In class, the world pretended to be normal.
"In 208 years since the Collapse," Instructor Vehlan said, "humanity has bonded with over 17,000 types of spirits. We've survived, evolved, and become more. But remember this: spirits do not make you special. What you do with power determines who you are."
Brian stared out the window.
The sky shimmered, split into thin hex-grid layers from the dome barrier. A flying serpent swam across the sky like a cosmic eel. No one reacted. Just another day at U.H.A.
"Brian," Vehlan snapped. "Name the three categories of spirit-bond types."
Brian blinked. "Uh. Companions, parasites… and chaotic?"
Laughter. Even Vehlan gave a smirk. "You studied for once. Shocking."
Niko raised his hand. "Chaotic spirits killed three second-years last month in Sector 5."
"Which is why you aren't going to Sector 5," Vehlan snapped.
After class came the grinds: strength trials, agility mazes, spirit perception labs.
In the training arena, Kendall lifted a 2-ton slab of forged stone, sweatless. David broke through resistance walls with raw force, laughing the whole time. Declan's drones mapped enemy weak points in real time. Hayk froze a simulation field with precision.
And Brian?
He stood still, looking at a combat dummy like it might attack him first.
"Yo," David called. "You gonna move?"
Brian shrugged. "What's the point? None of us even have powers yet."
David cracked his knuckles. "Still gotta act like we will someday."
Brian looked down at his hand. For a second, he felt something vibrate in his palm — a silent echo.
Then it faded.