Academy Registration

The sun shone high in the sky, illuminating the bustling city as Ryan stepped out of his home, a glint of determination in his eyes. Today was a crucial day, the day of registration at the Academy of Protectors. The Academy represented not only an opportunity for young Awakened like him to master their powers but also a chance to prove their worth in a world constantly in danger.

Ryan walked with confidence, the streets filled with other young Awakened, some proudly displaying their powers, others more discreet, but all driven by the same motivation. He observed the groups naturally forming, friends chatting excitedly about their expectations for the academy. But he walked alone, his mind focused on a clear goal.

As he walked, he glanced at his system. The floating screen in front of his eyes now displayed his new age: 19 years. It made him smile slightly, a silent mark of the passage of time and all he had been through. Every day, every year mattered, and he was ready to face whatever the future held.

The streets were crowded with young people like him, faces full of hope and ambition. Some were talking loudly, boasting about their abilities or exchanging information about the best instructors at the Academy. Others seemed more nervous, casting anxious glances around, as if doubting their place here. But Ryan remained focused, absorbed in his thoughts.

"It starts today," he murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He knew this day would mark a decisive turning point in his life.

Passing by a group of young Awakened, Ryan overheard snippets of conversation. "Have you heard about the entrance test? They say it's harder this year," one of them said with a hint of nervousness.

Another responded with a laugh. "Doesn't matter, we're ready. After all, we wouldn't be here if we weren't, right?"

Ryan gave a slight smile but continued on his way. He didn't need reassurance from others' conversations. He knew his path would be different, unique. After all, he carried a secret that few could understand: the system that had awakened within him, a mysterious force he still had to learn to master.

Memories of Luna briefly crossed his mind. An old friend, someone he had trusted, but who had betrayed him. The wound was still fresh, and even though he had forgiven her on the surface, deep down, he struggled to trust again. That's why he preferred solitude. Only Rayna and Veilhot had proven their unwavering loyalty. He needed no one else.

As he approached the Academy of Protectors, an immense, imposing structure loomed before him, a symbol of power and knowledge. The entrance gates were wide open, welcoming future students. Ryan took a deep breath before stepping through, determined to make his mark on the institution's history.

Inside, the atmosphere was electric. The young Awakened filled the large courtyard, some already demonstrating their abilities, while others seemed more reserved. Ryan made his way to the registration desk, his stride calm but resolute. He knew this day would mark the beginning of a new adventure, an adventure where he could finally prove his worth, not only to himself but to the entire world.

As he registered, a thought crossed his mind. "No matter the challenges, I'm ready. This time, I won't back down from anything."

After about thirty minutes of waiting, Ryan was finally called by a firm, authoritative voice. He followed a woman in the Academy's uniform as she led him through a long, pristine corridor. They arrived at a large metal door that opened automatically, revealing a vast, white room, almost blinding in its purity. Ryan stepped in, taking in the immensity of the space, its smooth, featureless walls giving an impression of infinity.

The woman turned to him, a professional smile on her lips. "This is where the trial will take place. If at any point you feel you can't continue, simply raise your hand, and the test will stop immediately." Ryan nodded silently, a slight movement of his head enough to show he understood.

As she exited the room, a synthetic voice echoed from nowhere. "Level 1 test, begin." Instantly, ten white mechanical mannequins emerged from the floor, positioning themselves around Ryan. They were human-sized, featureless, but their movements were fluid and precise.

Ryan sprang into action immediately. His movements were quick and calculated, each strike landing with precision. The mannequins, though agile, were no match for him. Within minutes, he had taken them all down. He stood upright, catching his breath, but remained on guard.

"Level 2 test, begin," the voice announced again.

This time, only five mannequins appeared, but their appearance had changed. They seemed more robust, their movements faster, and their attacks more powerful. Ryan immediately sensed the difference. He prepared for a tougher fight. Each strike he delivered was countered more effectively, each movement harder to dodge.

The battle intensified. Ryan moved with agility, his strikes becoming more precise as he adapted to the mannequins' rhythm. The room echoed with the sounds of impacts, metal against metal, and Ryan's swift footsteps as he dodged and attacked. After an hour of fierce struggle, Ryan managed to bring down the last mannequin. He was breathless, his clothes drenched in sweat.

The voice was about to announce Level 3, but Ryan, feeling the fatigue weighing on him, raised his hand. "I'm withdrawing," he said firmly but breathlessly. He knew he could continue, but he didn't want to draw too much attention to himself. He had already exceeded expectations for an F-rank Awakened, and he preferred to stay discreet.

The room's door opened, and the same woman awaited him. "Follow me," she said, escorting him to another section of the building. Ryan, still catching his breath, followed her without a word.

They arrived in a large room where other Awakened were waiting. Ryan looked around, noting the diversity of ages and expressions. Some looked tired, others frustrated, but they all shared one commonality: they had all given up at some point during the test.

A group of young people was talking quietly, sharing their experiences. Ryan approached them, listening discreetly. "I'm a C-rank, and I gave up at the third level," one of them said, visibly disappointed.

"I'm a D-rank, and I held out until the fourth," another replied with a mix of pride and fatigue.

Ryan quickly understood the distribution. F and E ranks, like him, had mostly given up in the early levels. C and D ranks had resisted until the third and fourth levels, while the few A and B ranks present had reached the fifth or sixth. As for S ranks and Monarchs, if there were any, they had probably managed to clear all eight levels of the test.

Ryan sank into a seat, observing the other Awakened. He was satisfied with his performance, but part of him was curious about how far he could have gone. However, he knew that for now, it was wiser to stay cautious and not reveal too much too quickly. His goal was clear: progress at his own pace, learn to master his new skills, and most importantly, avoid drawing too much suspicion about the system accompanying him.

As the registration day drew to a close, all the Awakened gathered in a large courtyard at the center of the Academy. The atmosphere was vibrant, a mix of nervousness and excitement as everyone awaited their test results.

Among the crowd, Ryan quietly observed his surroundings, lost in thoughts about the trials he had undergone. However, his attention was soon diverted by a scene unfolding nearby. A young man, evidently overly confident, was attempting to flirt with a girl with jet-black hair and striking violet eyes. She seemed uninterested, barely glancing at him as he continued his clumsy attempts.

Suddenly, her eyes met Ryan's. A spark of mischief flickered in her gaze, and without hesitation, she approached him. "Oh, there you are, darling," she said with a sly smile, grabbing his arm with disconcerting confidence.

Ryan, surprised, quickly grasped the situation. She was using him to fend off the guy. "Uh... Yeah, I'm done," he responded, playing along with a neutral expression.

The young man, visibly embarrassed, frowned. "Oh... Sorry, I didn't know you were with someone," he muttered before quickly slipping away.

Once he was gone, Ryan gently pulled his arm from the girl's grasp. He turned on his heels, ready to walk away without a word. But before he could take another step, she caught him by the back of his shirt.

"Wait, darling," she said with a playful smile.

Ryan turned around, his gaze turning icy. "I'm not your darling," he replied coldly. "The guy is gone, you can leave me alone now."

Faila didn't seem the least bit bothered by his frosty tone. Instead, she smiled even more, her violet eyes sparkling with amusement. "But I'm serious," she said with a slightly mocking tone. "When I asked if you were my boyfriend, you said yes. So now, we're together."

Ryan stared at her, stunned by the absurdity of her words. "I only said that to help you. It wasn't real."

Faila shrugged, a teasing smile still on her lips. "Doesn't matter. To me, it's real now." She crossed her arms, her attitude defying all logic.

"Are you serious?" Ryan asked, incredulous.

"Completely," she replied, her smile widening. "You can't get rid of me that easily. We're together, whether you like it or not."

Ryan was speechless, unable to find a response. Faila watched him, clearly pleased with the effect she had. She took a small step back, looking him over from head to toe.

"Well, we should go check the results now, darling," she said cheerfully, giving him a wink before turning towards the bulletin board where the results were starting to be posted.

Ryan stood frozen in place, still reeling from the unexpected interaction. "What did I just experience?" he thought, before sighing and following Faila, wondering what kind of trouble he had just gotten himself into.

As they walked together towards the results, Ryan thought that this girl was truly different from anyone he had ever met. Part of him was annoyed by her attitude, but another part, well-hidden, couldn't help but find the situation slightly amusing, though absurd.