The moment Sia stepped out, the tension loosened.
A few students whispered to each other. Others exhaled like they'd been holding their breath since she appeared.
Alex didn't speak. He was still thinking about her words — about correcting the past and honouring immortal warriors like Ciara and Jack.
It didn't make full sense. Not yet.
Another figure stepped in through the tall doorway.
Not as commanding as Sia, but with a voice that carried weight. He looked young, maybe in his late twenties, with a sharp suit, cropped hair, and no visible weapon — but his eyes scanned like a machine.
Efficient. Cold.
"Now that you've met the Director," he began, "here's what matters."
The students shifted, attention snapping back into focus.
"There are no cameras in this academy. None. Every hallway, every room, every corner — unwatched. What happens here stays with you. No excuses."
Several students appeared surprised, while a few others smiled—perhaps a bit too broadly.
"You'll be living here for four years. After that, you may earn your place in the world's larger ranks — soldiers, leaders, agents. Or you may fail."
He tapped the side of his neck, where a faint light blinked under his collar.
"Your badges — silver, red, black — are more than symbols. They track your location, your heart rhythm, identity, and race signature. If a badge is tampered with or removed, it will detonate a mild paralysis charge and alert command."
A few murmurs rose. One student raised a hand, but the man ignored it.
"You'll form groups of six. You have until tomorrow. Choose wisely — these will be your team, your responsibility. If you're not in a group by the deadline, we'll assign one for you."
Alex caught his sister's eye.
Her smirk was gone now. She looked focused — calculating.
Around them, the atmosphere changed — not into panic, but strategy. People were already looking around, measuring potential allies, and spotting threats.
"One final thing," the man said. "All fights will be punished. Public duels can be requested through proper channels — private brawls are a different matter."
He didn't say what the punishment was.
He didn't have to. The way he looked at them — like he already expected some of them to screw up — said enough.
"That's all. Welcome to Vanguard."
He walked out.
The silence he left behind didn't last.
Voices exploded — laughter, curses, nervous jokes. People already moving, gathering, pairing off.
________________________________________
Alex leaned back, badge cold against his chest.
As the room settled into small clusters, the group of six finally found their place amid the chaos. Alex glanced around at each of his teammates, noting the differences — but there was something about them that clicked, even if they hadn't figured it all out yet.
Liana Voss, the strategist, stood off to the side, quietly watching the room with sharp, calculating eyes. Her dark hair was neatly tied back, and though she wasn't saying much, her presence was commanding.
Mira had a way of organizing her thoughts before speaking, and when she did, it was always precise. Alex had always found her to be the one most likely to know the right thing to do in any situation — even if it made her seem distant sometimes. He didn't mind; they needed someone like her.
Kyle Kade leaned against the wall, arms crossed, surveying the room with a quiet intensity. His posture was relaxed, but there was something in his eyes that suggested he was always alert, always ready.
His short-cropped hair and rugged appearance made him seem like the type to always be in the middle of something — whether it was trouble or a fight, he didn't seem to mind. But there was a gentleness to him that Alex recognized, something that made him feel like Kyle had his back when it mattered most.
Mia Velar, the second girl in the group, was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. She had a wide grin on her face as she chatted with Lily, her enthusiasm contagious. She was the kind of person who didn't need to be the loudest to stand out, but once she spoke, you couldn't help but listen.
She was full of energy, constantly moving, and Alex could already tell she would bring a certain lightness to the group. She wasn't like everyone else, and that was exactly why she fit in.
Lily, of course, was beside him, her usual confidence like a second skin. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind, and she had a way of making everything look effortless — even when it wasn't.
Alex was still getting used to having her around in this new chapter of life, but he couldn't imagine the team without her. Her quick thinking, sharp tongue, and innate ability to stir things up were exactly what they needed.
Then there was Zack Thorn. He had said almost nothing since joining, standing off to the side like an enigma. He didn't fit in, and maybe that was the point. His presence was unsettling, but not in an aggressive way. It was more like the calm before a storm.
He hadn't said much to anyone, but Alex had learned not to expect much from Zack. Something was intriguing about him, but no one could put their finger on it. Still, despite the quiet tension he carried with him, Alex knew the group was better for having him. No one could afford to overlook Zack.
And finally, Alex — the one who had brought them together.
———————————————————
After a long day of orientation and getting acquainted with the school's policies, the group finally made their way to the dormitories. Unlike the classrooms and common areas, the dormitory was quieter, a sanctuary from the relentless bustle of the academy.
The moment they stepped through the entrance, the atmosphere shifted. It was still high-tech, but there was a certain warmth to the space. The walls were lined with sleek, minimalist designs — dark wood panels complemented by soft blue lighting embedded into the ceiling. The floor had an almost glowing sheen, polished to perfection.
Each room was shared, six students per room, and the beds were arranged in neat rows, separated by privacy curtains that could be drawn if needed.
In the centre of the room stood a long, low table covered in personal belongings and a few scattered bags. Small screens on the walls displayed the current time and a running list of academy announcements
"I don't trust her," Liana said suddenly.
"Sia?" Alex asked.
She nodded. "Or the whole thing. The way she said we're here to 'correct a change' — what does that mean?"
Alex said nothing.
He hadn't told them about the strange weight he'd felt the moment Sia looked at him.
"Guys, I'm sure it's their way of keeping things serious We should be more worried about the security in here," Lily interrupted them, her eyes glued to the walls.
"This place feels... too controlled," she muttered.
Above the beds and in every corner, small black sensors blinked every few seconds, silently recording movement. The walls had a layer of reinforced glass, embedded with technology that monitored not only the heartbeats of those inside but also their emotional states and body temperature. It was almost like being under constant surveillance.
Liana suddenly broke the weird conversation, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Alright, everyone. Let's talk about what we'll do tomorrow. We're already the only group here, so we've got no excuses not to make the most of it. Training, testing, and maybe a little bit of... mischief?"
Lily smirked. "I like the sound of that."
Mia bounced up from her bed. "Mischief, huh? You're on. We'll make it a competition. First to get caught loses."
The laughter that followed echoed through the room, the weight of the day forgotten for now.
Even Zack cracked a small smile, though he didn't say a word.
The group knew that their time here wouldn't always be easy — the trials would come, and things would get serious soon enough.