chapter 2: the entrance exam

For years, Kira trained. Day after day, night after night.

At the age of 12, she made a vow—to break the leaderboard system, to make Elysia Vance pay, and to ensure no one else would suffer the way she did. And so, for six long years, she dedicated everything to preparing for the academy's entrance exam.

She wasn't the strongest. She wasn't the fastest. But she was relentless.

The academy's entrance exam was the first step toward becoming a Zenith. And Kira knew the odds.

Every year, thousands applied. Only 15% passed.

This year, 1,600 students had registered for the exam. The ones who succeeded could choose their major: Medical, Technical, or Zenith.

"The rest would be assigned jobs by the government, their dreams of joining the fight against the Abyssals crushed before they even began."

And Kira?

She had no intention of failing.

The Morning of the Exam

The Avalon Academy.

It stood in the very heart of Globe a towering, futuristic fortress surrounded by shimmering energy barriers. Its sheer size was overwhelming. The academy was more than just a school—it was a city within a city, stretching high into the sky with countless levels, each designed to prepare students for their chosen path.

Kira stepped through the academy's grand entrance, and the sight inside left her speechless.

A massive, multi-level canteen bustled with students, filled with sleek, automated food dispensers that offered dishes from across the globes. Holographic menus floated above each counter, displaying endless meal options.

To her left, an enormous library spanned several floors, its walls lined with both physical books and digital archives. Elevators carried students between levels, while robotic assistants sorted through books at lightning speed.

The classrooms were just as extravagant. Glass walls, high-tech projectors, and desks that adjusted to each student's preference.

Kira frowned. They really went all out for this place.

She sighed and decided to find the bathroom before the exam started.

The Bathroom

The moment she spotted a glowing restroom sign, she was surprised. Even the bathrooms looked luxurious.

The entrance was lined with a shimmering, silver archway, and inside, the walls were marble with embedded LED lighting. The mirrors displayed real-time weather updates, news reports, and class schedules. Each stall had an automated sanitation system, and the sinks were motion-activated with warm water that adjusted to the user's preference.

Kira muttered, "This is ridiculous."

She hurried to take care of business, but before she could fully relax, the academy's loudspeakers boomed overhead.

"All applicants, proceed to the testing halls. Your entrance exam will now begin."

Her eyes widened. Already?!

She rushed out of the stall, washed her hands quickly, and darted into the hallway—only to find it completely empty.

"Crap. Crap. Crap!" she hissed, running through the deserted corridor, searching for any sign of where to go.

Then, just as she turned a corner, she nearly crashed into someone.

Arianna

The girl in front of her was stunning. Blonde hair, silky and flowing down to her waist, with piercing emerald-green eyes that seemed to glow under the academy's bright lighting. She carried herself with a graceful posture, dressed neatly in the academy's standard student uniform.

She looked just as lost as Kira.

"Uh… you wouldn't happen to know where the entrance exam is, would you?" Kira asked awkwardly.

The blonde girl sighed. "No clue. I thought I was heading there, but this place is a maze."

Kira nodded. "Same. What's your name?"

"Arianna. From Globe #2."

Kira's eyebrows raised. Globe #2 The students from there were usually well-prepared for the exam.

As they walked together, chatting about how ridiculous the academy's design was, Kira spotted a holographic sign flickering ahead.

"ENTRANCE EXAM - THIS WAY."

"Finally!" Kira sighed.

The two girls exchanged a glance before rushing inside.

Inside the Exam Hall

The moment they pushed the heavy double doors open, hundreds of eyes turned to them.

Arianna immediately turned red.

Kira cleared her throat, stepping forward. "Uh… sorry. Got lost."

The entire room went silent.

Then, a strict-looking teacher standing at the podium sighed. "Take your seats."

Arianna and Kira quickly waved at each other, whispering, "Good luck."

The Exam Begins

Kira found her assigned seat and sat down.

Beside her, a boy was eyeing her strangely.

She ignored him, focusing on the teacher, who began explaining the exam rules.

"You have four hours to complete the exam. There are 50 questions. Any form of cheating will result in immediate disqualification."

A digital screen in front of her flickered to life. The first question appeared:

Question 1: A Zenith team is deployed to a danger zone. The squad leader is injured, and the communication system is malfunctioning. You have two options: attempt to rescue the leader while risking the lives of your entire team, or retreat, ensuring the survival of your squad but abandoning the leader. What do you do? Justify your answer.

Kira exhaled sharply.

This wasn't just a test of knowledge.

It was a test of morality.

And she had no intention of failing

Kira breezed through most of the questions. Some were difficult, but none were impossible—until she reached question 28.

It was a math problem. A complicated one.

Her fingers tapped anxiously against the desk. Math had never been her strong suit. She stared at the numbers, trying to make sense of them, but the more she looked, the more frustrating it became.

Then, a sharp whistle caught her attention.

She turned slightly, her eyes landing on the boy beside her. The same one who had been watching her earlier. He mouthed something.

"Need help?"

Kira tensed. She hesitated, glancing around. Everyone else was focused on their screens, deep in concentration. But there were definitely cameras here. There had to be. A place like Avalon Academy wouldn't take cheating lightly.

She shook her head subtly, trying to ignore him, but then he did something unexpected.

A small slip of paper slid under her arm.

Kira's breath hitched.

She glanced down. It was filled with answers—every single one.

Her pulse pounded in her ears. Should she trust him?

Her gut told her no. But at the same time, she wasn't completely sure if her own answers were right. If she failed, she'd have to go to a normal university. That wasn't an option.

Carefully, she checked the answers he provided against her own. Only eight of her answers matched his. That meant if she followed the note completely, she was guaranteed to pass. But if it was a trick…

She swallowed hard and made a decision.

She only copied his answers for the questions she hadn't finished. That way, if it was a setup, she still had a chance.

When the exam ended an hour later, Kira exhaled in relief. The teacher announced that results would be posted in the auditorium in two hours.

As she walked out, her mind raced. Did she make the right choice? Was the guy trustworthy?

Needing a distraction, she found Arianna in the campus café. They talked to pass the time, discussing the test and their future plans. Kira assumed Arianna would want to major in medicine, but to her surprise, Arianna wanted to become a Zenith too.

"Let's be partners in the future, then," Kira said with a grin.

Arianna smiled back. "Deal."

But Kira noticed something—Arianna had a burn mark on her arm. When their eyes met, Arianna quickly tugged her sleeve down, suddenly uncomfortable.

Sensing the shift, Kira changed the subject. "The results should be up soon. Want to head to the auditorium?"

Arianna nodded, and they walked together.

By the time they arrived, the auditorium was packed with students. The screen at the front flickered to life, revealing the names of the 480 students who had passed.

Kira's stomach twisted as she searched for her name.

Then, she saw it.

Rank #193

She made it.

Her heart pounded in relief, but something else caught her attention—the name at the very top.

The highest score in the entire exam.

It was the guy who had given her the answers.

Kira's blood ran cold.

He had gotten everything right.

Slowly, she turned her head, scanning the crowd. And sure enough, there he was.

Watching her.

His lips curled into a knowing smirk.

Kira quickly turned away, pretending she hadn't noticed him. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction.

But before she could process it all, something nudged her side.

"Kira, I made it too!" Arianna whispered excitedly, her eyes wide with relief. "Rank #227 That was way too close."

Kira managed a small smile. "Yeah. But you passed. That's what matters."

Around them, students reacted in different ways—some were celebrating, others looked devastated. Kira saw a few breaking down in tears

But she wasn't focused on them. Her eyes kept drifting back to the guy at the top of the leaderboard.

Noah Kradien

Kira's hands clenched at her sides. The Kradien family was legendary. Benjamin Kradien, Rank #2 in the Zenith Leaderboard, was one of the most powerful warriors in the world. And this guy—Noah—was his son?

How the hell did I end up sitting next to him?

Kira tried to shake off her nerves, but then Noah walked straight toward her.

He passed by Kira without a glance.

She let out a quiet breath, easing up. For a second, she had thought he was coming toward her.

But just as she started to relax, he suddenly paused beside her for a brief moment—then kept walking.

Kira stood frozen. What was that about?

Arianna poked her again. "Hey. You okay?"

Kira forced a laugh. "Yeah. Just… thinking."

She brushed it off, deciding she was overreacting. She got lucky. That's all. Noah probably had his own reasons for giving her the answers, but it didn't matter.

For now, she had bigger things to focus on.

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Outside, families were gathered, some hugging their children, others looking disappointed. Kira spotted Arianna's parents—a tall, elegant couple standing near a sleek, white hovercar. Arianna gave a small wave before turning to Kira.

"Are you heading home now?"

Kira nodded. "Yeah, my dad's picking me up."

Before she could react, she was suddenly lifted off the ground.

"My Kira! You did it!" Her father's deep voice boomed as he spun her around. She let out a laugh, feeling warmth rush through her chest.

"Dad, put me down!"

He finally set her back on her feet, grinning ear to ear. "I knew you could do it."

For the first time all day, Kira let herself relax. The stress, the confusion—it didn't matter right now. She had passed.

They got into their home, a sleek, high-tech structure with self-adjusting lighting and AI-powered appliances. As they ate dinner, her father kept talking about how proud he was, how she was going to change everything for their family.

But Kira's mind was elsewhere.

After dinner, Kira retreated to her room, exhaustion finally catching up to her. She flopped onto her bed, staring at the sleek, ceiling of her home.

Her mind replayed everything—the exam, the rankings, Arianna barely making it, and… him.

Noah Kradien.

Why did he give the answers to her? What was his goal?

Does he know being caught cheating or even helping cheat can result in immediate disqualification?

She exhaled sharply, pushing the thought aside. It doesn't matter. I'll figure it out later.

Right now, she needed sleep.

As her eyes grew heavy, one last thought crossed her mind.

What will life at Avalon Academy be like?

With that, she drifted off into the unknown of tomorrow.

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Noah leaned back in the leather seat of the sleek, driving car, watching as the cityscape blurred past the tinted windows. The restaurant district came into view, a mix of modern glass buildings and neon signs glowing against the evening sky. Cozy outdoor seating areas were filled with families and friends enjoying their meals, and warm golden lights lined the streets, making everything feel inviting despite the towering skyline in the distance.

He smirked slightly, thinking about Kira. She was interesting. Different. But before he could entertain the thought longer, the car suddenly slowed.

A shimmering blue holographic barrier materialized ahead. A mechanical voice chimed through the car's speaker:

"Identification required."

A scanning device extended from the barrier, sweeping a bright red laser over the vehicle's interior.

"Noah Kradien. Identity confirmed."

The hologram disappeared, and the car resumed its smooth drive forward.

Beyond the barrier, the world changed. Towering skyscrapers and bustling streets gave way to pristine nature. A massive circular fountain stood at the entrance, with crystalline water cascading down sculpted Zenith figures—each one representing a legend from history. Lush, well-manicured trees lined the roads, their leaves shimmering under soft ambient lights.

They passed a sleek silver sign:

"Welcome to Avaloria Neighborhood."

This was the heart of the Zeniths' world. Unlike the chaotic, ever-changing districts of the outer city, Avaloria was timeless—exclusive. Only the top six Zeniths and their families lived here, their status immortalized through the very land they walked on. Each estate was marked with a rank, a constant reminder of who stood at the pinnacle of power.

Noah's car glided past one of the first properties.

A sign read:

"Lin Aster's Humble Cottage."

Noah chuckled. "Humble? More like a palace."

Beyond the gate, the so-called "cottage" stretched into an elegant futuristic mansion. Its towering silver walls reflected the moonlight, and a massive glass dome revealed an indoor garden overflowing with exotic plants. A large infinity pool wrapped around the mansion's structure, glowing with bioluminescent blue water. The entrance was lined with gold-trimmed pillars, giving it the look of a royal palace rather than a simple home.

Lin Aster. Top 6 Zenith.

She had made it onto the leaderboard through an incident six years ago—a tragedy disguised as victory.

Globe #3's shield had collapsed, allowing Abyssals to flood in. The city had been on the brink of destruction when, out of nowhere, a colossal energy blast tore through the battlefield, instantly vaporizing two Level 5 Abyssals.

The kill was marked as an X Mission, awarding Lin Aster an unprecedented 400 points.

No one had seen her unleash that kind of power again. Some whispered that she had cheated, others believed she had powerful connections—just like most of the top Zeniths.

The car passed through more estates, each grander than the last, until finally, they arrived at their destination.

A towering metal gate stood before them, a golden plaque overhead reading:

"Benjamin Kradien's Palace."

The driver pulled to a stop.

"We've arrived, sir."

Noah exhaled and stepped out. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of the perfectly trimmed hedges and artificial waterfalls surrounding the estate. A machine scanned his face, and the gate unlocked with a smooth metallic click.

The moment he stepped inside, a blonde-haired woman greeted him with a warm yet professional smile.

"Welcome home, Master Noah," she said, bowing slightly.

Noah frowned. New secretary?

"You're new," he muttered.

Her smile didn't waver. "Lynda, sir. Your father's new assistant."

She looked young—early twenties, at most.

They walked together through the palace grounds as she updated him on the latest reports. Noah barely listened.

The palace itself was breathtaking—a fusion of modern luxury and futuristic technology. A grand, open courtyard featured glowing pathways that responded to their footsteps. Massive glass panels offered a view of the night sky, and robotic assistants moved silently through the halls. A spiraling staircase led to different wings of the estate, and at the center of the main hall, a sleek black piano stood under a chandelier made of floating, golden orbs.

They stopped in front of a door marked:

"Benjamin Kradien's Office."

Lynda knocked.

A monitor beside the door lit up with a familiar voice.

"Come in."

Noah stepped inside.

A tall man with crimson hair slicked back stood near the window, dressed in a sharp black suit. He held a book in one hand, his sharp golden eyes scanning the pages.

For a moment, Noah hesitated.

"…Dad."

Before he could react, his father rushed forward and pulled him into a crushing hug.

Noah's eyes widened. He didn't even see him move.

"Ahhh, my baby boy!" Benjamin boomed, spinning him slightly before gripping his shoulders. "You never visit! Do you know how much I missed you?"

Noah struggled. "D-Dad—stop! Put me down!"

Benjamin only hugged him tighter.

"I missed my son so much! Look at you! You've gotten taller!"

Noah groaned. "I'm the same height as last time!"

Benjamin ignored him, grinning. "Let's have dinner together."

Noah froze.

"I—" He sighed. "Fine. One dinner."

Benjamin's face lit up.

"Lynda! Get the ingredients ready!"

Noah blinked. "You're cooking?"

His father smirked. "I'll make my famous honey chicken."

For a moment, Noah stared. This guy… is the same man who has slain countless Abyssals? Who reached Rank #2 among all Zeniths?

Despite himself, he smiled.

They cooked together in the kitchen, sharing rare moments of laughter. It felt… warm. Almost normal.

As they sat at the dining table, Benjamin suddenly went quiet.

He chewed thoughtfully before muttering, "The taste is getting blander each year…"

Noah looked up.

Benjamin stared at his plate, lost in thought. "I remember when my mother made this for me. It was the best thing I ever tasted."

A pause.

"But… ever since the animal population started declining, scientists have had to improvise. The meat… it's not the same."

Noah's grip on his fork tightened.

Benjamin noticed.

"…I got you something."

He slid a small black box across the table.

"Congratulations on ranking #1."

Noah hesitated before opening it.

Inside was a crescent moon necklace with a tiny gemstone in the center.

Benjamin's voice softened. "It was your mother's."

Something in Noah's mind clicked.

A voice. A face.

…His mother?

But when he tried to picture her… nothing came.

Her face—her eyes—they were gone.

The memory was blurred. Scratched out.

Noah abruptly stood, shoving his chair back.

"Noah?"

He didn't answer.

He walked out, gripping the necklace tightly as he headed to his room.

The moment he entered, the door sealed shut behind him.

The room was sleek, holographic screens covered the walls, and a floating bed hovered above the floor. Soft blue lighting pulsed gently like a heartbeat.

Noah collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Why couldn't he remember?

What was her eye color?

The more he tried to recall, the fuzzier it became.

His fingers clutched the necklace.

The last thing he thought before exhaustion took over was—

Why am I forgetting her?