The inner Academy building was unlike anything Elias had ever seen. As he stepped inside for the first time, his eyes widened, taking in the immense spiral structure that stretched high above him.
The entire interior was a maze of interconnected walkways, towering walls lined with training equipment, and classrooms built into the structure like chambers in a fortress.
Light streamed through narrow windows at the very top, casting long beams down to the bustling center below, where students moved with purpose.
Here, the air was thick with the hum of energy — both literal and figurative. The faint glow of magical runes etched into the walls shimmered faintly, a testament to the Academy's advanced defenses.
This was the heart of humanity's training ground, where raw recruits were transformed into hunters capable of surviving the monstrous world beyond the walls.
Elias stood at the base of the spiral, craning his neck to look up at the seemingly endless levels above him.
This was where the real work began, where students would learn to hone their abilities and become the weapons humanity so desperately needed.
The instructor who had led them into the building spoke, her voice firm and steady as it echoed through the atrium.
"The inner Academy is where your training truly begins. Here, you will choose your classes, refine your skills, and, most importantly, determine your place in the field. For those of you aiming to join brigades, pay attention. The best opportunities won't wait for you to find them."
Elias furrowed his brow at the mention of brigades. He had heard of them during the brief orientation in the dorms, but the explanation had been vague.
From what he gathered, brigades were specialized teams of hunters that ventured beyond the walls, tasked with reclaiming lost resources, exterminating threats, and exploring the wastelands for any remnants of humanity's lost civilization.
Joining a brigade wasn't just an option — it was an expectation for anyone serious about making it as a hunter.
The Academy provided a list of brigades with open spots for recruits, but Elias had overheard from other students about how competitive the process could be.
Brigades weren't just looking for anyone; they sought those with potential, with skills that could tip the scales in life-or-death situations.
It wasn't uncommon for brigade members to personally scout promising recruits, sometimes even before the students themselves realized their potential.
Elias pushed through the crowd of students, his thoughts racing.
He wasn't sure which brigade he'd want to join — if any — but he didn't have time to dwell on the decision. The Academy's atmosphere was a constant reminder that hesitation could cost him everything.
As he walked, Elias noticed the glances from other students.
Whispers followed him, quiet enough to be ignored but persistent enough to remind him of his rank. He wasn't at the top of the list, but fourth place was high enough to draw attention.
It made him uneasy, the weight of being noticed pressing against his thoughts.
He was about to head toward the bulletin board displaying the brigade openings when a figure stepped into his path. The man looked to be in his early twenties, taller than Elias by at least a head.
His uniform marked him as a senior student, but it was his demeanor that caught Elias's attention. There was a lethargy to the way he moved, his shoulders slightly hunched, his hands resting in his pockets.
Strings were wrapped loosely around his fingers, and he idly twirled one with his thumb.
The most striking thing, however, was his eyes. They were lifeless, as if the spark of emotion had long since been snuffed out.
Yet beneath that vacant gaze was something else — a sharpness, like the glint of a blade hidden in the shadows.
"You're Elias, right?" the man said, his voice low and unhurried.
Elias blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, yeah. That's me."
The man nodded, more to himself than to Elias. "Thought so. You've got the look of someone who doesn't know what they're in for yet." He extended a hand, fingers still playing with the strings. "Name's Caleb. Brigade leader."
Elias hesitated before shaking the offered hand. Caleb's grip was firm but not aggressive, his palm slightly calloused. "Brigade leader?" Elias echoed, unsure where this conversation was going.
Caleb let go and stepped back, motioning for Elias to follow. "Walk with me."
Unsure of what else to do, Elias complied, falling into step beside the older student. They weaved through the crowd, Caleb moving with a confidence that parted the sea of bodies without a word.
As they walked, Caleb spoke, his tone casual but laced with an edge that suggested he was used to being listened to.
"Here's the thing about brigades," he began. "Most of them are all talk. Flashy names, shiny reputations, but when the walls come down, half of them scatter. My brigade isn't like that. We don't play games, and we don't waste time. We do the job, we get results, and we come back alive."
Elias frowned, unsure how to respond. Caleb continued, glancing at him briefly.
"You're ranked fourth," Caleb said, his voice dropping slightly. "That's impressive. Not many recruits make it that high right out of the gate. Means you've got something the others don't. I like that."
"I just did my best," Elias said cautiously. "I'm not sure if I'm — "
"Don't sell yourself short," Caleb interrupted, his tone sharp. "Confidence is half the battle, kid. If you don't believe in your own abilities, no one else will."
Elias fell silent, the weight of Caleb's words sinking in. They reached a quieter part of the Academy, away from the bustling crowds. Caleb stopped and turned to face him.
"Here's the deal," Caleb said, crossing his arms. "My brigade has an opening. I don't recruit just anyone, but I see potential in you. You've got the skills, and I need people who can hold their own. So, what do you say? You in?"
Elias hesitated, the offer hanging in the air between them. He wasn't sure what to make of Caleb or his brigade, but something about the older student intrigued him.
Caleb's demeanor was intimidating, but there was a raw honesty to his words that Elias couldn't ignore.
"I... I'll think about it," Elias said finally, meeting Caleb's gaze.
Caleb studied him for a moment before nodding. "Fair enough. Just don't take too long. Opportunities like this don't wait forever."
With that, he turned and walked away, the strings on his fingers dancing as he moved.
Elias watched him go, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Joining a brigade was inevitable, but being sought out like this was something he hadn't expected.