[PoV: Farren Nockleus]
[21.16, Training Arena]
Back then, we fought with all our might, with our very lives. Now, we stand with honor, official Cadets of this "Hell."
In elegant black uniforms, black berets, and a single badge on our left chests—a badge that proves our worth; that we have passed the exam.
We stood in line, side by side. Facing a podium spotlighted by lamps. A man stood there wearing a black suit with a mic attached to it.
In every corner of this circular room, there were bleachers, filled with seniors from this academy. Their faces were cold, their gazes as sharp as blood-soaked swords.
"Good evening to all. Let me introduce myself, my name is Dane Bondou. I am the owner and Headmaster of this academy. And I am here to say one thing.
Congratulations, to those of you who have successfully passed the qualification exam.
You are all exceptional."
He said, his voice firm yet aged. Beneath his black suit was a trained body, a condition that had been through much in his life's journey.
"Here, you will learn and understand how Nethera Academy operates in the shadows. We are not heroes, we are not the light. But we are the oppressed, the discriminated, the ignored—we are those who desire justice, prosperity, and renewal.
We are 'Nethera Academy'! We are not just an organization, we are more than just an academy! We are a family united by destiny, to fight injustice!!"
His voice thundered to every silent corner of this room. Standing with conviction. His hand raised with a blazing spirit.
Cheers and applause from the seniors in the bleachers filled this place. Full of pride and self-esteem.
We below felt a vibration in our hearts, marking that those words were more than just speech. But the reality we had seen and felt in silence. The voices of the lower class or the poor would not be heard, would not be cared for; they were like milk cows that could be slaughtered anytime they were no longer useful.
One by one, we began to clap, eyes glistening. Sadness and happiness, mixed in emotion.
They knew, this was the right place to oppose all the injustice that society, including themselves, had felt.
From this point on, they would not question the deaths of the other 190 participants, leaving only us, the 20 who remained.
"After this, return to your respective dormitories. You must get accustomed to your new environment and get to know each other. And prepare to attend classes."
Afterwards, the Headmaster turned and left into the shadows of the podium. Followed by the seniors leaving their bleacher seats.
I looked at my comrades—Aurel, William, Serra, Gerrald, and the others—and Nico, and he was aware I was looking at him.
Then, the metal door behind us opened with a soft hiss. Revealing a woman in a white coat holding a digital clipboard. Followed by a grown man in steel armor covering his body, except for his head.
I may be new here. But I know the etiquette when meeting seniors.
The fingers of my right hand came together, then raised, until my arm bent, my hand reaching just above my eyebrow. Which was then followed by the other new Cadets.
The man returned our salute. After he lowered his salute, we too lowered our hands.
"Congratulations on passing the exam. You truly are amazing. Your cooperation and strategy were excellent." The man gave a thin smile.
"My name is Daniel Harmen, one of the Captains of the Special Division team and also an instructor who will train your physical abilities here at the academy. And beside me, this is Hera Nethis, one of the researchers here. By the way, don't be too formal with me, just think of me as your own older brother."
We fell silent, feeling awkward because of him. It was hard for us to understand them. At one time, they could be kind. But on the other hand, they could be fierce.
Daniel rubbed the back of his neck, which wasn't itchy, with an awkward smile. "Ahem! After holding the Admission Ceremony in this Training Arena, you must be tired. So you should return to your dormitories and get plenty of rest."
Training Arena? A room this big? Just how magnificent is this academy actually?
Daniel looked at me, he smiled, as if aware of my current confusion. "This academy has 1 Main Building and 5 Additional Buildings; the Main Building has eight upper floors, functioning as learning spaces: physical training, academic studies, practicing to assemble armor, creating the best technology, and providing combat experience and learning fighting techniques; then there are five Additional Buildings: serving as dormitories where you will live. And all that was explained doesn't include places and activities outside the academy walls.
Furthermore, there are 5 underground floors in the Main Building; these floors are for advanced learning and materials; specifically for the seniors.
After this explanation, does anyone have questions?"
One of us raised a hand high; it was Aurel. "Where is this Nethera Academy located?" she asked. A question that hadn't crossed my mind or the other cadets'.
Daniel just fell silent, as if searching for the right answer. "This academy... is in a wilderness protected by a surrounding chasm, and given shielding that makes this place invisible from outside the territory—here, namely on the border between the largest volcano: 'Meru'. And the wilderness: 'Agri'."
Huh? Did I hear that right? Mount Meru volcano and the Agri wilderness? Aren't both these places in one region, called "Deathest"?! A region rumored to have many cases of death, hence named the death region. Moreover, the rumor is strengthened by the existence of animals mutated by asteroid radiation 50 years ago, making deaths of explorers or visitors in that region highly possible.
And apparently, Nethera Academy boldly occupies this region? Is this what is called technological strength?
"Sorry if I'm being forward. If I may ask, how old are you?" asked William, who was behind me.
"Ah, my age? It's been so long since I remembered that, perhaps currently I am thirty-one," he answered.
Incredible. To be an instructor and major at the age of 31, that is considered very young.
"Alright, since it's been too long. Let's return to the dorms and prepare yourselves!" said Hera.
"Alright!"
Afterwards. Together, we passed through that door with confidence.
.....