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Chapter 2 - CHAPTER TWO: THE PATH TO GERMMY INSTITUTE OF AWAKENERS

CHAPTER TWO: THE PATH TO GERMMY INSTITUTE OF AWAKENERS

The next morning, the snow had melted into thin, shimmering patches that clung to the glass pavements of Sector 31. Hover-ads blinked lazily across the skyline, and Emma's holo-clock read 08:47 AM when his wristband buzzed again.

He yawned, still half-asleep, as the holographic message appeared in front of him.

 From: Germmy Institute of Awakeners

Subject: Official Admission Confirmation

Dear Emma Varel,

Congratulations. You have been officially accepted into the Germmy Institute of Awakeners.

Your orientation camp will commence in two days. Transportation will arrive at your registered residence on Thursday, 07:00 AM sharp.

Please prepare accordingly.

The Board of Admissions, Germmy Institute.

Emma blinked a few times before the words sank in. Then, a slow grin spread across his face.

"Holy—" he rubbed his face and laughed softly, "Okay, this is real. This is actually happening."

He jumped up, pacing the room, staring at the hologram as if it might vanish. "Two days, huh? That's… wow. Government finally doing something useful."

The notification blinked again.

 Credit Transfer Received: 8000 Units.

Government Education Allowance Issued.

Emma's jaw dropped. "Eight thousand?! I'm rich! I could buy an airbike! Or… at least some actual food that isn't cereal!"

He smirked, brushing his hair back. "Alright, Emma Varel — future Awakener, soon-to-be demon-slayer, and part-time cereal addict — time to act like an adult."

He cleaned his place, got dressed in a black jacket and snow boots, and headed out into the city.

Arcion's central market was alive as always — neon lights, mechanical voices advertising wares, and holographic assistants guiding shoppers through the aisles. Robots floated around with baskets while humans browsed items glowing behind energy shields.

Emma moved with a small list projected above his wrist.

"Uniform kit, mana analyzer—yeah right—, power regulator, nano-suit…" He whistled. "Half this stuff sounds like alien tech."

He bought the basics: standard supplies, notebooks, digital storage, training gloves, and some snacks. At the weapon stall, he stared at the energy blades.

"Someday," he murmured, smirking. "Someday I'll get one of you and slice through reality."

The vendor, a gruff man with metal implants around his eyes, looked him up and down. "You an Awakener, kid?"

Emma gave a lazy grin. "Not yet. But the world doesn't know that."

The man chuckled. "Heh, I like your confidence. Hope you survive the camp."

Emma frowned. "Survive? You mean—"

But the man just waved him off. "You'll see."

Back home, Emma dumped the bags on the couch, then opened his holo-screen to research Germmy Institute.

He scrolled through forums, news clips, and recorded interviews.

 "Germmy Institute — the most prestigious Awakener academy in Arcion. Only one in a thousand applicants qualify."

"Rumor says the entrance camp breaks your body before it trains your mind."

"Only Nobles make it to the top ranks. Commoners rarely graduate."

"Demons have tried invading the academy grounds — none succeeded."

Emma leaned back, groaning. "So basically it's hell with better uniforms."

He flicked through another tab showing the list of alumni — all Nobles, heirs of powerful families, or descendants of divine bloodlines.

He exhaled slowly. "Yeah… I'll definitely fit right in."

His eyes drifted to the window, watching snow fall softly again. "Still… this is my shot. I can't mess it up."

He packed his new gear neatly, then sighed. "I should probably say goodbye to Mrs. Hara before she sends a search drone when she doesn't see me tomorrow."

He knocked on the old woman's door, and after a few seconds, she opened it with her usual warm smile.

"Emma, dear! You look bright today."

"Yeah, I just… got accepted into Germmy Institute."

Her eyes widened. "Oh, how wonderful! I'm so proud of you!"

"Yeah, well," he rubbed his neck, pretending to be modest, "someone's gotta show the Gods what hard work looks like."

She laughed softly. "You'll do great. I can feel it."

He sighed. "You know, Mrs. Hara, I'd say thank you, but the last time someone blessed me, I almost broke my leg."

She chuckled. "You and your strange luck."

He smiled faintly. "I'll miss your nagging though. Take care of yourself, alright?"

She nodded, placing a small wrapped lunch in his hand. "For your trip."

He smiled genuinely this time. "Thanks… and, uh, try not to bless me again, okay?"

She laughed as he turned to leave.

Two mornings later, the soft hum of an SUV hover-car filled the quiet street of Sector 31. The vehicle was sleek, metallic gray with the Germmy insignia glowing on the side.

Emma stepped out of his apartment wearing a dark jacket and carrying a travel pack.

"Varel, Emma?" the driver called from the open door.

"That's me."

"Hop in. We've got others to pick."

Emma tossed his bag in, slid into the seat, and stared out the window as the car lifted into the air.

Arcion's skyline stretched endlessly — towers, floating billboards, rail-drones — all bathed in the white glow of morning snow. It was beautiful, almost haunting.

"Goodbye, Sector 31," he murmured. "Try not to fall apart without me."

Unaware of the weird looks the driver was giving him from the rear view mirror.

They picked up a few others along the route — young men and women, all around his age, all clearly nervous or excited.

One of them, a blonde boy with sharp eyes and a calm smile, leaned toward him. "You from the Southern Sector too?"

"Yeah. Sector 31. You?"

"Sector 28. Name's Vorden."

"Emma. So, what's your power?"

"Space Manipulation". Replied Vorden.

"Woah! "That's very cool." Said Emma, looking visibly awed.

"So what's your own ability?" asked Vorden.

Emma snorted. "Breathing. I'm really good at it."

Vorden laughed. "Guess we'll see what you've got once we reach camp."

"Yeah," Emma said with a shrug. "Maybe I'll awaken my hidden ability: sarcasm manipulation."

Vorden chuckled again. "You're funny. I like you already."

"I can't say the same for you." Replied Emma. "I'm not into guys rather—

"Okay that's enough." Vorden interrupted.

By noon, they arrived at the military camp — a sprawling complex surrounded by plasma fences and automated turrets. Uniformed soldiers stood at attention, scanning each recruit as they stepped off the SUV.

Emma looked around, impressed and slightly intimidated.

The camp reeked of discipline. Commands echoed through the air. Drones hovered overhead. And in the distance, groups of recruits were already training — some firing mana blasts, others wrestling with enhanced strength.

"Move it, recruits!" a deep voice barked. "Line up!"

A soldier with silver eyes and a cybernetic arm strode toward them. "Welcome to Camp Zenith. For the next three days, you're under military regulation. You will eat, sleep, and breathe disciplined and in order. Your powers or family name mean nothing here. You are all equal."

A few nobles in the group shifted uncomfortably. One even tried to speak.

"Sir, with due respect, my clan—"

The soldier's glare shut him up instantly. "Your clan doesn't matter here, son. The battlefield doesn't care about surnames."

Emma smirked quietly. "I already like this guy."

"So you now like guys?" asked Vorden.

"Oh! Shit. Emma cheeks turned red, clearly looking flustered. "That's not what i—

"Yeah I believe you bro." Vorden interrupted.

"Hey— Emma called out.

The next few hours were chaos — registrations, biometric scans, issuing of standard uniforms. Emma got a dull gray training outfit with no insignia.

They were grouped for testing. A large machine called the Affinity Analyzer stood at the center of the yard. One by one, students placed their hands on it, and it glowed with colors representing their affinity.

"Fire! Water! Lightning! Wind!" the officer called as each one displayed their element.

Then came the ones who stood with no glow — the powerless.

When Emma's turn came, he stepped forward, palms sweating slightly. He placed his hand on the cold metal sphere.

Nothing.

The machine hummed softly and displayed a blank result.

The officer frowned. "No reading."

The crowd behind him murmured. Some snickered.

A noble girl whispered loudly, "Another commoner pretending he has potential."

Emma turned slightly, smirking. "At least I pretend better than your eyebrows."

The murmurs turned into laughter. The girl glared, but the soldier barked, "Quiet!"

Vorden stepped up next. When he touched the sphere, silver particles could be seen floating around the entire yard. The analyzer flashed: Space Manipulation— Heaven's grade.

The crowd gasped in awe. Even the soldiers nodded in approval.

Emma clapped lazily. "Show-off."

Vorden laughed. "Guess you'll have to catch up."

Later that evening, they were given a break. Emma sat on a crate near the edge of the camp, watching the sunset bleed into the snowy horizon.

Vorden joined him, tossing him a bottle of water. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Just thinking how unfair life is," Emma said, sipping. "You got space ability. I got… luck that sucks."

"You'll awaken eventually," Vorden said. "Sometimes it just takes the right trigger."

Emma grinned faintly. "Hopefully not something too painful. I'm too handsome to die early."

Vorden laughed. "You're weird."

"I know. It's my charm."

They sat in silence for a while, listening to the distant drills and shouts.

By night, they were called for another training round — running laps, pushups, tactical drills. The soldiers treated everyone equally harshly.

Emma endured it with gritted teeth, his body sore but his pride intact.

When one noble tried to quit, the instructor barked, "You think your family can save you from exhaustion? The battlefield won't wait for your privilege!"

Emma couldn't help smirking. "Finally, someone who speaks my language."

By the third day, everyone looked exhausted. Some were bruised, others humiliated. But there was a strange unity now — even among the powerless.

Vorden and Emma had grown closer, often cracking jokes in the line or sharing sarcastic comments about the nobles.

When a soldier announced, "Your transport to Germmy Institute will depart in one hour," Emma exhaled deeply.

"So this is it," Vorden said.

"Yeah." Emma stretched his sore limbs. "If the camp's this crazy, I can't wait to see the school."

"Let's hope it doesn't kill us before graduation."

Emma grinned. "If it does, at least they'll bury me with good lighting."

Vorden shook his head, laughing. "You're impossible."

The sound of engines roared in the distance as the military van approached. Rows of recruits began boarding, excitement and tension mixing in the air.

Emma looked up at the bright sky, snowflakes catching the sunlight like tiny stars.

"Germmy Institute," he whispered to himself. "Let's see what you've got waiting for me."

He climbed aboard the van beside Vorden, his gaze lingering on the horizon where the academy lay beyond the mountains — the place where his destiny, and his curse, would finally begin to stir.

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