The Orientation
The UA orientation hall was huge, cold, and expensive. Rows of brushed titanium ribs arched over the ceiling, glowing with the kind of sterile, blue light that made everything feel like a hospital for rich people. It didn't smell like the damp streets or the cheap dish soap Atlan used; it smelled like ozone and high-end air filters.
In the shadows of the stage, a man checked a hologram hovering over his wrist. His suit was dark grey and looked like it cost more than Atlan's store. A panicked-looking bureaucrat scurried up to him, whispering that Hall 1 was at capacity.
The man straightened his tie. "Ok, ok, let's get this show on the road," he muttered. Then, louder: "Please, lights."
The room plunged into black. A single spotlight snapped on, pinning the man to the center of the stage.
"I hear you guys wanna walk the walk," he said. His voice was so deep it made the floorboards under Ander's feet hum. "Well, it sounds easier than it is. In fact, everything in life sounds easier than it ends up being. My name is Milahnes Bull. I'm an A-Rank Walker."
The guy looked like he was carved out of rock. Even through the suit, you could see the kind of muscle that only comes from A-Rank mana density. He stood with the calm posture of someone who had looked at monsters the size of buildings and didn't blink.
"I'll be giving you guys what might possibly be the most important lecture of your ever-changing lives," he said, scanning the dark room. "Sit back and let's talk."
The crowd didn't just cheer; they screamed. The sound hit Ander like a physical wave. Tucked into the back row, Ander could barely see Milahnes—he was just a bright speck from this distance. But the three-story-tall holograms on either side of the stage caught every scar on the man's knuckles and every glint in his eye.
"I can't believe we're getting an A-Rank," a boy a few seats down whispered.
"The association must be going all out," another replied. "Getting an A-Rank for a basic orientation... that's a massive amount of money."
Milahnes waited for the silence to return. A small, dry smirk played on his lips.
"Wow, wow," he chuckled. "I didn't know I was that popular. The guild must not be paying me enough for all those sponsored products if I'm getting this kind of reaction from you guys."
His face went serious then, dropping the act. "Ok, but on a serious note: awakening is only the first step. This orientation is meant to show you the possibilities. What I'm telling you today? You won't hear it again. This isn't some rinse-and-repeat script every batch hears. No."
He paced the stage, the spotlight trailing him. "This is structured to make sure you know every route to becoming a Walker. If Kad Lair did this, he'd say something else. If it was Barlee, he'd give you a different story. We speak from experience. And with that long preamble out of the way—what the hell does it mean to be a Walker?"
The crowd clapped, fast and desperate. They were hooked.
"A Walker is a unit that makes up a guild," Milahnes explained. "The guild is nothing without the Walker. We're the force that quells the gates. We protect the world. None of that is news to you. But this is where things get spicy."
He paused, letting the silence hang. "The gates aren't just for resources. They're a breeding ground. I don't mean monsters like the ones we eliminate. I mean monsters like... Walkers with abilities maxed out in ways nobody ever conceived."
He stopped dead, staring at a point in the distance. "Like..."
He trailed off, shaking his head. "You all know who I'm talking about. Let's not waste time on names."
He started pacing again, his voice grounding itself. "Most of you won't get picked by a big guild early. That's fine. Start a sect with friends, do joint raids, get scouted as a team. I'm saying this because the world is harsh to D and E ranks. Use your friends. Build something."
Then his voice turned cold, sharper. "But for those of you with ranks people dream of? Don't let friendship bog you down. Don't join sects that won't yield fruit. Even elite talent dies if it isn't fed right."
He straightened his jacket, looking out at the sea of teenagers. "I welcome you to the profession. You've idolized Walkers your whole lives. Now it's your turn to see what it takes to get that praise. On behalf of the UA, I wish you the passion to stay on this path and conquer."
The house lights slammed back on, blindingly bright. Staff started moving through the aisles, handing out thick, glossy brochures.
Ander clutched his, his eyes locked on the 'S-Rank' benefits section. His heart was hammering against his ribs. "This is amazing," he whispered. "I can't wait to find Atlan. We have so much to plan."
He was already picturing the mansion, the gear, the life they were supposed to have. "Now that we've awakened, we need to map this out," he added, his mind racing.
The crowd started filtering out toward the massive polymer doors. Ander joined the river of people, moving fast, clutching his gold-tinted pass. He just wanted to find his brother and tell him the good news. He had no idea about the reveal waiting for him on the other side.
*****
"Me? Not awakened? How? This is impossible. All this time I spent worrying, thinking Ander might not awaken... I never once stopped to consider the possibility that it would be me who wouldn't awaken. I guess that says a lot more about me than even the situation I find myself in," Ethan said.
He grudgingly dragged himself back home where he would weep, waste himself, and contemplate this whole ordeal for what can only be described as forever.
"This is my life now," Ethan said to himself.