The gates of D.M.I. opened without sound.
Smooth metal slid apart like breath caught mid-sigh, revealing a campus that didn't look built — it looked engineered. Everything gleamed: glass towers stretching into cloudline, automated rail lines curving like veins across the academy, soft-lit walkways without a single scuff or stray step.
Many of the new arrivals stared in awe. Some whispered. A few even bounced on their toes like this was the start of something magical.
Then the announcement came — not from a person, but the building itself. The voice was calm. Clean. Stripped of emotion.
"Everyone, welcome to Vowline's D.M.I."
"We hope you'll give your best in the upcoming assessment, where your rank will be determined based on physical capability and skill."
"Worry not — ranks are not permanent. Improve, and your rank will follow."
"Each of you received an ID card before arrival. It's multifunctional — guidance, clearance, communications, and more."
"For now, follow its directive. It will guide you to the arena."
-BEEP-
A soft beep echoed from every student's ID card. A glowing arrow appeared on the screen, pointing through the main corridor. The crowd followed it instinctively.
Ryuen followed, too. Lien stuck close beside him.
---
Inside, students funneled into the arrival atrium — a broad, high-ceilinged chamber glowing with soft blue light. Projected windows showed a stylized, artificial sky, cloudless and sterile.
Everyone waited for their number to be called.
The assessments were a blur — a series of basic movement tests, mana channeling checks, compatibility scans. Brutally efficient.
Eventually, it was over.
The ID cards buzzed again.
Ryuen looked down.
Rank 432 / 500.
He blinked. Then exhaled.
"At least I'm not last."
"Oh, 432? Still better than me," Lien said beside him.
Ryuen jumped slightly. "Ehh… you scared me." He rubbed the back of his neck. 'I'm not used to this many people.'
"What'd you get?" Ryuen asked after a moment.
"Four-forty-one," Lien said. "It's low, yeah… but it's not fixed. I can improve it later." He smiled, as if that was enough.
Another announcement echoed across the arena.
"Everyone, congratulations on completing your ranking assessment. Based on your rank, you'll receive room placement, meal tier, and system credits."
"Do not lose your ID card — it tracks everything."
"Your card will now guide you to your assigned dormitory. Please review your personal rule set when prompted. For now — explore. Get to know Vowline's D.M.I."
-BEEP-
Ryuen's card buzzed again. A small map flickered to life, with a line pulsing toward a section labeled: F-Wing.
He followed.
---
The hallway was dim. Functional, but clearly not a priority. The floor gave a soft hum from mana lines buried deep in the structure — old but stable. Ryuen found the door marked G-12, tapped his ID card against the reader, and stepped inside.
The lights flickered once before stabilizing. Inside, the room was compact — walls smooth but unadorned, a basic bunk with folded linens, a desk that auto-lit when he approached. The air was filtered, dry. No window. No sound.
Not terrible. But not warm, either.
Ryuen stood for a moment, then slid down the wall to sit.
"Of course."
"Even here, I don't get a window."
"Anyway, it's still better than that place."
Ryuen walked over to the locker, slid it open, then stared. He didn't have much to put in it — just a nearly empty bag stuffed with a few pairs of Timm's used clothes and the standard academy overcoat.
He tossed the bag onto the bed and followed after it, lying back with arms stretched wide, face turned toward the ceiling.
"Haaa... !" he sighed, sinking into the mattress.
'What a peaceful day' he thought, letting his body relax for the first time in weeks.
He lifted one arm and clenched his fist. Scars traced down his forearm — some faded, some fresh. A few still throbbed under the sleeve.
"Peace," he whispered.
It's exactly what I was craving for... after the death of my parents.
His eyes drifted shut, mind slipping backward into memory.
Seven years old. A funeral. A woman's voice.
"Ryuen… it'll be fine, don't cry."
Mary's voice was gentle. Too gentle.
"From now on, I'm your mother, okay?"
She said it like a promise. Like she meant it.
She said it would be fine if I stopped crying.
And she was right. It was all fine… Just— for a couple of weeks.
She really treated me like her own son — just long enough for me to believe it.
I didn't realize it was all a mask. They all wore masks. And once mine came off… they made my life hell.
-BEEP-
-BEEP-
Ryuen wiped his eyes with his sleeve.
Two notifications blinked on his ID card:
— RULES —
— CLASS SCHEDULE —
He stared at them for a moment. Then sat up.