The envelope in my hand trembled as I stared at the result. Two years in the Low Elites—a near-impossible feat that only the best of the best achieved in the placement test. A mixture of relief, pride, and anticipation swirled in my chest as I reread the letter for what felt like the hundredth time.
Not only had I made it, but Xavier, Cherry, Kaito, and two others had as well. I couldn't wait to share the news with them, though Xavier had already been gloating about how he'd definitely ace the test even before he opened his results.
Now came the next step: choosing which Elite Council member we'd train under. It was the opportunity of a lifetime—and one that could shape our future in the Elites. The Council members were legends, each a master in their own right, and being selected to train under one was both an honor and a challenge.
We gathered in the central hall of the Academy, where the Council members were waiting to meet us. Their presence alone filled the room with an almost tangible energy. Each member stood behind a table, their names etched into placards in bold letters.
He turned as if sensing my gaze, and his expression shifted from calm detachment to shock. "Akari?"
I didn't realize I had started moving until we were face to face. The noise around us faded as I stared up at my brother, a thousand emotions crashing into me at once.
"You're here?" I finally managed, my voice trembling.
He nodded, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "I was about to say the same to you. I didn't think I'd see you here, of all places."
I swallowed hard, trying to process everything. "You… you took the placement test?"
"Yeah," he said, his smile growing. "And I guess I did pretty well. They told me I'd be in the Low Elites for two years."
The words hit me like a bolt of lightning. "You're one of the two?"
His grin widened. "I guess so. They said the scores were close, though. Looks like little sis is giving me a run for my money."
I laughed, tears pricking my eyes. "I can't believe this."
Heesung's expression softened, and he rested a hand on my shoulder. "I've missed you, Akari."
"I've missed you too," I said, my voice breaking.
Our reunion was cut short by the sound of Sora's voice booming across the hall. "Alright, everyone! Time to make your selections. You've got fifteen minutes to decide, so don't waste time."
Heesung gave me a reassuring squeeze before stepping back. "We'll catch up later, okay? Go pick someone who's going to push you to your limits."
I nodded, though my mind was still spinning. As I turned to scan the Council members again, I couldn't help but steal one last glance at my brother.
He was here. He was alive. And for the first time in years, I felt like maybe, just maybe, everything was going to be okay.Cherry and Kaito had already wandered off, scanning the other Council members. I was about to join them when something—or rather, someone—caught my eye.
At the far end of the hall, a tall figure with golden blond hair stood with his back to the crowd, seemingly uninterested in the commotion around him. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the figure.
"Heesung?" I whispered, barely able to believe my eyes.
It had been years since I'd seen him, and in that moment, time seemed to freeze. He was taller now, his shoulders broader and his posture more self-assured
---
I had made it through, along with Xavier, Heesung, Cherry, and Kaito. But now came the hardest part—choosing which council member to train under.
The waiting room buzzed with energy as the profiles of the council members floated in holographic displays. Four council members were available, each unique in their style and reputation.
Cheern, the first option, was a vibrant girl with exotic hair and striking red-violet eyes. Her reviews painted her as enthusiastic and motivational, making her a popular choice for trainees looking for a balance of encouragement and challenge.
The second option was a guy with brown hair and glasses. His kind demeanor made him seem approachable, someone who genuinely cared about the success of his trainees.
The third was a blonde woman with sky-blue eyes. She exuded grace and precision, and her reviews reflected a mentor who valued discipline and calm under pressure.
Then there was the fourth. He immediately caught my attention, his resemblance to Sora uncanny. His hair was messy, black with yellow streaks, and he wore an eye patch over one eye. The other gleamed a sharp, unforgiving yellow. His reviews were the lowest by far, with many calling him overly harsh, bordering on cruel. Trainees complained of grueling schedules, impossible standards, and his apparent lack of empathy.
Something about him intrigued me, though. Maybe it was his resemblance to Sora, or maybe it was the challenge he represented.
"You're not seriously thinking about him, are you?" Xavier asked, his voice low but full of doubt.
"I am," I replied, my gaze lingering on his profile.
"You've seen his reviews, right?" Cherry chimed in, her violet eyes wide with concern.
"I have," I said firmly. "But that doesn't scare me. If he's the toughest, then I'll only get stronger."
"You're stubborn, you know that?" Xavier sighed, shaking his head with a small grin.
When the time came to make my decision, I stepped forward without hesitation and selected him. To my surprise, Heesung, Xavier, Cherry, and Kaito followed my lead, though each for their own reasons.
As the council members began to meet their trainees, our chosen mentor walked up to us. He stopped, crossing his arms as he surveyed the five of us.
"You picked me," he said flatly, his yellow eye flicking between us.
"Yes, we did," I said, meeting his gaze head-on.
He raised a brow, a faint flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Interesting. I wonder if you'll regret it."
His voice carried a weight that made my stomach tighten, but I didn't falter.
"Follow me," he said, turning on his heel. "Let's see if you're ready for what you've signed up for."
As we walked, I felt the determination in our group solidify. Whatever challenges lay ahead, we were ready to face them together. Or so I hoped.
---
The training facility our new mentor led us to was unlike anything I'd ever seen. The space was vast, filled with various terrains—rocky cliffs, dense forests, open fields, and even simulated urban settings. It was a place designed for chaos and combat, where every environment could test the limits of an Elite.
He stopped abruptly, turning to face us with a commanding presence.
"My name is Asahi," he said, his voice low and sharp, "and you'll address me as Sir. I don't care who you are, where you've come from, or how strong you think you are. Out there"—he gestured to the sprawling training grounds—"none of it matters. If you don't give me everything you've got, you'll fail. And I won't hold back just because you think you're special."
His piercing yellow eye lingered on each of us, assessing, judging. When his gaze locked on me, I felt like he could see right through me.
"Let's start simple," he said, motioning toward a set of large weights near the edge of the field. "Basic strength and endurance drills. Pick them up and run the perimeter. Don't stop until I say so."
I glanced at the weights. Each one looked heavier than anything I'd ever carried before.
"Is this really how we're starting?" Kaito muttered under his breath, clearly skeptical.
"You got a problem with that?" Asahi snapped, his tone daring Kaito to challenge him.
"No, Sir," Kaito said quickly, grabbing a weight.
We all followed, lifting the weights with varying degrees of struggle. I gritted my teeth, the strain in my arms and legs immediate as I began to run. The field felt endless, the weight dragging me down with every step.
"You call that running?" Asahi's voice boomed across the field. "Move faster, or drop out now!"
I pushed harder, my breathing ragged. Beside me, Cherry stumbled but quickly regained her footing. Xavier, to no one's surprise, was already adapting, his natural speed giving him an edge. Heesung stayed steady, his determination evident in every step.
"Come on, Akari," I muttered to myself. "You're not quitting. Not now."
We ran lap after lap until my legs felt like they were on fire. Finally, Asahi called us back.
"Not bad," he said, though his expression was unreadable. "Now for the real test."
"Real test?" Cherry groaned, wiping sweat from her brow.
Asahi smirked, his tone almost mocking. "That was just the warm-up."
He led us to a massive wall that towered above us, its surface uneven and jagged.
"Climb," he ordered. "And no powers. If I see anyone cheat, you're out."
I stared at the wall, my heart sinking. This wasn't just about physical strength; it was a test of willpower.
"Let's do this," Heesung said, stepping forward and gripping the first handhold.
One by one, we began the climb. My fingers ached as I searched for stable grips, my muscles screaming in protest with each pull upward.
"You've got this, Akari," I whispered to myself, blocking out the fear of falling.
Above me, Xavier was moving quickly, his agility giving him an edge. Below, Kaito cursed as he slipped, but he caught himself just in time.
Halfway up, I glanced down and regretted it immediately. The ground seemed so far away, and my grip faltered.
"Focus, Akari!" Heesung called from above, his voice grounding me.
I nodded, swallowing my fear and pressing on. When I finally reached the top, my arms felt like jelly, but the sense of accomplishment was undeniable.
"Well, you didn't die," Asahi said dryly as we regrouped. "Good start."
His words stung, but I could see a faint glimmer of approval in his eye. Maybe, just maybe, we had a chance to prove ourselves.