Kalon stood in front of a run-down apartment, similar to the others around it. On his back he carried a large backpack. While he didn't really own many clothes, he now had a bag filled with quite a lot of them and was dressed in a fine — though not luxurious — set of casual clothing. Ordinarily, he would never have been able to afford such things, neither the bag nor the clothes. But luckily, after seeing his situation and the state of his body and clothing, both the bald man, Nicholas, and the group of ascenders he had met at the entrance to the outskirts had given him quite a bit of money. They told him to buy new clothes and other necessities; otherwise, he wouldn't last long in the academy.
About to turn away, Kalon looked back at the door of his run-down apartment, which had sheltered him alone for over seven years. Slowly, he turned away and did the only thing he could do now: he left.
It didn't take Kalon long to find a cab — or at least one willing to take him. He stared out the window, enjoying the view as houses and people blurred past in an instant. This was a first for him, after all. While Kalon didn't need to take a cab, and could just as easily have walked to the academy, he decided to take one now. He didn't know if he would ever get the chance again, since he would either die in the Tower of Ruin or fully awaken. However, there weren't many ascenders who resided outside the towers. Most practically lived there, while the others only came back out to see their family and friends, or to obtain something they needed.
After realizing he had let his mind wander too far, Kalon stared out the window again and saw that he had arrived at the academy. Opening the door and stepping out, he handed the driver a bundle of cash, which the man proceeded to count without wasting a single moment. It was obvious he didn't trust Kalon.
Taking a step further from the car, Kalon turned around and slammed the door shut in a manner that betrayed his unfamiliarity with vehicles. The car drove away, leaving him alone again. Kalon stared at the massive blue alloy gate of the academy, feeling anxious and tense at the thought that he would be staying here from now on. His mind recalled what the group of ascenders at the entrance to the outskirts had told him a few days ago.
A Few Days Ago (Kalon POV):
"Listen, kid. Your life from now on is gonna be real hard. After all… you're stepping into hell," one of the ascenders said with a grim expression on his face.
I was surprised by what he said. From what I knew, the ascender academies were practically the safest and most important places in the world, open to all people. Curious, and with a bit of disbelief, I spoke before I even realized it:
"What do you mean, old man?"
The ascender, who was about to take a sip from his bottle of beer, looked at me with wide eyes — not because I called him old man, but because I had dared to ask what he meant. Looking at me as though I had just asked the most obvious question in the world, one of the other ascenders glanced at his friend — the one speaking to me (whom I had started to call A1 in my mind) — and then said:
"Don't worry, I'll explain it to him."
Then, looking at me with a somber expression, the man began:
"You see, in contrast to how the media and government make the ascender academies out to be, they aren't actually happy or nice places. They're a stage — or rather, a ring — where it's survival of the fittest. Unlike most of the people you'll meet there, boy, you are already disadvantaged. You have no backing and no home. You grew up in the outskirts and had no prior education. You are the definition of what those pampered rich fools would call easy prey."
Looking at the man, dumbfounded, I considered his words for a moment. Still not understanding, I said tentatively:
"But I'm not exactly an easy target. Despite my looks, I can defend myself."
Now it was the man's turn to look at me dumbfounded. Then he spoke again, this time with a hint of warmth finding its way into his voice:
"Ahhh, kid, you see… in this world, the rich rule over the poor. Whether you're stronger or not doesn't matter. What really matters is how much power you have, and how fat your pockets are. While in the academy your instructors will teach you how to fight and wield a weapon — they'll teach you how to make efficient use of your strength — they can't teach you how to be powerful. That is something you must learn on your own."
After giving his friend a long stare, A1 looked back at me again and said:
"I know you probably intend to take courses like swordsmanship and magic, but I'd advise against it. Magic is something you need talent for, and you can also learn it anytime. Swordsmanship might seem important, but it isn't. You won't always have the choice of what weapon you'll have access to in the tower or the gates that spawn. Considering you're only enlightened, I advise you to take the close melee enhancement and tower survival courses."
Looking at me with what I thought was pity, he then added:
"Of course, you don't have to listen to me. Now hurry along, kid."
Staring at the gate, Kalon hesitated for a moment and was about to step in, when suddenly an arm stretched above his neck.
"Hey kid, you're an enlightened too, right? I'm Dickson, but you can call me Dick. What's your name?"