As they stepped out, the recruits' eyes widened in awe, anxiety, and excitement. The surroundings were even more beautiful than the rocky terrain they had seen during descent. Here, near the Academy's core, the land felt more like a sanctuary, with patches of greenery and shimmering fields stretching toward the distant spires.
Sergeant Gregory leapt off the craft, his authoritative presence immediately gathering their attention. "Welcome to the Academy," he announced, his voice crisp and commanding. "This is where you either make it or break it. We've arrived on Astoria-9—a world far from the comforts of Earth. It's harsh, it's unforgiving, and it's where you'll either rise to greatness or fall to nothing."
He began walking toward the towering dome that encompassed the Academy, gesturing for them to follow. But as they took their first steps, some recruits stumbled, realizing that the gravity on Astoria-9 was far lighter than Earth's. They found themselves floating with each stride, their movements unsteady.
Sergeant Gregory turned back, noting their struggle with a small smirk. "As you've probably noticed, the gravity here is much lower than what you're used to. But the government anticipated this," he said. "Tap the left side of your uniforms."
The recruits followed his instructions, and with a soft hum, a blue glow emanated from their outfits. Instantly, they felt a subtle pull toward the ground as their feet stabilized.
"Now this is awesome!" one recruit murmured.
"Awesome doesn't even cover it," another replied, grinning.
As they continued forward, Sergeant Gregory explained some of the unique aspects of Astoria-9, mentioning the special gravitational suits and oxygen systems that would help them adapt. Soon, they approached a security checkpoint, where a scan allowed them entry into the Academy's inner grounds. Once inside, they noticed an immediate shift—the gravity, air pressure, and temperature were almost identical to Earth's, thanks to advanced technology like Atmogen suits and atmosphere regulators.
Gregory led them into a massive hall, easily half the size of a football field. Recruits from other star systems filled the space, representing a wide diversity of worlds and backgrounds. Along the walls stood statues of legendary men and women, each etched with a fierce expression of determination. At the front, a raised podium awaited, flanked by majestic, empty thrones.
As the new recruits gathered, the sound of footsteps echoed, and a middle-aged man in a deep red uniform approached the podium, two soldiers in tow. His stride was confident, his presence commanding. When he reached the podium, he raised his hands, silencing the room with an ease that only true authority could wield.
"You may know my name, but for formalities, I'll introduce myself," he said, his voice smooth but powerful. "I am Ramel Allogra, and today, I'll be your host."
A wave of excitement rippled through the crowd. Everyone here knew him: Ramel Allogra, the youngest SSS-rank General in the military, a legend who had risen from humble beginnings as an orphan. He was an inspiration—a man who'd defied the odds to reach greatness.
Kane looked at him, admiration flickering in his eyes. Ramel was living proof of what was possible, even for someone who started with nothing.
"The next four years of your life," Ramel continued, his tone unyielding, "will be the hardest you've ever faced. The Academy is for the strong, and it has no tolerance for weakness. Whatever you were before, whatever reputation you had, it's meaningless here." With a flick of his wrist, a holographic chart appeared, displaying grim statistics: "Forty percent of those who enter this Academy do not survive. Another thirty percent leave broken, malfunctioned."
He paused, allowing the numbers to sink in. "This Academy exists for one purpose: to forge the strongest. Whether your power comes from Essence stones, rigorous training, or sheer willpower, the Academy will push you to your limits. If you survive, you'll emerge as the elite."
The recruits exchanged glances, a mix of excitement and apprehension on their faces. For many, this was the moment of truth.
"The Academy is divided into sectors," Ramel explained, gesturing toward a hologram of the campus. "Each sector specializes in different forms of combat, strategy, and survival. You'll be assigned based on your unique abilities and potential. Those who fail to adapt, who prove too weak… will not make it. We have a zero-tolerance policy for failure."
Kane's heart pounded. For the first time, the gravity of his decision was setting in. They weren't here just to gain powers. They were here to survive.
"Now," Ramel concluded, "we will begin with an assessment to gauge your abilities. Those who do not yet have abilities will be provided with one today."
He stepped down from the stage, leaving the hall abuzz with conversation, especially from those who had arrived without powers.
For Kane and his friends, the excitement was mixed with dread. Their system had already granted them abilities—telling the Academy staff would sound insane, and there was no way they could receive new abilities without revealing the truth.
"Damn, this is going to be a problem," Kane muttered, glancing at Leo and Liam.
The friends exchanged uneasy looks, realizing they were about to face their first real test in the Academy—and it was already proving to be more challenging than they'd anticipated.