((Announcement))
: {This is an official announcement from the Academic Division. Welcome, all new students, to the Elite Institute.
Here is where the knowledge you've acquired in your prior education will be nurtured, refined, and etched deep into your minds—until your final day.—
—This institution will provide you with all the wisdom necessary to shape you into the ultimate geniuses of this nation, into valuable and capable members of society, and into adults who will one day live fulfilling, successful lives.}
Every new student was brimming with excitement to begin their journey here—especially after the nation's leader had publicly declared that this was the place where dreams were trained into reality.
It promised high-end facilities, cutting-edge tools, and the finest environment for growth.
The government had established this institution with one absolute decree: every child in the country must attend.
Refusal—whether by the child or their parents—was considered a serious crime, categorized as treason, and punishable by severe consequences.
Many things had happened here over the years, enough to push the government to expand the system and make sweeping reforms.
Several years ago, a major **** incident occurred, which led to a massive security overhaul.
Now, the system is more tightly controlled than ever.
---
((Announcement))
: {We would like to provide additional information regarding your identification numbers, regulations, and other important matters. Welcome once again, new students. Please carefully review the following rules:
First and foremost: • Students are not allowed to move freely without supervision. Your movements will always be monitored by authorized personnel.
• You are only allowed to leave your assigned quarters during designated times.
• You are strictly forbidden from keeping any personal belongings of any kind.
• You are not permitted to question or speak about anything that happens within this facility.
• You are prohibited from engaging in conversation with any personnel during their duties.
• You are not allowed to use any communication devices.
.
.
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• And lastly, under no circumstances are you allowed to touch the collars that will be placed on each of you. These devices are used to monitor your pulse, vitals, and other physical indicators of performance.
Lastly, the staff will now proceed to install the monitoring devices and assign your personal identification numbers.}
---
A frail-looking boy, around thirteen years old, stood amidst the vast, echoing hall. The sound of footsteps ricocheted off the cold metal floor as the line of new students slowly shuffled forward. Each child awaited their turn to receive a serial number after the initial assessment. No one spoke. No one smiled. Only tight, nervous glances flicked toward the armed officers stationed silently at every corner.
The boy glanced around uneasily—until he bumped hard into someone.
"Ah! S-sorry!"
He immediately bowed his head and extended a shaky hand to help the person up, his cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment.
"It's alright. I wasn't looking either. My fault," a girl replied with a soft smile as she brushed the dust off her skirt. When she raised her head and met his eyes, her gaze shifted momentarily to the collar around his neck — A5-047-BX.
"Oh! You're in the same group as me!"
Confused, the boy glanced at her collar — A5-039-GX.
"What a coincidence! Haha, nice to meet someone in the same unit." Her voice was unusually cheerful.
"Hey, what's your name? I'm Eliza."
He hesitated for a moment, clearly unaccustomed to conversation.
"I... uh... Rain."
"Rain! Nice to meet you!"
A brief announcement crackled from the overhead speakers before cutting off abruptly. Eliza glanced around and noticed that those who had received collars were being called out by the masked officers.
"They said we should follow them once we have our collars. Come on—let's go!"
Without warning, she grabbed his wrist and dragged him forward. Rain froze for a second, rigid and overwhelmed.
"Hey… don't you think this place feels… kinda creepy?" he whispered as they moved.
Eliza paused and looked around.
The hall was sterile, silent, and unnaturally vast. Dull grey walls surrounded them. A thin line of neon light stretched overhead, casting pale illumination over countless sealed doors. Other children were being led away one by one, swallowed into the silence behind heavy doors. Every officer was armed, clad in black, faces hidden behind impassive masks. Not one of them spoke a word.
"Mhm…" Eliza nodded slowly. "I don't think this is a normal school, Rain…"
---
After walking in silence for some time, the group came to a halt in front of a door that stood ajar. Above it, an electronic sign glowed with the letters: 'A5'.
Inside, several children had already gathered. Every one of them wore the same plain white uniform. The room was lined with shelves full of books, and a large table sat in the center. Most of the early arrivals were quietly reading, though the silence felt more like obedience than peace.
"Let's go in," Eliza whispered, tugging Rain's hand gently.
They stepped inside. The room was guarded, but the officers here appeared less imposing—no visible weapons, their posture more relaxed, hands clasped behind their backs. Unlike those outside, these staff members wore simpler uniforms, their faces calm and unreadable.
A few children approached them with a strange familiarity, even playful ease—as if they'd forgotten the cold eyes and loaded rifles just moments before. Rain didn't understand it. Something was wrong beneath the surface.
As the last of the children entered the room, the door sealed shut with a metallic hiss.
Then—it began.
The entire chamber shook violently, as though struck by a massive earthquake. The floor tilted, trembled, and then—fell. Straight down. Screams broke out as the children lost their footing. Books flew from shelves, chairs toppled. Rain instinctively pulled Eliza into his arms to keep her from hitting the ground.
It lasted less than three minutes.
When the shaking stopped, the lights above flickered for a heartbeat before stabilizing. The great steel door ahead slowly groaned open, revealing a massive hall beyond.
It was an examination chamber—cold, clinical, enormous. Fifty desks sat arranged in perfect rows beneath sterile lights, each one identical, each one waiting.
Suddenly, a mechanical voice boomed overhead.
---
((Announcement))
:
{This is the first evaluation. A test of knowledge and worth. As some of you may already suspect—this will mark the beginning of elimination. All trash without potential shall be discarded… starting now.}
---
And just like that, the first elimination trial began—swift, merciless, before anyone even had time to realize it.