Chapter 9: The Academy's Resources and Facilities
The next morning, a holographic chime echoed through the dorms, signaling an important announcement. All students received a message on their personal Academy Wrist Devices (AWDs)—a sleek, futuristic band that functioned as their ID, schedule tracker, and access key to the school's many facilities.
A voice played over the academy-wide intercom, calm yet authoritative.
"Attention, all students. Welcome to Aether Academy. Before your entrance exam, you will be granted access to our facilities to prepare yourselves. The following announcement details the academy's resources, meal schedules, and training areas."
A holographic map appeared on every student's AWD, outlining the key areas of the academy.
Aether Academy Facilities
🔹 Dining Halls – Open 24/7, serving a wide range of meals tailored to different students' needs, including high-protein diets for fighters, energy-boosting meals for endurance athletes, and brain-enhancing meals for strategists.
🔹 Combat Training Centers – Advanced training rooms equipped with sparring arenas, AI-controlled dummies, strength-enhancement zones, and simulation chambers designed to replicate real battles.
🔹 Endurance & Obstacle Courses – A massive outdoor course featuring wall climbs, balance beams, timed sprint tracks, and agility drills.
🔹 Strategy & Intelligence Labs – A section dedicated to students focused on tactical combat, problem-solving, and memory training. Equipped with VR battle scenarios and strategy simulations.
🔹 Medical & Recovery Center – A high-tech healing ward staffed with expert medical professionals and automated recovery pods to help students recover from injuries.
🔹 Library & Research Wing – A vast library with thousands of books, battle records, past academy exams, and encrypted strategy files.
🔹 Dorm Amenities – Each dorm includes a private training console, a study lounge, and an AI assistant to assist students with schedules and training plans.
Student Reactions – The Dorm Discussions
Inside Dorm Room 302, Rei, Souta, and Akari reviewed the details on their AWDs.
Souta whistled. "Damn, this place is insane. It's basically a military base disguised as a school."
Akari nodded. "It makes sense. This academy is designed to create the best. If you survive here, you're already elite."
Rei tapped on the simulation lab section. "This is where I'll be spending my time. If I can study past academy fights, I can learn how to counter different combat styles."
Souta stretched. "I'm heading to the combat training center. Nothing beats actual fighting experience."
Akari leaned against the wall. "Endurance and agility training for me. My evasion depends on reaction time, and I plan to stay untouchable."
Rei glanced at them. "We should be careful. The moment we step into these facilities, we're targets."
Souta raised an eyebrow. "You think someone's going to attack us?"
Rei sighed. "Not outright, but everyone here sees each other as a competitor. Every move we make is being analyzed. We can't show too much of our skills before the entrance exam."
Akari smirked. "Smart. But I doubt anyone's holding back."
Elsewhere – Rival Discussions
Inside Dorm Room 305, Kenji Arata, Elias Krow, and Daigo Shiranui reviewed the announcement.
Kenji scoffed. "Combat Training Center. That's all I need."
Elias remained silent, scrolling through the endurance courses on his AWD.
Daigo finally spoke. "The entrance exam won't be just combat. They'll test multiple aspects. You should prepare accordingly."
Kenji smirked. "Tch. You sound like that weakling, Rei Kurogane."
Daigo's eyes flickered toward him. "Underestimate him, and you'll regret it."
Kenji rolled his eyes. "Whatever. The moment we step into that exam, I'll crush him."
Final Announcement from the Academy
The intercom voice returned.
"You have three days to familiarize yourself with the academy. Use this time wisely. The entrance exam will begin at 0600 hours on Day Four."
Rei, Souta, and Akari exchanged glances.
Three days. That's all the time they had to prepare.