The Titanfang Academy was the largest and most prestigious institution in the world, divided into five massive bases, each a fortress of knowledge and warfare. It was the next crucial step after the Summoning Exams—an opportunity granted only to those who had shown true potential or had the backing of powerful sponsors. Those who entered the academy would train rigorously, refining their abilities to either join a faction or serve directly in the world military.
Titanfang was not rely a school; it was a proving ground, a place where the weak were weeded out and the strong were honed into weapons of war. While partially owned by a powerful faction, it was primarily under the control of the world military, reinforcing its reputation as an elite and unyielding institution. It did not coddle its students, nor did it see them as re learners—here, they were soldiers in training, responsible for their own survival.
Four days had passed since the Summoning Exams, and now, those who had been chosen were summoned once more. It was ti for the final test to determine who would truly be worthy of setting foot in the academy.
Among the chosen was Kairos, standing amidst the sea of hopefuls who had gathered at the designated area. The sheer number of students was overwhelming, stretching as far as the eye could see. Conversations buzzed around him—so excited, others anxious. This was the mont they had been waiting for, yet uncertainty lood like a shadow over them all.
Before the tension could settle, a group of officials in sharp military uniforms descended upon the crowd like a storm, their presence commanding imdiate silence. Their efficiency was ruthless; in re monts, they divided the mass into smaller groups, each led away in different directions.
Kairos found himself in a group of ten, an assortnt of individuals plucked from the throng without any explanation. They were ushered through a maze of cold, tallic hallways, the air thick with an unfamiliar scent of iron and technology.
Then, they reached their destination.
Before them stood a massive circular device, its tallic structure pulsing with an eerie, dark energy that swirled like an abyss. It was a portal.
'A portal?' Kairos thought, his pulse quickening.
He had heard about them before—restricted technology reserved for the factions and the military. It was rumored that portals could transport people to any location on Earth that had a corresponding outlet, and so even whispered of portals leading to different planets. But to see one up close was sothing else entirely.
A woman, clad in an officer's uniform, stepped forward. Her presence was commanding, her expression void of warmth.
"Please follow into the portal," she ordered, her voice sharp and unwavering. "Do not hesitate. If you linger too long, you might experience a temporal delay. You'll only lose a few minutes in ti, but your internal organs? They might not be so fortunate. Portal travel is not entirely safe."
The students exchanged uneasy glances, absorbing her words with silent trepidation. How long was too long? What exactly would happen if they miscalculated? The unknown variables made their stomachs churn, yet none dared voice their concerns aloud.
A girl in the group hesitantly raised her hand to ask a question, but the woman shut her down with a single shake of her head.
"Don't mistake for a teacher," she snapped, her eyes cold and unwavering. "I am a sergeant of the academy, not your ntor. You are not students here. You are cadets. You train to protect. You train to kill. There is no handholding. No questions. Now, follow ."
The weight of her words settled over them like a crushing force. There would be no room for hesitation or doubt. The reality of their situation had been made painfully clear.
With no further warning, the sergeant stepped into the swirling darkness of the portal, vanishing without a trace.
One by one, the students followed.
Kairos took a deep breath as his turn arrived. This was it.
Stepping forward, he braced himself as he plunged into the void. For a brief mont, the sensation was overwhelming—like being subrged in ice-cold water from a great height. His body felt weightless, his surroundings utterly silent. And then, in the blink of an eye, he was through.
He stumbled slightly, catching himself as he found solid ground beneath his feet. Looking around, he realized they had arrived in a vast facility, far grander than the one they had co from. It dwarfed even the Summoners' testing grounds, its size and complexity beyond anything he had ever imagined.
The chamber they stood in was a colossal sparring arena, with towering ceilings and an expansive floor. Twelve elevated platforms were scattered throughout the space, each designed for battle. The sight was intimidating—a clear indication of what was to co.
'Are we being tested again?' Kairos wondered, his eyes darting across the facility.
His gaze landed on the sergeant, now engaged in conversation with two n dressed in rigid military uniforms. From the way they carried themselves, it was clear—they were seasoned warriors, brutal and battle-hardened. Their presence alone was enough to instill fear.
After a brief exchange, the sergeant turned back to face them, her expression as unreadable as ever.
"This is Titanfang's sparring facility," she declared, her voice carrying across the vast hall. "A place where students prove their worth through battle. And for so of you... this will be the closest you ever get to the academy."
The air grew heavier.
She took a few steps forward, pointing toward the raised platforms.
"Each of you will engage in a one-on-one spar, chosen by your own selection. You will fight using your instincts, your skills, and your summoned beasts. Here, we will determine your potential. Fail, and you will be sent ho imdiately. There will be no second chances. Any objections?"
Silence.
Kairos could feel the tension in the room shifting. So students were already glancing around, sizing up potential opponents, their eyes flickering with both anticipation and fear. Others remained still, their faces carefully blank, trying to suppress the nerves clawing at their insides.
Kairos only spared a brief glance at those around him before refocusing on the sergeant. There was no way to accurately gauge an opponent's strength here. They were all strangers, and the only way to determine ability was through sheer luck.
The sergeant observed them for a mont, then gave a sharp nod of approval.
"Good," she said. "Now, shall we begin the selection?"
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