Aftermath

Having successfully completed the exam and secured his place at the Valorius Awakener Institute, Ahiro felt a rush of emotions – relief, happiness, and a sense of accomplishment. He still couldn't believe that he held the platinum badge in his hand, he was proud of all he had accomplished, and this badge was proof of all his struggle and the support of his friends and family. 

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue over the forest, Ahiro couldn't help but smile. The trees, which had once seemed imposing and filled with challenges, now appeared welcoming.

The feeling of contentment washed over him as he sat near the same tree where he had confronted Marcus. Who by the way was lying on the ground with a medical drone tending him, but he was still unconscious. 

Time seemed to slip away as he chewed on the last piece of fish he had saved. As the last light of the day faded, the drones began announcing that the exam was coming to an end.

Ahiro looked towards Miss Ironclad, who had been waiting nearby maybe for another candidate to find her and impress her. 

With a sense of anticipation for the future, Ahiro asked, "Miss Ironclad, how do we exit?"

She replied with a faint smile, "The same way you entered."

Ahiro understood what she meant and not long after that he felt himself surrounded by beams of light and with that he left the forest behind. This time he felt less dizzy compared to the first time, soon he regained his senses and stood up to observe he was back at the track field. 

The field was a gathering point for the successful candidates. Once the dizziness of all candidates had completely faded, the instructors instructed the students to line up. It was an impressive sight as nearly 35 students arranged themselves neatly into five rows before the trio of instructors.

Miss Ironclad stepped forward, her mechanical visage gleaming in the soft twilight. She began her speech with warm congratulations to all those who had successfully passed the rigorous exam. Her stern exterior seemed to soften just a bit as she acknowledged their hard-fought achievements.

"Congratulations to each and every one of you," she said, her voice firm but filled with a sense of pride for the students. "You've shown your mettle, your creativity, and your adaptability. You have earned your place here at Valorius Awakener Institute."

The news of their success was met with smiles and relieved expressions among the students. They had faced numerous challenges during the exam, and now it was official—they were a part of this prestigious institute.

Miss Ironclad continued, her tone carrying a note of importance, "Now, here's a crucial point to remember: your badges are more than just symbols; they hold tangible value. This means they can all be exchanged in return for points. These points will play a pivotal role in various activities within our academy. Detailed information regarding this system will be provided to you later on. For now, you have the option to exchange your badges for points, and you also have to hand over your Multiknife."

After Miss Ironclad's informative address, the drones returned buzzing again in front of each student one by one. A drone approached Ahiro, requesting the collection of badges. He hesitated momentarily, a pang of attachment to his hard-earned badges, but understanding the necessity of following the rules, he reluctantly surrendered all his badges and trusted Multiknife. But he retained his cherished platinum badge thinking of exchanging it another time if the need arises.

The day concluded with the announcement of vital information for the following days. Miss Ironclad explained, "Tomorrow marks the beginning of your journey at Valorius Academy. We'll have an orientation session, personally conducted by our esteemed principal. It's imperative that you attend this event to become well-acquainted with our institution's rules and expectations."

She continued with a smile "You've all been assigned your permanent rooms. Take this time to rest and prepare yourselves for your inaugural day as official students of Valorius Academy."

With that, Miss Ironclad concluded her speech, and the students couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mixed with a touch of nervousness. 

Ahiro made his way to his allocated room following the root shown on his smart band. As soon as he opened the door that unlocked with his fingerprint, he saw a room unlike anything he had ever seen. The walls seemed to emit a soft, soothing glow, adjustable panel. The room was compact but well arranged to efficiently use space. The window was made of a transparent material that allowed him to see outside while maintaining privacy. The bed was a marvel of comfort, with an adaptive mattress that could adjust its firmness according to his preference. 

The room was filled with the latest tech features. The lighting could be controlled by voice commands, and there was even the latest version of the holographic interface desktop (HID) that allowed him to access information about the academy, his schedule, and more. This HID came with its own visor, a sleek goggles that could allow him to access all the same features and more as the Neural interface Chair that he used back at orphanage, but with less discomfort and faster and easier. 

Feeling overwhelmed by the advanced technology, Ahiro decided to take a seat on the sleek bench by the window and asked the AI of his band to call Orphanage. It wasn't long before Miss Foster's face appeared on the holographic screen.

"Ahiro! It's good to see you," she greeted him with a warm smile.

Ahiro couldn't help but smile in return. "Miss Foster, it's great to see you too. I made it. I passed the exam."

Miss Foster's eyes shimmered with pride. "I always knew you had it in you, Ahiro. We're all so proud of you here."

Ahiro's heart swelled with emotion. 

"Is Elara there?" he asked eagerly.

Miss Foster's expression softened. "Yes, she's right here. She's been waiting for your call."

Elara's face appeared on the screen, and her eyes lit up as she saw her brother. "Ahiro! You did it! You're at Valorius!"

Ahiro couldn't help but tear up a little. "Yeah, Elara, I did it. I will soon come to visit you all"

Miss Foster, who had been listening, added, "We'll wait right here dear, don't worry, for now just focus on your studies, Ahiro. You have a bright future ahead."

Ahiro nodded, determination filling his eyes. "I will, Miss Foster. I'll make you all proud."

The conversation continued for a while, filled with laughter, updates about life at the orphanage, and plans for the future. Ahiro felt a profound sense of gratitude for the support he had received from his makeshift family and a renewed determination to excel at Valorius Awakener Institute.