Ren Hoshizaki tightened his backpack straps – staring up at the massive gates of Neo-Cyber Academy. Neon lights ran along the edges of the walls – glowing like veins in the night – pulsing faintly with the hum of hidden technology. The city beyond the gates buzzed faintly – but inside the campus, the air felt different – heavier, almost alive.
He had trained for this day for years – not in combat simulations or advanced hacking drills – but in observation, in endurance – in surviving when all odds were stacked against him. After all – Ren wasn't a high-rank student – and he certainly didn't have a Feral Core.
A voice echoed through the plaza –
"Welcome to Neo-Cyber Academy. Where the strongest survive – and the rest… learn to keep up."
A holographic instructor flickered into existence – displaying a rotating 3D model of the campus. Ren's eyes widened – the academy wasn't just a school – it was a city within a city: massive towers spiraled into the sky – connected by lighted bridges and gravity-defying walkways. Dormitories floated above training grounds – observation decks hovered over combat arenas – and every corner radiated neon life.
"Every student has potential. Some, however, carry what we call a Feral Core."
Ren's stomach tightened. He had heard the rumors – twelve legendary objects – ancient and sentient – each bonded to a single student at the World-Level rank. Possessing one meant power beyond imagination – those students were untouchable – almost mythic in the academy's history.
He kept walking – careful not to look too eager. Around him – other students moved in groups – chatting, laughing, or practicing low-level combat. He noticed a group of tall, confident students with glowing jackets – each color distinct – each moving with precision and authority.
"Are those… Feral Cores?" Ren whispered to himself.
A low-rank student next to him smirked –
"Yeah. Don't bother staring too long – they'll snap at rookies for looking."
Ren's eyes landed on one figure standing apart from the crowd – a tall boy with a black jacket – piercing, calculating eyes. Ren shivered slightly – the aura around him screamed World-Level – rumor had it – he was untouchable in every simulation.
"That's Kurogami Ren," the other student muttered. "He has the WOLF – one of the twelve cores."
Ren swallowed. That was the kind of power he would never touch… yet.
He entered his assigned dormitory – a sleek capsule with digital walls – a small window overlooking the central plaza. As he unpacked – his mind wandered to the combat simulations starting tomorrow – the first Rift incidents they'd be trained to handle – and the countless dangers lurking outside the academy's neon gates.
He didn't have a Core – but he had one thing – instinct, wit, and sheer determination. And in a school built on power and survival – sometimes that was enough.
The hum of the city faded into a distant buzz as Ren finally lay down – staring at the ceiling panel glowing with constellations of the academy towers. Somewhere – hidden in plain sight – the Feral Cores waited. And tomorrow – his first trial would begin.
Welcome to Neo-Cyber Academy. Welcome to the hunt."
The hunt that just started.