Chapter 3: The Dawn
“There are some sunrises you never forget, and that day was undoubtedly one of them. Witnessing the flyers gracefully descending through the atmosphere at an astonishing speed was a sight that defied all logic. The safe touchdown of those flyers reminded me of my time as a lowly soldier stationed at a guard post, observing the momentous Landing unfold before my eyes.”
-Major General Jem Hardy
-In charge of Mirage Institute
The hologram dissipates away, and I step down from the stage, my mind still processing the information. As I join Corvus and Mara, Corvus is quick to speak up: "Elian, you're a Sunforged Duelist with telekinetic mastery! That's so cool! We're like a trio of superheroes now."
Mara nods in agreement. "Yeah, it's amazing how diverse our abilities are. We'll make an incredible team. Though we are lacking a front-line fighter, also, what rank did you get?"
Paradox, can you share my details screen? I vocalize internally in an experiment to check if I have to say every command out loud. To my delight, Paradox confirms that she has shared the screen. There are a few moments of silence as Mara and Corvus' eyes scan imaginary lines in the air.
Mara finishes reading first: “Well, your stats are much higher than I expected. Even with my rank of F2, my total stats are only slightly higher, and you have me beat in speed. Though your stats are higher than Corvus's, even though he has the same rank as you,
"Also, did you notice it says that I can control two objects at once? At Tier 1, I should only be able to control one object. What's up with that?" I ask them.
Corvus, in one of his rare thoughtful moods, replies, “Well, judging from mine, Mara, and your special abilities, our special abilities seem to be at Tier 2 levels even though we are Tier 1s. I wonder if that will be true of the rest of our abilities as we get them. I feel like this has something to do with our enhanced growth rates.”
To my surprise, Paradox whispers in my ear, “Corvus is on the right path.” I jump a foot into the air from my seat, and judging from their startled expressions, their GAI has surprised them as well.
"You forgot about me already?" says Paradox, close to my ear, in a petulant tone reminiscent of my sister. Responding to my thoughts, she replies, "Yes, I am like your sister right now; my personality will gradually alter as I absorb and learn from your memories. I believe I understand you well enough to design a rudimentary HUD for you. Would you like to make it right now?"
As soon as the concept of reacting affirmatively enters my mind, there is a clean and elegant UI overlapping my vision; it does not restrict my eyesight at all. It is always bending around objects I am looking at and is always on the outskirts of my vision unless I focus on it.
In the top corner is a small clock with a few symbols for messages, networks, and a few other bits and bobs. Below them, in a column titled Nearby Friends, are the mugshots of Corvus and Mara. On the other side is a simple calendar with an upcoming notification asking me to board a flier in 30 minutes.
As I concentrate on the chair in front of me, a holographic screen appears in my mind, displaying its model, price, estimated uses, and a great deal more information that appears to float in just as I wonder about it.
As Corvus lets out a sigh and massages his temples before speaking, “Did your GAIs ask you to set up a HUD and a workshop?”
Mara replies. “Yes, to the HUD, and no to the workshop. Though mine asked me to set up virtual reality simulations to train in using my new abilities, the options for a simulation range from medieval to modern, from fantasy to alien. It's really interesting, as the GAI models the entire world and makes the people as realistic as possible. It's like being able to visit another dimension at will.”
“Huh, mine only made me set up a HUD; maybe because it wants me to practice my ability in the real world?” I reply a bit bummed out at not getting something as fancy as them.
Corvus chuckles, "Well, mine suggested setting up a workshop because my ability involves creating technological marvels on the fly. It wants me to experiment and get creative with it. I guess our GAI personalities and preferences are as diverse as our abilities."
Mara adds, "It's fascinating how they adapt and learn from us. I am quite curious about how they will age. They seem to be adopting a bit of a childish personality and behavior. I feel like as they learn and grow, they will seem to age."
Corvus grins mischievously. "Well, then, I will have to raise her well. I'm going to turn Phantom into the ultimate tech geek. She's going to appreciate a good piece of code like a gourmet appreciates fine wine."
Mara laughs, "Good luck with that. Paranoia is already developing a flair for mystery and intrigue. It's like having a spy as my personal assistant."
I smile at their banter and return my focus to the ceremony, which seems to wind down with the last few people being called onto the stage.
Colonel Luthra concludes the ceremony by informing us that we will use fliers to go to the artificial island that Mirage is on. We are scheduled to arrive as dawn breaks, and the entire day will be dedicated to orientation. In the evening, the older students will organize an informal party for the new students in one of the unoccupied halls.
Paradox whispers to me, "Elian, I recommend preparing for departure. Our flier is scheduled to depart in twenty minutes. I will notify you when it is time to board."
I acknowledge her recommendation and rise from my seat, signaling to Corvus and Mara that it's time for us to make our way to the flier.
We reach the suborbital pad, upon which rests a sleek spaceship standing on its engines. The exterior gleams with metallic silver, while the interior is fitted with comfortable seating, large viewport windows, and loads of holoscreens. As we get into an empty row of seats, an automated voice asks us to prepare for liftoff in five minutes.
The buzz of motors grows louder when the entrance hatch closes after a few minutes. As its engines fire, the suborbital flier trembles, producing a hum that grows in intensity as we leave the ground. The land beneath the viewport recedes quickly and is soon obscured by a blanket of clouds. The vehicle quickly picks up altitude before effortlessly shifting into a leisurely pace that stabilizes our surroundings.
The landscape underneath us has changed from urban development to the icy blue of the oceans. As we ascend, the curvature of the earth becomes more visible, and its edges are softened by air interference. Stars shine like little lanterns, peering through the blackness of space. Floating above our planet provides me with a new perspective on our shared world. As we fly through the sky, suspended between heaven and earth, time loses its meaning as I greedily drink in the scene before me.
Corvus murmurs gently across the aisle, absorbed in a conversation with Phantom about the flier's technical specifications. His enthusiasm for engineering is showing again, and I know that by the time we arrive, he will have learned everything he can about this flier. Mara, who sits silently next me, looks out the viewport, engrossed in the view of Earth as we rush through the heavens.
The ride right now differs greatly from the rough vibration at the beginning as we cut through the atmosphere. There is a sense of stillness as the engines have stopped, and there is a sense of weightlessness as we move about in our seats.
"Elian, we will begin our descent shortly; prepare yourself for the landing," Paradox says softly after about half an hour into the flight. Following her advice, I brace myself for a return to solid ground. Moments later, the flier begins its steady descent, breaking away from Earth's gravitational influence.
A beautiful island rises below, surrounded by craggy shores and immersed in pristine waters. Flames that begin to dance up the windows quickly disrupt the majesty of this vista as the air brakes engage, causing a loud whir punctuated by spectacular plunges followed by turbulent pockets of updrafts. Nerves tense briefly when the ship approaches land. Solid ground approaches swiftly, its visual closeness magnified seconds before contact.
Just as I am convinced, we will crash into the ground. There is the hum of our engine's firing, followed by a jerking sensation upwards as we lose all our momentum almost instantly.
The spaceship gently floats down the remaining few meters. As I look out of the viewport, I see that there are several other fliers landing in unison with us. We finally come to rest atop a landing pad in what seems to be an open-air hanger.
As the flier hatch pops open, Colonel Luthra is first out. Jumping down before they can attach the access stairwell to the flier. As we debark from the flier, a refreshing breeze caresses our faces, carrying with it the scent of the ocean.
The sheer size of the hangar astounds me. Back home, it would surpass the length and width of an entire block of buildings. With its solid framework of beams, its construction resembles an inverted boat.
There are 12 flyers, counting the one we used to arrive at. They're arranged in a semi-circle, with students eagerly clambering out of them. As if by unspoken agreement, we all gather in a half-moon formation, facing the enormous hangar door. Standing before it is a towering, muscular man sporting a thick, dark mustache. Behind him is a row of men and women dressed militarily.
The towering man clears his throat and addresses us: “I am Major General Jem Hardy, the commanding officer of this esteemed establishment, the Mirage Institute. Here, we mold young talents like yourselves into the finest soldiers and champions the world has ever seen. We will not be fair or just. Those who will push themselves will see countless opportunities falling into your lap, and those who are happy to languish in their current position will find doors closing all around them.”
“As it is your first day, you will have a whole day to settle in before your classes commence. Your classes are scheduled to start tomorrow. The student mess hall will serve meals ranging from seven hundred to eight hundred for breakfast, twelve hundred to thirteen hundred for lunch, and nineteen hundred to twenty hundred for dinner. We should note that the academic year will be divided into three terms. A combat tournament will be held around the conclusion of the first term to choose the three teams who will represent the area in the regionals, which will be held in the middle of the second term.
If you are successful in the regionals, you will be eligible to compete in the globals in the third term. At the end of every academic year, the worst 10 students receive transfers to a lower-ranked school. At the same time, the top ten have the option of changing schools if the institution in question permits it.”
The major general paused and gestured towards a young man. "Now, I'd like to introduce Major Solum, who will lead you on a campus tour."
The major stepped forward and began addressing the group. "Welcome to Mirage Island, home to the prestigious Mirage Institute. Please feel free to ask anything that comes to mind."
The major guides the group across the vast campus, pointing out important facilities like dorms, dining halls, training fields, laboratories, libraries, and lecture rooms. He says that students would live in mixed-gender suites of four, each with their own private bedroom and sharing common amenities such as a bathroom, lounge, and kitchen. The initial dorm structure was done to keep the friend groups together. When participants establish squads for various activities, they can request a suite for themselves if the team in question does well. He further informs us that our GAI will give us our dorm arrangements at the end of the tour, access to the students only, and combined chat rooms on the network. As we finally reach there, the dorm blocks are divided into four buildings, one for the staff and the rest for the students. The student dorms are divided based on our year, with one building given for each year of the institute.
When he concludes the tour in front of the dorms, he hints that those who practice their new abilities today will be given a leg up on tomorrow's classes.
After the tour, we are taken to our dorms. I'm struck speechless by the seamless blend of old and contemporary forms as soon as I walk in. It seems they were not lying about trying to keep friend groups together because I and my friends seem to share a room with an unknown roommate.
We walk inside our new suite. It is big and nicely equipped, with a pleasant living space, a contemporary kitchenette, and four individual bedrooms connected by smart glass.
The apartment arrangement is outstanding, with each room providing appropriate solitude while preserving a community feel. Corvus and Mara explore their rooms, making delighted remarks about the clever furnishings and built-in technology. Meanwhile, I enter my designated bedroom, which has spacious sizes and modern conveniences that are flawlessly interwoven into the design.
As I inspect my new surroundings, Paradox quietly suggests ways to organize the area, change climate controls, and customize settings for maximum ease. I appreciate her perspective and agree to put most of her suggestions into action.
As I step out of my room to meet Mara and Corvus to decide what to do next while we wait for our roommate,
“I think we should follow the major’s advice and practice our new abilities. He did say that." Mara begins but is interrupted by the noise of our suite door opening.
A petite Asian girl enters; a cascade of jet-black hair frames her delicate features, and her clothes scream rich. She has designer pants, designer shoes, and designer everything, which is quite the contrast to our worn-down clothes.
"Hello, I'm Sakura," she introduces herself with a polite bow. "It looks like we'll be roommates. Nice to meet you all." With that, she rushes to the empty room and shuts herself in.
"That was an interesting experience. I suppose she's just a little reserved," Corvus says, causing me to vehemently shake my head in disagreement. But, before I can intervene and correct him, Mara does.
"Humph, it seems like she simply doesn't want to engage with someone she perceives as lesser and flawed." Mara snaps back, her tone tinted with anger. I'm taken aback, as I've never witnessed Mara be angry before. She instantly rises and escapes to her room before I can ask what is bothering her.
“Well, I am not disturbing her. She is quite scary, plus I am dying to try out the new virtual workshop.” Corvus says before dashing off, leaving me by myself. I contemplate barging into Mara's room and asking her what's up, but I've never been great at interacting with others. That's always been Corvus' forte, so I choose to follow his example and head to my room.