The Guarded City and Those Who Refuse to Get Involved

A towering walled city, surrounded by a Core-powered defense network that glows faintly at night.At the city's heart stands a military academy, widely hailed as humanity's last hope—The place where future Aether Corps are trained, forged, and tested.Also the place where technology and bureaucracy collide in the loudest, most chaotic ways possible.

At least… that's what the brochure says.

Deren stared at the sky from the dorm balcony, warm coffee in hand, and dark circles under his eyes that resembled sleeping bags.

"City of hope, they say.More like a place where every morning starts with a training alarm that sounds like an underground metal concert."

Ever since he—accidentally—got into the academy, his peaceful life had flipped upside down.From daily naps and quiet tinkering in his underground workshop…to physical drills, tactical theory, tech exams, and for some reason—weapon exhibitions?

To make things worse, the "failed" tools he kept discarding kept being sold by Clarice—now gaining attention from the government.And the Metavores?Yeah… they were starting to move again.

This world was no longer about survival.It was about who controls Core technology—and who's crazy enough (or lazy enough) not to take sides.

Unfortunately, Deren was the latter.

And the world doesn't like people who stay neutral.

Elsewhere… deep underground…

A black Core cracked slowly.Its fracture pulsed outward in a rhythmic wave—sending vibrations into the air...

And that signal could only be picked up by one device—built by someone who just wanted… a nap.

Morning Behind the City's Too-Serious Walls

"Stand straight! Breathe in! Don't look like a sandwich that missed the toaster!"

The instructor's voice that morning was louder than a Core disaster alarm. A line of fresh cadets stood in the main field, forming a semi-sleeping formation trying to look war-ready. The sun hadn't fully risen, yet sweat was already dripping from Kael's chin.

"This is the safest and strictest city in the world! Don't embarrass the academy's reputation!"

Deren stood at the far end of the line, wearing an oversized hoodie and a face that was too honestly sleepy. His eyes scanned the towering city walls behind Nova Academy.

"Core walls, satellite systems, patrol drones… and people still complain that Metavore attacks come too fast. Maybe because they've never pulled three all-nighters just to hack sensors."

Beside him, Ryn stood upright, neat like a cadet in a recruitment poster.

"This is the first time I've seen the city from the academy hill. Looks cool. The fortress even has triple-layered Core radiation shielding."

Deren gave a small nod. "What's the name of this place again?"

"Etherna. But most just call it... The Last City."

Deren glanced at a patrol drone flying overhead.

"The Last City, huh? Good. Hopefully there's no next city that's even noisier than this."

Simulation and Sarka, Who's Always Too Serious

After morning assembly, Instructor Sarka stood in front of a giant digital board. She looked like someone who didn't believe vacations should exist.

"Today, you'll begin advanced technical and tactical training. This isn't theory. You'll be tested on a simulated battlefield based on real cities destroyed during Core invasions."

Kael pumped his fist. "Yes! Extreme combat training! Finally something cool!"

Deren raised his hand halfway. "Is there a nap class for mental recovery?"

Sarka gave him a flat look. "There is. But only if you score above average in the simulation."

Deren sighed. "Typical. This world just doesn't appreciate productive laziness."

Cadet Café: Breakfast, Stereotypes, and a Hint of Despair

Before heading to the tactics room, Deren, Ryn, and Kael sat in the cadet cafeteria. The room was filled with the scent of toast, cheap coffee, and dreams not yet crushed by reality.

Kael devoured his double-layer meat sandwich like a starving soldier. Deren just stared at his now-cold tea, questioning if life was even worth living.

"I heard from upperclassmen," Kael said with his mouth full, "today's training uses a real-time system. Even the dummy weapons can bruise you."

Deren scoffed. "If they add stun effects again, I'm transferring to the agriculture division. At least tomatoes don't hit back."

Ryn sipped his coffee. "You can't run from exams forever, Der."

"Not running. I'm strategically avoiding long-term suffering. It's an art form, not cowardice."

Kael pointed at him with a fork. "That's a new philosophy, and it's… so you."

Deren raised his teacup and stared at the cafeteria ceiling, as if hoping the sky would collapse so he could go home early.

"At least I'm consistent."

Elsewhere, the World Prepares to Slap Back

Behind the academy building, Clarice stood before a hidden terminal, checking data from one of Deren's prototype portable Core sensors—silently slipped into her bag.

The screen's graph spiked.

"Hmm… that's not a regular Core vibration. The wave pattern… it's too deep."

A strange signal pulsed from the city's southern sector. The rhythm resembled Metavore activity—but distorted. Ancient.

Clarice typed quickly and sent a message through an encrypted channel:

"Vibration levels rising. This Core isn't standard. Might be… something buried long ago."

And inside Deren's bag, the tiny device he thought was broken… began to blink softly.

Deren looked at his bag.

"Why is the red light on? Don't tell me… no, please. I just got eight hours of sleep this week."

The sky remained calm. Patrol drones still buzzed.But the silent alarm… had already started ticking.

The world, of course, didn't care.