Chapter 1:Shadows of the Past

A boy small in stature,dirt smudges his pale face, and his clothes—worn, futuristic attire his feet pounded against the broken streets of a desolate futuristic city.

It's once towering skyscrapers hover like skeletal remains,their structure frames twiste,shattered glassand and jagged ruins clawing at a smoky,blood-red sky.The air was thick with ash blinding his vision of what's ahead and every step he took echoed in the eerie silence.

Then suddenly a blood wailing screamings echoed in the distant.

Flames dotted the horizon,casting eerie, flickering shadows on the ground and devastation.The air was thick with smoke, and distant screams echoed in his ears.The ground trembled beneath his feet glancing behind him, his heart racing.

A deafening roar shook the ground, and suddenly, a massive shadow emerged from behind the remnants of a building.Its glowing red eyes peirce through the thick dust cloud locked onto him.

A gaint mech scanning the wasteland like a predator searching for prey. The boy frozen in fear unable to move as the machine raised a massive weapon a loud hum came from the cannon glowing as it's gathering energy and a blinding light enveloped his vision

Suddenly, a loud noise shattered the scene.

Yuki jolted awake, his heart hammering in his chest.The sound was his alarm clock, screaming next to him on the cluttered desk.Yawning he slammed his hand down on the clock, silencing it.

That dream again," he muttered to himself,sitting back rubbing the sleep crust out his eyes.His dark hair was a tangled mess, and bags underneath his green eyes carried the weight of someone much older,dulled with exhaustion and head filled with fog he stared blankly at the blinds.

Yuki's dormitory room was small and cluttered but functional.A single bed sat against the wall, it's sheets chaotic from his restless sleep.A desk a the window piled with books and reports a reflection of the late night spent glued to them.

Titles like The cure phenomenon,the rise of power,virus outbreak and mechs. A history of destruction and sorrowful memories scattered haphazardly.The dim glow of a holographic screen still displays his late-night research—diagrams of the cure, notes on the Metal Storm attack, and the timeline of when kids started developing powers.

A ray of light sips through the blinds raising it his eyes met outside opening the windows a cool breeze brushed against his face.

The first rays of sunlight spilled over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold and orange.The light illuminating the futuristic city beyond the Academy's a stark contrast to the gray, utilitarian city below. steels his attention seemingly making him forget his nightmare.Yuki glance over to the clock then his eyes widened in realization.

oh crap! I'm going to be late.

I can't miss breakfast or I'm gonna get a ear full from mia to make up for wasted time,he swiftly threw on his crumble uniform.

Yuki stumbles out the door still feeling the fatigue,arguably regretting his life choices.

Yuki rushed through the marble halls of,his boots echoing against the sleek floors. The Neo Genesis Academy has a marvel of design—a blend of advanced technology and fortress-like security. Towering spires rose into the sky, connected by glass walkways that offered views of the sprawling campus,Tall metallic spires stretched into the sky, connected by walkways that buzzed with students. Holographic screens displayed schedules, announcements, and footage of mech training sessions.

The Academy was built in the aftermath of the Metal Storm—the attack six years ago when massive mechs devastated cities across the globe. It had been founded as both a sanctuary and a training ground for the orphaned children left in the wake of the destruction. Here, students were trained to wield the powers granted by the cure, pilot the mechs that now defended humanity, or work as engineers to improve their designs.

As he turns the crowded hall were students already finish with breakfast we're leaving the cafeteria,he felt the weight of everyone's gaze fixed on him, drawn to the chaotic wrinkles and rumpled appearance he couldn't hide.

Yuki cursing under his breath,damn rich people haven't you every seen wrinkled clothes silver spoon snot noses.They look like new years and foreigners two they should know their seniors, telling himself if they do it again he'll give them a peace of his mind.

As yuki rounded a corner at full speed, he slammed into something solid—or rather, someone losing his footing and stumbled out the door, only to bump into a trash can, nearly losing his footing. With a quick wobble, he caught himself, muttering, "Sorry, man, I'm in a hurry!" as he broke into a sprint, Yuki determined to make up for lost time.

Bursting into the cafeteria relieved to see there's still coffee left he grabbed a tray and hastily threw together a quick breakfast: scrambled eggs, toast, and, of course, a steaming cup of black coffee adding milk will only dall it's potency.He hated the bitterness of it, but he needed the caffeine to keep him going.The cafeteria was a sprawling hall filled with sleek metallic tables and automated food dispensers. Students of various ranks and ages filled the room, their conversations blending into a low hum.Yuki looking for an empty seat near the window, he notices a hand it's waving at him.cursing under his breath It's mia his childhood friend, he ignores her hoping that he just hallucinated.

Yuki over here! See yelled out, so much for a escape plan he muttered awaiting his Scolding.

The students hearing his name questioned if it's really him? the boy of the rumors the one with no powers.I didn't know me not having powers spread so far.

Heading to the table he could hardly recognize her the last time they saw each other was at middle school graduation. Yuki made his way over, and the moment Mia saw him, her brows furrowed in disapproval.Her voice sharp scolding him for his massy appearance and atire and not keeping his promise about talking better care after himself.

Mia laced with concern. "Look at you this is no way for someone to look on there first day of high school.Bags under your eyes, messy hair, wrinkled clothes… When was the last time you had a proper slept? Do you even know how to take care of yourself?What happened about keeping the promise about looking better after himself?".

He dropped his tray on the table with a sigh, slumping into the chair opposite her. "Good morning to you too, Mia."

I can't say the same for you,you look like you just fell out of a tornado.

Haha, very funny—always having the same thing to say. I didn't miss that part: "Well yeah, keep it real—that's the motto."

Mia, curious, asked why he looked that way.

He groaned, slouching in his seat."I couldn't sleep so i went through the old reports and books about metal Storm and phantom cure".

Mia's eyes lingered on him for a moment before she spoke again. "It's already been six years, yuki.Six years since… the attack." Her voice wavered.

Don't you think it's time to give up,there's been many people that investigated this case finding nothing there's a reason it's called the impossible case even a veteran detective couldn't Crack this case.

Yuki's hand froze, the mug halfway to his lips. He didn't need her to elaborate.I know but I have to samething is telling me not give up.

So Sherlock holmes were is your first clues?.This school is the key to finding out the truth,"he said confidently".This school your joking you've watched to many of those conspiracy theories.

Yuki didn't respond. What could he say? She wasn't wrong.

Wait is that the reason you rejecting my mom's offer to stay the summer vacation at our place?."That's the reason... yes,he agreed being reluctant to reveal the true reason."

Their conversation was interrupted by the air shifting with the arrival of Luke,mia's brother, one of the academy's Top 10 elite mech pilot candidates and Top 5 power welder.Tall, broad-shouldered,blue eyes, and perfectly styled hair, he was the kind of person who turned heads wherever he went. and with a face that made every girl in the room steal glances, Luke walked with the confidence of someone who knew he was destined for greatness.

What do you want?,mia said irritated,"can't your brother say morning to his sisters" I'm your only sister,mia annoyed.

"Look who it is," Luke said, his voice dripping with mockery as he approached their table. "The academy's resident underdog."

Yuki didn't bother looking up, focusing instead on his eggs. "What do you want, Luke?"

Luke smirked, crossing his arms. "Just wondering how someone like you even gets out of bed every morning. No rank, no powers, no future. Honestly, it's kind of impressive you're still here"

Mia bristled, her fists clenching. "That's enough,Luke your being a jackass."

Yuki raised a hand to stop her. "Don't, Mia. He's right."

Luke's smirk widened. "At least you know your place." With that, he turned to leave, but before he could get far, a robotic voice echoed through the cafeteria.

"Attention, all students. Report to the assembly hall."

The announcement silenced the room, and a buzz of curiosity rippled through the crowd. Luke smirked one last time at Yuki before striding out of the cafeteria.

Mia frowned, turning back to Yuki. "Why do you let him talk to you like that?"

I haven't drank my coffee yet.What a lame excuse.It wasn't a excuse you didn't give me a chance to drink it.

Yuki gulped down the last of his coffee, setting the cup down with a clink. "Come on, Mia, let's go. The assembly's starting earlier than usual.I'm curious what it could be"