As the voice echoed through the hall, every head turned toward the source. Two candidates stood in the center of the dining area, locked in a heated argument. The topic wild sectors was a familiar one among trainees, but this clash had ignited from the bold fantasy of one candidate who spoke of venturing into those dangerous zones to fight monsters and uncover hidden treasures. He spoke as if it were a casual adventure, something as easy as a walk in the park. But those who knew the true horrors of the wild sectors would never speak so carelessly.
Someone clearly had enough.
A sharp voice cut through the chatter, commanding attention. "Shut up and stop dreaming," the person snapped, his tone laced with frustration. He wasn't just annoyed he knew what the wild sectors truly were, and what they did to people. Instead of letting this fantasy spread unchecked, he chose to deliver a reality check to everyone who still clung to naïve hopes.
The two arguing candidates fell silent, turning to face him. The rest of the hall followed, eyes fixed on the speaker as he stepped forward.
"You all passed the first test, just like me," he said, voice steady and cold. "But instead of preparing for what's next, you sit here fantasizing about becoming warriors. Use the facilities the Tower provides. Learn. Train. Broaden your knowledge. Because right now, you sound like children laughing and talking about things you don't understand, as if this is some kind of game."
The hall fell quiet. His words hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, even the bravest among them felt the weight of reality pressing down.
A few candidates who had remained silent finally spoke up, one of them calling out with a firm but uneasy voice, "Michael, that's enough."
He, too, felt uncomfortable with how lightly some people spoke of the wild sectors, but he had chosen to stay quiet, believing that reality would catch up with everyone soon enough. Others around him shared the same sentiment quiet observers who knew the truth but kept their thoughts to themselves.
Michael, however, wasn't one to stay silent.
He ignored the warning and continued, his voice rising with conviction. "After completing your first test, you're given time time to prepare, to learn, to understand what's coming. There's information here that's not available to the public. But what do I see? People laughing, joking, living in delusion. You think this is a game?"
His eyes swept across the room, locking briefly with several faces.
"Do you really believe you'll pass the next exams with this kind of attitude? And even if you do if you somehow make it into the wild sector do you think you'll survive without knowing what that place truly is? Without preparation? You won't just die… you'll drag your entire team down with you. And if you survive while others fall, who will you blame? Yourself? Them?"
The hall was silent now. No one dared interrupt.
"You'll become a liability. A danger to everyone around you. And maybe, just maybe, you'll lose your life for a dream you weren't ready to chase. So stop fantasizing. Use this time. Learn about the world. Know your place."
His words hung in the air like smoke after a fire heavy, bitter, and impossible to ignore.
After delivering his harsh reality check, Michael quietly moved to collect his lunch. The hall, once filled with chatter, had fallen into an uneasy silence. The two candidates who had been arguing slipped out quickly, their bravado shattered. Others remained seated, lost in thought, replaying Michael's words in their minds.
With his tray in hand, Michael scanned the room for a quiet spot. His eyes landed on Kalen, seated alone in a corner, calmly finishing his meal. Something about Kalen's demeanor caught his attention the quiet focus, the absence of naïve excitement. Michael's expression softened, and without hesitation, he walked over.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked, standing beside the table.
Kalen looked up and nodded. "Sure."
Michael sat across from him, setting down his tray and organizing his meal with practiced ease. After a moment, he spoke.
"You're the only one I've seen who asked about the archives on your own. And judging by the look on your face… you've figured out how dangerous the world outside the sanctuary really is."
Kalen nodded slowly. "I heard stories from the seniors about the old world, the wild sectors but they never told me it was this dangerous. I don't think common people know either. They understand there's a risk of dying… but not how brutal it really is."
Michael gave a quiet hum of agreement, then extended his hand. "Name's Michael. I'm from Sector 4."
Kalen shook it. "Kalen. Sector 4 as well."
As the two continued chatting, the hall gradually filled with more candidates. The soft hum of conversation returned, but the earlier tension lingered in the air.
While eating, Kalen paused. There was something unusual about the food. The taste was richer, more vibrant than anything he'd had in the city. But more than that he could feel his fatigue fading, his body recovering faster than it should. His limbs felt lighter, his mind clearer. He frowned slightly, puzzled.
Michael noticed. "Something wrong?" he asked between bites.
Kalen looked up. "No, it's just… this food. It tastes different. Better. And I feel… less tired. Like my stamina's coming back. Is this food laced with something?"
Michael chuckled, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Enhanced right. This meal was either made by an awakened person or prepared using ingredients cultivated by one. From what I know, not all awakeners are fighters. Some have unique abilities cooking, crafting, even medicine-making. Their energy can infuse what they create. That's probably why you're feeling the difference."
Kalen nodded slowly, glancing down at his tray with new appreciation. "That explains a lot", but how do you know so much, before he can reply some people approach them.
A familiar voice approached. "Mind if we join you two?"
Michael and Kalen looked up to see three figures approaching the table. Leading them was the same person who had earlier tried to stop Michael's outburst. His expression was calmer now, though still serious. Behind him were two others a pair of twins, one male and one female, both with sharp eyes and matching silver streaks in their dark hair.
Michael gestured to the empty seats. "Of course. Take a seat."
As they settled in, Michael turned to Kalen. "Let me introduce you. This is Leo," he said, nodding toward the one who had spoken up earlier. "He's the one who tried to keep me from going off in the hall."
Leo gave a small nod. "Didn't want to start a riot."
Michael smirked. "Fair enough. And these two are Tang Yu and Tang Xia twin brother and sister. Don't let their looks fool you. They're sharper than they let on."
Yu gave a lazy wave. "Hey."
Xia offered a polite smile. "Nice to meet you."
Kalen nodded, a small smile forming. "I'm Kalen. Good to meet you all."
As the group continued to eat and talk, the dining hall buzzed with energy. Evening passed quietly, and night began to settle in. The lights dimmed slightly, casting a soft glow across the room.
Then, the atmosphere shifted.
A man in a military uniform entered the hall, his steps quiet but deliberate. He didn't speak, didn't announce himself yet his presence alone was enough to silence the room. Conversations faded mid-sentence. Forks paused halfway to mouths. Heads turned.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a stern expression and sharp eyes that scanned the room like a hawk surveying its territory. His uniform bore the insignia of the Tower's command division an unmistakable mark of authority.
Michael, Kalen, and the others at the table straightened instinctively. The man's arrival wasn't casual. It meant something.
And whatever it was… it was about to begin.