Moments later, Kael Voss felt a tightness around his waist, followed by a sudden lightness as his body was lifted upward.
Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the stern-faced senior cadet who'd trailed him closely—one arm supporting Kael, the other gripping the quantum cord as his legs scaled the final stretch with agile precision. Kael's gaze drifted to the twin suns, now hanging directly overhead in the sky's zenith.
He'd failed to reach the peak in time. A twinge of disappointment gnawed at him. He'd pushed himself to the limit, so why still couldn't he measure up to the others?
In the blink of an eye, they reached the summit. Only six candidates sat resting nearby, while Jaxen Solaris conversed with a portly, middle-aged man in a sleek navy-blue synthetic uniform, hands clasped behind his back. Chief Overseer Rook and Enforcer Wang stood beside him, flanked by several other officials—all waiting as the remaining senior cadets ferried the slower candidates up one by one.
Once every child had been brought to the top, Chief Overseer Rook stepped forward, his expression solemn as he addressed the group.
"Seven candidates have qualified this round," he announced slowly. "Six of you will join the Gene Forging Division as official core operative apprentices."
He paused, then continued, "Jaxen Solaris, as the first to reach the peak with exceptional performance, you are directly admitted to the Apex Combat Division to train in the Conglomerate's elite techniques." Rook glanced back at the navy-uniformed man, who stroked his neatly trimmed beard and nodded in approval.
"As for the rest…" Rook's eyes swept over the remaining children, his fingers brushing his chin as he deliberated. "Gareth Stone and Kael Voss—though you did not reach the summit on time, your perseverance has been notable. You clearly possess the fortitude for gene ascension training. You will first study under our instructors to build your foundational skills. In six months, you will undergo a re-evaluation. Succeed, and you will become full core operatives; fail, and you will be reassigned to peripheral status."
Kael glanced at the other candidate who stepped forward—Gareth Stone, the boy who'd clung to the quantum cord just behind him, so close to reaching the top.
"Enforcer Wang, distribute credit stipends to the remaining candidates and arrange for their return to their homeworlds," Rook said, his gaze cold as he regarded the unsuccessful children.
"Yes, Chief Overseer." Enforcer Wang stepped forward, bowing in acknowledgment before leading the rejected candidates down the mountain.
"Jacob Ironvein and Marcus Techno—escort these qualified candidates to the division headquarters. Deliver the six core apprentices to Vice Overseer Gus and the two probationary candidates to Instructor Elias."
Two more senior cadets stepped forward to comply—one of them the cold-eyed Jacob Ironvein. As they prepared to descend, Kael couldn't help but glance back at Jaxen, who still spoke with the navy-uniformed man, showing no sign of moving.
"He's different from you," the lean-faced Marcus Techno said, as if reading Kael's curiosity. "He's a core disciple of the Apex Combat Division. Once his training is complete, he'll hold at least the rank of Enforcer." There was a faint undercurrent of envy in his voice.
"Not that he earned it fairly," Jacob snorted, his words sending a chill through the air. "His cousin is a high-ranking core operative married to Vice Director Malachi. Otherwise, he's over the age limit—he'd never have made it into the Apex Division."
"Jacob, are you suicidal?" Marcus gasped, glancing around nervously to ensure no one else was listening. "We can't speak of Vice Director Malachi like that! If word gets out, we'll both face solitary confinement!"
Jacob let out a derisive huff, clearly unsettled but unwilling to back down. Kael finally learned the cold cadet's name—and understood, in a muddled way, that Jaxen hadn't secured his position through skill alone. Instead, he'd relied on family connections within the Conglomerate.
As they descended the mountain path, the two senior cadets fell silent, their minds weighed down by the frustrating realities of life within the Seven Luminaries. Kael and the others dared not speak either, sensing that the Conglomerate was a world far more complex and unforgiving than their home villages.
When they passed through a dense grove of bio-engineered trees, an elderly man emerged from the foliage. Tall and gaunt with sallow skin and shoulder-length white hair, he coughed repeatedly, doubling over as if each heave might be his last. It was a pitiful sight, enough to make anyone worry for his well-being.
But Jacob and Marcus showed no concern. Instead, they hurried forward, bowing deeply in respect.
"Dr. Thorne! Greetings, sir. Do you have any instructions for us?" Jacob's cold demeanor vanished, replaced by genuine reverence—for this old man, he seemed to hold in higher regard than even the Overseers or Vice Directors.
"Oh, are these the new candidates?" The old man finally stopped coughing, his voice hoarse and gravelly.
"Yes, sir. Six full core apprentices and two probationary candidates," Jacob replied meticulously.
"I'm short-handed," Dr. Mordecai Thorne said, his tone brooking no argument as he pointed a thin finger at Kael and Gareth. "I need one gene synthesis apprentice and one bio-material harvester. These two will come with me."
"Yes, sir!" The senior cadets offered no objection. Marcus even added enthusiastically, "These are probationary candidates, sir. It is their great fortune to be chosen by you. Hurry and pay your respects—learning even a fraction of your expertise will be the highlight of their lives!"
With no right to refuse, Kael and Gareth followed the elderly doctor into the grove.
Dr. Thorne led them along a winding path through the bio-trees, turning this way and that until the foliage parted to reveal a vibrant, enclosed valley bathed in soft artificial light—the Verdant Bio-Dome.
To the left stretched a vast cultivation field filled with exotic gene-modified plants, their leaves emitting a rich, medicinal aroma. To the right stood a cluster of interconnected buildings—laboratories, storage facilities, and living quarters. Beyond the entrance they'd used, there were no other exits visible.
"This is the Verdant Bio-Dome," Dr. Thorne explained, pausing beside a row of small dormitories. "Only dome personnel are permitted here; outsiders rarely visit unless injured or ill. This will be your home from now on. Rest first—report to the main laboratory tonight. I have matters to discuss with you." He pointed to one of the smaller rooms.
"You may call me Dr. Thorne," he said, pausing for a moment before adding, "Or simply Master Mordecai, if you prefer."
With that, the old man turned and coughed his way into a larger, more imposing building—his private laboratory.
Exhaustion overwhelmed Kael. Paying no mind to Gareth, he collapsed onto the narrow cot inside the dormitory and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he was now a probationary apprentice of the Seven Luminaries Tech Conglomerate—and that, for the moment, was enough.