Avalon

The transition from the Gateway into the SoulRealm had been instant, but the shift in atmosphere was overwhelming.

Fenix took his first steps onto the platform and his breath hitched.

They weren't in some desolate wilderness or the middle of nowhere—

They had arrived in Avalon.

It was stunning.

A colossal medieval city, stretching farther than his eyes could comprehend.

Everywhere he looked, life flourished—thousands of Awakened moved about, working, trading, and living as if this was just another normal day.

Stalls lined the stone-paved streets, selling everything from rare artifacts to monster hides, potions, weapons, and runestones imbued with arcane energy.

Armed patrols of Awakened knights in battle-worn armor walked through the bustling streets, their presence a reminder of the city's unwavering security.

Above all, the fortified walls encasing the stronghold stood as an impenetrable barrier, towering over fifteen meters high, a bulwark designed to keep the horrors of the SoulRealm at bay.

Yet none of these sights compared to what stood at the heart of Avalon.

A monolithic tower, over 200 meters high, crafted from dark stone, with a spiral staircase wrapping around its circumference, interconnecting its many floors.

Fenix felt awe-struck, staring up at it.

"That thing is massive."

Even Sylis, who had likely seen similar structures before, stood silently, taking in the view.

It wasn't just a tower.

It was the foundation of the Stronghold, the pillar upon which Avalon stood.

The realization sank in—this wasn't just some temporary outpost.

This was a fortress, a city, a home for Awakened who had made the SoulRealm their domain.

The awe lasted only a few moments before they all registered their surroundings.

They were still standing on the arrival platform—a massive stone structure specifically built to house the incoming Gateways from the academy.

It was a place of constant activity, where new recruits, returning hunters, and battle-worn warriors came and went from their respective missions.

It was Sylis who noticed it first.

"Over there."

She pointed toward a figure standing near the edge of the platform, holding up a wooden sign that read:

"TEAM 17."

Fenix followed her gaze, noting the individual's attire.

It was a formal yet practical outfit, reminiscent of medieval wear, yet fitted with the modern touch of the academy's insignia.

The individual looked young—maybe early twenties—with short brown hair and a no-nonsense expression.

They held the sign with one hand and a neatly folded scroll with the other.

Sylis took the initiative, leading the group forward.

The moment they reached the individual, they spoke with professional clarity.

"Team 17?"

The five of them nodded.

"Good. I will be your guide for this afternoon. My name is Ethan Velt, and my job is to ensure you understand your accommodations and receive a full briefing of your mission. If you have any questions, ask them now, because once we leave this platform, we will be moving on a strict schedule."

Fenix exchanged glances with his teammates.

No one spoke up.

"Alright," Ethan continued, unfolding the scroll in his hand.

He raised the map attached to the scroll, revealing a detailed layout of Avalon and the surrounding territories.

The map was divided into sectors, each marked with various threat levels and territorial zones designated for specific missions.

But when Ethan scanned through the map, his brow furrowed slightly.

He turned the scroll for the group to see.

"As you can see, your group has not been assigned to a specific sector yet."

Fenix leaned in, studying the carefully drawn zones.

Some areas were marked with "Tier III+" warnings, indicating higher-ranked monsters, while others had military patrol symbols, likely strongholds meant to be defended by powerful Awakened.

Then, there were wide, unmarked sections near the southern outskirts of Avalon.

"Here," Ethan pointed. "This is where all the academy's first-time Awakened will be assigned."

Unlike the other sections, this zone was deliberately maintained to house weaker monsters, around Tier I.

"This area is regulated and constantly monitored," Ethan explained. "It's where all of you will complete your first mission. The creatures here are manageable, but that doesn't mean you can get reckless."

Fenix frowned slightly. He understood why they were placed in a controlled environment, but something about it still left an odd taste in his mouth.

They were going to be thrown into real battle, yet their first trial here would still be somewhat supervised.

Ethan, noticing their expressions, smirked slightly.

"Don't think this will be easy. The academy won't interfere unless absolutely necessary. If you're not careful, even a Tier I monster can take you down."

The group nodded in understanding.

Fenix exhaled slowly, mentally preparing himself.

It wasn't exactly what he was expecting… but that didn't matter.

This was their first hunt.

And he would make sure to use every second of it.

After ensuring everyone understood their mission briefing, Ethan Velt led them through the stone-paved streets of Avalon toward their assigned living quarters.

The journey through the stronghold was almost as mesmerizing as their initial arrival. Stalls filled with Awakened artisans, blacksmiths, and hunters lined the streets, while the rhythmic clang of metal echoed from forges.

Everywhere they looked, Awakened of all different ranks and ages walked the streets. Some bore the scars of countless battles, while others, like them, were clearly new recruits experiencing the SoulRealm for the first time.

Finally, after several turns, Ethan led them to a large stone building, modest but well-structured, with multiple floors and several rooms per level.

"This will be your temporary housing for the duration of your stay," Ethan announced as they entered the building. He gestured toward a main corridor lined with wooden doors, each labeled with a room number.

"You each have been assigned a separate room, but your living space is communal. That means you'll be working together, training together, and coordinating your survival within the same unit."

Ethan turned to face them, his expression firm.

"One last thing—don't be reckless."

He glanced at each of them.

"This is your first time in Avalon, and I won't sugarcoat it. Not everyone comes back from their first hunt. But you're in a controlled environment, and you will be monitored from the tower to ensure nothing unexpected happens."

That statement put some of them at ease—but Fenix had the feeling it wasn't entirely true.

The academy wasn't going to hold their hands.

Ethan smirked slightly.

"Relax. You're not the first batch of students to come here, and you won't be the last. As long as you work as a team, you'll be fine."

With that, he turned on his heels, heading toward the door.

"Get some rest. Your mission begins tomorrow at dawn."

With a casual wave, Ethan exited the building, leaving them alone in their new quarters.

The silence lingered for a few moments after Ethan left.

Then, one of the Awakened, a tall guy with short dark hair and a confident smirk, clapped his hands together.

"Well, since we're gonna be stuck together for a while, how about we grab dinner and get to know each other?"

Sylis nodded. "That's actually a good idea. We should at least know what each of us can do before we head into a fight."

Everyone agreed, including Fenix.

And so, after unpacking their essentials and changing into more comfortable clothes, they gathered downstairs in the dining hall.

The food, though simple, was hearty—freshly cooked meats, bread, vegetables, and warm broth. They all grabbed trays and sat together at a large wooden table.

As they started eating, the same Awakened who suggested the meal leaned forward with a grin.

"Alright, introductions. I'll start."

He placed a hand on his chest in an exaggerated manner.

"Name's Elias Moreau. 18 years old. From Eastern Europe." He smirked. "My Unique Aspect? Sword Saint."

Fenix raised a brow. That name sounded strong.

Elias chuckled, noticing the reactions.

"In simple terms—I fight like someone who's been on the battlefield for decades. My reflexes, instincts, and skill with a sword? Top-tier. Even though I'm new at this, I fight like a veteran."

Fenix found that ability borderline unfair.

Elias leaned back. "Next?"

A girl sitting next to Elias adjusted her short blonde hair and smiled warmly.

"I'm Rika Voss. 17 years old. From North America… well, what used to be North America before everything fell apart, my grand-grandparents were from there so I have their blood."

A flicker of pain passed through her face, but she quickly brushed it off.

"My Unique Aspect is Vital Touch—I can heal wounds by touch. It has its limits, but it's saved a lot of people before."

Healing? That was extremely rare. Fenix had seen nothing but combat-oriented Abilities so far, so Rika's Aspect was something that could change the course of battle entirely.

The third member, a large-built guy, spoke next.

"Irel Grayson. 16. From Western Asia." His voice was deep and unshaken.

"My Aspect? Ironhide."

He grinned, knocking on his own arm, producing a metallic sound.

"My skin hardens like steel. The stronger my willpower, the tougher my body becomes."

Elias let out a whistle. "That sounds useful as hell in a fight."

Irel grinned. "Sure is. Means I don't have to dodge."

Elias chuckled. "Or think."

Irel threw a piece of bread at Elias's face, causing laughter to spread through the group.

Then, all eyes landed on Sylis.

Unlike the others, no introduction was needed. They all already knew who she was.

"Well," Elias said, smirking, "I guess this is just a formality for you, Sylis."

Sylis exhaled, already expecting this.

"Sylis of Arventis. 16 years old. Water affinity and… something else."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "Something else?"

"Something I don't feel like talking about."

That was enough to shut Elias up.

Then… it was Fenix's turn.

All eyes landed on him.

He cleared his throat.

"Fenix. 16 years old. From a small city near the European Capital."

"Your Aspect?" asked Irel.

Fenix paused for a second.

'There's no way I can just say Chaos.'

"…I have Fire Affinity," he answered.

Simple. Believable.

Elias raised a brow but didn't question it. "Not bad."

The conversation continued, shifting from battle talk to simple things—what they liked to eat, what they did before Awakening, and how they all ended up here.

It was the first time Fenix had sat down and talked so casually with strangers, but… it wasn't bad.

He was still getting used to trusting people, but at the very least, they didn't seem bad to work with.

After finishing their meals, they all headed back to their rooms for rest.

Tomorrow…

Their first mission in Avalon would begin.

And the true test of their strength would start.

But before, the night was still young

The warmth of the dining hall was a stark contrast to the vast, medieval-like stronghold outside. The large wooden table where Fenix, Sylis, Elias, Rika, and Irel sat was filled with simple but satisfying food—freshly cooked meats, warm bread, vegetable stew, and fruit preserves. The flickering glow of lanterns cast a cozy ambiance, making the group's first night together feel oddly comfortable despite their unknown future.

The introductions had been brief but revealing—each of them possessing a Unique Aspect with its own strengths and applications.

However, now that the formalities were out of the way, the conversation began shifting into something more… casual.

For the first time, the tension from stepping into a new world began to ease.

Elias leaned back in his chair, smirking as he tore into a piece of bread.

"Alright, now that we know who won the genetic lottery and who barely survived their Awakening, let's talk about something actually important."

Fenix raised a brow. "Like what?"

Elias pointed at the table with exaggerated seriousness.

"Who here is terrible at cooking?"

There was a brief silence.

Then, Rika raised a hand without hesitation.

"I once set water on fire."

Elias blinked. "How the hell do you burn water?"

"I don't know," she admitted with a sigh. "But I tried boiling some and ended up with the stove catching fire."

Sylis chuckled softly. "That's impressive, actually."

"I'd rather it wasn't," Rika muttered, poking at her stew with a spoon.

Irel, who had been quietly enjoying his meal, finally spoke up.

"I can cook well enough. Nothing fancy, but I won't kill anyone with it."

Fenix smirked. "That's a pretty low standard."

"Well, considering some people in this room, it's necessary to clarify," Irel shot back, glancing at Rika.

"Hey, I try, okay?" Rika protested, crossing her arms. "It's just not my strong suit."

Elias grinned. "So, we know who's banned from touching the kitchen."

"Fine by me," Rika sighed.

Fenix, who had mostly survived off rations, cheap street food, or whatever he could find, shrugged.

"I'm not much of a cook either. But I don't burn water, at least."

Sylis tilted her head slightly. "What about your Fire Affinity? Wouldn't that make it easier for you to control heat?"

Fenix hesitated.

"Well… theoretically, yeah."

Elias perked up. "Wait, you never tried cooking with your flames?"

Fenix rubbed his chin. "Honestly? No."

Elias threw his hands up. "What a waste of an obvious advantage! Imagine searing a steak perfectly with just your hand."

Fenix smirked. "I'll consider trying… if you want to be my test subject."

Elias immediately raised his hands in surrender. "Actually, I take it back. I like my food not charred beyond recognition."

The table shook with quiet laughter.

Sylis placed her spoon down and glanced around the room. "So, now that we've been here for a while… what do you all think of Avalon and the Academy?"

Irel leaned forward. "It's… bigger than I expected."

Elias scoffed. "Bigger? This place is a damn fortress. They built it like a medieval empire just to house Awakened."

Fenix nodded. "The city alone has everything—training centers, blacksmiths, restaurants, even entertainment areas. It's like a world of its own."

Sylis tapped her fingers against the table thoughtfully. "It has to be. The SoulRealm is unpredictable. If Avalon wasn't self-sufficient, it wouldn't be able to function as a safe zone."

"That makes sense," Rika said. "But it still feels… weird. Like, we're here training to fight monsters and survive, but people just live here like it's normal."

"They don't have much of a choice," Sylis responded. "The Five Great Families may hold power, but Avalon is independent from them. It's where research, training, and operations happen to keep humanity stable."

Elias smirked. "Sounds like you memorized that straight from the official guidebook."

Sylis narrowed her eyes. "Or maybe I just pay attention."

Elias chuckled. "Fair point."

Fenix decided to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"What about the other students? Have any of you met someone interesting?"

Elias rolled his eyes. "Depends on what you mean by interesting."

Irel smirked. "He means Legacy heirs."

Elias groaned. "Oh, please. I don't need to hear another noble asshole talk about how their great-great-grandfather once single-handedly saved the world."

Sylis arched a brow. "Sounds like you have a personal grudge."

Elias pointed at her. "Yeah. You."

Sylis sipped her drink without responding.

Fenix chuckled, then turned to Rika. "What about you? Made any friends?"

Rika nodded. "A few. Some students from my healing class. They're nice."

Elias smirked. "Let me guess, they're all serious, responsible healers who never break the rules."

Rika narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just saying," Elias grinned, "we could use someone like you in our group, especially if things get rough tomorrow."

Rika sighed. "I'll keep you all alive… if you don't do anything stupid."

Elias grinned. "No promises."

By the time they finished eating, the tension that once hung over them was gone.

They weren't just a group of strangers thrown together for a mission anymore.

They were starting to feel like a real team.

Sylis stretched her arms and stood up. "We should probably get some rest. We head out early tomorrow."

Elias sighed dramatically. "Ugh. Mornings."

Irel smirked. "Didn't you say your Aspect makes you a battle-hardened warrior?"

Elias scoffed. "Yeah, but it doesn't make me a morning person."

The group chuckled as they started heading toward their rooms.

Fenix lingered for a moment, looking around the hall.

It had been a long time since he sat at a table with people like this.

Sure, he still had his own goals, and he didn't fully trust anyone yet.

But tonight…

For the first time since arriving, he felt like he belonged.

Tomorrow, their first mission in Avalon would begin.

And Fenix was ready.