"This is the main hub," Keira began, gesturing to the lively area ahead.
"It connects to all the key facilities. Over there is the Commercial Hub and Exchange, where you'll find vendors offering gear, potions, and other essentials. Trainees can also trade or auction items they've acquired."
Atlas leaned closer to me, whispering, "So this is where the big spenders go."
Keira must have overheard because she smirked. "That's right. Advanced Bases have better stock than standard hubs, so you might find rare items here—if you're willing to pay for them."
Then she glanced at me and smiled, "Of course, Elite bases will have more rare items compared to the advanced bases."
She led us down another corridor, stopping at a large set of double doors.
They slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the Simulated Training Grounds.
The space was massive, with dynamic environments shifting between forested terrains, urban landscapes, and desert wastelands.
Floating training dummies darted through the air, adapting their movements to mimic live opponents.
"This is your Simulated Training Area," Keira explained. "You can customize the settings to create scenarios tailored to your skill level and training goals. The AI adjusts based on your performance, so expect a challenge."
Atlas's jaw dropped. "This is insane. My last training ground was just a bunch of static dummies."
"Welcome to the Advanced tier," Keira said with a small smile. "Now, let's check out the quarters."
She led us past a cafeteria with holographic menus projected above each table and down a quieter hallway lined with numbered doors. She stopped at one marked with Atlas's room number.
"This is your private lodging, Atlas. High-rank Advanced Base quarters are equipped with a personal console linked to the GEAS system, a compact training station, and plenty of storage for your gear. Enjoy the space—it's well-earned."
As the door slid open, we stepped inside. The room was spacious, with sleek furnishings, a large holographic interface on one wall, and even a small kitchenette.
"Whoa," Atlas said, spinning around to take it all in. "This is way better than I imagined."
Keira turned to me. "And you, Noah, where are you staying?"
"49 S," I said casually.
Her eyebrows rose slightly. "An S-rank private lodging? Impressive. Your quarters will be in one of the Elite Bases. They're even more exclusive than Advanced Bases like this one. Make sure to check in with the elite base's Squad Manager when you get there—they'll brief you on how to maximize your perks."
Atlas grinned. "Guess I'll have to come check out your place next."
"I won't mind," I said with a smirk.
Keira gave a polite nod. "If either of you has questions, feel free to contact the base staff through your console. Good luck, and welcome to the academy."
As she left, Atlas flopped onto his new bed, still grinning. "Man, this place is incredible. Feels like we're finally making it, doesn't it?"
"Yeah," I said, leaning against the doorframe. "But this is just the start. The climb's only going to get tougher from here."
"Right," Atlas said with a wide grin, excitement bubbling in his voice. "Let's check out your base! Yours must be way cooler than mine."
I couldn't help but laugh. "We'll see about that."
We set off toward my base.
Since the Elite bases were located in a separate area, we had to take the GEA Drone Shuttle, which was available throughout the academy.
There was a faster route via the GEA network portal, but I preferred the shuttle ride to appreciate the scenery—it was a good way to clear my head after the chaos of Initiation Day.
After a smooth ride through the academy's landscape, we arrived at my base. The moment the shuttle doors opened, I could feel the difference.
Unlike the Advanced Base, which was divided into rank-based categories, Elite bases were different.
There were no specific "rankings" within the Elite bases themselves. Instead, it all depended on the Squad that managed each base.
Darren, my elite base's representative, explained it as we walked toward the base's gate.
"The Elite bases don't have levels. Although the facilities provided are similar with all GEAS bases, the quality of the facilities and the perks offered here depend entirely on the ranking Squad that manages it. The higher a Squad's ranking, the better the base's amenities and overall conditions."
I glanced at Atlas, who raised an eyebrow. "So, it's all about the squad, huh?"
"Exactly," Darren nodded. "And since this base is managed by our squad that ranked 12th, you can expect to see a lot of perks that make it stand out compared to the others."
Atlas's eyes widened. "Wait, so your managing squad is ranked 12th? That's actually pretty high! Damn, I think your base will outshine mine for sure."
I chuckled at his enthusiasm. "When I toured my base, I was pretty impressed, man," Atlas added. "Honestly, it makes my Advanced Base look like a standard dorm room now."
We walked through the gates, and I saw firsthand just how different the Elite bases were.
The grounds were meticulously maintained, with sleek buildings rising around us, offering a sense of exclusivity.
The architecture felt almost otherworldly, with structures built from smooth, glistening materials that were both futuristic and luxurious.
"The thing with Elite bases," Darren continued, "is that they're named using an acronym. The first letter comes from rare metal composites, and the last two letters are always the same—'E.B.' for Elite Base. Our base, for example, is called Verantium Elite Base or V.E.B."
"Verantium?" Atlas mused. "Sounds like some fancy metal. This place is really next level."
I smiled. "It's definitely not your average base. The squad managing this one does a lot to keep it at the top."
We arrived at the main entrance, and Darren stopped us before the doors slid open.
"As with all Elite bases, access is restricted. Only trainees with E.B. access and those with approval can enter. But as part of the benefits, you're allowed to bring one GEA trainee to visit. You're also limited to three visits per month."
Darren then led us further into the base area.