[...One Week Later…]
In the back of a reinforced vehicle, he sat with a bag carrying only his essentials with him. He looked down at the outfit he was given to wear–the uniform of the academy he was being sent to: having to wear a white blazer and matching pants, ironed without a wrinkle.
It was a bit much, though the reverence of the academy was something he was well aware of. A glance out of the window past the highway revealed to him the distant, but prominent structure that sat at the center of Washington.
A vast, pale building that commanded a chunk of the city itself, stretching through dozens of neighboring structures.
"Is that it?" Seven asked, aiming his question towards the driver.
The one steering the vehicle was an older gentleman, of whom Seven wasn't sure of his position in the government, though he seemed trusted by Dr. Goldstein.
"It is. That's Bastian Academy," the driver answered.
Even though he was being escorted there, it still didn't feel real to Seven. None of it did, really–all of it still felt like a fever dream that he might wake from at any moment.
'Only the most prestigious students in the world make it here–even then, only a few dozen are admitted every year. As large as it is, the academy only holds a few hundred students, I've read,' Seven thought, gazing through the car window.
Arriving at the entrance to the academy grounds, a massive, steel wall separated it from the outside city. Multiple armed guards were stationed at the perimeter, each dressed in all-black uniforms with rifles in their hands.
It only took a flash of the driver's badge for the guards to open the gates, allowing the car to pull in.
'Talk about heavy security…Guess it makes sense,' Seven thought.
A courtyard with perfectly-trimmed hedges led the vehicle to the front of the pristine academy before the car came to a stop.
"We're here. Good luck, young man," the driver said. "Godspeed."
"Thanks," Seven said, opening the door as he stepped out with his bag.
A passing breeze brushed against his hair as he looked up at the pearly-white building just ahead, taking in the new life set before him.
'Just a week ago, I was a nobody. An orphan without a single aspiration in life. To think I'm here now, heading for the top–I guess I have you to thank, don't I?' He thought, touching his chest, feeling the subtle heartbeat of the origin that embedded itself in him.
Before he could even step foot into the academy itself, somebody walked out of the front doors–a middle-aged man with slicked back, dark hair, wearing a perfectly maintained, black suit. It didn't take more than a single look for the young man to be able to decipher that the stranger was of a high position within Bastian Academy.
"I am glad to see you've made it here safely," the man greeted him with a welcoming but reserved tone, descending the sparse steps before extending his hand. "I am Ren, the Director here at Bastian."
He accepted the handshake, finding it surprisingly firm, given the condition of his body as he introduced himself in return, "I'm Seven. Thanks for having me."
"About that…" Ren said, pulling his hand away as he eyed the new student.
The director was quite tall, standing an entire head over Seven with a certain, discerning look in his black irises. To Seven, it felt like he was being read on a deeper level, as though any secrets he may have were revealed on the spot to those eyes behind the glasses.
"Come with me," Ren instructed, turning around to head towards the entrance.
"Are you showing me to my dorm?" Seven asked, following behind as he carried his bag at his side.
"Another student will show you when it's time. For now, I'd like to give you a personal test–think of it like an entrance exam," Ren said.
"I've already been accepted, haven't I?" Seven asked, a bit confused by the proposal.
"That's what the board has agreed to, however–as the Director, I have my own duties," Ren acknowledged, approaching the front doors. "That includes overseeing admissions."
The entrance was set of metallic doors operated by a digital pad embedded in the wall that not only seemed to require a keycard, but the fingerprint of the Director.
"Welcome to Bastian Academy—the light of the future," Ren said with little kindness in his tone, continuing forward.
Stepping past the secured doorway, Seven found himself in awe of the vast interior. . The floorboards of wooden texture were pristine, along with the pale walls and glass architecture. He could see some other students of the academy, some wearing the same, white uniform as him and others in a black version, though they all seemed either in a rush to their classes or drawn into studying.
"This way," the Director said, gesturing towards the left of the lobby.
Seven was pulled away from his distraction, following the man towards a transparent elevator. Again, a keycard and fingerprint were required before the peculiar lift opened for them, allowing him to step in after the Director.
As the see-through doors closed and the elevator began its ascent, he could feel the tension when standing next to the rather stern, pragmatic man. Finally, the Director broke the silence–
"What do you know about Bastian, Seven?" Ren asked.
"It's the most coveted academy in the world. The purpose of it, well…It's to bring the best young minds and bodies together to stand against the Fulminare in the future, right?" Seven answered.
The elevator continued its rise, bringing the lobby to become distant as multiple floors were passed by.
Ren was quiet for a moment before responding, "The purpose of Bastian is to cultivate the brightest and most gifted. Those that excel in physics and theories will lead in developing technology, and those of genetic excellence are trained to combat the threat to humanity."
Amidst the Director's words, Seven found himself enamored with just how high up the elevator seemed to go. There was a bit of silence again as he didn't know exactly how to respond to what the man said, not knowing if he was looked at favorably or not.
"--With the current state of the world, Bastian has become the leading force in humanity's resistance against the Fulminare. Do you understand what I'm saying? This is an academy that has the burden of the world on its shoulders," Director Ren explained. "I can't let just anybody waltz in."
With those words, a "ping" sounded from the glass elevator as it finally came to a stop, opening up to a snow-white hallway.
There wasn't a word said as the Director stepped off the elevator and led the way. Seven followed behind, curiously looking around at the pristine corridor.
Multiple doors sat on the sides of the hall, though he followed the man straight to the one at the end.
Director Ren quickly tapped in a code at the door's keypad before it began to open, "Step inside and wait a moment."
He quietly obliged, stepping into the peculiar chamber. What awaited was a plain, white room. It was entirely devoid of color to the point it merely appeared as a pale void.
"What is this?" Seven asked.
The door closed behind him as turned around, finding that there was no sight of the Director. Instead, a response was found through a voice coming through unseen speakers—
"//The room you find yourself in is the "S.B.DChamber." It's been meticulously made to suppress one's external biases and incite the truth.//" Director Ren's voice filled the white room.
"The truth?" Seven repeated.
An uncertain sensation took over his senses as he stood in that white, blank room.
"For what reason do you want to study at Bastian Academy?"
The question echoed against the ears of the young man, seeding itself into his head. In the silent room, it dug so deeply into his mind that the only choice was to say what he felt the strongest—
"To become somebody capable of crushing the Fulminare," Seven honestly answered.
"—"
A lack of a response existed for a moment before another question came from the intercom:
"To what end will you chase that goal?"
"Anything and everything within my power," Seven answered.
Once again, silence befell the blank rook with his answer before—a click resounded. He didn't know whether or not what he said was met positively, though as the doors opened again, he found his answer arriving.
Director Ren walked in, adjusting his glasses with a quiet exhale, "A fellow freshman will show you to your living quarters. If you need anything or have questions, she is somebody you can rely on."
"I passed—?" Seven asked.
Only a small wave came from the Director who walked away, not giving any sort of direct answer. All that was left for the perplexed, young man was leaving the room, taking the elevator before he found somebody already waiting inside of it.
"Yo! You're Seven? Hmm—impressive build you've got, you're no slouch."
Before he could even get a word out, he found himself being inspected by the brunette girl. She looked him up-and-down, humming to herself before finally stepping back and looking up at him.
"Sorry 'bout that, I'm May. The Director sent me to be your sort of guide into Bastian. Nice to meetcha!" The girl introduced herself, extending her hand.
He accepted the gesture, finally finding the chance to speak, "Thanks. This place is a bit much, so I guess I do need some help getting used to it."
May wore a snow-white uniform with silver leggings running past her skirt, gesturing for him to stand in the elevator before she pressed one of its buttons.
"Isn't that the truth? If you tried to get around on your own, you'd probably end up completely lost. Totally embarrassing, right? Good thing you have me!" May said with a smug smile, pointing at herself before laughing.
"Yeah…" Seven smiled, finding the girl to be almost too energetic.
What stood out to him was the fact she had access to the floor the Director had brought him to, which seemed at the very least somewhat exclusive.
'She must be somebody he trusts–is she a top student here? I don't know much about the hierarchy of Bastian, but I've heard it can be insanely competitive,' he considered.