It was time to show the Academy what we've got.
I hadn't slept a wink the night before. I got home past 4 a.m., and just as I laid on my bed, Felix burst in, visibly worried. I had to apologize.
Well… Fabian had passed out.
"I was worried sick too," Fabian said, defending himself. "I stayed up, searching… waiting. And then—" his voice lowered, "I must've dozed off without realizing."
I chuckled as I packed my things. Freya had helped us prep most of our supplies, we only needed to do a quick check and add a few things. We didn't need much. According to Felix, the Academy had good food, nice supplies, and fresh clothes. No wonder people wanted to go, it felt like a private school... only this one was designed to break you with hard training.
"Time to go, guys!" Felix called from outside.
I hadn't seen Echo since I left it last night. I wondered if it had followed me or just vanished.
I slung my backpack over one shoulder, it had the basics: shorts, shower gear, towel, and a couple of singlets. In my other hand, I held a small bag containing a notebook, energy bars, and a flashlight.
"Bye!" Freya waved, a little sadly.
I gave her a soft smile. I was going to miss her. Last night lingered on my mind, and maybe it was for the best that I left for a while. Whatever feelings that had begun to form, it was better they didn't grow. It'd be ridiculous if it did.
We jumped down from the transport vehicle and were immediately surrounded by teenagers, about seventy of them, all here for the Academy. Most were already awakened. A few, like Fabian, weren't, but still looked strong. I had been told that Fabian had shown signs after the catastrophe, even if it wasn't official yet.
He'd been training privately with one of Felix's friends, an army senior, and it had clearly paid off. I guess I'm the only one who's just been playing around. His physical strength was impressive. But his speed, reflexes, and tactical awareness… still needed work.
"The examination has two phases," Felix explained as we walked past the towering VANGUARD building and headed toward a large gate enclosed by a fortified fence, about four miles away. "Written and physical. The written part is easy. But the physical test? No idea. It changes every year."
"I'm excited," Fabian grinned. "What about you?"
"Same here," I smiled back.
We walked into the compound. Some students were chatting and making friends; others sat alone, quietly sizing up the competition. A few were already trying out their powers.
"Felix!" a voice called from outside the gate. "We need you."
"Oh—be right there!" Felix replied, then turned to us. "Go ahead, have fun." He smiled, the wind brushing his dark hair aside, revealing his warm brown eyes. Felix was a beauty, any girl would fall for him.
We nodded. "Sure."
"And protect Rex," he added as he jogged away.
He kept saying that. I wondered why. Was it going to be that rigorous?
"I will," Fabian said confidently, looking at me.
"I'll protect you too," I grinned, and he laughed.
"Attention, everyone!"
A bald man with small round glasses stood before the crowd. "I'm Dust. I'll be your instructor for this semester… if you pass," he said, adjusting his glasses. His eyes briefly locked with mine—then he quickly looked away.
"Before you arrived, your ranks and strength levels were already analyzed. Registration will proceed based on those ranks."
"Felix never mentioned this part," Fabian muttered.
"Yeah…" I narrowed my eyes. "New rule? Or did he skip it?"
Names were called in small groups of five to ten, each led to a side gate by officials.
"Fabian…" Dust called, along with six other boys. They disappeared through a checkpoint.
Minutes passed. One by one, the others were called. Soon, I was the only one left.
"Rex."
My name echoed. He pointed to an official standing off to the right, who motioned for me to follow.
He led me to a small, bare room with a large screen on the wall. It felt… sterile.
"Sit," the official ordered. He wore a camouflage cap, a face mask, and his presence was heavy, intimidating. Still, he wasn't nearly as frightening as Mr. Ray.
I sat, glancing around. I wondered—would Echo show up if I were in danger? Would it help me at the Academy?
A few minutes later, a man in a lab coat entered.
"Hi, Rex," he said with a friendly smile, placing a tray of tools on the table in front of me. "We take samples from all students. It helps us with proper classification."
He pulled out a needle. I hated needles, but I kept calm. Maybe this was part of the test. I let him take a blood sample.
"Ouch," I muttered as it pricked.
He cleaned the spot, carefully sealed the sample, and labeled it.
"Come," the soldier commanded again.
I followed them down a dim hallway. It opened into a vast arena—like a massive training field. The floor was made of reinforced stone.
One by one, students began filing in through different entrances, their footsteps echoing across the massive stone floor. My eyes scanned the crowd until I spotted Felix. He stood rigid, the smile on his face was gone.
I pushed through the crowd and approached him.
"What's wrong?" I asked, lowering my voice.
Felix didn't look at me at first. His eyes were fixed on the massive archway pulsing in the center of the arena.
"I'm starting to feel nervous," he murmured.
Before I could reply, the loudspeakers crackled to life, silencing the murmurs around us.
A cold, commanding voice announced:
"Your first and only test…
THE ASCENSION GATE…
begins now."