"Oh – f*ck it!"
Seeing he don't know what was about to happen on him, he wants to pamper himself before problems arouse. Like him being sent into a lab to be an experimental subject.
Orin's eyes seems to shine with mischief as he gaze around. Then he lunged forward to the nearest amenities, the small refrigerator.
It was was full of drinks of all types of drinks like; carbonated drinks, juice, yogurt and the like. Well, except for alcohol all was complete. Who would give alcohol to children within 10–12 years old?
Orin's mouth watered as he saw this scene, it was the first time he saw this much "treasures" in his entire life.
He look around and found that, except for the driver who was too–focused on the way, no one seems to be around to stop him. And with a shift – rapid motion, he opened a can of carbonated drink called "Cola".
The popping sound – that came after he opened the can seems to add a tantalizing urge in Orin's heart.
Such that he wait no more.
With couple chugs he finished the carbonated drink he tasted for the first time. Then with another swift motion, he took another drink and drink it all up. He didn't stopped there. His eyes moving from places to places, looking for more new things.
Then he found a pile of junk foods laying in a stall. Now his eyes shines even more brighter, as he gobbled down on the foods he find around.
Just as he keep devouring on anything that can be eaten, a voice suddenly echoed in his ears. Garnering his attention.
It was the high–ranking officer from before, emerging from a display inside Orin's room. His eyes sharp as he stared forward:
[Good evening everyone! I'm Lieutenant Franz. The person in–charge for all of you!]
'It's evening already?'
[You might have a lot of questions in your head right now. Don't worry – well cater all of them when we arrive in the new base of the academy. Yes! You heard that right, the academy has new base and would shift it's operations from the capital to the...]
[Uncharted Lands!]
When Orin heard that they where going towards the uncharted lands, his expression froze and his gobbling stops.
Who didn't know that place? That's was a general knowledge for the people of the empire, even a beggar like him that lived on the streets knows how dangerous that place is – and being sent to that place is no better than death sentence.
To call it dangerous is not enough. It the best example of meat grinder itself. In normal days, nearly half of those who enter become a fertilizer of that land, and if your unlucky then your chances would rise to 99.9999 percent!
Yes, it's a treasure trove and the best place for training – mighty individuals. But it's more of suicidal action, and cause more harm than good – at least for those that got sent there without enough procedures.
Orin's face turned pale as his fears really manifest. Who would say calm when they about to be sent to a place full of godlike monsters?
[Don't worry – about the sudden changes in the empires operations, the higher–ups would not make choices that harm the nation. Also we – the Emperial Army would be there to teach and guide you to be come a worthy Emperial Soldiers!]
[During your education and training, you all – not going to encounter any danger, not unless if things doesn't get out of hand. But I'll assure you that it would never happen.]
[As the new elites of the new generation – you'll be shouldering the responsibility to expand our future. Ensure our nation's rise. And protect our people!]
[You less than 500 special–cadets chosen from the crowd are not ordinary anymore. So, expand your horizon. And embrace your new reality.]
[Well give you the best treatment and life – the empire has to offer, in return we want you to pledged your loyalty towards our only Haven! Our only HOME!]
[THE GREAT EMPIRE!]
[If not... Then press the button that would emerge below the table of this display, to forfeit your chance. Well not cater those unwilling to serve the country!]
[You have a minute to decide]
The high–ranking man – Franz on the screen look serious, eyes staring deeply in the screen. Then – a compartment within the table suddenly opened, and a red button emerge from it.
Orin who watched this scene – has his will wavered, as soon as he saw a hope of escaping his death sentence. But he didn't take a move, if he surrendered now – would his life changed? Is he sure he wants to go back to living in the streets?
This reasons stops him from giving up. He just let the countdown to go from zero until he took a deep breath.
[3]
[2]
[1]
[0]
[Congratulations to all of you brave cadets that choses to stay, even do you all are young – you've showed courage and servitude beyond your age. Well assure you all that, we'll give you the best things we can offer and turn you into rightful individuals to bear the titles of Emperial Soldiers!]
[As the travel would last for a month, I suggest you all to learn the beginners guide book located at the drawer below. Here you will learn how to control your characteristics and chose the area you want to specialized in. Also don't worry about your life being threaten on the way, your now traveling in armoured cars and caravan of elite Emperial Soldiers.]
[Now, new cadets. I wish you all luck!]
The Lieutenant Franz stared in the screen with a bit of smile. He seems like he staring at Orin.
The display turned off, and the room turn back from it's usual silence. Orin was staring blankly at the display – deep in thought, his mind wandered around somethings as he lay his body in the soft bed.
His shabby clothes really contrasting the beautiful and exquisite looking mattress, making him look odd. His eyes blank, as he stared forward – unblinking.
Is this the best choice?
He asked in his mind, eyes gazing towards the drawer below the display.
"..."
For a moment, he just look at it blankly. Before his hand finally moved.
He pulled the drawers handle and found a book inside with a DVD attached. The book was not thick nor thin, it was just at the right balance. It has title that reads to "Beginners Guide For Awakeners"
When he opened it, he was welcome by cartoonish representation of what the book wanted to convey. Such that every kid can understand the book, as it was made for 10 to 12 years old.
[You awakened? Congratulations! You now belong to the Elite Class of the Empire – wealth and power is now around the corner]
A funny looking cartoon drawing – showing a smiling boy standing atop mountains of ordinary people, while grasping a bag of money in hand.
'Well... That doesn't look nice!' Orin frowned. Even do he was a beggar and lived in the streets, he once have a "family" that send him to school. Such that he knows how to read. He didn't like the thought of stepping on the people, as he to – experience that feeling and it wasn't good experience.
[Now, do you want to know what's your characteristics are? Well you're reading the right Beginners Guide! As well teach you how you can do it – easily!]
[First, sit down and meditate. Empty your mind and emotion. Next unattached your– self from the world, feel your inner self. Then, call for your characteristics, call for that burning flame! Evoke your deepest emotion! Get that characteristics out!]
[...]