Sector Academy - Lower Division Wing
The next morning began the same as always. Cold steam, rationed water, and a cracked mirror reflecting a face that hadn't slept. But this time, Auron Vell wasn't just going to survive the day—he was going to start something that could never be undone.
He looked down at his palm. The interface had vanished into his skin the night before, but the feeling remained. A low hum, like invisible heat moving just beneath his bones. The Sovereign Protocol System had marked him. It knew his sister. His life. His rage.
And it wanted results.
He pulled on his uniform—a faded gray jacket with orange stripes along the collar, issued to Sector Academy's bottom-tier students. The elites wore white with silver. The mid-class wore blue. Gray was for those who couldn't afford to fit in.
His stomach twisted, but not from hunger. From the weight of what he was about to do.
Flashback – Two Weeks Ago
The cafeteria had been packed that day. Hundreds of students, screens buzzing overhead, drones flying through skylights, conversations bouncing off the marble walls. Auron stood in line quietly, tray in hand, Riva beside him—just visiting for the afternoon during an open sibling day.
Zarik Reman walked in like he owned the place. Tall, styled blond hair, his collar glowing with a platinum thread only upper-zone students could afford.
He had spotted Auron and smirked. "Didn't know the gutter kids were allowed to bring vermin inside."
Auron froze. Riva held his hand tighter, not understanding.
Zarik walked past, leaned down, and whispered, "She's cute—for someone who probably won't live past twelve. You planning her funeral yet?"
Auron didn't move. Couldn't. He just stared forward while Zarik and his friends laughed.
Back to Present
Now the mission was clear. Deliver a public slap. Crowd mandatory. Target: Zarik Reman.
He stepped onto the school campus. Sector Academy rose like a fortress of white glass and black steel, spread over several blocks. Hovercrafts lined the upper lanes, and chrome staircases looped around towers. Surveillance drones blinked overhead, watching everything.
System Notification: Mission Objective Available.
Reward: $25,000 | Physical Boost I | Access Tier 1
Auron walked toward the main courtyard where students gathered during the mid-day break. He had studied this spot all night—who stood where, which angle the cameras faced, where security enforcers usually lingered.
He also knew when Zarik showed up.
11:37 AM. Every day.
He took his place on the far side of the courtyard, near the synthetic maple tree in the center. Its leaves were made of light, flickering with artificial autumn. His heart thudded. His mouth was dry. The system didn't give instructions on how to do it—only that it had to be public.
He watched the hover-clock tick.
11:36.
He rolled his shoulders. Palms sweaty.
Optional Bonus: Deliver statement before strike. Bonus: +$5,000.
Auron blinked. Bonus for words?
Footsteps.
There he was. Zarik strolled into the courtyard with three of his cronies. One carried his bag. Another handed him a nutrient bar. The third was laughing at something on his wrist screen.
Students parted for them like water.
Auron stepped forward. The world seemed to narrow, sounds muffled. The system didn't offer courage—but rage did. His sister's face. That tiny breathing mask. The drawing she made of their dream home.
Zarik turned slightly—and froze.
Auron stood in front of him.
The laughter around them died.
"What the hell do you want?" Zarik asked.
Auron didn't answer right away. He could feel his heart punching his ribs. This was madness. He should be running.
Instead, he said clearly:
"You owe my sister an apology."
A murmur spread across the courtyard.
Zarik laughed, "Are you serious, slumborn? Get out of my face before I—"
The slap came so fast, even Auron didn't feel it leave his body. It cracked across Zarik's cheek like thunder.
Silence.
Even the drones paused.
Zarik staggered back, a red mark blooming across his pale skin.
Auron didn't move.
System Update: Mission Completed.
Reward Transferred: $25,000 credited.
Physical Boost I: Installed. Reflexes +10%.
Tier 1 Unlocked. New Mission Chain Available.
Then the chaos began.
Zarik lunged, screaming, but Auron was already moving. His body felt different—sharper, quicker. He sidestepped, grabbed Zarik's jacket, and shoved him into the nearby table.
Security drones zipped down from above. Sirens blared. Two enforcers stormed in, electric batons drawn.
Optional Mission Available: Escape without capture.
Reward: $15,000 | Stealth Upgrade: Phase Blink (5 sec)
Auron ran.
He ducked beneath a bench, sprinted through the east corridor, turned at the statue of the academy's founder, and slid down the back hallway toward the waste chute.
"Stop! Sector Violation! Freeze!"
Auron dove into the chute.
It spat him out into the under-campus garbage pit. He landed hard, rolled, and came up gasping.
Mission Completed.
Reward Transferred.
Skill Installed: Phase Blink – allows instant dash within 5 meters (Cooldown: 3 min)
He lay there for a moment, surrounded by discarded food trays and broken equipment.
And then… he laughed.
For the first time in his life, he had fought back.
Later that night – The Nest
Riva's cheeks were flushed with happiness as she hugged him. "You're smiling today!"
He didn't tell her why.
He just smiled, handed her a real protein bar, and said, "I found something new."
His mother looked at him curiously, noticing the bruise on his arm.
He waved it off. "I tripped."
Inside, the system pulsed quietly.
Next Mission: Ruin the career of a corrupt teacher. Reward: $40,000.
Warning: Consequences will escalate.
Auron looked at Riva, then at the flickering ceiling.
Let it escalate.
He was ready.