Graduation Exam

The Academy was alive with a frenetic energy. It was the first day back, and the final stretch before the end of the academic year. Seniors were the center of attention, with the university entrance examinations looming as the defining event of their time here. The atmosphere was an intoxicating mix of stress, anxiety, and excitement, with every hallway abuzz with hurried footsteps and fragmented conversations.

The towering steel and glass structures reflected the golden morning light, while sleek corridors curved into an interconnected labyrinth.

Each wing housed last generation facilities, from training arenas to high-tech laboratories, and was punctuated by lush indoor courtyards that offered brief moments of reprieve.

Aksel had returned from home earlier that morning, rushing through the halls to reach his dorm and change into his uniform. As he sprinted past groups of chattering students, his mind wandered to his life at the Academy.

He wasn't particularly remarkable—an average student with slightly above-average physical strength. He'd joined the military academy with a plan: make connections, rise through the ranks, and eventually escape the outer city with his family. His carefully orchestrated strategy even extended to his choice of roommate. Using his family's minor influence, he had been placed with the rumored genius of Biomechanics.

But the reality had been a colossal disappointment.

That so-called genius turned out to be an inferior specimen, born with a weak physique, deaf, and as poor as dirt. Nioh, his roommate, walked around with a perpetually deadpan expression, completely unresponsive to social stimuli. Sure, he aced theoretical exams, but his performance in physical training was laughable. He was a loner, avoiding all socializing and extracurricular activities, perpetually holed up in their shared dorm like a reclusive lizard.

Over two years, Nioh had probably spoken a grand total of three words to him, and just thinking about it made Aksel's blood boil. "My priority now is to find a duo for the field exam," he muttered to himself as he keyed in the entry code to their dorm.

Once inside, Aksel dropped his bags haphazardly, clumsily kicking off his shoes. As he did, the door to the shared bathroom slid open, releasing a wave of warm steam infused with the scent of soap and shampoo.

"Who are you?" Aksel blurted out, startled by the figure stepping out.

A pale face, long wet hair, and a chiseled physique—though shorter than him—stood before him, toweling off. Aksel froze as his gaze met a pair of green, deadened eyes.

"Nioh…? Is that you?" he stammered, stepping closer. "What happened to you? Did you awaken your biocore?"

Without waiting for an answer, Aksel began inspecting him like a piece of merchandise. "Look at those abs! And your hair! Wow, you really lucked out. I only got a moderate physique boost from my awakening."

Nioh calmly adjusted his hearing device, which unfolded to cover his head strategically. "What did you say?" he asked, his tone as indifferent as ever.

"Whoa, this is the most words you've said to me in two years!" Aksel exclaimed, finishing with his shoes. His face lit up like he'd just struck gold.

"Do you want something?" Nioh asked, clearly uncomfortable under Aksel's scrutinizing gaze.

"Do you already have a partner for the field exam?" Aksel asked without missing a beat.

"Partner?" Nioh echoed, his confusion evident.

Aksel, exasperated, grabbed Nioh by the arm—still wrapped in a towel—and dragged him to the nearby couch. "The exam layout was released before the awakening break," Aksel began, his voice eager. "There are three parts this year instead of two: theoretical for 50%, physical for 50%, and the field exam for a whopping 100%. It's a new addition, introduced by the Hive Council with backing from the Mecha Corps."

Before Nioh could process the information, Aksel pressed on. "The field exam will be done in pairs. We'll be sent into a controlled cradle zone and judged on combat, survival skills, and biocore utilization."

"Will the school provide weapons?" Nioh asked.

"Yes. But we need to submit our team and weapon preferences by the end of the day. So… do you want to pair up with me?"

"Why are you asking me?" Nioh frowned.

Aksel sighed, his tone dipping with disappointment. "When it comes to our senior class, you and I are probably the worst off in terms of background and finances. Even though this Academy is in the outer city, there's still a hierarchy—children of veterans, military legacies, merchants—they all stick together."

'The deadline is too short to find someone else. We might as well accept him,' Ekoh's voice chimed in Nioh's mind.

"Sure. Let's do it," Nioh said, rising from the couch. "Send your stats to my communication device."

Aksel beamed as Nioh walked into his room to change.

Aksel couldn't believe his luck was finally turning. With Nioh's awakened biocore, even if it was a support-based one, it felt like adding nitro to boosters. His chances of making it to the inner city had risen by 60%. Diligently, he went to work and sent his information to Nioh's communication device.

The response came swiftly on Nioh's dashboard:

Name: Aksel

Position: Aegis Defense

Biocore: Colossus-class (Regeneration)

Height: 10 meters

Weight: 30 tons

Weapons: Undefined

"His stats are heavy on defense. He's a pure tank," Ekoh noted.

"Yes, he's a meat shield," Nioh replied flatly.

'How do you want to play it?'

"I need to showcase my weapon-designing abilities, so let's make him the star of the show. What do you think about this and this?"

'Do you think he can handle it?'

"I've seen his combat training matches. He can hold his own. Plus, we'll support him with this and this."

'Very unconventional. But it will work,' Ekoh concluded.

"I need to go to class," Nioh said, leaving his room. As he stepped out, he found Aksel waiting by the door.

"What are you doing here?" Nioh asked.

"Waiting for you. Let's go to class together," Aksel replied eagerly.

"You don't need to do this. I already agreed to partner with you. I won't go back on my word," Nioh stated as they walked toward their classroom.

"So… do you have a preferred division?" Aksel asked. "I want to join the Hive Defense Division. That way, I can live in the inner city. What about you?"

"I haven't decided yet," Nioh replied casually.

Before he could elaborate, a voice called out to Aksel. "Hey, Aksel! Who's that next to you?" A group of teenagers approached them with curious expressions.

Aksel's demeanor shifted immediately. In a hesitant voice, he replied, "This is Nioh. He's my duo for the field exam."

"Nioh?" one of them sneered. "Ah, the deaf Mechanic?" The group burst into laughter.

"If you couldn't find a partner, you should've just told me. Was there really a need to cripple yourself?" the leader mocked.

Aksel's face burned with embarrassment as he glanced at Nioh. To his surprise, his roommate had already walked off, completely unfazed by the jeers.

Not knowing what else to do, Aksel straightened his back and mirrored Nioh's calm demeanor. "Thank you for your concern. Good luck on your exams," he said, turning to leave. For the first time, he didn't care what his supposed connections thought.

As they parted ways, Aksel's communication device beeped. He opened the message:

You're in charge of external communication. I don't want to be bothered with it.

Get a magnetic attraction net, a heavy plasma battle axe, a short hollow alloy dagger, and a pulsefire handgun.

Meet me for training once a week.

Aksel frowned at the list, confused. "Where's the shield? Where's the damage?" he muttered to himself, but a small grin formed on his lips.