Soren nodded at her.
Without another word, he adjusted his grip on the walking stick Polystar had given him and stepped forward toward the enormous gate.
The moment he crossed an invisible line in the ground, the giant mecha stirred.
Its head tilted slightly.
Then its eyes flared to life—dark red, glowing through the thin metallic veil that concealed most of its form.
A thin beam of light swept over Soren.
Then Cynthia.
For a brief moment the air hummed with a kind of quiet mechanical activity, as if checking records.
Then the machine spoke.
Its voice was deep and metallic, echoing faintly against the massive gate behind it.
"Scanning…"
The red light pulsed once more.
"Identity confirmed."
"Cadet Soren. First Year."
"Cadet Cynthia. First Year."
A short pause followed.
"Students of the Imperial Soulforge Academy verified."
The mecha's eyes dimmed slightly.
Then the gate began to move.
