The four of us fell into step without discussing it, trailing behind no one in particular across the cadet grounds. The enrollment hall had emptied quickly once the assignments were announced, candidates dispersing in clusters, voices low with the specific kind of nervous energy that comes after a long day of being evaluated. The grounds themselves were quieter now, torches catching in the evening wind, the stone paths cutting between buildings that all looked like they meant something.
None of us spoke much. There wasn't anything obvious to say yet.
"Hey. You four."
We stopped.
A young woman stood at the junction of two paths, arms crossed. She looked at us the way someone looks at something they've been asked to deal with; not unkind, just efficient.
"Rookie group 2?"
"That's us," Kai answered.
"Anessa." She didn't offer a hand. "I'll be taking you to your room. Debrief tonight, first mission tomorrow with your assigned teacher. Try to keep up."
She turned and walked before anyone could respond.
Sorren looked at me. I looked at Sorren.
We followed.
Hana raised a question. "Hey, Mrs.... Anessa, are the dorms a nice place?" she asked curiously.
Taking into account the fact we're just rookies, they probably won't be anything special. Although, the cadet corporation is quite rich, so maybe I should be expecting a surprise.
"You'll see soon enough, we'll be there in just a minute,"
Kai took me closer and whispered in my ear. "I bet it's going to be nothing special."
"Who knows. I'd hope it's at least liveable."
Anessa walked ahead of us at a pace that suggested she had done this a hundred times and found it mildly beneath her.
She was a full cadet; you could tell by the way she moved through the corridors without looking at anything, like the building had already been memorized and filed away somewhere she didn't need to access consciously.
The dormitory towered at the other end of the cadet rgounds, the dome of its roof seeming to capture the last light of dusk without any fanfare.
Windows formed neat rows of arches up several stories high, their stonework immaculate and well maintained. This place was much grander than I could have imagined. Grander than anything I'd ever seen before in my district.
I didn't say that out loud. But a certain someone did.
"WHAT THE HELL!?" Sorren shouted in astonishment.
"Please, be quiet."
To be honest, I don't blame him. Even for the cadets, this was, quite frankly, over the top.
Inside, the corridors were wide enough that four people could walk abreast without touching. The floors were dark stone, polished enough to reflect the overhead lights in long pale streaks.
Other cadets moved through the halls in small groups, some glancing at us with the particular disinterest of people who had recently been in our position and already considered themselves past it.
Anessa stopped at a door on the third floor, pushing it open without ceremony.
"Room 2. Yours for the duration of rookie training. Debrief is tonight, first mission tomorrow. Don't be late; the teachers aren't fond."
She stepped aside.
We stepped in.
The room was not what I expected.
Four beds lined the walls, each wide enough that rolling over in your sleep wouldn't send you off the edge, with dark frames and sheets that looked like they'd actually been chosen rather than assigned.
A large window on the far wall opened onto a balcony overlooking the training grounds below, the evening settling quietly over the empty platforms and stone paths. To the left sat a television mounted flush against the wall, a low table beneath it.
A fridge hummed quietly in the corner beside a modest shelf of provisions, actual food, not rations. The bathroom door stood ajar, tiled and clean.
Yep. Over the top.
For a moment none of us said anything.
"This is nicer than my house," Sorren said.
Nobody disagreed.
"Well then, you four enjoy yourselves. I'll be on my way now."
"Goodbye, Mrs. Anessa!" Hana exclaimed.
Anessa shut the door behind her with a bang, yet it felt as if she never stepped out in the first place.
An awkward silence spread the room following her departure. The four of us, well, except me and Kai, have only known each other for what seems to have been 30 minutes now. It's to be expected.
Hana went for the first move. "So, guys. Do you wanna look around? There's LOADS of stuff."
I begin moving my mouth before Kai intervened. Well, damn.
"Sure! I'll check out the balcony."
"I'll come with," Sorren hastily replied. He must be desperate. Maybe it's the view. We're pretty high up. My gaze drifts towards the balcony, large buildings stacked against each other on the horizon. Yep, it's the view.
"Must be... average," Kai muttered.
"I'll go to the bathroom. I need to take a shower. Do you guys mind?" Hana asked.
"Of course!!" We replied in unison.
The three of us hurried away. Was that weird? Am I weird for that? The fridge over there looks stacked. I'm kind of hungry too. I make my way to the fridge, sliding it open to find stashed goods. Meat, dairy, vegetables. Even the cabinet above had a variety of food.
I grab the carton of milk, pouring it into a glass for a quick refresh.
Everything feels so… light.
Just an hour ago, I was on the ground, unable to move, staring up at someone I couldn't even touch. And now,
I take a sip.
I'm here. Drinking milk. In a room with two people I barely know and Kai.
It's… strange.
Not bad. Just-
Unfamiliar.
Things will move again. They have to. Tomorrow, the missions start. Training under Soke. The gap won't just disappear because I ignore it.
I exhale quietly.
For now, this is fine.
"Hey! Can you guys all go outside for a sec!"
Hana's voice cut through the room.
Kai didn't even question it. He turned immediately, grabbing Sorren by the sleeve and dragging him toward the door.
"Move."
"Huh? Wait, why-"
"Just move."
The door shut behind them.
I stayed where I was.
…Right.
I should probably-
The handle clicked.
Too late.
I turned.
"Ah."
Hana stood there, wrapped in a towel, hair damp, a few strands clinging to her face. She blinked.
I blinked.
"…Didn't you hear me?" she asked.
"Apparently not."
Why am I still standing here?
Move.
My body did not move.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Not angry.
Just… questioning.
"Are you planning to keep standing there?"
"I, no. No, I'm leaving."
I put the glass down too fast. It tipped slightly before settling.
How nice.
I turned and walked to the door. Opened it. Stepped out.
Closed it.
Silence.
Kai was leaning against the wall.
Sorren was staring at me like I had just survived something life-threatening.
"Well?" he asked.
I looked at both of them.
Then away.
"That was an interesting fridge."
Kai exhaled through his nose.
Not quite a laugh.
"I'm sure."
Sorren shook his head slowly.
"That's rough."
I leaned back against the wall, staring ahead.
Yeah.
Rough.
Hours passed. Kai chopped vegetables with a practiced rhythm, Sorren leaned against the balcony railing, gazing at the city below, Hana flipped pages quietly in her book. I stared at the television, letting the noise fill the silence.
"Okay, I made pasta for today. I've cooked since a young age, so you can count on a dish worth waiting for!"
"Just give us the damn pasta," Sorren replied. I suppose standing out on that balcony was tiring.
I snatch a bowl before the rest and grab a fork.
"You seem really hungry, huh?" Hana questioned.
I wasn't. Not really. So why did I reach out for it so fast? Must be instinct.
"Sure, Kai's pasta is great. Mostly."
"I thought you'd be satisfied with what you saw earli—" Kai pressed his palm against Sorren's mouth before he could finish. Although it's too late. Everyone could tell what he was trying to say.
Loud munches fill the room. I turn my head in a daze to Sorren.
"You were right! This is pretty good! Good on you, Kai."
"Uh, thanks. I'm glad you enjoy it at the very least!"
The four of us continue finishing our meal in silence. I wonder if this silence would last. I'm sure as time passes, that something else would sprout. Something meaningful.
Later that night, me and Kai set ourselves up against the balcony. My gaze following the horizon. Skyscrapers line up with fluorescent lights radiating the city. I've gotten so wrapped up into the cadets I've forgotten how beautiful Aurelia was. How beautiful what I want to protect was. Just think about this. Protecting all of this. Just then, a hollowness. My spine shivered. I have to ignore it. I know exactly what I need to do, and so does Kai.
"Akio."
"Yeah?"
"What do you think?" Kai squints. As if he was observing the city, the exams, everything.
"About what?"
"Everything. Exams, that teacher, Sorren, Hana. Tell me." He turned to face me.
"Well, the exams were fine. Apart from when I got pummeled." That wasn't fine; not at all. That gap has to be filled. "Sorren and Hana are nice people though. I'm sure we'll get along just fine. So don't worry, Kai. We're heading right where we wanted, right?"
Kai's eyes widen before he let out a rough smile. "Yes, you're right. We're heading right where we want to." He places his palm on my shoulder. "So tell me, Akio. Just tell me everything."
I let out a small sigh and looked up.
"It'll be a long night."
"It's all right, we've got the time."
A soft smile ran across my face.
"I guess I'll start from the beginning then."
***
The next day had arrived. We crawled off bed yawning. It was too early for this.
"Hey, does this thing really have to be so early? I'm sure that Soke guy will be late anyway."
"Sorren."
"Yeah?"
"Just wake up."
He groaned heavily as he lifted himself off the duvet.
Just then, the curtains blew aside as a familiar presence filled the room.
"Yo. We're leaving right now. Got some thieves to catch."
The 4 of us stare blankly.
He stares blankly back.
"Why did you just get up here. No-How, how did you get up here??" Hana questions.
"Questions later. Mission now. Follow me."
He jumps into the room, sliding the door open as he signals us with a gesture. I'm the first to follow. Then Kai and the rest. First mission. First goal. First piece of action. Everything will begin here.