The bunker doors finally creaked open after what felt like an eternity. The blaring sirens had stopped, and the sounds of battle above had faded into an eerie silence.
Aiden and Riko stood alongside the other students as one of the academy instructors entered, his uniform still bearing the scars of combat. His expression was unreadable as he surveyed the first-years.
"It's over," he announced. "The creatures have been eliminated. You'll be escorted back to your dorms—no detours, no stopping, and no questions until morning."
Despite his words, the questions burned in Aiden's mind. What were those creatures? How did they breach the outer defenses? And more importantly… how had the upperclassmen and teachers handled them so easily?
The first-years shuffled out of the bunker in tense silence, the atmosphere heavy with exhaustion and unspoken thoughts. The academy grounds bore the scars of battle—scorched earth, shattered stone, and the lingering scent of burnt flesh. Instructors and senior students moved through the wreckage, securing the area and ensuring there were no remaining threats.
Aiden's eyes wandered to the bodies. The creatures had been completely annihilated, yet their grotesque forms still sent a chill down his spine. Some were massive, armored beasts, while others were humanoid but grotesquely twisted, their limbs elongated and unnatural. The battlefield was a grim reminder that the world beyond the academy walls was brutal.
Riko nudged him. "Let's go," he murmured.
Aiden forced himself to look away, but deep down, he knew he'd never forget the sight.
A Tense Debriefing
Back in their dorm room, Aiden sat on the edge of his bed, running a hand through his hair while Riko paced the floor. Neither of them spoke for a while. The weight of the day sat between them like an invisible force.
Finally, Riko broke the silence. "We have two weeks left."
Aiden glanced up. "Two weeks?"
"Until we have to pick our powers," Riko reminded him. His voice was steady, but Aiden could hear the underlying frustration. "After that, our real training begins."
Aiden exhaled, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "What if we pick wrong?"
Riko stopped pacing and crossed his arms. "Then we adapt. That's what the instructors have been hammering into us. Strength isn't just about raw power—it's about how we use it."
Aiden frowned, remembering the instructor's words in the bunker. He was right—too many students were likely going to choose abilities that seemed powerful on the surface but lacked true versatility.
They couldn't afford to make that mistake.
"What do we want to be?" Aiden finally asked, his voice quieter. "We know what powers exist, but what's our goal? How do we use our powers to make sure we're never in a position like today again?"
Riko smirked. "Simple. We make sure nothing can touch us."
Aiden arched a brow. "That's… vague."
Riko sat down on his own bed, his expression turning serious. "Think about it. Today, we were helpless. We had no way to attack, no way to defend ourselves, no way to escape. We need to make sure that never happens again. We need abilities that cover all bases—offense, defense, and mobility."
Aiden nodded slowly. "So we need balance."
"Exactly."
Riko leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Aiden gave him a knowing look. "Teleportation for movement, Absolutely Reflective Field for defense, and Black Hole Creation for offense."
Riko grinned. "Phase Locking for movement, Absolute Reflection for defense, and Gravitational Manipulation for offense."
For a moment, the tension in the room eased. They had a plan. A foundation for their power choices.
But as Aiden stared out the window at the ruined academy courtyard, he knew this was only the beginning.
Two weeks.
In two weeks, they would officially step onto the path of strength.
And nothing—nothing—was going to stand in their way.
The Reality of Strength
The next morning, the academy held an emergency assembly. Every student, from first-years to seniors, gathered in the grand auditorium. The headmaster, an older man with a deep scar running across his jaw, stepped forward. His presence alone was enough to silence the entire room.
"Last night," he began, his voice calm yet commanding, "we witnessed what lies beyond these walls. Some of you saw it for the first time. Some of you experienced true fear."
Aiden clenched his fists.
The headmaster's gaze swept across the students. "The world beyond the city is merciless. The creatures you saw last night are only a fraction of what exists out there. If you wish to be hunters, warriors, strategists, or protectors, understand this: strength is not a luxury. It is a necessity. If you cannot grow, you will not survive."
The weight of his words pressed down on the room. Some students shifted uncomfortably, while others sat rigid, absorbing every syllable.
"You have two weeks before your power selection. Choose wisely. Because once you make your choice… there is no turning back."
Aiden and Riko exchanged glances.
The pressure was immense.
But so was the determination building inside them.
A Lesson in Combat
That afternoon, their regular classes were suspended in favor of combat training. It was the academy's way of driving the lesson home—strength was everything.
Aiden and Riko stood in the training field, watching as upperclassmen demonstrated different combat styles. Even without powers, their movements were precise, deadly. Aiden could see how they incorporated pure technique, leveraging their stamina, endurance, and reflexes to fight creatures that should have outmatched them.
"We're so far behind," Aiden muttered.
Riko clenched his fists. "Not for long."
As the instructor called for sparring matches, the first-years were thrown into the fray. No powers. No advantages. Just their raw skill.
Aiden faced off against a student slightly taller than him. The moment the match started, he was already at a disadvantage—the upperclassmen had speed, experience, and superior reflexes. Within seconds, Aiden was on the ground.
"Again," he growled, picking himself up.
Riko was faring slightly better but still struggling against his opponent. Every attack he threw was blocked. Every defensive move was countered.
They weren't weak, but they weren't strong enough.
Yet.
A Promise for the Future
That night, Aiden sat at his desk, staring at the list of available powers. The words blurred together as his mind replayed the day's events.
The fear. The helplessness. The overwhelming strength of the creatures.
He exhaled sharply and turned to Riko. "Two weeks."
Riko smirked. "Two weeks."
They would train. They would learn. They would push themselves to the limit.
And when the time came to choose their powers…
They wouldn't just be strong.
They'd be unstoppable.