The EDF Academy, nestled deep within a remote military base, was humanity's most elite training facility, where the best of the best were groomed to face Earth's deadliest threats. For most, it was the culmination of years of service, an opportunity to hone their skills alongside the most powerful soldiers in the world. But for some, it was the first step into a life that would define them forever.
Today, the academy was buzzing with excitement. The entrance exam was underway.
Hundreds of candidates stood in line, waiting for their turn to face the trials that would determine their worthiness to join the Earth Defense Force. Most of them were Regades—humans who had undergone The Awakening, each possessing extraordinary abilities. Some could lift tanks with a single hand, others could conjure firestorms from the air, or bend light to become invisible. But amidst them stood one individual who didn't belong—Jun.
Jun was ordinary. No powers. No special abilities. He was just a man. And in a world that had evolved beyond human limitations, that made him stand out in the worst possible way.
His dark eyes scanned the other candidates, noting their confidence, their self-assuredness. They looked like they belonged here, their powers radiating off them in waves. Jun felt like an outsider, an anomaly. His muscles were firm, his mind sharp, but he had no supernatural gift to rely on. Only his grit, his determination, and his will to prove that someone like him could stand among giants.
He walked to his assigned station, where the exam would begin. The examiner, a tall woman with short-cropped hair and a military uniform, nodded at him. She didn't need to say anything. Her eyes already said everything—he was an unknown, a potential risk to the EDF's elite training program. But that didn't matter to Jun. He wasn't here for approval; he was here to show that his lack of power wouldn't stop him from doing what he believed was right.
The first test was simple but brutal: a series of combat simulations against robotic enemies designed to replicate real-life threats. Most candidates relied on their powers—summoning bolts of lightning, wielding massive energy blades, or manipulating the environment itself. They made quick work of the enemies, their skills honed by years of training and their abilities amplified by The Awakening.
But Jun didn't have that luxury.
The robots charged at him, their glowing red eyes locking onto his position. Jun's heart raced, but his mind was clear. He wasn't here to outpower his opponents; he was here to outsmart them.
Without hesitation, he dove into action. His first move was to use the terrain to his advantage, darting behind a rock formation to throw off the robots' targeting systems. They tracked his movement, their weapons primed to fire, but Jun was faster. He sprinted across the battlefield with precision, dodging blasts and using the environment as a shield. He was quick, calculating, always one step ahead of his opponents.
When he finally closed the distance, he used his hand-to-hand combat skills to disable the first robot. A quick jab to its power core, followed by a swift twist, and it collapsed to the ground. His movements were efficient—no wasted energy, no unnecessary theatrics—just raw, focused precision.
The other robots were quick to respond, but Jun anticipated every move, using his agility and the environment to outmaneuver them. He may not have had superhuman strength or elemental powers, but he was resourceful. He fought with everything he had, relying on his wits and his training, using his knowledge of combat tactics to dismantle each enemy one by one.
By the time the simulation ended, Jun was standing, panting but victorious. The robots lay deactivated around him, proof of his skill and determination.
The examiner stood quietly, her expression unreadable. She hadn't moved, hadn't reacted during the entire simulation. Jun couldn't tell if she was impressed, disappointed, or indifferent. But he didn't care. He had done his part.
The rest of the candidates finished their tests, some of them looking at Jun with curiosity, others with disbelief. A few muttered under their breath, likely wondering how someone without powers had managed to hold his own.
But Jun knew that today was just the beginning. The tests were more than just physical challenges—they were a chance to prove that anyone, even those without powers, could rise above and make a difference.
The examiner approached him at last. She regarded him for a long moment, her gaze piercing. Then, without a word, she motioned for him to follow.
"You're not what we expected," she said, her tone neutral. "But you passed the first test. We'll see if you're as resilient as you think."
Jun nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.
He wasn't here to prove he was the strongest or the fastest. He was here to prove something far more important: that power didn't come from abilities alone, but from the heart and the will to stand against the darkness.
And Jun was ready for whatever came next.