Instructor Seliora clapped her hands lightly, the sound cutting through the mesmerized silence of the classroom. "For now, we'll end here. Take a few minutes to discuss among yourselves, and then head to lunch. We will cover the semester's plan in detail this afternoon."
As if a switch had been flipped, the classroom instantly buzzed with whispers. Kael followed Tarin and Selene into the bustling corridor, the discussion shifting from the holiday stories they had shared to the futures they were now forced to confront.
"So, what's the plan after graduation?" Tarin asked, his voice filled with an optimistic energy that seemed to ignore all the warnings and complexities they had just heard.
Kael shrugged, a faint, mischievous sparkle in his eyes. "I'm thinking about applying to one of the Science and Technology academies outside Veylora Prime."
Selene, walking beside them, smirked without missing a beat. "A Science and Technology academy? Off-world? Let me guess the real reason. You've calculated that the minimum distance required to escape our parents' supervision and maximize your sleeping time is approximately one star system away."
Kael's face flushed as Tarin roared with laughter. "It's not just about that! It's about… new experiences."
"I'm sure the beaches of Kepler-186f offer many new experiences in snoozing," Selene teased.
The afternoon sun streamed through the crystalline windows of the Institute as they returned from the cafeteria. The lingering taste of lunch was replaced by a renewed sense of anticipation.
"Ready for round two?" Tarin asked, stretching as they settled back into their seats.
Kael nodded, trying to suppress a yawn. "I think so. I'm just hoping the lecture isn't too boring. I'm in a prime food-coma state for a nap."
Selene rolled her eyes playfully. "Just take notes. It keeps your hands busy so you won't fall asleep. It's what I do."
Just then, Instructor Seliora Veyra stepped forward, her presence immediately commanding the room's attention. "Good afternoon. Let us begin with the semester's plan."
She projected the curriculum onto the wall, the crisp, glowing letters seeming to hum with significance.
Awakening Preparatory ExercisesAwakening TheoryPlanetary SciencesMechanics & ElectronicsThe Eternal Luminary Imperium
"This semester is your briefest, yet most important," she explained, her voice steady and clear. "Until now, you have learned the fundamental subjects required of every citizen. This semester, we will go beyond that. We will learn what will form the very foundation of the paths you take after graduation."
She walked slowly among the students. "The Awakening subjects will guide you in understanding what it means to Awaken, preparing you physically for the ordeal, and introducing you to the responsibilities it entails. Planetary Sciences and Mechanics & Electronics are essential for any path in research, engineering, or deep-space exploration. As for The Eternal Luminary Imperium, you have learned of it from news broadcasts. This time, you will learn the true scale of the civilization you are a part of, and what it truly expects from you."
She paused, letting the weight of the curriculum settle. "That is the overview. Before we continue, are there any questions?"
Immediately, Ria Solara's hand shot up.
"Yes, Ms. Solara?"
"Instructor," Ria began, her voice precise, "what is the practical relationship between Awakening Theory and the Preparatory Exercises? Is the theory a prerequisite for the physical work, or do they run in parallel?"
"An excellent question," Seliora acknowledged. "Think of it this way: the Theory is the map of the terrain you are about to cross. The Exercises are the journey itself. A map is useless if you never take a step, and a journey is treacherous without a map. The exercises will build your physical and mental resilience—your strength, agility, and endurance—while the theory will give you the knowledge to understand the changes you are undergoing. They are not interdependent, but they are deeply intertwined."
Before she could continue, Tarin Veyor eagerly raised his hand. "Instructor, which one of these is most important for getting into a military academy?"
A faint, knowing smile touched Seliora's lips. "A direct question, Mr. Veyor. The Preparatory Exercises will have the most direct impact on the success and stability of your Awakening, which is a primary concern for any academy. However, I will caution you. It is recommended that you follow the instructions provided in class precisely. Overdoing your training without proper guidance can cause more harm than good."
Zaina Rostova, the class monitor, raised her hand next, her posture perfect. "Regarding The Eternal Luminary Imperium, will our studies include the legal framework and civic responsibilities that come with being an Evolutionary citizen?"
"We will cover the foundational pillars of the Imperium Accords, Ms. Rostova," Seliora confirmed. "With great power comes great oversight. You will learn the major laws that govern Evolutionaries and the societal duties expected of you. The full depth of Imperium law is vast, but this course will provide the essential knowledge every Awakened citizen must possess."
A tense silence followed, broken by Kaelen Demos, who spoke up without raising his hand. "With all due respect, Instructor, if the Awakening is the main event, why waste time on Planetary Sciences or advanced Mechanics? Shouldn't all our time be spent on the Awakening subjects?"
Seliora's gaze settled on him, unwavering. "Because the Awakening is not a finish line, Mr. Demos. It is a starting gate. Your choices at this stage will determine who you can become. Your future is not just to 'be an Evolutionary.' It is to be an engineer, a scientist, a pilot, a leader, or a healer. We are not just preparing you for a single day in March; we are preparing you for the thousands of days that will follow."
She let the students absorb that before continuing with the schedule. "There are ten weeks until your exams. Your mornings will be dedicated to the Preparatory Exercises, while the other four subjects will cover your afternoon sessions."
Her gaze softened as she laid out the final, critical dates. "Final exams conclude March 15th. On March 17th, your Awakening will take place. Every drill, every lesson, every choice guides you toward that day. Remember, failure is not a shame—it is simply another path. What matters is how you walk it."
As she finished, the anxious student, Lian Chen, raised a trembling hand.
"Yes, Mr. Chen?"
"Instructor…" he began, his voice barely a whisper. "You said failure is 'another path.' What does that actually mean? What happens if… we fail?"
Seliora's expression became one of profound empathy. "It means your journey is different, not over. A failure during the ceremony means your body is not yet ready, and you will enter a recovery period before you can try again the following year. For some, their potential is more subtle and does not manifest in a dramatic Awakening. They go on to become brilliant administrators, technicians, and thinkers who are every bit as vital to the Imperium as a Level-4 Evolutionary. A path without a grand power is not a lesser one. It is simply quieter."
She gave them a final, encouraging look. "On March 25th, you will receive your exam results along with an evaluation report. You will have until the end of March to make your decisions. We will have a special session next month to discuss all of your options in detail."
She gestured toward the class, the intensity of the moment lifting. "That is all for today. We will meet tomorrow morning at the athletic grounds, 08:30 sharp. Do not be late, or you will be doing extra reps."
The final bell released them, and the classroom emptied out into the warm afternoon. The weight of the day's revelations seemed to follow Kael as he rode the sky-tram home, the city's vibrant energy a blur outside the transparent walls. He had spent the entire ride speculating on what "extra reps" from Instructor Seliora might entail in case he did not make it on time, while Selene and Tarin had been uncharacteristically quiet, lost in their own thoughts.
That evening, the atmosphere at the Novar dinner table was different. The news of the Awakening semester's intensity had clearly preceded him.
"So, your Preparatory Exercises begin tomorrow," Draven said, looking up from his meal. He had put his holo-slate away, a rare occurrence that signalled the gravity of the topic. "Remember what I told you, Kael. This isn't like your standard physical conditioning. It's directly related to your awakening success. Pay attention to what's told by your teachers."
"And don't get caught up in what everyone else is doing," Lyra added, her healer's intuition giving her words a gentle weight. "Tarin will want to push himself, and others will be anxious. Everyone's body is different. Find your balance and move at a pace that feels right for you. A flower that is forced to bloom too quickly will only wither."
"So, you're saying he should aim to be the laziest flower in the garden?" Aela chirped, earning a half-hearted glare from Kael.
"I'm saying he should be the smartest," Lyra corrected, a smile touching her lips.
Later, as he lay in bed, Kael's mind replayed the day. He felt pulled in a dozen different directions. He was apprehensive, not just about the training, but about the consequences of being late. For the first time, he set his alarm with a sense of grim determination. He would not be late.
The next morning, the air at the Aurelia Institute's athletic grounds was crisp and cool. It wasn't a field of grass, but a vast, open-air platform made of a programmable, slightly yielding composite that felt firm but alive under his feet.
The students gathered in their grey training suits, a nervous energy crackling among them. Tarin was already there, bouncing on the balls of his feet and running through a series of elaborate stretches. Lian looked pale, his eyes wide as he stared at the pull-up bars that was shimmering. Ria was, predictably, reviewing anatomical charts on her ComSphere, her lips moving silently.
At 08:30 precisely, Instructor Seliora walked onto the platform. Her presence alone was enough to silence the scattered chatter.
"I see some of you are anticipating a strenuous physical workout," she began, her eyes briefly landing on Tarin. "You believe this is about making you stronger. You are only partially correct."
Her gaze swept over all of them, sharp and serious. "This is not about building muscle; it is about forging a vessel. The Awakening will try to shatter your bodies from the inside out with a catastrophic surge of bio-energy. We are here to ensure your bodies are too strong, too resilient to be broken. We will push you to your physical limits, and then past them. The goal is not completion. It is maintaining perfect form and mental clarity under extreme duress. When your body is screaming, your mind must be silent. That is control."
A murmur of disbelief and fear rippled through the students.
Seliora ignored it. "The regimen is simple. Ten sets. In each set, you will complete thirty squats, twenty pushups, and ten pullups. The same standard for everyone. Afterwards, you will complete a two-mile run on the endurance track." She paused, a glint in her eye. "The track will be operating at a 1.2G load to simulate off-world conditions."
The murmur turned into audible gasps. Tarin, however, grinned, a look of fierce challenge on his face.
"Your biosensors will monitor your form," Seliora stated. "A rep completed with improper form is a rep that does not count. Begin."
The first two sets were manageable for the more athletic students. Tarin flew through them, his movements fast and powerful. Kael, his muscles already protesting, paced himself, focusing on the simple, burning count.
By the fourth set, the burn had become a fire. Sweat poured down Kael's face. He saw Ria, the perfect scholar, struggling to pull her chin over the bar, her academic preparation meaning nothing against the raw physical demand.
By the sixth set, the class was in agony.
"Speed is irrelevant, Mr. Veyor!" Seliora's sharp voice cut across the grounds. Tarin had been rushing his squats, his form getting shallow. "Control is everything. Your last five reps did not count. Do them again. Perfectly."
Tarin's face flushed with anger and embarrassment, but he dropped back into a squat, his movements now slower and more deliberate.
Lian was shaking, unable to complete more than a few pushups before collapsing. Seliora appeared beside him, her shadow falling over his trembling form. He flinched, expecting a reprimand.
"If you cannot do twenty, you will do one perfectly," she said, her voice firm but not unkind. "Then, you will rest. And then you will do another. Do not look at the mountain, Mr. Chen. Focus only on the next step."
Kael felt his own arms trembling as he pushed up from the floor for the eighteenth time in the seventh set. His body was screaming, every fiber begging him to stop. He wanted to quit. He wanted his beach. He glanced over and saw Selene. She wasn't the fastest or the strongest, but she was the most consistent. Her face was a mask of concentration, her breathing controlled, each movement precise and economical. She was embodying what Seliora had said—a quiet mind in a screaming body.
Inspired by her focus, Kael pushed through. He stopped thinking about the sets to come and focused only on the next rep, and then the next. It was a rhythm born of pure misery, a desperate mantra of one more.
After what felt like an eternity of fire and pain, the tenth set was done. Students were sprawled across the platform, gasping. But it wasn't over.
"To the track," Seliora commanded.
The two-mile run under 1.2 times normal gravity was the cruelest part. Each step felt like his legs were wading through thick, wet sand. The extra weight crushed his lungs and turned his bones to lead. Tarin, who had used up his reserves in the sets, tried to sprint but quickly burned out, his pace slowing to a pained jog.
Kael just plodded forward. He didn't think; he just moved one foot in front of the other. It was the longest two miles of his life.
He crossed the finish line and collapsed, his chest heaving, his vision dotted with black spots. He was a wreck, every muscle screaming in a symphony of agony. He wasn't alone. The entire class was in a similar state of utter collapse.
Instructor Seliora stood among them, seemingly unaffected, her breathing perfectly even.
"This is your new baseline," she said, her voice washing over their exhausted bodies. "Today, your bodies screamed. Soon, they will learn to adapt. Then, we will find new ways to make them scream. The goal is not strength. The goal is resilience. The goal is a body that will not fail when your power awakens."
She looked at them, one last time. "Rest. Recover. Hydrate. Be back here tomorrow at the same time."
As Kael lay on the cool composite floor, every part of him aching, he felt a strange, new clarity. The path to his own future, whether it was in the stars or on a quiet beach, was not going to be an easy one. In fact, it was going to be the hardest thing he had ever done.