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The distant hum of the city seeped through the window, a muted blend of automated traffic and the occasional murmur of voices. Riley Grant lay awake, staring at the ceiling of his cramped apartment. The flickering neon glow from an old advertisement outside cast shifting streaks of light across the walls. His room was simple, clean, but compact. Posters of legendary fighters covered one side, a small shelf overflowed with books and training manuals, and a worn pair of gloves rested at the foot of his bed.
His alarm chimed softly, cutting through his restless thoughts. With a deep breath, he sat up, rubbing his eyes. Today was the day.
Slipping out of bed, Riley stretched, feeling the familiar ache in his muscles. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling food drifted from the kitchen, pulling him into the small living space.
His mother, Elise Grant, stood at the stove, moving slowly, exhaustion evident in the dark circles beneath her eyes. She had worked late again. He hated seeing the toll it took on her.
"You're up early," she said, offering a tired smile over her shoulder.
"Didn't sleep much," Riley admitted, leaning against the counter.
She placed a plate of eggs and avocado toast in front of him before pouring herself coffee. "Big day?"
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah… I got selected for something at school. I leave today."
Elise's grip tightened on her mug. She studied him carefully. "And you're sure about this?"
Riley met her gaze. "I think so."
She sighed but didn't argue. Instead, she reached out, squeezing his shoulder. "Then do what you have to. Just… don't forget where you come from."
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The halls of DCA felt different that morning. Students filled the corridors, chattering about exams, rumors, and the latest Project Echelon selections. Riley walked through it all, lost in his own thoughts.
His time in class was short-lived. An announcement over the intercom summoned him to the administrative office. His classmates exchanged curious glances, but Riley packed his things without a word and left.
Inside the office, the air was sterile, the atmosphere clinical. A Senior Leadership Staff member stood by the desk, the same one who had approached him before.
"As you already know, Mr. Grant, you have been selected to participate in Project Echelon. We appreciate your approval of our invitation," the man stated in a smooth, tone. "You shall be leaving today at 14:00. Your parents will be told of your early departure."
Riley frowned slightly. "Who 'we'?"
The administrator gave a thin, almost amused smile. "A choice of words," he replied dismissively. "You'll learn more in due time."
Riley didn't press further, but unease lingered in his gut.
Returning home, he found his mother waiting, a mix of concern and quiet understanding in her expression. He explained the situation, giving her more details. Elise listened carefully, her fingers tightening subtly around the fabric of her sweater.
"You're going to the Upper Echelon?" she asked, disbelief in her voice.
"That's what they said."
She shook her head. "I always knew you'd get caught up in something big."
Riley smirked. "Guess I don't do small."
A faint chuckle escaped her, but worry lingered in her eyes. They shared a quiet meal before he had to leave. As Riley slung his bag over his shoulder, Elise pulled him into a rare embrace. It was brief, but filled with unspoken emotion.
The designated pickup point was a secluded parking lot near the district's edge. A sleek, black luxury coach waited, its tinted windows reflecting the glow of the city. A few other students stood nearby, exchanging glances and hushed words.
Riley boarded in silence, taking a seat near the back. The interior was pristine—leather seats, dim blue lighting, an almost eerie quiet despite the passengers. He scanned the faces around him but found no one familiar.
The drive through Vespera stretched into an hour, the city's skyline shifting as they ascended into the Upper Echelon. Towering buildings loomed above, the stark contrast between the lower sectors and this elite domain becoming painfully clear.
When the coach finally halted, the doors hissed open. They stepped out onto a massive terminal, sleek and metallic, bathed in white artificial light. Before Riley could take in his surroundings, a commotion drew his attention.
Two recruits were arguing. One, a tall, broad shouldered boy with an air of arrogance had a smaller recruit by the collar, his voice laced with contempt.
"You don't belong here. You think you can just walk into Project Echelon like the rest of us?"
The smaller recruit clenched his fists but remained silent.
Riley sighed. He really wasn't in the mood for this. Stepping forward, he kept his voice even. "Let him go."
The aggressor barely glanced at him. "Who the hell are you?"
Riley tilted his head. "Just someone who doesn't have time for this nonsense."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. The tension thickened. The arrogant boy scoffed, shoving the smaller recruit aside as he turned fully to face Riley. "You think you're tough?"
"I don't think." Riley's expression was calm, his stance steady. " Picking a fight before we even start is a dumb move."
For a moment, the larger boy seemed ready to swing, but something in Riley's unwavering gaze made him hesitate. He clicked his tongue in annoyance, backing off. "Tch. Whatever."
The situation diffused, though the air remained charged. Riley exhaled slowly, stepping back as the recruits gathered into a loose formation.
A Tenzashi administrator, a woman in a sharp navy uniform, approached. Her expression was unreadable, but her sharp eyes flicked briefly to Riley before she addressed the group.
"Welcome, everyone," she announced, her tone commanding attention. "Your acceptance into Project Echelon marks the beginning of a new chapter. You were chosen because you stand above the rest. But understand—this journey will be anything but easy."
She scanned the faces before her, lingering on Riley for just a moment. "From this point forward, your past lives no longer matter. What matters is how you prove yourselves here."
A pause. Then she gave a nod.
"Welcome to Project Echelon."
Riley inhaled deeply, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. There was no turning back now.
His journey had officially begun.