BEEEEEP. BEEEEEP.
Kai Draven's eyes snapped open, his heart thudding against his ribs like a war drum. The alarm screamed in his ear, merciless and shrill. A second passed—then he shot upright.
07:46 AM.
He stared in disbelief at the glowing digits. Orientation began at 08:00—and it was across the campus.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
He threw off the covers, barely managing to keep his balance as he stumbled toward his closet. Uniform, still wrapped in protective plastic, waited like an unopened challenge. It was sleek: all black with subtle silver lining across the shoulders and sleeves. The fabric shimmered faintly, embedded with low-level adaptive tech that adjusted to body temperature and movement.
He yanked the uniform on, shoved his boots into place, and grabbed a slice of bread off a tray left on the nightstand—half toasted and already going cold. His dorm room was neat and sterile, almost impersonal. Just like the rest of the facility.
Kai paused at the mirror, catching a glimpse of himself. His black hair was slightly tousled, and his eyes—those sharp, steel-gray eyes—were clear despite the panic. For a moment, he just stared.
"It begins."
*Outside His Dorm – Lower Tier of Aetherion*
The automatic doors hissed open as Kai stepped into the open. The campus was alive with motion.
Students streamed past on translucent walkways that ran between tiers like arteries, suspended over clear air. Mag-rails carried floating transports through the levels of the dome, while drones hovered above, scanning badges and distributing orientation guides via glowing displays.
The dome overhead loomed like a second sky—clear and vast, yet latticed with energy lines that pulsed blue like veins. Sunlight filtered through in soft waves, regulated by the dome's internal climate system.
Even for Kai, the sight was overwhelming.
"So this is Aetherion Academy…"
He walked fast, weaving through the crowd. Some students gawked openly at the architecture. Others looked down at their holo-schedules, already panicking. But Kai moved with practiced ease, not sparing anyone a second glance.
A small boy nearly collided with him while chasing a drone.
"Watch it!"
"Sorry! First day panic!"
Kai didn't reply. He kept walking, though something about the way he moved—calm, detached—made people instinctively give him space.
-Approaching the Orientation Hall-
The main hall was located at the core of the dome, where five tiers of the academy converged. Its doors were flanked by towering spires of glass and steel, shimmering like blades. Holographic banners displayed the school motto:
"Power is potential. Control is purpose."
A voice echoed faintly over the loudspeakers:
"All new students, please report to Assembly Hall 01-A. Orientation begins in twelve minutes."
Kai broke into a jog. He wasn't worried about making it—just annoyed at cutting it so close.
But as he passed one of the crystal pillars, a subtle vibration ran through the ground beneath him. He paused mid-step.
The world around him carried on—but for a brief second, Kai felt it. A pulse. Like something beneath the surface had stirred.
His fingers twitched, and the air around him shimmered—almost too faint to notice.
He exhaled, forcing his hand to steady.
"Not now."