Part 1
The main entrance to Seisen Institute was a massive avenue of polished marble, flanked by elegant towers of glass and steel that looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.
The air pulsed with technological energy, while security drones hovered overhead, discreetly scanning the arriving students.
Touma and Hina walked through the crowd, taking in the sight of hundreds of young people, all preparing to take their first step into the prestigious academy.
Some wore refined uniforms, while others sported more practical attire — making it clear there was a divide between the research division and the combat division.
Suddenly, a series of holographic screens unfolded at the entrance, projecting the image of a blue-haired woman with glowing eyes.
An AI with a sleek, corporate design, dressed in a formal academy uniform.
—[WELCOME TO SEISEN.] —she said, in a soft but clear voice—. I am SEI, your virtual assistant.
Touma blinked as the holographic figure turned toward each student, as if she were truly looking at them.
—Seisen Academy is proud to welcome the brightest young minds from across the country and around the world.
All new students, please follow the provided instructions.
A series of digital arrows lit up along the ground, guiding the students toward the event hall.
—Please take your assigned seats. The welcome ceremony will begin shortly.
—This is way too futuristic… —Touma whispered.
Hina, barely containing her excitement, gave him a playful slap on the back.
—Come on, come on! I don't want to miss a thing.
They headed toward the event hall.
Touma slumped into one of the seats while Hina looked at him impatiently.
—Don't make that bored face.
—Nothing's even happened yet and it already feels… too organized.
Hina rolled her eyes.
—Yeah, what a nightmare —a highly advanced school.
—You say that like I'm not used to simpler things.
The stage lights suddenly flared to life — and in a flash of smoke and golden sparks, a figure emerged from a top hat.
—WELCOME, YOUNG ASPIRANTS!
The voice boomed with theatrical flair.
When the smoke cleared, a blond man in a sharp blue suit, white cape, and top hat stood center stage, dramatically raising a cane.
Touma twitched.
—No way...
—Oh… wow —Hina murmured in awe.
—I am Vergil von Rheinhardt, your director!
But for you, I shall be the illustrious gentleman who guides you toward greatness!
Some students glanced at each other, unsure whether to clap or be concerned. Murmurs rippled through the hall.
—Is this for real?
—Wait… is this a magic show?
—I thought Seisen was supposed to be prestigious…
Vergil ignored the comments and snapped his fingers. A deck of cards materialized, floating around him in a graceful arc.
—Now then, before we begin… I have a question for you all.
The cards danced through the air, stopping in front of a few random students — including Touma.
—Tell me, young minds…
What do you think it means to be at Seisen?
Touma stared at the card hovering in front of him and sighed.
—This isn't normal.
Hina elbowed him.
—Come on, play along!
Vergil smiled, clearly entertained.
—Ah, I see some of you are already wondering if this is going to be a "normal" year.
Allow me to answer that with a simple trick.
He snapped his fingers again, and all the floating cards burst into golden sparks that rearranged themselves into the word "EXCELLENCE" suspended in the air.
—Here at Seisen, we don't aim for mediocrity.
We don't settle for the average.
We seek those who dare to push past their limits and break the barriers of the impossible.
Take the future into your own hands…
In an instant, a series of holographic banners lit up along the sides of the stage. Four figures stepped onto the platform.
With a theatrical flourish, Vergil gave an elegant bow and vanished behind a curtain of golden smoke.
—And now, I leave you in the capable hands of the Seisen Student Council.
The student murmuring ceased immediately when a girl with a composed expression and regal bearing stepped up to the podium.
Her blonde hair was tied back with precision, her ice-blue eyes calm and commanding, and her posture impeccably straight.
With a firm voice and a hint of a German accent, she addressed the crowd.
—Thank you for that… extravagant presentation, director Rheinhardt.
A soft ripple of laughter moved through the audience.
Her dry and formal tone was a stark contrast to the director's flamboyance.
—My name is Evangeline Strassburg, but you may call me Eva. I'm a scholarship student from Germany.
Her gaze swept across the incoming students with a calm intensity, asserting authority without needing to raise her voice.
—I'll keep this brief. I don't intend to overwhelm you.
The hall was completely silent.
—Seisen Academy welcomes not only the best students from Japan, but from around the world — all with a shared goal: to reach excellence.
Eva paused briefly, carefully weighing every word.
—That doesn't mean Seisen is an academic hell.
But if you want to stand among the best, excellence is the only path.
Students exchanged glances.
Some nodded with quiet determination.
Others swallowed nervously.
—Some of you are here on scholarships. Others came for the career opportunities NovaTech provides. And some arrived with high aspirations. As the director said… work hard, and Seisen will reward you.
She lifted a hand slightly, gesturing toward the students beside her.
—Standing with me are the other members of the Student Council.
First, a tall boy with silver-gray hair and a cold, unreadable gaze stepped forward with a subtle nod.
—Leon Einzberg. Vice President. Also, a scholarship student from Germany.
Next in line was a girl with jet-black hair and a confident, easygoing smile.
—Misaki Toudou, our treasurer — and one of Japan's top-ranking pilots.
Finally, the last student on stage gave off a presence that seemed to dim the atmosphere around him.
A Japanese boy with an athletic build, black hair tinged with gray streaks, and sharp, piercing eyes.
He didn't say a word just offered a slight nod. But his gaze alone commanded respect... or fear.
—And lastly, our General Affairs Officer, Reiji Tsuguri.
Murmurs spread again through the student body.
Each of the Student Council members exuded strength and confidence, making it clear that leadership at Seisen was no mere formality.
Eva resumed speaking with the same composed tone.
—As student leaders, our responsibility is to maintain order and support those in need.
However, remember this:
Seisen is a place for those who strive for excellence — not for those who settle for less.
—Thank you for your attention.
Her tone, calm but resolute, left a crystal-clear message:
Discipline and effort were essential to stand out.
The Student Council exited with grace, and immediately afterward, a massive virtual screen unfolded above the stage, projecting the NovaTech logo.
A charismatic and professional voice echoed through the auditorium.
—Welcome to Seisen, a high-tech university where you may further your studies to build a better future… or join the front lines in the fight against the Nulvoids.
The screen displayed the image of a Nulvoid soldier.
Its humanoid form looked carved from the void of space, with galactic swirls flowing across its body — as if it held a fragment of the ever-expanding universe.
A core of energy glowed in its chest, pulsing like a doomed star.
—As you know, these anomalous beings give off no warning signals. They simply appear. They come from space… and destroy everything in their path.
The screen cycled through a rapid series of images:
Cities partially collapsed under blackened skies, evacuation zones crowded with civilians, security forces firing at indescribable creatures cloaked in cosmic darkness that blurred the boundaries of their form.
They were more than monsters — they were living ruptures in the fabric of reality.
—To understand their nature and halt their advance, NovaTech funds institutions like Seisen across the globe.
The screen split in two: on the left, soldiers equipped with EXO combat suits; on the right, scientists working in advanced laboratories.
—Here, students in the Combat Division will train using our EXO technology — wielding mech suits, mechas, and plasma weaponry to protect their countries from this threat.
The screen highlighted the EXO suits, displaying holographic overlays of their mobility systems and firepower.
—Meanwhile, students in the Research Division will have the opportunity to develop new technologies, discover sustainable energy sources, design advanced tactics, and study the behavior of the Nulvoids.
The students watched attentively — some visibly impressed, others still processing the flood of information.
The NovaTech logo returned to the screen, accompanied by one final statement.
—Upon exiting this auditorium, you will receive your Astra Core.
A wave of murmurs passed through the room.
—This core is the foundation of our technology. If it resonates with you, you'll be able to wield magic and merge it with EXO tech to reach your full potential.
A brief silence followed, as if each student was absorbing the gravity of that claim.
—With that, I leave you with one wish: that you may achieve your goals to create a better future.
The screen flickered gently and finally, the image of a man appeared.
Silver-haired, dressed immaculately, and carrying an aura of calm authority, his piercing gaze locked onto the audience.
—My name is Eon Xanders, CEO of NovaTech… and I trust your future will shine bright.
—Until next time.
The transmission cut off, and the NovaTech logo faded away.
A moment of silence lingered until SEI, the virtual assistant, reactivated with her signature clarity.
—The welcome ceremony has concluded. Please proceed to the registration stations to receive your Astra Core.
The first day at Seisen was about to begin.