Academy Orientation

Chapter 23: Academy Orientation

Caden, with the rest of the team, formed up beside a line of fellow newly accepted students, all in crisp uniforms with focused expressions. The induction had been brief; now they would get their first real insight into how Helios Vanguard Academy works.

The sharp-eyed officer stepped forward. His posture was as stiff as a board, a nameplate identifying him as Instructor Callen.

"New students," Callen said, the firmness in his voice measured, "Helios Vanguard Academy is an elite military institution. You are no longer simple recruits; you are students in training for the highest military service positions. The period of time you spend here will tell whether you have the willpower, brains, and strength to join the ranks of the best. This isn't any ordinary academy anywhere. It's where soldiers are forged."

The weight of his words settled over the group. Caden had expected intensity, but there was something in the way Callen spoke that made it sound like he was making a point-this wasn't just about being educated where you learn calculus and Advance chemistry. It was about proving one's worth and ability.

"You will be introduced to the academy's internal structure today," Callen continued. "This includes ranking protocols, training facilities, and at the base of your survival here, the Merit System.

"What is the Merit system", one of the recruits asked and instantly he was slammed to the ground by a powerful aura "Rule number one student, you don't ask a question unless permitted to do so" Callen said as he narrowed his eyes at the student before he releases him from his aura.

A holographic display flickered to life behind him, revealing key aspects about the Merit System.

Merit System Overview*m

Merits Are Earned By The Following Means:

- Combat evaluations, academic excellence, mission performance, sparring victories, and notable contributions.

- Merits Can Be Spent On The Following:

- Equipment Upgrade: Weapons, armor modification, personal enhancements.

- Training Privileges: Advanced simulations, private instructors, and access to restricted combat zones.

- Enhanced Living Conditions in Dormitories: Private quarters.

- Challenges between Ranks: Officially allowed to challenge soldiers of higher ranking or old students for status and privileges.

"Merit Points are your currency," Callen said without beating around the bush. "Everything you want, from better gear to personal training time with elite instructors, must be earned. No exceptions. The more merits you have, the more doors open for you. Run out of merits, and you will be struggling to survive. Simple as that."

Some shifted uncomfortably, while others looked intrigued. Caden exchanged glances with his team. This wasn't just training; this was competitiveness where the resources needed to be fought for.

"You all shall be awarded points based on your performance during the test, and your orientation will cover how to navigate the academy, and you will get all other information from the watches that will be given to you on your way out of this hall, but remember," Callen said, "this is not a school where you wait for knowledge to be handed to you. Every lesson, every opportunity, every advantage you fight for it."

He motioned to the towering structures behind him. "Now, move. Your first destination is the Merit Exchange Center. There, you'll see exactly what your points can buy."

As the students followed Callen, the scale of the academy came into focus: enormous training arenas, state-of-the-art research labs, dorms that ranged from standard-issue to high-end private quarters, and right at the very center, a monolithic structure aglow with digital displays-the Merit Exchange Center.

As the students stepped into the Merit Exchange Center, it became clear that the place was on a really large scale. Holographic screens lined up along the walls, each displaying an array of equipment, upgrades, and privileges available for purchase. From state-of-the-art weapons to special combat training, everything had its price in merits.

The sleek counter reached across the hall, fronting the room, with automated dispensers behind, humming as requests were processed. Instructor Callen gestured toward the side station, where several rows of academy personnel stood with a small, silver wrist device in their hands.

"This is your Academy-Issued Interface, or simply, your watch," Callen announced. "It tracks your merits, ranks, mission records, and performance stats. It also functions as your keycard, communicator, and data log. Lose it, and you'll be locked out of every system until it's replaced—at a cost."

They went up to him one after the other and he gave one to each; at the wrist, these turned on, each flickering out a small personal holographic display above the wrist. The displays automatically linked up with the network at the academy and flashed across their merit points for starters. A murmur of reactions filled the air in the sea of people as the numbers began to appear-some crinkling their foreheads in discontented faces, some smirking highly pleased.

Suddenly, silence filled the room.

Everyone turned as Caden and his team glanced at their timekeepers. Their scores were much higher than anybody else's:

- Caden Arden: 3,500 Merits

- Ava Sinclair: 3,000 Merits

- Darius Kane: 3,000 Merits

- Mira Holt: 2,800 Merits

- Ryan Bolts: 2,500 Merits

- Selena Voss: 2,500 Merits

Murmurs had flowed around the other students.

"That's insane… how did they start with that many?"

"They have to have done something beforehand… There's no way this is normal." 

"They were on the front lines, right?"

Callen waited a few more seconds, letting the chatter roll, before raising a hand. "You're right to be surprised," he said. "These six earned their merits through direct battlefield experience. They are not ordinary recruits like you. They are Cadets." His eyes moved around the room. "But let me get one thing straight with you people-starting strong means nothing if you can't sustain it. Others will catch up. Some might even overtake you."

Caden didn't bat an eyelid at the whispers going on around him. He had expected this kind of attention, after all. His mind was already racing with what he could do with these merits. His gaze flicked across the available purchases on the holographic screens: **Weapons. Training sessions. Advanced combat simulations.**

He then remembered the blueprint of the gauntlet the system gave him and the material needed for it. He quickly went to check it on the lists of item available for purchase, his face brightened the instant he saw the Academy had them but his face fell as quiias it brightened when he saw their price

Photon Core: 100,000 merits

Ferrosteel Alloy: 20,000 units

Nano thread: 500,000

[I can't believe you just remembered such an important item. The resources needed was abundant on the battlefield] the system said and Caden eye widened and you didn't tell me "Caden whispered [Well, I just didn't find it important] the system said nonchalantly

Caden's jaw tightened and he decided to ignore the system and look at the merit prices again and he then looked at his watch. *100,000 merits for a Photon Core? 500,000 for Nano Thread?* Even with their head start, these were impossible figures for a first-year student. His fingers twitched at the wrist hologram, cycling through the inventory, but the results didn't change.

*So much for an easy upgrade.*

His frustration deepened further when the System's voice chimed in again.

[Ah, well, look on the bright side, host. Now you have a long-term goal.]

Caden exhaled sharply. "You could've told me there were materials on the battlefield."

[Oh? I suppose I could have. But would you really have had the time to gather them while dodging death? Maybe you would have gotten yourself hacked to death by now.]

Caden bit back the urge to roll his eyes. *Typical* he thought.

He scanned the rest of the group; Ava was heading straight for the guns section, while Mira stared into the enhancement suits, her eyes raking greedily. Ryan and Selena went to some kind of combat simulation. Other students started to move off toward different sections. The merit talk over, those faces that had earlier worn such gleeful and triumphant tones now slowly contorted with hints of hostility.

"You have ten minutes to browse and select your purchases. Afterward, you'll head to your next destination: the Combat Evaluation Hall."

A low ripple of tension passed through the room.

*Combat Evaluation? Already?*

Caden narrowed his eyes. **So that's why they were handed their watches first.**

This wasn't just a tour it was a test.

"I thought the test wouldn't be happening till tomorrow" Ryan said to Caden "Well it's happening" Caden said as he walked off to met Mira

"Better make your selections fast," Mira muttered, giving Caden a nudge. "No way they'll let us leave without proving we deserve these points."

Caden nodded, turning back to the list. If their next stop was combat, then he needed something immediately useful. He scrolled past expensive enhancements and high-tier weapons, looking for something practical.

Then he found it.

*Adaptive Combat Gloves – 500 Merits*

*Grip, shock absorption, energy directing-the whole works. Works with any type of weapon.*

He chose that in a second before going back to meet Mira. "Did you find anything you like" Caden asked Mira who sighed and then nodded before she pointed at the holographic screen in front of her and Caden looked at the screen.

"Why haven't you bought it yet" Caden asked and Mira pointed at the price "3400 merits, not bad for a suit that enhances one's abilities. What's the problem, can't you afford it" Caden asked and Mira nodded

"I only have 2800 merits, I'm 600 merits short" Mira said before she sighed again "I can borrow you the merit you need and you can pay me back later" Caden said and Mira quickly refused

"You also have things to get for yourself, don't worry about me. I'll ask Ava to see if she can borrow me some Merits" Mira said and Caden smiled "Trust me on this, if you were to add up the merit points of everyone here, it wouldn't be enough to afford what I needed to get so don't worry and just take it" Caden said and he instantly transferred the 600 merits to Mira

"Thank you" Mira said and she bought the suit immediately.

Their time limit urged them on as the rest of the first years to hastily make their initial purchases, each thinking about whatever might be in store for them next.

Of course, one thing was guaranteed Helios Vanguard Academy wasn't going to cut them any slack.

And with the expiration of those ten minutes of selection time, Instructor Callen's voice cut through the hall again, crisp and authoritative.

"Time's up! Move out."

A disciplined shuffle of boots rumbled throughout the Merit Exchange Center as the students, some grumbling over their buys, others tight-lipped with tension, trooped out of the building after Callen.

Caden walked beside Mira as she flexed her fingers; the newly fitted enhancement suit hugged tightly to her body. He could see her exquisite figure as the suit was built to optimize both agility it was tight .

"How does it feel?" he asked.

"Tight," she replied simply, rolling her shoulders before she looked at Caden and saw him staring at her. "And it feels lighter and stronger than I thought. This thing is worth every merit. So stop staring" she said glaring at Caden

"What I wasn't looking at you" Caden said as he quickly defended himself "Oh sure you weren't, but I would have believed you if you didn't scan me with your eyes" Mira said before walking off leaving Caden blushing in embarrassment

"I thought girls were the ones who were supposed to feel embarrassed in situations like this" Caden said to the system and he could have sworn he heard the system laugh [No one knew you were a shy boy with uncontrollable hormones] the system said "My hormones are controllable" Caden said [Of course, they totally are] the system said mocking Caden "Fuck you" Caden said as he decided to ignore the system

Looming ahead were the high structures of the academy, among which stood the ominous fortress of Combat Evaluation Hall. Starkly contrasting with the shining metal of the Merit Exchange Center, this was much more about functional-approach reinforced steel walls lined with gravity-stabilizing panels, embedded energy dampeners that absorb the shock of high-impact battles. The big double doors slid open as they approached, revealing a cavernous arena bathed in artificial light.

Students filed in, tension thick in the air.

Callen stood at the center, waiting as they arranged themselves in an orderly formation. His gaze wandered across the sea of faces until a slow, satisfied smirk curled his lip.

"Good," he said. "Now, let's see if any of you are worth those merit points you've just spent."

A holographic panel flickered to life beside him.

Combat Evaluation Rules:

- Each student is to have one match when they are accepted into the academy.

- Randomize matches happens always

- Earn higher merits through a win.

- In case of loss, that person loses their merit points and it's given to the winning party.

- This exercise shall be taken under the discretion of the AI Combat System that the Academy applies.

Cadets sighed. *This is how the merit economy comes into effect.* He then looked at the students in pity. *I'm going to farm all your merit points today* he thought to himself internally as he smiled evilly

Some students looked around nervously. Others, like Ava and Darius, stood unfazed, anticipation gleaming in their eyes.

"The purpose of this evaluation is simple," Callen continued. "We separate the competent from the dead weight. You've had the luxury of arriving here, but your place is not guaranteed. Incompetence will not be tolerated at Helios Vanguard Academy."

He let that sink in for a moment before stepping aside and nodding to the AI interface.

"Your names will be called. Step onto the platform when it's your turn. Begin."

In an instant, the hall was filled with a sudden surge of movement, as if water had been let loose. The combat stage a raised, circular platform suddenly came to life. Holographic barriers flickered to life around it, shielding the spectators from stray attacks.

**First Match:**

**Selena Voss vs. Ian Richter**

She stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. The opponent was a muscular recruit with a confident smirk; he cracked his knuckles before leaping onto the platform.

A countdown initiated.

**3… 2… 1… Begin.**

The battle exploded into action.

[A/N: Please drop a comment to let me know if you love my work or not and also drop a power stone if you can]