The air inside the room remained still and cool as Luka and Yuki stood facing each other.
On the bed lay two elegant boxes, the words 'VALTHORIN ACADEMY' embossed in shimmering gold across their lids.
Luka, however, had already claimed his identity.
He held the dark blue Traditional Cadet Uniform firmly in his hands.
As if the fabric itself were a promise he wasn't ready to let go of.
Luka turned and retreated into the privacy of the shower room.
After splashing cold water on his face to steady his racing thoughts, he donned the blue attire.
When he emerged, the high-collared uniform clung to his small frame with a sharp, disciplined grace.
That commanded respect despite his age.
Yuki reached for the box on the bed, lifting the lid to reveal his Modern Academic Uniform neatly folded inside.
A faint, rare smile touched his lips as he looked at Luka.
"That color runs deep on you, Luka. You look... ready."
Yuki then moved to change.
Moments later, when he stepped back into the room, the modern cut of the blazer and tie emphasized his tall, stoic stature.
He adjusted his collar, meeting Luka's eyes.
"How is it?"
Luka gave a brief, solemn nod.
"It suits you."
The door creaked open, and Haru sauntered in.
His eyes scanned their transformed appearances, his gaze darting between their calm faces and new uniforms.
"So..." Haru began with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Is the war finally over between you two? Or are the swords just hidden for now?"
No one answered.
A heavy, meaningful silence settled in the room—a silence that served as its own response.
Haru chuckled, "Fine, keep your secrets. I know peace has been made."
"You both look the part; now let's see if I can match it."
Haru flipped open his own box and vanished to change.
When he returned, the transformation was complete.
Both Luka and Yuki offered their approval, "You actually look good in that."
As the trio descended the grand staircase, Commander Silas rose from his seat.
His experienced gaze lingered on each of them, a flicker of pride crossing his features.
"The uniforms were indeed made for you," he remarked.
He then turned to his butler, his tone turning professional.
"Arrange for another set of uniforms and all necessary supplies for them immediately."
Suddenly, Silas's brow furrowed.
"Where is the servant who brought these uniforms earlier?"
The butler bowed deeply.
"Sir, he was feeling quite lightheaded. He mentioned he felt unwell and is currently resting."
"He should return to his duties shortly."
Silas checked his wrist—it was nearly 3:00 PM.
"Very well. Once he recovers, have him deliver the additional clothes and supplies to the Academy."
"And make sure to procure some casual wear for their daily use as well."
The butler inclined his head.
"Shall I leave now, sir?"
"Yes, you may," Silas permitted before turning his attention back to the boys.
"Come, children. The car is waiting outside. I will take you to the Academy personally."
"We will also arrange for your 'Academy Phones' once we arrive."
Yuki glanced at the fading afternoon sun through the window, his voice tinged with hesitation.
"Sir, don't you think it's a bit late?"
Silas opened the car door, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.
"In Valthorin, there is no such thing as 'late.' The Academy's walls never sleep."
"Some classes are held under the sun, while others thrive under the moon or in the afternoon glow."
"You can choose the path that calls to you. After all, today is only the beginning."
The black luxury car glided silently across the sleek, modern pavement.
Before coming to a halt at the outer perimeter of Valthorin Academy.
There were no archaic iron gates here; instead, a seamless, grand boundary stretched out.
Resembling a city from the distant future.
A translucent blue energy barrier shimmered across the entire complex.
Pulsating like a living shield against any external threat.
Commander Silas stepped out of the vehicle, his presence immediately snapping the nearby sentries into a sharp, disciplined stance.
He gave a curt, low-voiced command to the guard standing by, "Park the car."
The guard bowed respectfully, stepping aside and taking the keys as the path was cleared.
As the three children—Luka, Yuki, and Haru—emerged from the car.
The eyes of the duty guards locked onto them in silent surprise.
Their crisp new uniforms perfectly complemented the gleaming, high-tech walls of the Academy.
Luka, in his deep blue traditional cadet attire, and the others in their sharp modern black, looked like a formidable new unit.
Commander Silas walked forward without hesitation.
Stopping before a smooth, slate-like wall near the entrance.
Silas placed his palm against an invisible panel embedded in the wall.
Within a heartbeat, a thin laser beam swept across his hand, scanning his biometrics.
With a soft, mechanical 'beep,' the magnificent modern door slid open with fluid precision.
Beyond the threshold lay the heart of Valthorin.
A world of towering glass structures, patrolling drones, and a breathtaking fusion of nature and technology.
As they stepped inside, Luka felt the very pressure of the air shift as they crossed the blue barrier.
They were no longer in the outside world.
They were now within the most secure and powerful sanctuary on the planet.
A heavy, expectant silence filled the Academy's corridors.
Broken only by the rhythmic thud of Commander Silas's boots and the lighter, synchronized steps of the boys behind him.
The doors here acted like invisible sentinels.
As they approached, the mechanical systems hissed softly, sliding open of their own accord to grant them passage.
"Follow me," Silas commanded without looking back.
Luka, Yuki, and Haru moved in a disciplined line.
Their new uniforms catching the cool blue glow of the recessed hallway lights.
They stopped before a glass-walled office where a teacher was hunched over a glowing terminal.
His white shirt sleeves were rolled up, and his black blazer was draped carelessly over the back of his chair.
A deep scowl etched his brow, his fingers flying across the keyboard with an intensity that betrayed his irritation.
The moment Commander Silas stepped inside, the teacher's frustration evaporated in an instant.
He snapped to attention, his eyes wide as they locked onto the Commander.
"Commander Silas? You... here, at this hour?"
Then, three small figures emerged from behind Silas's imposing frame.
The shock was so profound that the teacher lost his footing.
Stumbling backward and literally falling out of his chair onto the floor.
With a startled 'thud,' he scrambled back up, his face pale.
"Commander!" he stammered, his gaze darting between Luka and the others.
"You've never... you've never brought a child here before. Who are they?"
Silas remained unmoved, gesturing toward the trio.
"Children, introduce yourselves."
One by one, Luka, Yuki, and Haru stated their names and ages.
Their voices lacked the high-pitched innocence of ten-year-olds.
Instead, they carried a gravity that felt out of place in their small frames.
The teacher looked at Silas, his confusion deepening.
"What... what are my instructions, sir?"
"Enroll them," Silas said shortly, pausing as if weighing the weight of the next command.
"And prepare separate, private rooms for each of them. Their belongings will arrive shortly."
The teacher's jaw dropped.
"But sir... separate rooms? According to the regulations—"
"The regulations are what I say they are."
Silas's voice dropped to a glacial chill, cutting the man off mid-sentence.
"Do as you are told. Immediately."
The teacher bowed his head in submission, his hands trembling slightly as he reached for the console.
"Yes... yes, sir. Right away."
The teacher's fingers moved with lightning speed across a holographic keyboard that floated in the mid-air.
In the projection of blue light, a detailed digital document emerged.
The words '🛡️ VALTHORIN INSTITUTE OF HUNTERS: ADMISSION FORM' glowing clearly against the dim light of the office.
The teacher cast a brief, calculating glance at Luka, Yuki, and Haru before he began feeding their data into the hovering form.
On the holographic screen, the data materialized as follows:
Registration Date: 01 October 2091
Batch: 01-A (The Forgotten Generation)
Candidates' Age:
Luka: 10 Years
Yuki: 15 Years
Haru: 15 Years
Status: Orphaned / Ward of Commander Silas
Species: Human (Genetic Mutation Index: Pending)
The teacher's fingers paused as he reached the columns for 'Special Abilities' and 'Energy Level.'
"This form will only be fully submitted once your actual capabilities and synchronization rates are determined through testing," he stated in a gravelly, serious tone.
He pulled three shimmering Key-Cards from a compartment in his desk and slid them across the sleek surface toward Luka and the others.
"These are the digital passes for your quarters."
"Keep them safe; they are not just for opening your doors, but they will serve as your primary identification within the Academy."
The three of them picked up their respective cards with practiced etiquette, bowing slightly to thank the teacher.
He gestured toward three modern chairs positioned in front of his desk.
"Sit down here and make yourselves comfortable on these chairs for now," the teacher said.
His focus already shifting back to his glowing screen.
"I will summon a student to come here and escort you safely to your rooms."