A week passed by in a blink of an eye.
The world had changed. By a lot. Across every nation, the sound of heavy machinery filled every street. Many buildings that once stood, were torn down and replaced with steel frameworks rising from the ground. Military schools, and hundreds of them, were being built at a fast pace no one thought possible.
On the news, the same updates played consistently. Every nation was working together. Resources were being shared, and progress was moving faster than anyone could see. For the second time in history, the world acted as one. Everyone knew it but nobody wanted to say it.
Posters were plastered on walls, carrying the symbol of the Global Military Alliance. They called for unity, for strength, for courage. But under those words, there was a heavy atmosphere that seeped into everyday life. Parents were arguing on street corners, some urging their children to be strong, others whispering fears they didn't want overheard. The truth was unavoidable. This wasn't just about schools. It was about building soldiers. Soldiers to protect this world from the unknown threats.
Inside his house, Raze walked past the living room with a tired yawn. He didn't even glance at the blank TV screen as he headed straight for the kitchen. Pulling open the cupboard, he grabbed a bowl, a box of cereal, and a gallon of milk from the fridge. But before he could even take the first bite, the TV in the living room flickered on by itself.
As body froze he reached out to grab his spoon. He turned slowly, his eyes narrowing at the sudden broadcast.
On the screen was the head of the military, Gilbert Nightwing.
"Starting immediately, every citizen aged sixteen and above will be brought into the military," Nightwing declared. "We will knock on every house. No one will be overlooked. Those between the ages of sixteen and nineteen will be placed in a separate building from the adults, to receive training suited for their age group. The elderly will be the only exception. Everyone else… will serve."
Raze just stood there, thinking about how military school will go. And how he will hide his half-ling status.
"Looks like I have to get ready. They might arrive at any time," he muttered.
He set his cereal bowl down to the side and walked out of the kitchen. In his room, he pulled out a duffel bag and began to pack. A few shirts, pants, and a jacket for colder nights. He slipped in a pair of shoes, then stopped when his eyes landed on something that was on his shelf. It was his father's watch. For a moment, he hesitated, his fingers brushed against it. Packing clothes was pretty easy but packing pieces of his life wasn't. Still, he slid the watch into the bag.
As he zipped the duffel bag, his mind went back to the system notification. The one from the Creator of the God Slayer System. The words were still inside his head. May you be the person to finally change things once and for all.
"If this is the path I've been thrown into… then I must accept it."
Just as Raze closed his bag, a sudden knock echoed from downstairs.
"Damn, already?" he muttered under his breath. Grabbing his duffel bag, he slung it over his shoulder and quickly made his way down the stairs. He stopped in front of the door, his hand hovering over the handle. "Who is it?" Raze called out, his voice steady but edged with caution.
A firm voice answered from the other side, "Military officers. Open up."
Raze tightened his grip on the duffel bag. He slowly unlocked the door, and as it open, two officers in dark gray uniforms stood tall at his doorstep. Their badges gleaming under the sunlight, and the insignia of the UX military was stamped clearly on their shoulders.
"Raze Zaden?" one of them asked, his expression unreadable.
"That's me," Raze replied calmly, though his heart pounded in his chest.
"You're sixteen. From today forward, you'll be joining the mandatory military school program," the officer said. "Gather what you need. Transportation is already waiting outside."
Raze gave a small nod, adjusting the strap of his bag. "I'm ready."
The officers stepped aside, motioning him to move forward. As Raze stepped outside, he saw a large armored vehicle parked at the curb, its engine humming quietly. The back doors were already open, waiting for him to enter.
He climbed inside, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. 'How do they even know my name?'
As Raze stepped into the vehicle, the first thing he noticed was the smell of metal and oil. The floor was solid steel, echoing with each step he took. On both sides of the vehicle, there were rows of seats already filled with other teenagers his age. Some of them sat quietly with their bags in their laps, while others whispered nervously to each other.
Raze made his way toward the back and sat down, placing his duffel bag on his lap. Nobody paid him much attention, everyone looked too focused on their own worries.
He leaned back against the cold wall of the vehicle and took a deep breath. 'So they're really rounding up everyone who's sixteen and older'
His eyes moved across the other teenagers. A few had bloodline crests stitched onto their clothes, making them stand out immediately. The rest looked like ordinary kids pulled straight from their homes.
'The system wants me to get stronger… and I guess Military School is where it all begins.'
The doors slammed shut behind him, and the sound echoed throughout the vehicle. The two officers climbed in after, taking their seats near the front. One of them spoke into a small communication device strapped to his shoulder, "All accounted for. We're moving out."
The engine roared to life, as the armored vehicle began to move.
As the vehicle moved forward, the atmosphere inside quickly split into two.
On one side, a boy with a crest stitched proudly onto his jacket leaned toward his friend, grinning. "This is it. Finally, real training. Once we're in Military School, I'll push my bloodline to its limit."
His friend smirked back, "You'll have to keep up with me first." They both chuckled, their voices carrying a confidence that only those from original bloodlines seemed to have.
Meanwhile, just a few seats down, the tone was completely different.
"This isn't right… I didn't ask for this," a girl whispered, clutching her bag tightly against her chest. Her eyes darted nervously to the officers in the front.
"I heard… some kids don't come back from training," another muttered under his breath, his face pale.
"Shut up, don't say that," the girl snapped back, but her voice shook.
Raze sat quietly through it all, taking in both sides. Excitement. Fear. Confidence. Doubt. It was all mixed together.
He looked down at his own hands, flexing them slightly. 'Doesn't matter what they feel. I can't waste time worrying about them. This is about me getting stronger. The system made that clear.'
The vehicle hit a bump, causing everyone to shift in their seats. The officers at the front stayed silent, their presence heavy enough to keep most whispers low.
Raze leaned his head back against his seat, letting the sound of the engine and the scattered voices blend together. 'Military School… Here I go'
During the ride to Military School, the vehicle made several stops, picking up more and more teenagers. Every time the doors opened, new faces stepped in, some looking nervous, others looking way too eager. By the fourth stop, the vehicle was packed to the max. Every seat was taken.
Raze stayed seated quietly, keeping to himself. But the boy who had just squeezed into the seat beside him didn't share the same idea.
He leaned closer, whispering with a grin, "The name's Felix. What bloodline are you from?"
Raze turned his head slightly, giving the boy a blank stare. "…Bloodline?"
Felix's grin widened like he had just found someone interesting. "Yeah! Everyone's got one, right? Or at least, most people worth noting. So what's yours?" he asked.