Despite his initial expectations, the bedroom given to the future Red Waters Half-machines amid the Academy didn't live to them.
For starters, no private bathrooms.
If you wanted to do your necessities or shower, you'll have the privilege of doing so with your closest friends.
Icarus thought that size wasn't a problem anymore, given that the universe could be explored far and wide. Sadly, it seemed like Factions still cut budgets on making proper bedrooms.
Which, speaking of, were measly four walls with a bed and spare changes of clothing corresponding to the Faction's etiquette.
That was a white shirt alongside white trousers and white trainers.
'Everything's white even though we live on a chemically induced planet. Don't they care about cleaning costs?'
Scoffing at the thought, he still tried to find the appreciation by looking out his window and into the valley beyond the Faction's walls.
It was an alluring sight. Something terrifying as it was beautiful.
The flora had evolved to withstand the rough chemicals, each plant ex pulsing a light green gas out of their bodies every few seconds—including trees.
Contrasted with the yellow atmosphere and horizon due to the sulfur, it made the valley almost feel alive.
That was until a cloud dropped from the sky and blocked most of Icarus' sight. Audibly exhaling as he pushed himself off the glass, the boy thought: 'What a rough planet. Couldn't we have been sent to something more related to Earth?'
Shaking his head, he sat in the bed and grabbed the bracelet on the nightstand. It was amid the clock that marked eleven PM—despite the star still setting.
His natural clock was going to get extremely twisted over the next few months.
Turning on the bracelet, an extensive introductory panel appeared on top of it.
Skimming through most of it, Icarus got familiar with the important details such as the fact that they, as Red Waters's official future Half-machines, wouldn't have their every movement tracked, unlike humans.
'Well, that's a relief… I do want to know what the currency for Half-machines is. Perhaps it's still Credits?'
Closing the introductory excerpt, Icarus tried to find information but to no avail, as he was still under the human rank.
Which reminded him of the reason behind the bracelet.
Opening up an email waiting in the inbox, Icarus quickly read its contents.
"To all future Red Waters Half-machines,
"First and foremost, congratulations for this exceptional opportunity! Your path as a Half-machine will grant you far more freedom than being a human could ever do. Follow our teachings, and you'll become part of the elite society."
Icarus rolled his eyes in second-hand embarrassment.
He, too, used to write emails like that.
"Your alarm clocks are set to activate at eight in the morning every day. Once you're awake, please walk down towards the main hall and wait for a Rank 3 Teacher to show the way to the medical facility. There, we will start your awakening and read your Affinity afterward.
"Contain your excitement, because this is merely the first step in your journey.
"Sincerely,
"Red Waters Rank 4, Merovea."
Turning the bracelet off and realizing that he could no longer take it off, something that made Icarus' heart race for a second, the boy simply decided to go take a shower, change into the new clothes, and go to sleep.
He had nothing to do after all.
He was still a human. So, the best shot was waiting for tomorrow's events to occur.
***
"Listen carefully."
All a hundred students moved their gaze towards the slightly elevated floor in which Master Merovea was standing. He had his arms crossed, and so did Rank 3 Ayzic and Nuveth standing behind him.
With a slow sweep of every face, the Rank 4 continued.
"In a few minutes, you will awaken your nanobots. The device above your head will send a strong electromagnetic pulse, which will give current to your body and awaken the nanobots inside your cells.
"This process has been refined to its peak extent, meaning that all pain that follows is simply unable to be subdued."
Icarus lowered his chin, squinting his eyes slightly.
'Not unexpected, but undesired…'
Some of the teenagers' faces paled.
"Pain? Wait, how painful are we talking about?" A girl said.
Merovea replied: "It depends on your Affinity, but also other external factors. In general, the higher Affinities suffer more pain and will remain weakened for longer. Vice versa for lower Affinities."
One of the students raised his hand.
"Couldn't you use that to check your Affinities as well?"
"That is merely a visual indicator, young child," Merovea explained. "After every nanobot in your body has awakened, we will conduct a quick test which will accurately tell your Affinity.
"However, that's for the future. Now, focus on your awakening."
Seeing that most of the students were already fidgeting in the medical beds, Red Waters Merovea decided to add some reassurance to their hearts.
"Do not worry over fainting, as you won't die. However, your Affinity may be severely reduced as the Awakening process will stop.
"After starting it once, all nanobots become essentially immune to this technology and cannot be put under the same pressure. If you had a Grade A Affinity but faint, you might be weakened up to Grade D."
"What?!" One of the students shouted from his bed.
Another replied.
"Those are high stakes. Isn't there an easier procedure?"
Not Merovea but surprisingly, Nuveth stepped forward directly staring at the youngster. Despite the distance, the teenager could feel the Rank 3's gaze piercing his skull.
"Do not get complacent. This procedure is a dream for 99% of the entire universe and the biggest bet for those who take this path seriously. Let me tell you this, kid.
"In the future, you will come across situations that require far worse risks than simply not fainting. There is not an easy way. It's just the one way. So fire your best shot. There's one opportunity."
The teenager's gaze remained fixated on the Implant Wielder, not knowing what to say.
Merovea nodded at Nuveth, who took a step back and carried on with the conversation.
"We have also been in your places before, and the thought of pain also made us shiver uncontrollably. Still, look at where we are now. Do you think we took the easy way?
"No. We fought with all our might, bringing down barriers past barriers with unwavering perseverance. And this stands true for the ninety-nine rest of you.
"Do not waver. Do not falter. Give your a hundred percent, and you will realize the true potential of being a Half-machine."
The room fell silent. Not even the lightbulbs hummed as if they were also struck by the Rank 4's speech.
Icarus, however, had his eyebrows raised the whole time of the speech.
Looking at his companions, however, proved the efficiency of its simplicity. Those that were once shivering and having second-thoughts of the future finally regained blood to their faces.
The boy in front of him, for example, was on the verge of biting his own finger's skin out of anxiety, but not was staring at Red Waters Merovea with new found courage.
Inwardly laughing, Icarus thought.
'Well, if it works…'
"Lay down on your backs. We will begin in thirty seconds."
Despite the short notice, all a hundred students did as asked, aligning their bodies perfectly to the bed.
Icarus did so as well, staring directly into the thousands of tiny dots on the cylindrical machine atop him. He could already see some sparks building up inside.
Sucking a breath, he steeled his mind.
'This is the reason you're still alive.'
"Get ready. Three…"
Icarus exhaled: 'To witness the wonders of the future.'
"Two…"
The machines began echoing at once, a loud buzz filling the room.
"One…"
A pulse came down each body alongside a dim blue flash.
Icarus subconsciously tightened his grip on the sheets, not even recalling when he grabbed them the first time. However, the numbing feeling of tightly clutching the fabric suddenly disappeared.
'Huh?'
He tried moving his head to the side, but… he couldn't. Not a single teenager could move their bodies, all frozen in place.
Slowly, the first muffled groan began building up from the corner of the room.
Another one followed.
Followed by four more
Six more, including Icarus.
The muffled groans turned into a crescendo of agony, one voice breaking, then another, until the room echoed with screams.
In less than a minute, hell quickly broke loose.
And as the pain reached its peak, Icarus felt something else stirring within him.