Beyond The Threshold

Orion sat at their usual table in the cafeteria, pushing his food around on his tray. The festival was over, but the energy on campus hadn't faded—it had just shifted. Instead of excitement about the events, now everything felt quieter, heavier. Today was the day.

Today, the results would be announced.

"So," Rin said, stretching her arms behind her head. "Who's feeling confident?" She leaned back in her seat, her usual smirk plastered across her face. "Not that it's even a question for me. I know I did great."

Cas rolled her eyes. "Of course, you do."

"Because I did."

Orion sighed, tapping his fingers against the table. He wasn't sure how he felt about today. A part of him wanted to pass. He had put in the effort, pushed through the challenges, and even if he got eliminated in the top five, he still made it far. But another part of him—the one that enjoyed the predictability of History and Sciences—wasn't so sure.

And then there was Skye.

Lately, he had found himself paying more attention to her. Maybe it was because she wasn't as caught up in all of this. Maybe it was because, unlike most people, she wasn't obsessed with the divisions, factions, or lucid dreaming itself. She had other interests, and talking to her felt… normal in a way the rest of his life didn't. If he got selected for Dream Exploration, things would change.

Was that what he wanted?

Neil let out a long, exaggerated sigh. "God, you guys take everything so seriously."

Cas turned to him. "And you don't?"

Neil shrugged. "Nope. Didn't even sign up, so I'm feeling pretty good about my results."

Cas shook her head. "You really had no interest in any of the three sectors?"

"Nope."

"Not even Research?"

Neil clicked his tongue. "The Research sector under the Research and Combat Division is different from the independent research we do in Neural Interfaces. I like working on tech, not running field tests or writing papers on 'theoretical applications of dream mechanics.'"

Rin snorted. "Damn, someone's been reading the syllabus."

Neil pointed at her. "I read things when they concern me."

"Yeah, well," Rin said, taking a sip of her drink, "I'm telling you, if they do some crazy neural test in the future, you'll regret not signing up."

Neil leaned back. "Doubt it. I'll be too busy making the crazy neural tests."

Cas turned her attention to Orion. "And you?"

Orion hesitated. "I don't know," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I feel like I could go either way."

Rin scoffed. "Dude, you're overthinking this. You put in the work, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then you'll pass," she said simply. "And if you don't, well, sucks to be you."

Orion rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the support."

Cas tapped her fingers against the table. "I think I'm in. My scores were consistent in every phase, and the evaluation process seemed mostly objective. Unless they're looking for something really specific, I don't see why I wouldn't make it."

Rin pointed at her. "See? That's the attitude. Confidence."

Neil snorted. "Or, you know, hubris."

Cas shot him a glare, but Neil just smirked.

They continued talking, the conversation shifting between festival events, theories about the selection process, and stupid inside jokes. It felt like any other day—but beneath it all, an unspoken tension remained. No one actually knew what would happen once the results were out.

Lecture Hall – Results Announcement

The hall was packed. Students whispered amongst themselves, exchanging last-minute theories and nervous energy. Orion sat between Neil and Cas, his knee bouncing slightly under the table.

On stage, a few professors stood near the holo-display, including Professor Callum. His expression was unreadable as he adjusted the interface, preparing to project the results.

"All right, quiet down," Callum's voice echoed across the room. The murmurs died instantly. "I know you've been waiting for this, so I won't drag it out longer than necessary."

A soft hum filled the air as the display flickered to life. Names began appearing under different categories, sorted by division.

Orion's heartbeat picked up.

Cas leaned forward. Rin sat back, arms crossed, looking smug. Neil? Well, Neil just looked bored.

Callum continued, "As you all know, the Research and Combat Division has three sectors: Research, Combat, and Dream Exploration. We'll be going through the names now."

He paused. Then the first category appeared—

RESEARCH SECTOR – SELECTED CANDIDATES:

Names started to fill the list.

Orion's eyes skimmed over them, his stomach twisting slightly. He wasn't aiming for Research, but—

Cas's name popped up.

She exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the table. "Knew it," she muttered, but there was clear relief in her voice.

A few more names rolled in. Then the list stopped.

Callum didn't waste time.

COMBAT SECTOR – SELECTED CANDIDATES:

Rin barely looked at the screen before she smirked. "Less go, baby."

Orion didn't even need to check. He knew she had passed.

More names scrolled by. He wasn't really paying attention anymore. His hands felt clammy.

Then—

DREAM EXPLORATION SECTOR – SELECTED CANDIDATES:

His eyes snapped to the list. Names appeared. The moment stretched impossibly long.

And then—

Orion blinked.

His name was there.

Right there.

He didn't even realize he was holding his breath until Neil nudged him. "Dude, you're in," he said. "Breathe."

Orion let out a shaky exhale.

Something between excitement and dread curled in his chest. This was it. This was what he had worked for. So why did it feel like something had just shifted in a way he couldn't take back?

Before he could process it, Callum's voice cut through the silence.

"And for those selected into Dream Exploration," he said, "you'll want to pay attention to what comes next."

Orion frowned.

What?

Callum's expression darkened slightly. "Because for you, the real test is just beginning."

The room tensed. A ripple of uncertainty passed through the selected students.

Orion's stomach dropped.

What the hell did that mean?