Chapter 3: The Simulation
The semester had flown by, and after months of intense training, Leon felt stronger than ever. His body had filled out, even adding a few inches to his height—now he stood just over six feet, muscular but lean from all the physical training.
Classes were finally over, and the students were given a week to rest and mentally prepare. It was a brief break before the awakening ritual, a time to get into peak mental and physical condition. Backpack slung over his shoulder, Leon jogged his way home, weaving through the bustling streets.
"…It's 6:11 PM on June 7th. The Eleventh Arcane Defense Base has officially launched. The first platoon's assignment list has been confirmed, and initial deployments are underway…"
"Hot sandwiches, fresh off the grill! Only $3 each!"
The lively streets were filled with sounds, announcements from shop speakers, and street vendors calling out to passersby. Leon kept his pace steady, cutting across the street to duck into the shade of nearby buildings. Even with the evening sun hanging low, the summer heat remained oppressive.
Soon he arrived at the familiar iron arch of his apartment complex. Faded letters, rusty and bent, spelled out "Brightwood Apartments." He bounded up the steps, unlocking the door to his fourth-floor apartment. His parents hadn't returned from work yet, and his younger brothers—one living in his school dorm and the other likely on his way home from primary school—weren't around.
Leon opened their ancient refrigerator, now easily a decade old, and pulled out ingredients for dinner. Since his parents' jobs didn't cover evening meals, cooking had become part of his daily routine. Growing up with modest means, Leon had learned to shoulder responsibilities early on.
By seven, the whole family was finally home. They gathered around a simple meal of three dishes and a soup—stir-fried tofu, chili pork, scrambled eggs with bitter melon, and seaweed soup. Leon's cooking skills weren't too bad; after all, he had been helping around the kitchen for years and picked up a few techniques from chefs during his part-time job.
Leon's father, James, finished his meal first and looked over at his sons. "Leon, I bought something for you. It's in your room—check if it fits."
"Alright." Leon quickly cleared his plate and retreated to his room, curious about the surprise.
In his small room, where space was barely enough for a bed and a desk, he spotted a large box on the floor. Opening it, he was stunned to see a brand-new stab-proof vest. Checking the tag, he recognized the brand—it was a high-quality model that could easily cost over a thousand dollars. With his parents' income barely covering rent and essentials, such a purchase must have taken years of saving.
Leon tightened his grip on the vest. He understood his parents' good intentions, but he also knew the limits of the vest's protection. In the Arcane Realm, where danger was unpredictable, a simple vest offered little true safety. If he ever faced an enemy he couldn't handle, his best option might be to end things swiftly rather than endure unknown horrors.
The week passed quickly, and soon Leon found himself at the school gates, saying goodbye to his family. The day had come for the awakening. The school was abuzz with activity, and cars lined the curb as parents dropped off their children, each one wishing them luck.
"Leon!"
Leon turned to see his desk mate, Alex, jogging over. Unlike Leon, who traveled light, Ryan was fully equipped with various gear attached to his belt and vest, jingling with every step.
"You're wearing a vest too!" Ryan's sharp eyes immediately caught the vest under Leon's jacket.
"Yeah."
"Check this out—I've got stab-proof pants too!" Alex, still riding the high of youthful enthusiasm, pulled up his pant leg to show off. His family, a comfortable middle class, could afford this type of preparation without too much sacrifice.
"Oh, and this is for you." Alex handed Leon a small black pouch. "Survival kit, my man. I've got your back!"
Leon unzipped the pouch, revealing a well-stocked kit with several knives, a first-aid pack, rope, fire starter, and other essentials. He looked up, grinning. "Thanks, Alex. Guess I owe you one."
Their homeroom teacher soon gathered everyone, ushering them onto the school bus. The awakening ritual was dangerous, far too risky to perform within school grounds. Instead, they were being transported to a secure, purpose-built site on the outskirts of the city.
The bus hummed with excitement, students eagerly discussing their plans and dreaming of the powers they might awaken. Their teacher looked on with a faint smile, but the thought of how many of them might not make it back caused his expression to grow somber. After nearly two hours on the road, the convoy reached an isolated compound, heavily guarded by a battalion of soldiers responsible for the security of the Awakening Facility.
Students from all over the county were arriving, over three thousand in total. The air buzzed with anticipation and nervous energy as buses unloaded students in waves. Leon's group was ushered into a classroom, where their homeroom teacher entered carrying a grapefruit-sized crystal sphere.
Curious eyes locked onto the sphere. "This, students, is the simulation device you'll be using to prepare for your awakening," the teacher explained. "I'll demonstrate how it works."
The teacher operated the simulation crystal, a replica designed for training purposes. The students watched, captivated. Every movement, every step was critical—they all knew this simulation would guide them through the real awakening ritual that lay ahead.