Hal glanced around. The auditorium was massive, easily able to hold a thousand people, a clear sign of just how selective HighGuard truly was.
A sudden clap echoed, and then a voice rang out, not from the speakers, but directly in Hal's mind. A female voice. He looked up. Standing before him was a woman with striking red hair and brown eyes, radiating authority. She looked like she could be a model—elegant, composed.
"Hello, everyone. Today is a very special day. It is the day you get integrated into the academy. First of all, I'd like to congratulate all of you for making it here." Her words were sharp and confident. "Now, let me introduce myself. I am Enforcer Sienna Hart, and I will guide you through your awakening, class assignment tournament, and, of course, maintaining order. Also, I am an Ascended, so do not try any funny business. Well, with that said, let me explain how we will proceed."
As she spoke, a blue light surrounded her, shimmering and forming into a sort of lab—a sterile, clinical space.
"The awakening process will take place in a laboratory managed by the academy. It's designed to ensure your safety in case of failure."
Hal raised an eyebrow. The word failure didn't sound reassuring. He imagined it would likely lead to exploding, or something worse. He shifted his focus back to Sienna's speech.
"…Now, beyond the awakening process, there will be a class assignment tournament. A tournament in which we will assess your abilities after awakening, as well as how well you can manage them. There are three classes: The Low Tier Class, The Middle Tier Class, and The High Tier Class. Or, in other words: The Crescent Class, The Zenith Class, and The Eclipse Class. Each has its own advantages."
Sienna continued to explain, her voice unwavering, as she described the differences:
Low Tier: Dormitories shared by four people. No maid assigned. Training facilities are limited, and extra classes are restricted to one, aside from mandatory ones. The food hall offers basic meals.
Middle Tier: Private rooms. A maid assigned. Up to three extra classes. The food hall is more diversified and normal.
High Tier: Royal rooms with unlimited maids. No limits on extra classes. The food hall serves only the finest meals.
Hal looked around and saw the anxiety on the faces of the other students. He couldn't help but smirk internally. They're probably all rich kids, he thought. To him, none of it mattered. He didn't care about the luxuries; it was all just convenient.
Then, as Sienna was answering questions, a hand raised. It was a boy—brown-haired, shabby clothes, his face stressed. He looked completely out of place. Sienna pointed at him, her voice commanding.
"You, what is your question?"
He stammered, almost as if the pressure was too much. "M-may I ask... but aren't extra classes a bit useless? I mean, if we have enough Authority, can't we do anything?"
Sienna's lips curled into a slight smile, as if entertained. "Now, that's a really good question. Extra classes are as useful as your comprehension of Authority. First, they help with combat. Martial arts, swordsmanship, spearmanship—they strengthen your characteristic. Then, there are authority control classes, conceptual understanding classes, and more. These classes will give you an edge over others So in other words the more classes the stronger you are.Now since its settled does anyone else have any questions?"
No one else raised their hand.
"Well, that's wrapped up," Sienna said, her tone shifting. "Let's get you all to awaken."
At that, hooded men appeared in front of each of the students, and Hal recognized one of them immediately. It was the same Guide from the station.
Sienna continued, "These are your Guides—quite convenient for transportation and protection. Each one of them is Ascended, so treat them well."
Each Guide began scribbling something in the air, and before Hal knew it, he was teleported into a sterile, brightly lit lab. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic. Scientists in lab coats moved around, ignoring his sudden appearance. It felt surreal.
A man in his mid-40s, with graying hair, tapped Hal on the shoulder. He seemed impatient.
"I assume you're Hal?" he asked, his voice clipped. "We're skipping pleasantries. Follow me."
Hal did as instructed, walking down a cold hallway until the man stopped in front of a white room. He unlocked the door and gestured for Hal to enter. Once Hal stepped inside, the man closed and locked the door behind him.
"Now, I shouldn't be explaining this, but here's how it goes. To awaken, you need to go through a process called making a choice. It's simple. All you have to do is listen, comprehend, and then make your choice."
Hal nodded, determined. "Heard."
And then, it began.
A voice echoed in Hal's mind, distorted but clear enough to understand.
"Authority and its comprehension… What is to make a choice, or is it not to make a choice? Shall I be the one to decide, or let others decide for me? What is Authority? Is it to decide for myself? Or let others decide for themselves? Will I go against the rules, or will I rise above and attain my…?"
The last word was muffled, incomprehensible. It felt just out of reach, like something forbidden, hidden by a fog. He strained to hear it, but it remained elusive.
Then, another sentence came to him, almost like a whisper.
"Will you let it decide for you?"
Hal didn't hesitate. Instinctively, he shouted, "I REFUSE!"
In that instant, everything clicked. The fog cleared.
"I am HIGHER."
The words rang in his mind, and with that understanding, a crack in the fabric of reality seemed to tear open. A storm swirled around him—forceful, chaotic, but exhilarating. The air hummed with power.
Hal had officially awakened.
Golden light swirled around him. It felt like he could reach out and grasp the very fabric of existence. His Authority had manifested.
He was no longer just a student. He was a Liberator.