Chapter 5 : "The truth about abilities "
5th of Varentis, Year 1247 PGD
Capital City Orvann, Velmora
Imperial Bureau of Enforcement Headquarters
The massive structure of the Imperial Bureau of Enforcement (IBE) Headquarters stood tall, a testament to the power and authority it held over the nation. The air was thick with anticipation as Rein arrived at the entrance precisely at 8:00 AM, his sharp eyes scanning the fortified security towers and high-tech barriers surrounding the facility.
As he approached the main gate, two security officers halted him. One of them, a stocky man with a stern expression, gave him a scrutinizing look.
"Halt. State your business."
Rein calmly pulled out his trainee ID and held it up. "I passed the IBE exam this year," he said evenly.
The officer took a moment to verify the ID before giving a slight nod. "Proceed through security."
After undergoing a quick but thorough security check, Rein was finally allowed inside. Just as he stepped through, another officer gestured toward a hallway.
"Go straight, then turn left. You'll reach the Trainee Hall."
Rein gave a short nod. "Thank you."
Stepping inside, he took in the grandeur of the main entrance hall—a vast space with polished floors reflecting the sunlight pouring in from the high glass windows. The banners of Velmora and the IBE insignia, a golden phoenix with its wings spread wide, adorned the walls. He moved through the hall, eventually reaching a smaller chamber where numerous trainees had already gathered.
---
Trainee Hall: First Impressions
The hall buzzed with conversation. Rein estimated there were around 500 trainees in total, ranging from teenagers to young adults, none older than 25. Some spoke in hushed excitement, others stood in silence, their expressions unreadable.
Choosing to keep his distance, Rein leaned against a wall, arms crossed, quietly observing. He immediately noticed something—some of these people felt different. Their presence alone exuded a certain intensity. Are they ability users? he wondered, though he couldn't be certain yet.
His thoughts were interrupted by a heated argument unfolding nearby.
"Like I said," a tall, broad-shouldered trainee sneered, "you're not worthy of being here."
His opponent, a shorter but sharp-eyed young man, scowled. "And what makes you think you are?"
The taller man smirked, puffing out his chest. "Dante Novas. Ever heard of the name? My family has served in the Velmora military for generations. My father, my uncle, my older brothers—they're all in the military. I've been training for years. I ranked 4th in the IBE exam. That's why I belong here."
The shorter trainee didn't back down. "Rank and family have nothing to do with worthiness."
Dante scoffed. "That's what weaklings say."
Their argument escalated, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade. Just as it seemed a fight was inevitable—
"Attention, everyone!"
A sharp, authoritative voice rang through the hall. Instantly, all eyes turned toward the speaker.
A woman in a crisp IBE uniform stood at the front, her piercing gaze silencing the room. She had short silver hair, a strong posture, and an air of discipline about her.
"I am Veronica Calsan," she announced. "First of all, congratulations to those who passed the IBE exam. From this moment forward, you are no longer just civilians. You stand at the gateway to becoming officers of the Imperial Bureau of Enforcement."
A momentary pause. Then she continued.
"We will not waste time. You are to proceed in an orderly manner to the Auditorium Hall, where your seniors will explain everything about the IBE's mission and the dangers we face." She gestured to the right. "Move now."
Without hesitation, the trainees began filing into the auditorium.
---
The History of Abilities
The auditorium was vast, with seats arranged in tiers around a large central stage. The trainees settled in, murmurs of curiosity rippling through the crowd. A giant holographic screen flickered to life at the front, displaying the Imperial Bureau of Enforcement's insignia.
Then, the lights dimmed.
A deep voice echoed through the hall.
"What you are about to see is the true history of our world."
A holographic simulation began. The room fell into silence as vivid images played before them—
---
Centuries Ago—The Age of Magic
Long ago, every human possessed natural magic. The world thrived in a delicate balance—until the rise of the Great Devil.
A colossal, shadowy figure appeared, standing against entire armies. Nations that had long been divided were forced to unite against this single overwhelming threat.
"The Great Devil sought to conquer the world, but even in defeat, he ensured his legacy would endure."
The scene shifted—
The Great Devil, surrounded and near death, suddenly absorbed all of the world's magic into his body. The overwhelming energy consumed him—
And then, he exploded.
A massive shockwave of corrupted energy spread across the lands. People collapsed, their magic vanishing forever. In its place, a new energy formed—giving birth to abilities. But unlike before, not everyone was capable of wielding them.
---
The simulation ended, and the room remained silent.
A senior officer stepped forward onto the stage.
"My name is Darius Venn," he introduced himself. "What you just witnessed is the true history of abilities. And now, you must understand what the IBE truly stands for."
The screen changed to footage of criminals with abilities wreaking havoc—destroying buildings, slaughtering innocents, taking down entire squads of officers.
"The IBE exists to protect society from both external threats and internal conflicts. Some criminals are ordinary humans—masters of deception, violence, and war. But the true threats… are those with abilities."
A heavy silence settled over the trainees.
"After this orientation, you will receive your dorm assignments," Darius continued. "Each dorm will house four cadets. These people will be your roommates throughout your training."
With that, officers began distributing papers detailing dorm numbers, locations, and what each cadet was required to bring.
---
A Silent Decision
As Rein walked out of the auditorium, his mind raced.
He thought about the Great Devil's explosion, about how abilities were born from corrupted magic.
And then, his own ability came to mind—his shadow powers.
What does this mean for me…?
His fists clenched.
Regardless of the past, he had made his decision.
This was the path he chose. He would walk it without hesitation.
---
[End of Chapter 5]