He left the mansion, dragging his weak body but with eyes wide open.
What greeted him outside shook him again.
The mansion itself was already like a palace, but mixed with technology that didn't exist back on Earth.
Glass walls curved into strange patterns. Doors shifted without a sound. The surface of the building pulsed with a faint glow, like veins running with energy.
When he stepped out of the door, it opened on its own with a hiss. He didn't even touch it. The outside air felt sharp, but what froze him more was the sight waiting in front.
Kiera Rayne.
She wasn't in a school uniform yet.
Instead, she had on a tight black jacket with golden lines that hugged her body.
The jacket pressed against her chest, showing the shape of her breasts. Her waist was slim, and her skirt stopped at her thighs, making her legs look longer.
Black stockings ran down to her shiny boots.
Even in this simple outfit, she looked stunning. Her curves could make any man lose focus.
Her straight black hair fell down her back, catching the morning light.
She didn't greet him. Instead, she turned to the man waiting beside her.
"Chauffeur, we are ready. Bring the car."
The man bowed his head. "Yes, Lady Kiera."
He pressed a button on a small panel.
With a mechanical roar, the ground in front of them split open. From beneath, a tower of cars rose up.
Eleven levels stacked, each holding a different car.
It looked like a futuristic lift system, cars resting one on top of another.
Jax's eyes nearly popped out.
They weren't ordinary cars. Some were sleek sport designs that screamed speed.
Others were long, polished limousines with silver finish.
A few even had strange sharp edges, built like they were made for both speed and battle. Each one screamed money, luxury, and power.
The chauffeur turned politely. "Lady Kiera, which one do you prefer?"
Kiera crossed her arms, still glaring at Jax before answering. "Anything that will take us in haste."
The chauffeur nodded. "Then the red sports model will be best, Lady Kiera. Its engine is tuned for maximum speed."
She clicked her tongue. "Fine. Hurry up. We are already late because of a pathetic loser."
Her eyes cut into Jax like blades. He swallowed hard, saying nothing.
The chauffeur adjusted the tower with a remote.
Slowly, the red car lowered, one level after another, until it touched the ground.
The vehicle gleamed bright, its surface like liquid fire.
He moved forward and placed his hand on the driver's door. A light scanned his fingerprint, and a voice came out.
"Authentication successful. Welcome, Mr. Henry."
The door slid open without a sound.
The chauffeur quickly moved to the back, opened the door, and bowed. "You may enter, Lady Kiera."
She slid inside with grace, not sparing Jax a look.
Then the chauffeur walked to the other side, opened the door again, and said, "Master, you may enter."
Jax nodded stiffly and climbed in.
The car moved on its own, smooth and quiet. From the outside, it looked like they were blasting through the city at incredible speed.
Yet inside, Jax didn't even feel a shake. The seats were soft, the air clean, and the glass window showed a blur of buildings passing by.
He glanced at Kiera.
She sat next to him, her face resting against her palm, staring outside. She didn't even look at him once. Her coldness burned worse than fire.
The entire travel was silent. Nobody spoke. Only the faint hum of the engine filled the air.
Soon, they arrived.
The chauffeur stepped out first, walking quickly to open the doors.
Kiera got out, her every step full of pride.
Jax followed slowly, his eyes fixed on the scene in front of him.
The Academy.
It wasn't like in the game. It was bigger, brighter, alive. The main building stood tall, stretching like a skyscraper but curved like a blade cutting the sky.
Its walls were made of some shining material that looked like both glass and steel. Strange neon-blue lines ran across it, pulsing like veins of energy.
Around the academy floated giant screens, showing streams of battles, rankings, and faces of past champions.
Drones moved in the air, scanning students, recording their expressions, broadcasting live feeds.
Hover-vehicles landed in a special zone nearby, dropping off students with guards and attendants.
Robot cleaners glided across the grounds, removing dirt, keeping everything spotless.
It was futuristic, overwhelming.
The chauffeur bowed. "I will wait here until the screening is complete."
Kiera gave him a short nod. "Fine. Mother said you must take him back after the test." She pointed her finger toward Jax without even looking at him.
Jax didn't say anything. His eyes were still drinking in the sight of the Academy.
Kiera walked ahead, heading for the entrance.
Jax stayed frozen for a moment before realizing she was far ahead already. He panicked and dashed toward her.
Students and attendants nearby saw him running like a fool. Some laughed.
Kiera turned her head, her voice sharp. "Stop your nonsense. Don't act like a child. You are here as a Rayne. Remember that. Every stupid act you do, I will report to Mother. She will kick your ass harder than you can imagine."
He stopped right away, his throat dry. "Gulp…"
The two of them moved together to the entrance.
There, a machine stood blocking the path. Above it, glowing letters read: [3D Body Scanner].
Students lined up one by one, stepping inside the ring. A blue light swept across their bodies from head to toe.
When it finished, a green glow appeared above the gate. The student walked through, cleared.
One boy tried to sneak through without scanning. A sharp alarm blasted, red lights flashing. Guards appeared instantly, pulling him aside.
Jax's heart skipped, but he forced himself to stay calm.
Kiera stepped into the scanner. The blue light ran over her, highlighting her slim body and perfect curves. Green light flashed. She walked through without stopping.
Jax went next. The light passed over him, exposing his body fully for a second.
Sweat formed on his forehead. But then, the green glow appeared. He let out a quiet breath and followed.
Inside, the hall spread out wide like a stadium.
He froze again.
Around him were nearly a thousand students, packed into the massive chamber.
Some were chatting nervously.
Others looked calm, their eyes sharp.
Many carried themselves with pride, their family names giving them confidence.
The air was tense, filled with ambition.
Jax knew what this was.
The screening.
The first wall to climb. The trial that could change everything.
The rules were simple.
A battleground VR game.
Every student would select one character from ten options.
After the match, only the top two hundred would remain. The rest would be eliminated right there.
He grinned, his lips curling.
Yes. He knew this game. He knew the characters. And most of all, he knew the strategy that could break it.
But then his grin faded for a moment. These students had been training for years.
They grew up with this system, played these games from childhood, studied every mechanic.
Some of them knew more about the game than he could even imagine.
And yet…
He laughed quietly to himself.
"Pss… It will be fun. Let's see what this world has for me."