The artificial morning light flickered into existence, bathing Room 1047 in a pale amber glow. It wasn't real sunlight and no warmth, no birdsong, no breeze but it did its job waking cadets at precisely 06:00 Am.
Saurai stirred.
He blinked up at the ceiling, disoriented for a moment before the familiar details returned. Artemis-5. Cadet dormitory. First-year combat drill today.
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, body still sluggish with sleep. The chill of the floor snapped his senses into order. His cadet watch vibrated lightly against his wrist, already displaying the schedule:
[07:00 – Combat Drill Assessment – Sector 2 Training Arena, Block-3]
[Mandatory: All First-Year Cadets – Attendance Logged]
[Wear standard uniform and boots. Weapons will be assigned.]
He stood and moved to the sink, splashing water onto his face. The reflection that looked back at him still felt unfamiliar. Was this really his face? Or just a mask he wore for this second life?
As he dressed, his hands moved automatically and a routine ingrained in the body, even if the mind struggled to catch up. Standard blue uniform, cadet boots, and watch locked in place.
A few minutes later, he stepped out of his room. The hallway buzzed faintly with life and students emerging from their rooms, adjusting their uniforms, murmuring groggy greetings. The atmosphere was different today not so tense maybe even little expectant.
He met Bryn outside his room, who yawned so wide it looked painful.
"Morning," Bryn muttered. "Sleep well?"
Saurai nodded. "Enough. You?"
"Like a corpse. Dreamt about being eaten by a training bot. Hope it wasn't prophetic."
They walked together toward the lifts. Coral joined them along the way, her uniform crisp, hair tied back in a short braid.
"You two look half-dead," she said.
"We're preserving energy," Bryn replied. "Smart tactics."
The lift doors closed around them, and the hum of descent began.
Sector 2 – Training Arena, Block-3
The arena was unlike anything Saurai had seen so far since this kind of place he can only see in telivision not in real life and this was Vast and echoing, with gleaming white floors, motion sensors embedded in every corner, and automated training bots hovering silently in standby.
Rows of scanning platforms glowed near the entrance. Holographic signs directed cadets to line up by class.
Many first-year instructors had come to observe. They stood on the elevated observation platform above, where they could see all the cadets clearly.
Saurai noticed a stern-looking man in his forties standing at the center. He seemed like someone important because Murphy Gaelic, the no-nonsense combat teacher with a scar along his temple, was standing beside him and appeared to be giving him respect. They were speaking to each other, and Murphy, unusually, was even smiling at times.
Murphy asked, smiling, "You're worried about Delphine's weapon, Marcus?"
Marcus looked toward Murphy and replied, "Why would I worry about my daughter's weapon selection?"
Murphy smirked. "If you're not worried, then why are you attending her not-so-serious weapon selection ceremony? Even I usually skip this."
Marcus said, "I'm just here on a routine inspection."
Murphy didn't push further. He simply smiled and nodded.
They both watched silently from the upper tier, arms crossed.
Cassius Ray was also there tall and elegant, leaning on the railing, his eyes flicking across the cadets with clinical precision. He didn't seem to care about Murphy and marcus's conversation or seniority, focused entirely on the cadets below.
---
All the cadets were standing in rows according to their class. Some were fired up with excitement, some a little nervous, but most stood there in anticipation.
Saurai was among them, quietly observing. Since there was no first-year coordinator present, Delphine alone stood out, positioned slightly ahead of the other students. She seemed perfectly composed and Saurai couldn't read any emotion on her face.
Bruce was the only instructor present on the floor with the cadets, as dependable-looking as ever, clipboard in hand.
Bruce called out, "Cadets, Step forward when your name appears on the scan board.
"Names will be called randomly. When yours appears, place your watch hand on the pad and follow instructions. The machine will evaluate your metrics and determine the type of weapon most suited to your body and energy signature.
"This is just an initial assessment and the final choice of weapon will be yours later. Today's selection is temporary, designed to help you train with what your body is naturally attuned to.
"For safety, most of the weapons today will not be in their active forms since Many of you will be using them for the first time."
One by one, students stepped forward as their names were called.
Each scan evaluated reflex metrics, energy resonance, and bio-signature harmony. Based on the data, the AI assigned a temporary training weapon.
---
"Derrin Alai. Class 1-C. Weapon: Dual staves."
"Clara Yen. Class 1-E. Weapon: Pulse baton."
"Kale Marvin. Class 1-E. Weapon: javelin."
Everytime someone's name called out, they will move forward with their weapon selection.
Then came Delphine's turn.
She stepped forward, graceful and calm. All the students paid attention.
Bruce glanced toward the observation deck, then looked back and continued without pausing.
"Delphine Ray. Class 1-A. Weapon: Lightning Sword."
A murmur spread through the lines. A lightning sword wasn't common, and many knew the AI only assigned it to highly compatible cadets.
Murphy looked toward Marcus and said, "Looks like she'll continue your family's tradition and wield the lightning blade."
Marcus just hummed and didn't say much, but he looked pleased.
Then Marcus turned around and began walking out of the training arena. Murphy followed quietly behind him.
---
When Saurai's name appeared, his heartbeat quickened but he walked forward steadily.
He stepped onto the pad.
[Scanning… Analyzing… Sync Initiated…]
A faint hum passed through his body. He tensed slightly.
The voice of the AI echoed calmly:
"Cadet Saurai Lian. Bio-rhythm atypical. Assigning adaptive resonance staff. Temporary weapon issued."
A nearby slot opened, and out slid a medium-length staff. It had an unusual, almost organic texture. The grip was wrapped in soft leather, patterned faintly with green, vine-like lines. Lightweight. Balanced. Quiet.
Saurai took it and stepped aside. It felt oddly natural in his hands.
"That doesn't look standard," Coral muttered as he passed.
"Maybe it's a broom handle," Bryn joked. "To clean up the battlefield."
---
When Bryn's name came, he stepped up, humming under his breath. A moment later, a large metallic hammer slid into view which looke very sturdy, broad-headed, with energy conduits lining the shaft.
"Now that's what I call a real weapon," Bryn said proudly, hefting it onto his shoulder. "Smash first, questions never."
A few more cadets passed, then Coral was called.
Her assigned weapon was a pair of long, curved daggers which was lightweight, razor-sharp, with dark handles and faint shimmer across the blades.
"Cute girl, deadly blades," Bryn whispered to Saurai. "Remind me never to make her angry."
Coral didn't smile. She spun one of the daggers in her hand with practiced ease.
"They feel right," she said softly.
---
The assessment continued as cadet after cadet discovered their match some surprised, some disappointed, a few thrilled. But for Saurai, one thought lingered:
Why did the AI call his rhythm atypical?
Something in his body or maybe in his past it was different. He didn't know yet.
He gripped the staff a little tighter.
Whatever this life was… he would need to understand it, weapon and all.