Chapter 3 : Unified Star Ranker Academy
Ash just let out a sigh, not even bothered watching as the man ready to leap to attack him out of rage
But he is not afraid.
Not even for a second.
But a voice come stopping everything before it could even unfolds
" Stop it, right now "
The voice commanding with unwavering authority,
A man step into the scene walking out of the large gates of the academy, dress in a black long trenchcoat a short brown hair, his brown elegant eyes that speaks of unheard wisdom hidden beneath his sunglass.
" If you are here to cause trouble then you can as well take your leave before stepping into the Academy " The man said his voice calm but fierce, his gaze lingering on everyone present before he let out a soft sigh.
He turn around walking towards the black gate before placing his palm on the palm scan on the side,
SWWWIIISHHH–!!!
The gate gently open up revealing the inner space, the grey hums of smokes gently scattered away like disperse fogs – gasps erupted mouth to mouth drooling for the beauty that lays ahead
Without waiting for the next seconds every one came rushing in already, But unlike them all Ash just grin gently walking towards the gate his back pack swaying gently behind him
The mysterious man eyes fell on Ash who was already making his way into the gate in stride of confidence and determination
His gaze focus and unwavering staring up ahead waiting for whatever that's to come.
' This kid, why does something feels off about him '
Gaining information from the Bartender few details about the academy he already knows few things about it, Since he is from a commoner background and really poor at that there is no way he could afford the school fees.
So he decided to go for the registration most commoner like him would go for – Work - Study students.
Registering as a work - study students
" Head to the Dorm 12 you will see the other Work - Study students there, and that's also your room now "
" The daily duties will be distributed starting from tomorrow "
The Registrar instructed,
Ash left the room his hand clutching the uniforms in his grips, it wasn't hard to locate the Dorm with the map given to him by the Registrar.
He stood calmly before the door, taking in a deep breath he push forward twisting the door knob slightly pushing forward
Eyes were all focus at him like unseen daggers, The room was filled with 8 boys all siting at different part of the room their face expressionless as they state at him
" Is this Dorm 12 " Ash asked, even though he knew he was in the right place he just need to broke the tension in the room it hungs too heavy in the air.
" Just come in already " A sluggish voice answer from the side, he didn't even notice there was someone there all this while, making the number of boys 9 plus him making it 10
Ash step in, he didn't need to be told the scent speaks louder, everyone here is a commoner like him
But something was different their expression it looks solemn, lost in themselves in doubts and fear of what's coming next
" I don't want to be rejected " A boy cried out from the side his hand wrapped around his head tears welled up in his eyes threatening to fall at any second
" Tsk…". Another hiss, grunting in discomfort " Dude that's the 19th time you would say that "
' What's really wrong in here '
Ash moved towards him after dropping his uniforms on the empty bed, crouching next to him placing his arms around him " Hey what's wrong "
The boy standing by the door just click his tongue walking towards the bed before him, falling flat to the bed his gaze staring up at the ceiling " You don't know "
" Know what " Ash ask, sensing the tension in the room growing even higher than before now he was sure something was definitely not right.
" Everyone is getting their core awakening tomorrow and …..the Star Level are going to be checked "Another explain his voice holding deep worries that he alone could feel the pain emitting from it
' Awaken? Star Level check? That's just a normal process '
The eldest one among the boys just scoffed seeing the expression on Ash – confusion
" Once you are check and your synchronization rate fall far below then you are …. out "
" But commoners like us have 10% of having a star power "
' So that's it '
He remembered the Bartender saying something about star power and his failure,
So this is it
The phase level that determine everything.
The reason everyone of them sit quiet and gently is now understood, since this is a one in life time opportunity, an opportunity that could bring them to the top
But everything ready to be crushed a day before them is something that's really sad , that's why most commoner never think of becoming a Star Ranker
****
" Hey it's time for the awakening " The eldest boy said making some jolt up from their slumber, while some were already awake waiting for their doom which was slowly approaching
The fear was evident in their eyes their entire soul crumbling right now – anything could happen any moment from now
Their future, Their dream, Their goal.
Everything is going to be decided this morning.
" Gather your wits guys, Let get going " The eldest boy, Amad, said waking everyone of them, the already awake one get up puting up their stuffs as they prepare to step out of the room
Ash grown yawning loudly from his bed which only make the boy near him scoff " You really don't care? "
Ash just grin at his question standing up from the bed, stretching his body his eyes felling on his reflection on the window glass
" Ofcourse I do, Let just say am a bit confidence in myself "
The boy could only chuckle, Strange indeed. While most of them were deeply praying within their minds not to be cast out and there was someone who doesn't even care at all.
Only the noble always have this kind of reaction because of their backgrounds. But who is this fearless kid
Ash put on a simple shirt with a grey trouser, taking a last glance to the mirror he shoved his hair sideways, walking gently out of the room.
****
In minutes, the hall was filled with hundred of people all scattered across the room, some stood in fear of being crushed under this right moment while some only glare with stern gaze that bore into the weakest soul
Ash step into the building along with some other rookies, but they were hardly notice since the room was filled with many individuals all lost in themselves.
Clap!!! Clap!!! Clap!!!
The hoarse pitch sound of the clap made everyone pause their movements turning their attention towards the alter that stood meters away from them
The door behind the alter gently open up then, Five figures walk out.
Three males and two females
The first one who seem to be the one leading here step forward his stern and sharp gaze lingering through the groups as if checking through their weak souls
" Welcome to the Unified Star Academy "
He finally speak after a long stare that begin to rouse nervous and fear in some.
" A place where dreams begins and where dreams shattered " He inhale before he continues " Let me explain the evaluation process to everyone "
"The first stage is the synchronization rate/ race, The physical test, after the first stage which is the Physical Test then we moved to the Synchronization stage where the main is about to begin "
" If your synchronization rate fall below 10% then you will be dismissed immediately but if you manage to survive then you are welcome to Unified Star Academy, the preliminary, where your path to become a Star Ranker is forged "
Moods of some lighten while some only grow more in their fear their eyes and body saying it all, the fear that enshrouded them in it's undeniable shadow.
After the following explanation then the room was divided the four other figure who seem to be the teacher gather the students in different rolls, before taking them into different evaluation room.
Where thier, Core will be awakening, their rank from the normal human climbing to the novice stage of the Star Rank.
Where there Different class will be assess. A place which determine the future of the upcoming leaders .
He smile gently even though the fear manage to claw through his heart he still force the chuckle " Interesting "