The massive gates of NEO-CYBER Academy loomed over Ren Hoshizaki like a wall of glowing steel. Neon-blue circuits pulsed along the edges, giving the towering structure a heartbeat of its own.
Ren adjusted his backpack nervously. Today was his first day. Today was where legends were born… and where failures were forgotten.
He glanced at the orientation sheet. His name was near the bottom. Low-rank.
A low-rank. In a school where World-level Core holders walked the halls, controlling powers that could level cities.
"Great… just great," Ren muttered under his breath. "Time to die slowly, I guess."
Orientation Begins
A booming voice echoed from speakers embedded in the air, making every student snap to attention:
"Welcome to NEO-CYBER Academy. Here, students are ranked by skill, potential, and Core synchronization. Observe, learn… survive."
The floor beneath them shifted into a massive circular display. Twelve holographic animal symbols appeared, glowing with vibrant energy.
"These," the voice continued, "are the Core Holders. The top twelve students in the academy. Each one a world-level rank . Some of them will leave marks on history. And some may never be forgotten… for better or worse."
Ren's heart skipped a beat.
The Core Holders
The holograms flickered to life, revealing each Holder in their stylish, aura-filled jackets. Each radiated power, confidence… and danger.
WOLF – Kurogami Ren (Male)Highest rank. Stoic. Calm. Just standing near him made the air feel heavier. Can take down a World-Level rank monster, only 15.
SCORPION – Togashi Kaoru (Male)Sharp. Tactical. Every move calculated. You never knew if he was friendly or plotting your downfall, only 16.
BAT – Yamato Nozomu (Male)Agile and silent. Moves like a shadow at night. Perfect for reconnaissance, only 17.
DRAGON – Ryujin Akio (Male)Proud. Commanding. Every strike is devastating, only 19.
SHARK – Kaiyo Haru (Male)Aggressive. Relentless. Prefers overwhelming offense over defense, only 15.
SPIDER – Ayaka Kumo (Female)Calm, calculating, master of traps. Every thread she spins could be your last, only 16.
STAG – Hayato Shika (Male)Defensive. Honor-bound. Fast reflexes. Always watching, only 14.
OCTOPUS – Minato Ika (Male)Flexible strategist. Can multitask attacks across the battlefield without breaking a sweat, only 15.
MANTIS – Seiji Kamakiri (Male)Precise and deadly. Every strike is calculated. Every move, lethal, only 18.
EEL – Hinata Unagi (Female)Impulsive. Electric attacks. Dares everything, fears nothing, only 19
ARCTIC FOX – Yukihiko Kitsune (Male)Cold. Analytical. Thrives in chaos. Always three steps ahead, only 13.
LION – Kogane Leon (Male)Charismatic leader. Raw power and unmatched loyalty. Inspires allies with every word, every move, only 18.
Ren gulped. Twelve holders. Twelve terrifying forces of nature. And he… was just a low-rank..a nobody.
The Campus
The holograms faded, revealing NEO-CYBER Academy in full. Sky-bridges connected the towers. Training fields simulated real-world disasters. Sparring drones patrolled the grounds. Holo-displays scrolled past statistics of every student.
Everything screamed one thing: This is where only the strong survive.
Ren swallowed. He might be low-rank now… but that didn't mean he would stay that way.
"I'm not going to stay at the bottom," he whispered to himself. "I'm going to rise. I have to."
From somewhere above, a shadow moved. One of the Core Holders passed by faintly. Even at a distance, Ren could feel the power difference. The air vibrated around them.
He clenched his fists.
"So this is NEO-CYBER Academy...I'll do my best to become a world-level!