Kade's green eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Reyn, his posture relaxed and he released a sharp smile "How old are you, kid?" he asked suddenly, the question breaking the silence that had lingered in the room.
Reyn stopped his small depression segment blinked at the question but answered without hesitation. "Sixteen."
Kade nodded in approval. "Sixteen. That means you're of eligible age to enter the academy, and that also fixes your homeless situation."
Reyn was interested in what Kade seem to be proposing so he let Kade continue with an interested expression on his face
"Here's how it works," Kade continued, his voice steady. "Vanguard academy is where newly realized gifted take their steps into becoming a rift walker at this institution you start honing your abilities, learning more details about the rifts and how to traverse them, mastering survival skills and other things you'll need. It's a tough program hands-on training, combat simulations, teamwork exercises. any form of activity that will help you, you name it, they'll put you through it."
Reyn was listening intently to the words of Kade, Kade words were actually tempting Reyn to join the academy.
"Now that you're sixteen, you're eligible. And that means you're eligible for going into the academy, so do you accept the proposal into joining the academy"
"When do I start?" Reyn asked, his tone flat his mind was already set it's not like he had anywhere else to go anyway his house and everything in it was destroyed.
"Today," Kade replied he seemed to be surprised on how fast Reyn seemed to accept.
"Today. No time to waste. The academy will provide you with everything you need dorms, food, basic necessities. You'll have what you need to survive and focus on your training."
Reyn folded his arms, "So that's it?"
"That's it," Kade said simply.
Reyn exhaled sharply, his mind racing as he tried to take it all in. Kade seemed calm, but there was a weight behind his words that made Reyn pause. He wasn't sure what to expect, but one thing was clear this was a sure ticket way of changing his life for sure.
Kade's gaze remained steady. "Got anything you want to take with you before we leave?" he asked, his voice calm, almost casual.
Reyn looked at the man blankly "Did you really just have to ask me that"
Kade studied him for a second longer, then nodded. "hey just needed to ask just in case but If that's the case, I'll be escorting you to the academy myself."
Reyn nodded and said " so you'll be taking me yourself then"
"Yeah," Kade said. "Protocol, kid. Someone has to make sure you actually get there."
Reyn didn't argue. He didn't really care all too much to question how things worked in situations like this. Instead, he followed Kade as they made their way out of the sterile building and into the bustling world beyond.
The first thing Reyn noticed was the air. It was cleaner here, crisper. He took a deep breath, letting it fill his lungs as his sharp gray eyes roamed the streets of Caerhurst. Even the lower, less expensive parts of the city if they could even be called that were leagues above the slums. The roads weren't cracked. The buildings weren't crumbling. People walked with purpose, their clothes clean, their faces free of the hard, desperate edge Reyn was so used to seeing.
He couldn't help but scoff under his breath. "this is like heaven and earth," he muttered, more to himself than to Kade.
"What was that?" Kade asked, glancing back at him.
Reyn while shaking his head said. "Just… this place seems so much better than where I'm from"
Kade smirked faintly. "Figured as much. Try not to get too distracted, kid. You haven't seen anything yet."
Reyn didn't reply, but his curiosity grew as they made their way deeper into the city. The surroundings became even more impressive. The architecture was sleek and futuristic, with smooth lines and glowing panels that lit up the streets. Towering buildings loomed above, their mirrored surfaces reflecting the city's vibrant energy.
And then they reached the academy.
Reyn stopped in his tracks, his mouth falling open slightly as he stared at the massive structure before him. It wasn't just a building it was a city within a city, a sprawling complex of towers and domes connected by intricate bridges that seemed to defy gravity. The entire place pulsed with a faint, otherworldly glow, as if the rift itself had left its mark here.
Kade glanced at Reyn, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Welcome to Vanguard Academy."
Reyn didn't respond. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the sight before him. The academy was overwhelming, both in scale and in design. It was nothing like the cramped, dirty world he had grown up in. This was something else entirely something brighter, something promising.
"C'mon," Kade said, nudging him forward. "No point standing around gawking. Let's get inside."
Reyn followed, the doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a gleaming corridor that stretched into the heart of the academy. Kade stepped through first, and Reyn followed close behind.
As the doors closed behind them, Reyn felt it that hum, low and electric, surging through the walls. His chest tightened as a single thought echoed in his mind.
He was in the awakened academy.