"Man, this place is huge," Abunar's mate muttered beside him.
"Yeah," Abunar replied, his eyes wide with awe as he scanned the hall. "The adults tower over the freshborns—most of us barely reach the waist of even the shortest of them."
The hall was grand, with holographic displays flickering in a myriad of colors, breathing life into the vast space. The chairs were short and adjustable—just uncomfortable enough to keep the freshborns alert and from dozing off. A soft melody played in the background, blending with the low murmur of voices as freshborns shuffled to their seats.
As Abunar made his way through the crowd, a familiar voice called out, "Yo, Abunar."
It was unmistakably Vasco's—the friend he'd made yesterday.
Turning around, Abunar stretched out his hand and met Vasco's fist bump. "Yo, bro, sup?"
"Cool. Hope you enjoyed your sleep. Was it your first time falling asleep? It was epic for me," Vasco said, his tone brimming with energy despite the lingering exhaustion.
"Come to think of it, yeah—it really was my first time. I lay on the bed, and then, next thing I knew, the blaring alarm was waking me up. I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep. Is that even normal?" Abunar asked, a mix of wonder and disbelief coloring his words.
"Yep, same happened to me," his round-faced roommate muttered quietly beside him.
Vasco turned his attention to him. "Yo, Bigie, you're here too?"
"Yeah, long time—nice to see you again," Bigie replied, giving Vasco a quick fist bump.
"You guys know each other?" Abunar asked, curiosity in his tone.
"Yeah," Vasco replied. "We met at the Peravo Chambers when we first came out."
"Whoa, I didn't meet anyone until I got here," Abunar admitted.
"Ha!" Bigie chuckled. "I met him and a few others, but he was the first one I spotted. I don't know about the rest."
"Well, let's find a place to sit before it gets too full," Vasco urged.
"Aight."
"Sharp."
The three of them wove through the bustling crowd and settled into empty seats—Abunar in the middle, Vasco to his right, and Bigie to his left. They faced the front of the hall, where a large podium stood silently. No one had arrived there yet.
Abunar sat back, taking in the enormity of the Auditorium Nexus. This was their first real gathering—the entire hall filled with freshborns, each face a mix of exhaustion and a burgeoning spark of determination. The murmurs of conversation hummed around him, the air thick with anticipation.
Then, the soft music stopped.
A hush swept over the hall as every freshborn's attention was drawn to the figure stepping onto the stage.
The figure was massive—taller and broader than any of the adults present. Like the others, he wore a black overcoat, but his presence carried a weight beyond mere size. A wide-brimmed hat sat atop his head, a dark veil draping over his face, concealing whatever lay beneath. His posture was poised, unwavering, exuding an effortless command of the space.
He moved to the podium, a gloved hand resting against it. Even with his face obscured, there was no mistaking the power in his presence.
And then, he spoke.
"Welcome, freshborns, to this world... and to our academy."
His voice was deep, steady—commanding yet not unkind.
"It is a shame that you must awaken into a world so cruel. A world that does not wait for you to grow. That does not grant you the innocence of childhood. That does not care for your struggles."
He let those words linger, their weight pressing down upon the gathered freshborns. Some swallowed nervously, others sat a little straighter.
"You are not given the luxury of time to learn at your own pace. No—this world will test you, shape you, and either break you… or forge you into something greater."
A pause. A breath. Then, his tone softened, carrying something almost reassuring.
"But you are not alone."
He leaned slightly forward, his gloved fingers pressing into the podium.
"You were not born into this world to wander it blindly. You stand here today, not as mere children, but as the future warriors, thinkers, and leaders of this generation. Each and every one of you has been chosen—not by luck, not by chance, but because you possess the potential to survive… and to thrive."
His voice grew stronger, filled with conviction.
"This academy is your crucible. It will test you. It will challenge you. And yes—at times, it will break you."
A ripple of unease passed through the freshborns. A few shifted in their seats. Some gripped their knees.
"But understand this." His voice cut through the silence like a blade.
"Every hardship you endure here will shape you into something stronger. Every challenge you face is a step toward unlocking the power within you. And mark my words—there is power within you."
The air in the hall felt heavier, charged with something unspoken. Some freshborns looked to each other, their nervousness shifting into something else. Determination.
"Some of you may be afraid. That is natural. But fear is only a shadow cast by the unknown. Soon, you will learn. You will grow. And you will surpass even your own expectations."
He lifted a hand and gestured toward the vast hall around them.
"Look around you. These faces you see—these are your comrades, your rivals, your friends. You will train together. Fight together. Suffer together. And one day… one day, you may even stand side by side in battle."
Another pause. The freshborns could feel it now—that unspoken something. A sense of purpose settling over them.
"But know this—no one survives alone."
He straightened, placing both hands firmly on the podium.
"You are freshborn no longer. You are now students of this academy. And in time, you will become something far greater."
His voice softened, but the weight of his words remained.
"We will teach you. We will guide you. And we will see you rise."
A deep breath. A final pause.
"Welcome to your new life. Make sure you survive it."
Silence.
Then, a breath. A murmur. The freshborns sat with his words still echoing in their minds, some processing, some already resolving themselves.