It was morning again, and the students of the academy were already up and preparing for the day ahead. The rising sun pierced through the wide dormitory windows, casting streaks of gold onto the polished floor. The scent of fresh uniforms and barely-there cologne lingered in the air.
Darnell was the first to finish dressing in their shared dorm room. He moved swiftly, his actions meticulous and silent, avoiding even the smallest clatter that might draw attention.
Kairos, who had only just pulled on his shirt, tried to spark a conversation.
"Hey, Darnell, how'd you sleep?" he asked casually.
But Darnell only offered a short smile, replying with a simple, "Good," before turning away.
It was the third time that morning he'd deflected any attempt at dialogue. Kairos noticed it immediately—something was wrong. Darnell's smile, while polite, was hollow. He wasn't just being quiet; he was hiding something.
Kairos considered pressing him, but he quickly thought better of it. He had his own demons to wrestle with.
Still, concern pricked at the edge of his thoughts.
"Darnell, if you are in any trouble of some sort, please tell me, I'll help, ok," Kairos finally said, his voice low but sincere.
Darnell gave a short nod, though it carried no real assurance. His eyes didn't meet Kairos's.
A little while later, Carlos was finally ready, and the three of them left the dorm together, heading towards the cafeteria for breakfast. Their footsteps echoed down the hallway, filled with the chatter of other students who seemed far more relaxed than Kairos felt.
The cafeteria bustled with activity. Clanging trays, clinking cutlery, and murmurs filled the space as the boys grabbed their food and sat together, though the mood between them remained tense.
After breakfast, they made their way to their first class of the day—General Knowledge with Sergeant Henry. The room was already half full when they arrived. Sergeant Henry stood at the front, tall and firm as always, his presence immediately commanding attention.
He dove straight into the topic of the day: Factions and the Life Beyond the Academy.
His voice was stern, carrying the weight of a soldier who had seen too much.
"When you leave the military academy," he began, pacing slowly, "you are left with three choices. Three paths that will shape the rest of your life."
He paused for emphasis, scanning the room as if daring anyone to look away.
"First—you go solo. Become a Summoner without allegiance. Explore different worlds, hunt down beasts, sell their cores. Live by your own rules. But understand, freedom has a price."
Several students leaned forward, intrigued.
"Second—join the military. Stay within the structure. Guaranteed pay, steady promotions, a stable retirement. But little freedom. No glory."
A few heads turned. The safety of that path was appealing, but not thrilling.
"And lastly—if you're lucky enough to be scouted... join a Faction. It's the path to fame, to luxury, to everything poverty robbed you of. But be warned..." his voice hardened, "...choose wisely. If another war breaks out, your allegiance could be your undoing."
His words hung in the air like smoke—heavy, suffocating.
Many students nodded, understanding the implication, but it was clear some still daydreamed about the life of wealth and notoriety. To them, the factions were an escape, a ladder out of obscurity. Power was addictive, especially for those who'd never had any.
Kairos sat still, his gaze distant. Originally, he too had dreamed of joining a Faction. Rising through its ranks, gaining recognition, finally living a life better than the one he grew up with. But now, things felt different. His Summon… it wasn't normal. His path no longer felt clear.
Sergeant Henry's lecture subtly pushed students toward military service, emphasizing its preparation and security. "When war comes," he said, "it will be the military that survives—not the factions, not the rogues."
But for Kairos, the idea of becoming a solo Summoner began to sound more appealing. The freedom to go where he pleased, to fight on his own terms… perhaps that was the future he needed. Just maybe, when he graduated, that would be his path.
As the class wrapped up, a few more questions were asked, most of them basic. Sergeant Henry answered them dutifully, then finally dismissed them.
Kairos and his friends split up. He headed toward his next class—Environment Survival—alone.
Unlike the previous one, this class was always quiet. Sparse in numbers, and often ignored by most students. But not today.
As he stepped into the room, he noticed something different.
Kaela was already seated at the front, beside another girl. Kairos squinted, trying to recognize her from behind. The way her shoulders were squared, her back straight—it hinted at someone confident, maybe even dangerous.
As he moved closer, his steps cautious, the girl turned slightly. His heart skipped a beat.
It was Lina.
"Lina?" Kairos blinked, shocked. "How are you here? Aren't you in the Summons Battle class?"
Lina didn't even turn her full body to face him. She simply tilted her head, her icy gaze locking with his. Her eyes burned with something dark, like a dagger piercing through his confidence.
Then, without blinking, she replied, "I took a personal request from the instructor of the Summons Battle class to be here."
Her tone was flat. Calculated. Dismissive.
Kairos felt a flare of annoyance. It didn't seem fair at all.
He nodded stiffly and took a seat behind them, his thoughts swirling. So people from special families can even manipulate the military to help them switch up classes.
The influence of the Factions stretched deep—too deep.
Sergeant Fex entered not long after, as late as ever, scratching his head and looking mildly confused when his eyes landed on Lina.
"And who are you?" he asked, brows furrowing.
"I am Lina Veyna, daughter of the Crimson Vanguard family," she said sharply, emphasizing each word.
Kairos resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The pride in her voice was almost nauseating.
Fex, as forgetful as ever, gave a dismissive shrug. "Well in that case, welcome to our class. Today we'll be focusing on theory. Environment and Summon usage."
He shuffled to the front shelf, pulled out a textbook, and began.
Despite his chaotic demeanor, Sergeant Fex was a brilliant instructor. His stories were vivid—recollections of battles fought on frozen tundras, in scorching deserts, and across poisonous marshlands. He spoke about the use of summons not just for offense, but survival—how they could anchor you against windstorms or carry you through quicksand.
Kairos listened with keen interest, asking questions whenever he could. Sergeant Fex seemed to enjoy his curiosity, answering with unexpected depth. The more Kairos listened, the more he realized how little he knew about the world outside the academy walls.
When the class finally ended, the two students began filtering out slowly. Kaela left with Lina, the two chatting in hushed tones.
Kairos, however, lingered.
He waited until the room was nearly empty, then approached Sergeant Fex, who was placing his textbook back on the shelf.
"Uhm… Sir, can I ask you a question?" Kairos asked, trying to keep his tone respectful.
Fex turned, blinking once before smiling brightly. "Yeah, Kairos! What's up?"
The warmth in his voice took Kairos by surprise, but he recovered quickly.
"Do you know of any Legendary Summoners? I mean… do their summons behave differently? Strangely?"
Fex's smile faltered slightly. He squinted, then asked, "Is your summon acting strangely?"
Kairos remained silent, hoping the question was rhetorical.
After a moment, Fex nodded knowingly. "I've met a few in my time. Legendary summons… they're rare. Beasts of destruction when they mature properly. I don't have one myself, but here's what I'll tell you…"
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Every summon—Mythic, Evolved, Legendary—they all have quirks. Some... develop minds of their own. If yours is going through something no one talks about, it might be a phase of growth. And if that's the case…"
He smiled, clapping his hands together.
"Encourage it. Don't be afraid."
Kairos nodded slowly, his thoughts twisting.
'And if its phase of growth demands me to kill people… should I really take that path?'
Or… what else is there to do?