Nebula Academy stood as the crowning jewel of humanity's bloodline academies, a colossal bastion of knowledge and power, etched somewhere on the vast surface of Jupiter. Unlike the other planets dominated by the aristocracy of the great clans, Jupiter remained neutral, governed solely by the Federation's hand. It was here that the strongest bloodline holders were molded into their best possible peak.
The academy was established five millennia ago, after humanity's near-annihilation at the hands of the Asuras. It was created to nurture and sharpen the talents of those who carried the legacy of bloodlines, forging them into weapons against the unknown threats of the cosmos. Today, its gates stood wide open, welcoming a new generation of hopefuls.
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A tall, striking young man stood before those gates, his gaze scanning the massive structure before him. The golden letters that spelled 'Nebula Academy' gleamed under the artificial daylight, their glow casting long shadows against the polished metallic walls. He had short navy-blue locks that fell just past his ears and a pair of piercing azure eyes that gleamed with the depth of an ocean under moonlight. Standing at an imposing six feet, his frame was lean yet packed with finely toned muscles, his movements fluid and effortless, like a predator lurking beneath a calm surface.
### Adam's POV
Today marked the entrance exam for Nebula Academy. Truth be told, I had no particular desire to be here, but attendance at one of the nine academies was compulsory for all bloodline holders. If I had to endure this, I might as well do it at the best one. With a resigned sigh, I stepped through the towering gates, merging into the sea of candidates flowing into the academy grounds.
Our first stop was a grand examination hall, its ceiling so high it seemed to stretch into infinity. Rows upon rows of candidates filled the massive space, each seated before sleek, holographic desks. The first trial was a written test. Honestly, it felt like a joke—what use was knowledge of physics or algebra when one could summon storms or crush mountains with their fists? Despite my skepticism, I completed the exam with ease. Most of the questions revolved around history and bloodline theory, something I had spent the last two years studying religiously.
Two hours later, the test was over. I knew I had aced it. I would call myself an academic prodigy, if I do say so myself. But thruth to be told, the real challenge—the practical exam—was about to begin.
I was more interested in meeting the scions of the great families. I had overheard hushed whispers on the way here, rumors of young prodigies who could fight across ranks, monsters among men. Unlike them, I had only awakened my bloodline two years ago. Until then, I had been blissfully ignorant of the vast, intricate world of bloodline cultivation.
### 3rd Person POV
After the written test, the candidates were led to another hall, where they would be briefed on the practical trial. A man stood at the front of the room, his very presence exuding authority. His build was that of a war-hardened veteran, muscles thick as steel cables, his features marred by a long scar that ran from his left eye down to his chin.
"Listen up, midgets," he barked, his voice booming like a thunderclap. "Nebula Academy isn't for the weak-willed. If you're expecting a cushy ride, turn around and leave now."
Silence fell over the crowd. A few candidates shifted uneasily, exchanging wary glances.
"This is your last chance to back out. In a few minutes, you'll sign a waiver acknowledging that if you die in this test, it's your own damn fault."
Gasps and murmurs erupted across the room. Several participants looked outright horrified.
"What!? I didn't sign up for this!" someone exclaimed.
Adam narrowed his eyes. This was harsh but somehow expected.
"Silence!" the instructor roared. "The moment you sign that paper, there's no turning back. If you don't have the guts, get the hell out now. Otherwise, pick up a smart bracelet from the tables over there."
Not a single candidate moved toward the exit. Fear lingered in the air, but not one of them dared to back down.
"Hah, I was beginning to think you were all pu**ies" the instructor sneered. "Now listen up. The test is simple. You'll be transported to a vast forest inside the academy grounds. Your objective: survive. Kill beasts or eliminate other participants to earn points. There are three thousand of you, but only one thousand will be accepted."
The hall erupted into chaos. "Three thousand!?" a girl asked perplexed. "But there are only three hundred of us here!"
The instructor gave her a look of pure disdain. "Did you really think you were the only ones?" he scoffed. "Now shut up and listen. Your smart bracelets will record your points and teleport you away if you're about to die. But beware—if your opponent is fast enough, they might finish you off before the teleportation kicks in."
A lanky boy hesitantly raised his hand. "So... when does the test start?"
"Now."
With a snap of his fingers, a brilliant blue matrix of energy materialized beneath the candidates. Before anyone could react, they vanished in a flash of light.
After the candidates vanished, another instructor appeared and asked "Do you think they buy it?"
"Of course they did, after all it's their lives on the line" the scarred man replied.
---
### Adam Walker's POV
A wave of nausea rolled over me as I materialized within an ancient, sprawling forest. Towering trees loomed overhead, their canopies so thick they blotted out the artificial sky above. The air smelled of damp earth and something else—something primal, lurking beyond sight.
My smart bracelet emitted a soft chime, and a holographic interface flared to life.
**Point System:**
- Rank 5 Beasts = 10 pts
- Rank 4 Beasts = 50 pts
- Rank 3 Beasts = 100 pts
- Eliminating another participant = 500 pts
- Rank 2 Beasts = 1000 pts
I blinked. "What the hell? There are Rank 2 beasts in this test? Are they trying to kill us on purpose!?"
Shaking my head, I exhaled sharply. Dwelling on the academy's ruthless methods wouldn't help me survive. I was only a three-star Rank 4—hardly among the elites—but, I wasn't yet ready to meet my ancestors, not yet.
Memories of my past flickered in my mind. Two years ago, I had been just another orphan scraping by in the slums of Millennium City after being evoked from the orphanage. My parents, once government workers, had perished, leaving me with nothing. But due to their ties with the government, I was entitled to a small privilege. Children of my situation whose parents had ties with the government are given a one room apartment, and a monthly allowance of 500 credits after leaving the orphanage, until they were seventeen.
I had worked odd jobs to supplement my income—first at a bakery, then as an attendant at a blacksmith shop owned by an eccentric old man named Jin. It was there that my life changed forever. The shop was rundown to say the least, what one would expect for a smithy that is adamant on smithing in traditional methods instead of the current advanced tech.
One morning, while lighting the forge, I failed to notice a gas leak. The resulting explosion should have killed me. I had thrown my arms up instinctively, bracing for death, but instead of burning alive, I felt... nothing. 'Could it be that I went out so quickly I couldn't feel any pain of sorts?'
After some more time, I hesitantly peeled my eyes open, the forge was ablaze, yet an almost perfect circle around me remained untouched. I stared at the flames— which were somehow beautiful in my twisted mind in shock. After a few moments of beholding the spectacle, I decided to bolt out of there. The flames parted as I moved, as if there was a shield in between. That was the day I awakened my bloodline. I had never ever gone back to the smithy, thankfully no one knew where I lived, not even old man jin.
Unlike most bloodline holders, who awaken between the ages of eight and twelve, my awakening at fourteen was considered an anomaly. Rarer still was the nature of my power—something I had struggled to control, tried as I could, I was unable to replicate the same phenomenon of my awakening. During my time in the orphanage, I had seen at least three kids awaken. Of the entire human population, only about 0.005 percent are awakened. Which is rather miniscule to say the least for a population of roughly a little over fifty billion.
Two weeks had passed since the incident, I had started trying to train my bloodline because I knew what was coming two years later, I would be forced to apply to one of the nine academies.
Another thing was that I noticed It was harder for me to express my emotions, it was like there was a lock on my emotions and it was getting stronger by the day.
Now, standing in the back of the rundown building where my apartment was, I tried to do it once again. It place was relatively deserted, and no really came here.