The jet tilted, and the world outside shifted into a sea of towers. Prestigeon Academy rose from the horizon like a living monument — bridges of glass arching between spires, banners of constellations snapping in the wind, light cascading across hovering platforms. The cabin erupted in gasps.
"Is that… floating?" one girl whispered, pressing her hands to the window.
"Course it is," another boy said, voice shaking with excitement. "They say even the foundations are alive. The whole Academy breathes with Astrolia's energy."
De'Oliver leaned into Jordan's shoulder, grinning ear to ear. "Look at that, man. Told you this wasn't just some school. That's a palace for gods."
Jordan forced a small smile, his gaze flickering sideways. Jayden sat just a few rows down, smirk tugging at his lips, arms crossed like the view outside was beneath him. The whispers hadn't stopped since their silent clash — 'They must be twins.' 'No way, he denied it.'
A chime split the murmurs.
"Attention, students," came the voice over the intercom, calm yet commanding. "We are moments away from Prestigeon Academy. Upon landing, you will be escorted to the Grand Assembly Hall. Please remain seated until the jet has come to a full stop."
The jet vibrated softly as it began its descent.
De'Oliver nudged Jordan again, chuckling. "Hear that? Grand Assembly Hall. Sounds like we're about to walk into the history books."
"Or into a trap," muttered a boy across the aisle. "They say the Neural Chips change you… that you don't come out the same."
Gasps rippled around him, but Jayden only laughed, sharp and dismissive. "Pathetic. Afraid of a little evolution? If you can't handle a chip, you don't belong here in the first place."
A girl snapped back, "Easy for you to say. Some of us actually care what happens after."
Jayden tilted his head, grin widening. "Then you're already behind."
De'Oliver rolled his eyes. "Someone shut him up before he bursts a vein."
Jordan kept silent, though his fists clenched in his lap. His eyes drifted back to Jayden — those same green-amber irises, too familiar, too sharp. His chest tightened, as if the universe itself was mocking him.
The jet dipped lower. The Academy's gates came into full view, glimmering with sigils carved into stone and light.
"Guess this is it," De'Oliver said quietly, suddenly serious. "No turning back now."
Jordan swallowed hard, voice low. "Yeah… this is where it starts."
The jet's engines whined down, the cabin shuddered, and silence fell just before the final thud of landing. A thousand dreams and destinies braced against the floor as the doors prepared to open.