Apologies for the long wait, but I'm back.
Inside the classroom sat the prodigies of Emox—the elite of Class A.
At the front, their instructor, Miss Ali, stood before the quiet room as she began outlining the academy's hierarchy.
"The ranking system spans from 0-Star to 6-Star," Miss Ali explained, her voice sharp and deliberate. "These ranks are evaluated solely on three factors: raw destruction, defensive capability, and overall tactical utility. Throughout this term, you will learn to push your abilities far beyond basic application, as well as master conventional weaponry. Because out in the field, there will come a time when an opponent renders your power completely useless."
Miss Ali's words echoed off the stone walls, but near the back row, Michael didn't so much as blink.
To him, the talk of stars, ranks, and superficial titles was nothing more than meaningless noise—the posturing of people who had never truly stared into an abyss, let alone survived one.
Beside him, Elizabeth shifted slightly. The faint, restless hum of her gravity manipulation vibrated just beneath her skin, a quiet storm waiting to break through her posture.
Leaning back against her desk, Miss Ali let her gaze sweep across Emox's finest before her eyes locked directly onto the pair.
"Which brings us to your very first practical evaluation," she said, a razor-thin smile touching her lips. "Let's see how many stars your egos are actually worth."