At exactly eight o'clock, all the students of the First Three-Star Academy had gathered. They stood in groups of twos and threes, whispering among themselves about what this first lesson might entail.
For most, this was not only their very first class at the academy, but also their very first true taste of training since admission. To these young men and women—who had long dreamed of entering Saint Dorag Military Academy—this moment brimmed with expectation and curiosity. Yet among them existed a small minority who, backed either by powerful families or by the financial and political weight of great corporations, already knew far more about the academy than their peers.
"Once you're inside, there's nothing complicated. Just agree to everything, understand?"In the first-floor lobby of the Biology Building, Yejielin reminded them. Ahead, ten doors had opened in sequence, each marked with a number range corresponding to student ID cards.
"Understood, Sister Lin." Atto Ring and Selmer responded. Their ID numbers—36 and 124—meant they would not be going in with Cassia.
One by one, the ten doors swallowed the students whole.
Behind the door was not the lecture hall Cassia had imagined, but a row of small, isolated rooms.
Yejielin entered without a word, her expression indifferent, as if none of this concerned her. Cassia had thought to ask her about the training, but seeing her aloofness, he held his tongue. He followed silently, counting the numbers above the doors, until they reached the rooms marked 1023 and 1024.
Cassia stepped into his room and shut the metal door behind him. Before him stood a silver steel desk and chair. Across the table sat a man who looked like a teacher. His hands rested calmly on the tabletop; beside them lay a black pen and a thin stack of documents.
"Good day, Mr. Cassia Tussos. Please, sit."The man gestured but offered no introduction.
Cassia pulled out the chair and sat upright. On the wall, an ancient brass clock ticked steadily, showing that barely ten minutes had passed. The four walls were empty, painted stark white, while the steel desk reflected the overhead incandescent lamp, dazzling to the eyes.
"What kind of designer thought this was a good idea?" Cassia muttered inwardly, narrowing his eyes so that his long lashes could shield most of the glare.
"Now, let us begin the very first lesson of the First Three-Star Academy."The man's voice was calm and practiced, as if he had repeated this countless times.
He pushed the documents and pen across the table toward Cassia.
"If there is anything you don't understand, ask me. Otherwise, sign the back of each document. Take your time—there is no rush. But do make sure you fully understand each one, for they concern your very life."
"…All right. Understood." Cassia nodded nervously. A thin sheen of sweat formed on his forehead as he picked up the first document.
The first document detailed Cassia's entire life—from the exact time and place of his birth, the hospital, the doctor and nurses present, to the dates and locations of his schooling, up to his admission to Saint Dorag.
Cassia marveled. Some of the details he himself barely remembered, yet the document recorded them all with precision. He signed his name with unease.
The second document: Death Declaration Agreement, with a sheet titled Will attached.
Cassia's face drained of color."Excuse me…"
The man explained flatly:"The right of death declaration means that the academy may at any time announce your death. Whether you are alive or dead is irrelevant. While alive, circumstances may require us to declare you dead, to fabricate your death for operational purposes. Likewise, should you truly die, we may still create the illusion that you live."
"As for the will—its purpose is obvious. You may take it with you. The deadline for submission is three months."
Cassia nodded stiffly. A soldier could not escape such risks. He signed the agreement, setting aside the will.
The third document: Body Disposal Agreement.
The text was brutally concise: The academy retains full rights over the signatory's body after death.
Cassia raised his eyes.
"In simple terms," the man said evenly, "after you die, your body belongs to the academy. Whether you are buried with honor or left to rot in the wilderness is not your decision."
Cassia's heart remained steady—once dead, a body was only an empty shell. He signed.
The fourth document: Confidentiality Agreement.
At last, something resembling normal.
The words were still brief and to the point: All knowledge and experiences within the academy may not be revealed to anyone of differing clearance. The academy holds full authority to punish violations.
The man's voice hardened:"The penalties are simple—lifelong imprisonment until death, or immediate execution. Both the Military Academy and the Seminary place utmost importance on this agreement. Once you sign, everything your eyes behold must remain sealed within. Every year, some still defy this. We can only hope you will not. Remember, from this moment forward, your life has left its ordinary track. The world you see will never be the same again."
Cassia hesitated, then signed. He slid all four documents back.
"Congratulations. You are now truly a member of the academy."The man slipped the papers into a folder, walked around the desk, and opened the metal door, motioning Cassia to follow.
"What is this place?" Cassia asked in surprise. The corridor was gone. No numbered doors lined the sides. Instead, directly ahead stood a long bench, upon which sat an elderly man in a white robe. His hair was silver, yet his eyes were bright and piercing. At his sides stood two nurses—one male, one female.
"This is the underground laboratory of the Biology Building," the instructor explained. His calm voice echoed in the vast chamber. "That room also serves as an elevator. From here on, they will take charge of your training."
"Welcome, Number 1024."The old man on the bench rose, gaze sharp as steel."The operation is prepared. We can begin at once. You are the last to arrive—do not waste any more time."