"Man, you're always keeping secrets." He sighed dramatically, then perked up. "But hey, if it benefits the team, I won't complain. Just don't forget to share some of that good karma!"
I chuckled. Karma, huh? More like rewards from an overpowered system. "Don't worry," I said, waving him off. "You'll feel the ripple effects soon enough."
I couldn't wait to dive into the Codebreaker rewards later, especially in the privacy of my new quarters. Data Crystals, currency, TAP, skills—this system really never disappoints.
If the rewards kept up like this, staying at the top was going to be even more rewarding than I'd imagined.
I smirked as I closed the Codebreaker interface. And my goal to climb the ranks and outsmart GAIA might be closer to my grasp than I thought.
The thought of manipulating the very system that dictated this world filled me with both excitement and resolve.
GAIA may oversee everything, but with Codebreaker on my side, I wasn't just another awakener. I was a player rewriting the rules of the game.
Atlas nudged me with his elbow. "Hey, daydreamer. Don't start zoning out on me now. We're on top, remember? You should at least pretend to be celebrating."
"I'm celebrating," I replied casually. "Just doing it… quietly."
He rolled his eyes. "Of course you are. Anyway, since we're the top dogs now, how about we find out just how fancy these private quarters are?"
I chuckled. "Lead the way, champ. Let's see if the perks live up to the hype."
As we walked toward the dormitory building, the buzz of the crowd still echoed behind us.
Everyone was talking about Apex—our victory, our strategies, and the bold moves that cemented our place as rookies to watch.
Inwardly, I couldn't stop thinking about the gap between me and GAIA. With every step, every battle, and every hidden mission completed, I'm closing in.
Till then, even GAIA won't see what's coming.
********
We arrived at the GEAS Base, known among trainees as the "Bachelor Pads." The sleek, modern complex was reserved exclusively for trainees who had earned private lodgings—a luxury and a badge of honor.
"What's your room number?" Atlas asked as we entered the main hall, his voice casual but tinged with curiosity.
"49 S," I replied.
Atlas froze mid-step. "What?! Your room is an S?"
I blinked, confused by his reaction. "Yeah… why? What's yours?"
"18 A," he said, glumly. His expression fell, and I couldn't help but notice the disappointment in his tone.
"What's the big deal?" I asked, puzzled. "Why does the letter or number matter so much?"
Atlas sighed, crossing his arms. "Noah, you really don't know, do you? In GEAS, private lodgings aren't just perks—they're status symbols. Your room number and letter are tied to your ranking here."
"Ranking?" I echoed, my curiosity piqued.
"Yeah," he continued. "The academy evaluates your abilities independently of your GAIA rank. The number represents your position within the academy rankings, and the letter shows your tier. 'S' means you're in the S-rank tier—basically, the elite. And since your room is 49 S, it means you're ranked #49 among the Top 50 S-rank trainees."
I stared at him, stunned. "Wait, hold on. You're saying the academy sees me as S-rank?"
Atlas nodded, his expression a mix of frustration and awe. "Exactly. It doesn't matter if GAIA classified you as C-rank. The academy has its own system for assessing potential, and they think you've got what it takes to fight at an S-rank level."
I smirked, still processing the revelation. "Huh. Guess I must've left quite an impression."
Atlas shook his head with a bitter laugh. "Meanwhile, I'm placed in the A-rank tier at #18. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but it's not S-rank."
I clapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, buddy. You've got an SS-rank weapon, remember? That alone makes you a powerhouse. And let's not forget—you didn't even get to fight in the first round because they banned you. You haven't shown the academy what you're really capable of yet."
His expression brightened, and he let out a laugh. "You're right, Noah. I've been sulking for no reason. Being #18 in A-rank is still solid. I just need to step up my game."
"That's the attitude," I said with a grin. "Now let's go check out these rooms. I'm curious what this S-rank lodging looks like."
As we made our way deeper into the building, I couldn't help but think about what Atlas had said.
The academy's assessment of me as S-rank material wasn't just flattering—it was a sign that my plan to rise through the ranks and outwit GAIA was well underway.
We decided to check out each other's quarters, starting with Atlas's. The GEAS Base, as we'd learned, wasn't just a place to rest—it was a highly structured system that reflected the academy's competitive hierarchy.
When we arrived at Atlas's base area, a young woman in a sleek black-and-silver uniform stood by the entrance, holding a holographic tablet. Her sharp, professional demeanor made it clear she was in charge of welcoming new arrivals.
"Welcome to Advanced Base Sigma," she said with a polite smile. "I'm Keira, one of the coordinators here. You must be Atlas," she added, glancing at the tablet.
"That's me," Atlas said, giving a small wave. "This is my teammate, Noah. He's just tagging along for the tour."
Keira nodded but paused, her gaze flicking to me with mild curiosity. "Just a moment."
She tapped a few icons on her tablet, scanning for clearance. "Since this is an Advanced Base, entry is restricted to those with proper clearance. Let me confirm your access, Noah."
I kept my expression neutral, though I was curious about how this would play out. The Codebreaker system had never failed me, but Advanced Bases were supposed to have more stringent checks.
A few seconds later, Keira's eyes widened slightly as the tablet chimed with approval. "Clearance confirmed," she said, looking genuinely surprised. "You have access."
Atlas raised an eyebrow. "Wow, Noah. Didn't know you had clearance for Advanced Bases."
I shrugged. "Guess it comes with being in the S rankings."
Keira's lips twitched in a subtle smile. "Well, that explains it. Not many rookies land a spot in the S ranks right out of Initiation. In that case, let's proceed with the tour."
She turned and motioned for us to follow her.
As we entered the base, the sleek, futuristic design immediately stood out. Gleaming corridors with holographic displays lined the walls, showing live updates on rankings, training schedules, and mission briefings.