Chapter 8: Settling Into the Academy
After the ceremony, the students were guided through Aether Academy's massive campus, heading toward the dormitory buildings. Each dorm was a towering, high-tech facility equipped with everything needed for training, studying, and survival.
A large holographic display lit up in front of the students, listing their room assignments.
Dorm Assignments – Section C🔹 Room 302 – Rei Kurogane, Souta Arclight, Akari Kisaragi🔹 Room 305 – Daigo Shiranui, Kenji Arata, Elias Krow🔹 Room 307 – Mika Fujiwara, Lina Veras, Emiko Saito
Rei glanced at the names. So, we're grouped together. That's good.
Souta smirked. "Looks like we're roommates. Hope you don't snore, Rei."
Akari sighed. "Just don't leave your mess everywhere, Arclight."
The three made their way inside.
Inside Dorm Room 302
The dorm room was surprisingly spacious—a modern setup with three beds, a sleek table, bookshelves, and a built-in training console on the far wall. A large holographic window displayed live updates about the academy's schedule.
Souta threw himself onto the couch. "Not bad. I was expecting something stricter."
Akari sat near the window, arms crossed. "We should talk strategy."
Rei nodded. "Agreed. The entrance exam is in less than three days. We need to be ready."
Souta stretched. "Right, the 'deadly exam' that's supposed to crush the weak. Any ideas what it'll be?"
Rei leaned against the wall, thinking. "Aether Academy is designed to test survival and adaptability, not just brute force. I don't think it'll be a normal written test or a simple duel. They'll push us to the limit."
Akari tapped the holographic interface on the wall. "There's no information about the test. They're keeping it hidden."
Souta grinned. "That just makes it more exciting."
Rei sighed. "For you, maybe. For me, I prefer knowing what I'm walking into."
Other Students in the Dorm
Meanwhile, in Room 305, a tense atmosphere filled the air.
Daigo Shiranui, the cold, battle-hardened fighter, sat on his bed sharpening a small training knife. Elias Krow, the towering, silent warrior, leaned against the wall. Kenji Arata, the arrogant martial artist, paced around the room.
Kenji scoffed. "So, we're all stuck here together. Guess the academy wants to see which of us survives."
Daigo remained silent, while Elias barely acknowledged him.
Kenji smirked. "Fine. Just don't get in my way when the exam starts."
Back in Room 307, the atmosphere was lighter.
Mika Fujiwara laughed. "I can't believe they threw me in with two fighters! I was hoping for more strategists!"
Lina Veras rolled her eyes. "You'll survive. Barely."
Emiko Saito stretched. "Forget about that. What do you think the first test will be?"
Mika shrugged. "Whatever it is, I hope it's not just fighting. If it's a battle royale, I'm done for."
Back to Rei's Team – Planning for the Exam
Rei pulled out a small notebook, flipping through his notes.
Rei: "We should assume the worst. The academy is designed to eliminate the weak, so whatever the test is, it's going to be brutal."
Akari: "It could be anything. A survival challenge, a combat tournament, a team battle..."
Souta: "Or maybe something crazy, like throwing us into a wild jungle to fend for ourselves."
Rei glanced at him. "Honestly? That doesn't sound far off."
Souta laughed. "Man, I was joking. But if that happens, I'm ready."
Akari leaned forward, serious. "What's our plan?"
Rei thought for a moment. "If it's a survival challenge, we play to our strengths. Souta, you take the lead in movement-heavy areas. Akari, you cover defense. I'll analyze and direct our actions."
Souta grinned. "So you're our strategist, huh? I like it."
Akari nodded. "Fine. But if I see a better way to handle something, I'm taking charge."
Rei smirked. "Fair deal."
The three sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the coming days settling in.
Whatever the test was, they had to be ready.