The countdown had begun. In less than a week, every student at Stellar Apex Academy would make their final power selection. The atmosphere at the academy had changed—students who had once been carefree were now tense, their conversations filled with nervous speculation and last-minute reconsiderations.
Aiden and Riko sat on the rooftop of the academy, watching the sun dip below the skyline. The city below was a blur of neon lights and looming skyscrapers, a pulsing heart of technology and industry. The streets were alive with holographic billboards and transport drones weaving between buildings, but up here, it was quiet.
"You ever wonder what would happen if we just... didn't choose?" Riko mused, leaning back on his elbows. His silver-gray eyes reflected the last bits of sunlight.
Aiden chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, and then we'd be stuck as the only powerless people in an academy filled with superhumans. Doesn't sound like much of an option."
Riko sighed. "I know. But still, it feels like once we choose, that's it. There's no going back. What if we regret it?"
Aiden stayed quiet for a moment before answering. "I think we just have to trust ourselves. We've trained for this. We've thought about it. We're not picking randomly like some of the others. This is our best shot at making sure we don't just survive—but that we thrive."
Riko smirked. "You sound confident."
Aiden exhaled sharply, a small grin on his face. "I'm trying to be. But to be honest, part of me is still terrified."
Riko sat up, his expression growing more serious. "Me too." He ran a hand through his dark hair. "I keep thinking about my gravitational powers. You know, how much destruction they could cause if I lose control. What if I mess up? What if I—"
"You won't," Aiden interrupted firmly. "You're one of the most disciplined people I know. You won't let it get out of control."
Riko hesitated before nodding. "Yeah… I just have to make sure of that."
Aiden leaned back, looking up at the sky. "It's funny, though. We've spent years preparing for this moment, but now that it's almost here, it still feels unreal. Like, what if we're missing something? What if there's some secret we don't know about these powers?"
Riko frowned. "You think the academy's hiding something?"
"Not necessarily," Aiden said. "But think about it. Every year, students make their choices, and every year, we hear stories about those who regret them. Why? If the powers are so amazing, why do people make the wrong choices?"
Riko let the thought settle for a moment. "Maybe because power alone doesn't mean anything. If someone doesn't know how to use what they have, it's just wasted potential."
Aiden nodded. "That's what I'm afraid of. What if we don't figure it out in time?"
Riko smirked. "Well, lucky for us, we've got each other. If one of us screws up, the other one will kick him back in line."
Aiden chuckled. "Yeah. Guess we're stuck with each other, huh?"
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Riko said, grinning.
The academy bell rang across the campus, signaling curfew. Aiden stretched, standing up. "C'mon. We should get some rest. Big week ahead."
Riko followed, glancing back at the skyline one last time. "Yeah. Let's do this."
As they made their way back to their dorms, the finality of their choice loomed closer. But for the first time in a long while, neither of them felt alone. Whatever came next, they would face it together.
Hidden Lesson
The next morning, Aiden and Riko arrived at their combat tactics class, still pondering the conversation from the night before. Their instructor, Master Valen, a former elite warrior known for his brutal honesty, stood in front of the training hall with arms crossed.
"Alright, listen up," Valen barked. "With selection week approaching, I see a lot of you getting cocky or second-guessing yourselves. So today, we're doing a little exercise to remind you that power is useless without the right mindset."
The students murmured among themselves as Valen activated the holographic training arena. A metallic floor expanded outward, shifting into a simulated battlefield. The walls flickered, forming a dimly lit alleyway, broken buildings, and a thick mist rolling in from the edges of the simulated zone.
"You all love to think about what powers you're going to have," Valen continued. "But let's see how well you do withoutthem. No weapons. No enhancements. Just your wits and your bodies. Survive for five minutes."
The students looked at one another in confusion, but before anyone could question further, the simulation activated. Shadowy figures emerged from the mist—simulated creatures based on the real ones that lurked beyond the city. Their glowing red eyes locked onto the students.
"Begin," Valen ordered.
Aiden and Riko immediately dropped into defensive stances, their training kicking in. Aiden ducked as a creature lunged at him, rolling to the side before delivering a sharp elbow to its ribs. The simulated beast staggered but kept moving, forcing Aiden to stay on the defensive.
Riko wasn't faring much better. He barely dodged a swipe from another creature before countering with a precise kick to its head. "Damn, these things are fast," he muttered.
"That's the point!" Valen called out from the sidelines. "You all rely too much on the idea of powers! But powers don't make you strong—your foundation does! If you can't fight without them, you won't last a second with them!"
Aiden gritted his teeth as he took another hit, rolling with the impact to minimize the damage. Valen was right—if he had teleportation, he could dodge easily. If he had his reflective field, he wouldn't have to block at all. But right now? He had nothing but his body and training.
Riko took a deep breath, shifting his stance. "We need to stop reacting and start controlling the fight."
Aiden nodded. "Agreed."
They moved in sync, using their surroundings to their advantage. Aiden baited an enemy toward a broken wall, then dodged at the last second, causing it to slam into the debris. Riko tripped another creature, using leverage to flip it over and disable it. They were starting to get the rhythm—fighting not with brute strength, but with precision.
The simulation ended as the five minutes passed. Most students were on the ground, panting. Aiden and Riko were among the few still standing.
Valen smirked. "Not bad. But remember this—powers don't make warriors. Strategy does."
Aiden and Riko exchanged glances. This lesson meant more than just survival. It meant that no matter what powers they chose, their strength would come from how they used them.
As they left the training hall, their minds were clearer than before. The pressure was still there, but now they had a new perspective. The choices ahead wouldn't define them—their actions would.
And that made all the difference.