The sun was barely rising over the vast and imposing structure of Starbound Academy. This school, renowned across the galaxy, trained the brightest minds and most promising fighters. Among the newcomers, Yopy, a 15-year-old boy, walked lazily through the crowd of students. His messy black hair and detached expression only added to his aura of complete indifference. Yet, despite his nonchalant attitude, he had managed to pass the entrance exam... in his own way.
In the massive amphitheater where the welcoming speech was taking place, Yopy sat at the back, searching for a spot where no one would bother him. The principal, a charismatic man, took the stage, greeting the students with a radiant smile.
Principal: Welcome to Starbound Academy! You are the elite, chosen among thousands of candidates for your unique skills. Here, you will learn to surpass your limits.
The speech, filled with promises and ambitious ideals, seemed to drag on forever for Yopy. Halfway through, he stifled a yawn and rested his head on his arm.
Yopy (to himself, muttering): Seriously... they could've made this shorter.
A few minutes later, the ambient noise of the students and the principal's monotone voice faded, replaced by the soothing sounds of his own sleep.
When the speech finally ended, a student beside him gently shook him awake.
Student: Hey, it's over. You need to head to your class.
Yopy got up reluctantly, rubbed his eyes, and followed the crowd toward the classrooms.
In his classroom, the atmosphere was light. The teacher, a strict yet kind man, introduced himself briefly before explaining the academy's structure.
Teacher: You are here to become the protectors of tomorrow. But it's not just your physical strength that matters; it's also your ability to learn, collaborate, and persevere. Today is a day for exploration. You can visit different areas of the academy: the dormitories, training rooms, restaurants, exam halls, classrooms, and more. Take the time to orient yourselves; it will be useful.
Yopy listened half-heartedly. This kind of speech didn't interest him. He stretched and left to explore the academy at his own pace, dragging his feet every step of the way. The dormitories seemed comfortable, the training rooms impressive, and the restaurants... inviting. But none of it inspired him to put in any more effort than necessary.
As for his ranking? 862nd out of 1,000. Not exactly impressive, but enough to be admitted. Rumors about the rankings began spreading among the students. Some were already forming alliances, discussing strategies and training plans. Yopy, on the other hand, felt invisible. No one cared about a student ranked so low, and he was perfectly fine with that.
Back in his classroom, Yopy watched the other students chatting enthusiastically. He was clearly the only one not being approached. Taking advantage of the solitude, he sat at his desk, rested his head on his arms, and closed his eyes for another nap.
He was soon woken up by a firm tap on his shoulder. The teacher stood in front of him, arms crossed.
Teacher: Yopy, it's late. You should go home. But think about what I'm telling you: if you keep this up, you won't get far. Talk to the others, build connections. That's how you grow here.
Yopy (detached): Yeah, yeah, I got it.
He left the classroom and walked toward his dorm. The place was simple and functional. He lay down on the bed, sighed, and stared at the ceiling for a moment.
Yopy (to himself): Nothing special, but it'll do.
Seconds later, he fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, a ray of sunlight slipped through the curtains and tickled his face. He opened one eye, groaned, and checked the time. 10 a.m. His heart skipped a beat. Classes had started an hour ago.
Yopy: Great...
He got up quickly, took a quick shower, and threw on his uniform. His hair remained in its usual messy state. He rushed out of the dorm, looking as calm as ever but fully aware that his laziness had already earned him a reputation on the very first day.