In a fast specialized bullet train heading to the capital, chattering could be heard from every corner. Hundreds of voices all speaking in different accents and dialects filled the air.
Every seat was taken. Filled with those who had been chosen. The future heroes.
That was what they were called when the selection was announced in all districts. It was a path to fame that came with conditions. But most didn't care, who would when one can get the opportunity to live in the capital.
But many hopes were broken before even starting they only took the one percent with the best data and Qi.
Shawn sat near the window, a small old bag, left to him by his mother ,was in the middle of his feet with his hands clasped tightly and his who body tensed.
He looked at those around him who had the same marks as him visible from the back of their necks. His was a little bit itchy but he could not touch it until he arrived at the capital.
The mark put on the chosen ones. It was something that those who had it curved in their skin were more than happy to show since it marked them as the one percent from their district to be chosen. A high status for those looking for opportunities like him.
It was a sigil of an open eye that seemed to beat at the same time as his heart. It was a sign that reminded him that his life had changed. For the better he was not sure , for the worse he did not even think about it.
Outside the country side flashed past , health plants swaying by the wind. A supply for most of the districts food .
It was district twelve that disappearing slowly as the bullet train moved and entered the more polished highways. The outshine of the capital.
He looked as they passed by several defense towers. He looked on as the train passed through a huge transparent Dom that shimmered the whole time the train passed through.
It was the first defense of the capital against any external attacks.
" You ever been to the capital before?"
Shawn turned towards the voice. It was the boy sitting next to him. His hair was bright red and he had an easy going smile. He looked a little bit older than him and was wearing his district budge upside down.
" Never, this is my first time leaving home," he said while shaking his head.
" You'll get used to the air here," the boy said, " it's just money and arrogance."
Shawn smiled at that," so which district are you from?"
" Eight. The mining zone," the boy said extending his arm." I'm Ren. And you?"
" Shawn ."
" District one," he whistled after seeing Shawn's budge," you come from the land near the forbidden zone, must be hard living there.."
Shawn's jaw tensed," it's exergerrated."
Ren caught his uncomfortableness and let go. For a while only the sounds of recruits chattering among each other and the diligent ones practicing their low qi and techniques. Other's were arguing which dorms they will be in and who their tutors will be. Young ambition.
They all stopped when an announcement came through the intercom.
"All recruits prepare for arrival. Welcome to Remithus City and the Hero Academy. Remember: your Selection guarantees nothing. The Trials begin soon."
Shawn pressed closer to the window as the train entered the inner city. Huge towers rose from the ground and huge billboard with colorful banners advertising their products.
The train stopped at a station. They were line up and herded to buses that were parked outside. There were more than a hundred busses with the academy's logo.
The main gate of the academy came into view. It was a colossal structure of silver and black. With carvings of beasts and celestials fighting. Above it a floating hologram of script, shimmered with words:
Titan hero academy - Year one.
The buses drove in and stopped just beyond the gate. He was among the first to get off the bus. He knew the academy was a collection of the most talented and those with potential.
A girl got of one of the buses, a trail of snow following in her footsteps everytime she stepped on the ground. Another boy his agemate sneezed and briefly set his sleeves on fire. The boy didn't even flinch.
The guards didn't move they had seen everything.
A voice boomed from the outdoor speakers.
"Recruits from all districts, welcome. You have been selected for potential. Your strength, discipline, and control will determine if you remain. Until the Trials begin, report to your assigned quarters. Curfew at 21:00. The Academy observes all."
Shawn adjusted his bag and followed the signs towards the dormitory marked for the lower district.The crowd thinned as the wealthier recruits from the upper districts split off. Their uniforms were more high quality and they walked with their noses up in the air.
The rest of them from district one to four and the poor from the better district were led towards an older building near the southern edge of the academy.
It looked old , the walls were not as polished just showing its age and the lack of consideration from the academy. Murmers of complain spread through the recruits but stares from the guards shut them up pretty fast.
Shawn reached a door labeled Room 207. A biometric scanner flicked green at the mark on his neck, and the door hissed open.
Inside the room was small. Two beds and two desks were squeezed together in the small space. A small window overlooking the training ground let in a pitiful amount of natural light.
The air in the room smelled faintly of cheap air conditioner used to cover the sterilizer smell.On the left side of the room sat a single open duffel bag, its contents neatly arranged.
" Hi," the boy sitting on the bed next to the duffel bag said. He was tall, with silver white hair. His red eyes gave Shawn a bad feeling but he just assumed it as nerves.
His uniform hung loose on his frame,but Shawn could see the muscles on his body .
" You are my roommate?" Boy asked with a smile.
Shawn nodded slowly.
"Room 207, yeah," he answered.
The boy studied him for a moment, eyes a dull red like blood that revealed nothing. Then he said, "I'm Alistair from District Five."
Shawn set his bag down on the opposite bed. "shawn. One"
"District one," Alistair repeated softly, as if testing the sound. "Borderline territory. You people grow up around breach zones."
Shawn frowned. "And?"
"Nothing." Alistair shrugged. "Just means you've seen monsters and beasts up close."
Shawn didn't answer. He had seen them. Just not the kind that crawled out of rifts.
Alistair sat down on his bed, hands steepled. "They say the Academy ranks you by potential. Districts twelve through nineth usually dominate. The rest of us… fill the gaps."
"Comforting."
"Realistic," Alistair corrected. "The Trials will decide who gets to stay. So if you plan on surviving, I suggest you don't rely on luck."
Shawn dropped his bag to the floor and turned toward the window. The view stretched across the courtyard to the central tower, where the Academy crest glowed faintly in the dusk light it was a hand gripping a sword, wrapped in lightning.
"Luck's all I've ever had," Shawn said.
For a while, silence filled the room. The other recruits' voices echoed faintly from the corridor laughs, arguments, footsteps pounding down the hall. Somewhere outside, a bell rang ,deep and loud. A signal for the Academy settlings into night.
Shawn sat on the edge of his bed, untying his boots. He caught Alistair glancing at him again , quickly, analytical, as if cataloguing his every twitch. The boy reminded him of a predator waiting to see if its catch was prey or toy.
"What's your cultivation do you practice?" Alistair asked finally. Curious about his new roommate.
Shawn hesitated. "Still figuring that out."
"Then you're behind already."
"Maybe," Shawn said quietly. "Or maybe I'm just saving it for when it matters."
That earned him the smallest flicker of a smile from Alistair," fair enough."
Outside, the sky dimmed into violet. Floodlights snapped on around the training fields. Drones hovered overhead, scanning the grounds with red sensors.
It was meant to keep the students in , there were always those that do not listen to rules.
Alistair lay back on his bed the first comfortable place he had slept ,hands behind his head. "Tomorrow, they will test us. They'll watch how we react, how we fight, how we fail. Just don't get in my way."
Shawn smiled faintly," I wasn't planning to."
Shawn leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, listening to the hum of the drones outside patrolling the school grounds.
The night had started to quit down with his fellow recruits settling down as the night curfew approached.
Outside, a cold wind swept across the courtyard, hitting the already tired windows.
Tomorrow, the Trials would begin.
And only the worthy would remain.
To be heroes of the world.