The polished marble floors of Silverhart Academy's South Tower shimmered beneath Aeria's boots. Hallways buzzed with students of every element, power, and family name, while floating drones hummed like lazy bees, keeping track of energy levels and emotional spikes.
Room V-3 the designated classroom for Class Verde, her new homeroom stood before her like the gateway to a new chapter. The double doors hissed open at her approach.
Fifteen students turned their heads as Aeria stepped inside. Some looked curious. Others barely reacted. Her eyes scanned them quickly: diverse ages, appearances, and postures some stiff with military discipline, others slouched like it was just another boring class.
At the front stood a tall woman with pale lavender skin, glowing gold eyes, and a white uniform etched with green embroidery. Her aura flickered with calm authority.
"You must be Aeria Calden," the instructor said. Her voice echoed slightly with vocal modulation.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Take your seat. I am Instructor Veyra. I will be overseeing your foundational development for the next year." She turned to the rest of the class. "Class Verde, that makes fifteen. This is your permanent team. Get used to each other. You're going to live and die side by side."
The tension spiked at her words. Aeria found an empty seat near the back, beside a tall, quiet boy with white braids and a faint, glowing circuit pattern on his jaw.
Veyra began the orientation:
Introductions. Each student stood up, said their name, power, and background.
Aeria learned:
Mirae - Fire manipulator, former street duelist.
Tren - Tech-born with magnetic blood.
Quenji - Sound distortion abilities, overly formal.
Zin and Zera - Twins with dual link abilities.
Harrow - Gravity aligned, heavy silence around him.
Fayen - Plant empath like Aeria, but more withdrawn.
And others with kinetic boosts, time flicker quirks, astral perception.
Over the next days , their daily life would unfold:
2: Their first combat simulations in the Dome of Echoes a massive VR+AR-enhanced field mimicking hostile zones. Aeria shows natural support instincts, healing injuries, and growing vines to shield others. Mirae criticizes her for not attacking more.
3: Tactical training. They're divided into squads for simulated civilian rescues. Aeria bonds with Zin and Fayen, while Harrow begins to quietly observe her healing output patterns.
4: Philosophy and Ethics of Power. The class debates topics like: "Is a destructive power immoral if used for peace?" and "Do heroes owe loyalty to the government or the people?" Aeria finds herself at odds with Quenji, who defends control over compassion.
The chapter ends with Instructor Veyra projecting a hologram on the board:
Day 5 Notice: Field Integration Trial
Location: Sector B-17 Quarantine Zone
Assignment: Triage, Support, and Tactical Response in Active Battlefield Conditions
Gasps filled the room.
Aeria's heart skipped.
It was no longer just practice.