The morning sun bathed Astral Academy in a warm golden glow, casting long shadows from its towering spires and crystal archways. The air was alive with soft wind chimes and the whispers of spiritual energy threading through the sacred grounds.
Today marked the beginning of Anay's first day inside the main heart of the academy — the elite center where only the best of the best were allowed to tread.
Dressed in the new academy robe, Anay walked alone toward the towering Main Gates, his eyes calm but sharp.
"Hey! Anay!" a familiar voice called out.
He turned — it was Naman, waving, his scroll tucked under his belt and his face lit with a grin.
"Finally," Anay said with a relaxed smile, "someone I actually know."
Naman jogged up beside him. Saying. This place is wild."
"It really is," Anay nodded. "I still haven't gotten used to how huge everything is."
"I heard this is where the real stuff happens," Naman said as they walked together. "S-rank classes, advanced monster hunts, spirit forging… even real-world war simulations."
"Tch. Sounds intense," Anay said, though inwardly he remained composed. None of them knew he'd already been through something far beyond any simulation —
the Inner Realm — a secret only he carried.
As they approached the Main Gates, they saw dozens of students gathering in lines, each clutching a Spiritual Awakening Scroll or holding a glowing orb. All were heading toward the same place — assignment day.
An instructor in black and silver robes stood tall beneath the golden arch, a floating ring of spiritual records rotating beside him. His voice cut clean through the noise.
"Line up! Present your Awakening Scrolls and Orb data. Class placement will be announced immediately."
Students stepped forward one by one, handing their scrolls to the instructor. Some had yellow glows, others blue or red. Class ranks were called out like clockwork — "Grade A, report to Wing Three," "Grade B, central wing," and so on.
Then it was Anay and Naman's turn.
They handed over their scrolls.
The instructor raised an eyebrow. Both scrolls glowed a deep, luminous violet — a rare and unmistakable sign of S-rank potential.
"Hmph. Looks like we've got two S-ranks here," the instructor announced, voice ringing with authority.
"Anay, you'll report to S-Class Wing A."
"Naman, you're assigned to S-Class Wing B."
Naman blinked. "So we are getting split?"
The instructor gave a short nod. "Wings A and B are both elite S-classes. Don't get cocky if you're in A, and don't assume weakness if you're in B. It's just a separation of training focus and battle styles."
"Well," Naman smirked, "guess I'll just have to prove B's the better class."
"I'll be waiting," Anay replied with a light grin as they parted ways.
S-Class Wing A –
Anay stepped into his assigned classroom. It was sleek, futuristic, yet spiritual — walls shimmered faintly with barrier runes, and floating platforms circled above for mid-air combat training.
The instructor, a sharp-eyed man with silver hair, turned to him.
"Newcomer. State your name."
"Anay," he said calmly.
The class, filled with S-rank students, murmured.
"Another S-rank?"
"Damn… this class is getting stacked."
A girl near the front leaned toward another. "He's kinda hot though…"
"Mysterious too," another whispered, giggling.
Anay stayed silent, letting their whispers pass. None of them knew he had already awakened the Inner Realm, a domain of power far beyond what even S-ranks typically touched. And he had no plans to tell anyone. Not yet.
The instructor raised a hand.
"Settle down. Now listen carefully. One week from today, we'll hold a trial match: S-Class Wing A vs Wing B."
Murmurs surged through the room again.
"You'll be deployed to an island infested with live monsters. The objective: hunt, survive, and dominate. The four who score the highest from each wing will be selected for the upcoming Academy Matches against other academies."
"Only eight will represent Astral Academy. Train hard."
S-Class Wing B – Naman's Energy
In Wing B, Naman's arrival had stirred just as much attention.
"Yo! I'm Naman. Let's make this class loud," he said with a confident grin.
"Another S? Damn," someone muttered.
"Class B's getting dangerous now."
"Heard Wing A's got a cold pretty-boy. Wonder if he can even throw a punch."
The instructor in Wing B gave the same announcement: one week until the trial, monster island, and the top four would move forward.
Naman cracked his knuckles.
"Guess I'm starting my own squad."