Alden walked towards the twin pods at the center of the room—sleek, silver capsules designed for one purpose: combat. Sparring, training or settling grudges… everything was decided inside those shells.
Zephyr was already there, his golden eyes calm. But Alden saw the excitement behind the calmness.
He gave Alden a silent nod and stepped into one of the pods.
No hesitation.
Alden followed, his footsteps echoing softly as he entered the other.
The pod sealed shut behind him.
A helmet descended from above, locking around his head.
Then—
Darkness.
Followed by a blinding flash of light.
__
A translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes.
[Welcome to the Virtual Reality Simulation, Student.]
[Please wait while the mandatory scan is conducted.]
A red light scanned across his body in a vertical line.
[Fingerprint scan... complete!]
[Student Name: Alden — Confirmed]
[Current Rank: 8]
[Simulated Strength: Beginner Apprentice Rank]
He smirked.
