Five years had passed since the incident with the mythic beasts.
The military had discovered that children did not manifest any powers until the age of sixteen, which was why all children were required to complete two years of mandatory military training.
That was the reason Elena was preparing to attend military school — she wanted to follow in her father's footsteps.
Her father, Bj, was a Captain of an elite squad that hunted top-level mythic beasts. He could have gone higher up in the ranks, but he always said he didn't want to be a desk jockey.
Elena said goodbye to her brothers and mother before heading out with her father, who had taken a vacation day to see her off to school.
On the way there, Bj said softly, "After this mission, I'll stay in town to help you through your military training — guide you as much as I can."
Elena's smile erupted from ear to ear.
When they arrived, she stepped out of her dad's jeep, still smiling from their conversation.
After saying goodbye, Elena climbed the long stairwell toward the two big red double doors of the school, Big Engraved letters above Academy Of Champions.
She heard a familiar voice call out, "Hey, Elena! Wait for us!"
"Yeah, slow down!"
Elena turned around and her eyes widened with delight.
"Billy! Scarlett!"
The three friends hugged.
"How were your holidays?" Elena asked.
Both replied at once, "It was okay. We didn't figure out our powers yet though. How about you?"
Elena pulled a blue pencil from her pocket and placed it in her palm. "Watch closely," she said.
For a moment, nothing happened — then the pencil began to float, slowly spinning in the air before dropping gently back into her hand.
Billy's eyes went wide. "Wow! That was so cool!"
Scarlett grinned. "How did you do that?"
"Lots of practice," Elena said proudly, rushing up the steps and pushing open the red doors.
Inside was a massive foyer filled with students rushing about or chatting in groups.
As the trio walked through the wide hallways toward their induction class, they caught up on everything they'd missed.
But as they neared their destination.
A crowd was gathered outside the classroom — some cheering, others whispering as they looked to the new group.
When they stepped inside, twenty students were already seated, their eyes turning toward the newcomers.
The three friends quickly found seats beside each other.
A tall, lean man bald head stepped into the room. "I am Sergeant John Smith," he announced, his voice carrying through the class.
"I'll be one of the training sergeants for the year. Depending on how you perform, I might actually remember your names — so do your best."
He muttered under his breath, "This is the weakest year of recruits yet."
The friends exchanged confused glances.
"Everyone, stand and follow me," Sergeant John ordered.
He led them into a massive chamber lined with old-style weapons and shields on the walls — like something out of another era.
The students waited in silence as the sergeant explained the test.
"Your first trial is a test of strength," he said.
"All you have to do is punch this block as hard as you can.
"As he spoke, a thick earthen column rose from the ground, as if the soil itself had come alive. "First volunteer."
Billy stepped forward. "I'll go first, sir."
He took a deep breath, drew his fist back, and slammed it into the pillar.
Whack!
"Ow—ow—ow!" he yelped, hopping up and down while clutching his fist.
Elena, Scarlett, and several others couldn't help but giggle.
"Step back," Sergeant John sighed, jotting something down in his notebook. "Strength: one."
One by one, the others took their turns.
Scarlett went up and managed a score of two.
Finally, it was Elena's turn.
She approached the pillar nervously, thinking of her family — of the people she wanted to protect.
Then, a flash of memory struck: the image of her sister being taken by a one-eyed monster, burned forever into her mind.
Her breath quickened.
She tried to control her anger — and failed.
Clenching her fist, she channeled every ounce of rage and pain she had.
POW!
The impact sent a shockwave through the ground.
A gaping hole burst through the other side of the pillar, dirt spraying outward.
Every mouth in the room fell open. Even Sergeant John blinked several times in disbelief.
He stared at her, eyes wide. "How did you do that — on your first day? Do you even know what you just did, child?
"Elena shook her head. "No, sir. I just punched the mud like you asked."
He muttered, almost to himself, "A first-year student who can already channel her ability through her fists…"
He cleared his throat, excitement creeping into his tone.
"Test two — speed and movement! You'll need to dodge projectiles. Who's up first?"
Before anyone could volunteer, Elena stepped forward again, determined.
"Alright, you've got this, kid," Sergeant John said with a grin.
The test began.
Small earthen projectiles shot from the dirt on the floor, flying toward Elena.
She dodged left, then right, her speed matching each shard perfectly.
Every thirty seconds, the projectiles grew faster.
After a minute, she was still moving fluidly, but her stamina was fading. Sweat beaded across her forehead.
Then suddenly, one shard flew past her — stopped mid-air — and whipped back at her with brutal force.
It slammed into her back, knocking her off balance and sending her sprawling to the floor.
Sergeant John stopped the test immediately.
Billy and Scarlett rushed to her side.
Elena brushed herself off and stretched, grimacing as she tried to shake off the sting.
She glanced toward the sergeant, who looked utterly confused.
But when she scanned the crowd, she saw them — three boys in the back, snickering.
When one of them noticed her staring, he quickly stopped laughing and lowered his head.
Elena's jaw tightened. She started toward them, fury building — but Sergeant John stepped in her path. "Next!" he barked.
Her moment stolen, she forced herself to stand aside, seething.
When the boy — Max — was called next, he swaggered forward, ready to show off.
But his movements looked unnatural, forced, as if invisible strings yanked him around.
A minute in, several projectiles slammed into him at once.
Thwack! Whack! Smack!
Max hit the ground hard, dust rising in a cloud.
The class erupted in laughter.
He glared at Elena, fury burning in his eyes. "You did that! You messed with my test!"
Before he could advance, Sergeant John stepped between them. "Enough. Go cool off."
The tests continued until every student had finished.
Then, Sergeant John raised his voice so all could hear.
"This final test will determine your rank within the military school. It's a tournament — student against student. It begins tomorrow at sunrise. You have the rest of the day off to explore the grounds and the town."
Students immediately began chattering and forming groups.
Elena and Scarlett decided to go window shopping. "You coming?" they asked Billy.
He shook his head. "Nah, I'm heading back to the dorms."
The girls walked into the heart of High Rise — the fortified town that had once been called London.
A thirty-foot wall now circled the remaining city, its outer ruins left to decay.
High Rise was where the last of the government and military resided — where the rich lived and the strong Gained influence and power.
They wandered the market streets, passing displays of jewelry, armor, and weapons forged from Mythic materials — said to strengthen both weapon and wielder.
After about an hour and a half, something caught Elena's eye.
She rushed to a window where a magnificent bow gleamed beneath the glass — a sleek, baby-blue arch trimmed with a bright white blade along its outer curve.
It was beautiful — and far beyond her price range.
Sighing, she turned away — and froze.
Three boys were hovering around Scarlett.
"Oi! What are you doing?!" Elena shouted.
The boys spun around — Max and his two cronies — then bolted in different directions.
Elena hurried to Scarlett's side.
A red mark stained her cheek, and a thin cut ran across her lip.
Elena's blood boiled. "Are you alright? Where did they go? You wait till I see those Arseholes—"
Scarlett grabbed her arm. "No… leave it. It'll just make things worse."
Elena sighed, helping her up. "Come on, let's find Billy."
Scarlett nodded, dabbing her lip with her sleeve.
Meanwhile, Billy trudged down the corridor toward the dorms, still disheartened by the tests.
He spotted Sergeant John ahead.
"Excuse me, Sergeant — could I ask your advice, if you've got a minute?"
John turned, recognizing the small blonde boy with pale skin. "Yes, young man? What can I do for you?"
"My name's Billy, sir. I… I want to know how to get stronger?. I felt useless during the tests. I'll do anything to improve — I just feel miles behind everyone else."
The sergeant studied him for a moment, then gave a small grin.
"I can only give advice, son — but start by training your body. Every day. Perfect yourself. Make yourself into a weapon. There's a gym down the hall on your left. Start there."
Billy nodded quickly. "Thank you, sir!" He sprinted off.
John chuckled quietly. "Billy, huh? Guess I won't forget that name now."
The gym was enormous, with rows of equipment and even an octagon in the center.
Billy's jaw dropped in awe.
Spotting a free punching bag, he began hitting it — wild, clumsy swings. A few other students snickered nearby.
Fortunately, one of the year two's saw him struggling and walked over, showing him the basics: stance, balance, breathing.
Billy listened carefully and began to improve, slowly but steadily.
He trained for nearly three hours before heading back to the dorms, drenched in sweat but proud.
As he walked down the hall, he saw Elena and Scarlett approaching from the other end.
They met halfway. Billy noticed Scarlett's lip immediately.
"Who did that to you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Scarlett said softly. "It doesn't hurt."
Elena clenched her fists. "It was Max and his goons. They threatened Scarlett — said she'd better lose her match tomorrow."
Billy's eyes hardened. "Then lets not loose, show them were not scared."
Scarlett tried to smile, drawing courage from her friends.
That night, the three lay in their bunks, staring at the ceiling — each lost in thought about the tournament to come.
Tomorrow, everything would change.