"Strange…"
A woman in her mid-thirties sat beside a hospital bed.
A student lay unconscious atop it, long black hair spread messily across the white sheets.
"I'll need to file a report for this one."
She tapped the device resting against her ear.
"An unidentified student from the Newcomers Division was found unconscious in the central forest. No ID card recovered. The subject has been transferred to the medical bay. Identity confirmed via biometrics. Report complete."
Silence.
A moment later, a soft ping echoed.
She tapped the earpiece again as a recorded voice played:
"Generate a basic identification profile. Transfer the student to the Head Office for authorization and signature by the Head Generals."
Her gaze shifted to the band around the boy's wrist.
It pulsed steadily, each beep confirming stable vitals then towards the boy.
"Why does this boy have to lose such an important thing on his very first day?"
She summoned a holographic interface and began inputting data.
________
The moment Kai selected [Yes], a sharp pain exploded inside his skull.
His vision warped.
He dropped to his knees, clutching his head.
"FUCK—!"
The pain intensified, tearing through his thoughts until everything went black.
A rhythmic sound pulled him back.
Beep… beep…
Kai's vision returned slowly—blurred, unfocused.
All he could see was white.
A blank white canvas.
No.
A roof.
"Wait… wasn't it supposed to be the sky?"
He pushed himself up, scanning his surroundings.
"Where am I?"
The answer came in the form of a steady beep beside him.
His gaze snapped toward the source.
A device.
His chest tightened.
'A hospital?'
The smell of antiseptic hit him.
"Is this some kind of prison lab…?"
The beeping continued.
Too calm.
Too steady.
Panic surged.
He tore the device from his side and hurled it across the room.
The sound of footsteps froze him.
Someone was coming.
"HEY! What are you DOING?!"
After generating the pass, she was required to retrieve the physical copy from the printing area.
"Ugh… Why am I doing things I wasn't even supposed to handle?"
A vein throbbed at her temple as she left the bay.
Halfway back, she heard a crash.
Then movement.
She broke into a run.
When she entered the room, everything looked normal—
except for one bed.
It was no longer in place.
She followed it with her eyes.
The boy with long hair was crouched behind it, using it as cover.
Her eyes widened as her temper rose.
"HEY! What are you DOING?!"
"IT'S NOT MY FAULT! IT WASN'T ME!" Kai yelled back.
"FOOLISH KID! You're in a hospital." She was trying her best not to burst out already. "No one is going to hurt you here!"
"YOU THINK YOU CAN FOOL ME?!"
Another vein popped on her forehead as she lifted her hand. A green mist began to form.
SHIT. I'M COOKED.
But the greenish glow shrank back into her fingers as they both heard a voice—urgent, sharp.
Kai felt relieved for a second.
A guard was running toward them.
"Ma'am, it's an emergency. A girl from the newcomers—she's badly injured."
Hearing this, she instantly opened her tab. A ping flashed, directing her to another section of the bay. She glanced at Kai, then at the guard.
"Take this pass and send this boy to the Head Office for an officially verified ID."
"Yes, ma'am." The guard bowed as she rushed toward the emergency room.
Kai heard it.
DAMN. It's a hospital after all.
He peeked out again.
Hope that man isn't as strong as he looks. I stand no chance here.
While Kai was busy planning an escape—one that was practically impossible, since no matter where he hid in the world he'd be taken down easily—the guard approached him.
"It's been a while, Kai," the guard said calmly as he removed his mask, he looked to be in his mid thirties.
Kai froze.
"IT… IT can't be." He scanned the guard's face.
Shiny black hair, layered and swept back. A thin beard traced a perfect jawline.
He looked ridiculously good—sharp and composed.
"ALUS!! WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU HERE?!"
The confusion replaced panic instantly.
The man in front of him was none other than the servant from his house—the one who raised him from his very first day. The only person Kai had ever relied on without doubt.
"It was lonely without you, Kai," Alus replied gently, a grin on his face.
Kai's eyes burned as they watered.
"I'm sorry… I left without a proper goodbye."
Alus stepped forward and patted his shoulder.
"It's okay. Don't get stuck on small things." He paused.
"And we don't have time to be sad."
Kai steadied himself, taking deep breaths.
Meanwhile, Alus fixed the room back to normal. Soon, they walked out together.
"What did you mean… that I don't have time for?"
Alus scoffed as he folded the mask back into place.
"Ha ha. You might've forgotten, but it's time for the Awakening Assessment."
Kai almost froze.
"Damn. I really did forget."
"Wait. I've got your ID—here." Alus handed him a familiar black card.
The color made Kai's chest tighten. A golden card flashed through his thoughts. He checked his pockets.
Nothing.
Where the fuck did my card go?!
"Where did you get this?" Kai asked sharply.
"I found it near your bed back in the bay."
Kai stared at the card, hesitating before taking it.
'So this is it. My fate in the end.'
"Thank you."
Alus noticed Kai's lowered gaze, the weight sitting quietly on his shoulders.
He said nothing at first. Silence stretched between them.
"Alright," Alus finally said, adjusting his gloves. "Since this place is gonna be your home from now on, I'll give you a tip or two."
Kai looked up.
"This place gives opportunities to everyone," Alus continued. "But most people don't know how to use them. That's why they end up in the government's hands—living as puppets."
He paused. "You always said you didn't want either of us to be treated like trash. Well… this is your chance."
Alus glanced around. Kai followed his gaze, instinctively checking their surroundings.
"This place isn't what it used to be," Alus said more quietly. "Even I don't fully understand it anymore.
So the last thing I'll tell you is this—stay away from trouble… and from troublemakers. Do that, and you'll survive."
Kai nodded, though his mind wandered to the troubles he'd already gotten himself into.
Ahead of them, a massive gathering came into view—newcomers lined up, guards stationed everywhere. His heartbeat quickened.
"I wish you luck, Kai," Alus said. "I believe you can handle things on your own."
With that, he turned and merged with the guards, leaving Kai standing alone.
Can I really?