It is not fun to grow up with every little thing being recorded. I mean, who wants their cancer-ridden body photographed? And why must everything be digitally saved on the glorious Internet? I know I’m being cynical, but letting corporations or the government watch everything I’ve ever done can’t be good. I’m sure I broke some laws already today, and I basically just sat around so far.
Jordan’s Journal Entry after seeing his mom post his picture on her social media
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The route was easy to follow, and despite the busier pathways than when I arrived with Eld, they were spacious enough for me to sprint along. Based on the timer Skit had counting down, I arrived at the room I was directed to with about 37 seconds to spare.
There was a waiting room. A receptionist smiled as she pointed to a chair, so I sat. As I lowered into the chair, the door leading past the receptionist opened. Eld and a middle-aged woman stepped out. They were both silent, and I rose to meet them.
The woman reminded me of a combination of a wizard and an executive businesswoman. She had gold robes with runes etched in black along the trim that flowed over her shoulders down behind her and stopped at her ankles. Under those robes she wore over her upper torso, what I could only consider was this world’s version of a business suit jacket. The more details I noticed, the more significant the difference I saw from Earth’s business attire. Rather than being made of expensive and tailored material, I felt a palpable aura originated with the woman, but the suit added to her presence. She also wore a white silky blouse that matched her formal flat shoes. She had a light brown shade of skin and long black hair pulled tight behind her in a tail.
Some functional differences to be more battle-ready. I thought to myself when I noticed she wasn’t wearing matching high-heeled shoes. I must have taken a moment too long, taking in the woman’s attire, as Eld cleared his throat to get my attention.
“Young man, there are times to admire beauty and times to fear burning your retinas looking too closely into a star,” she paused, her golden eyes piercing mine. “Which of those two do you think this is?”
I was captivated. I hadn’t realized before when taking in all the attire she was adorned with, but this woman was beautiful. That beauty only paled compared to the now palatable aura of power she was beginning to direct at me. I wasn’t thinking straight, but I responded anyway.
“Sometimes,” I paused, “the view is worth the pain,” I fought not to smirk but looked away in slight embarrassment. Why did I say that?
“Quite a response from a student,” She laughed but caught herself. “If delivered by someone closer to my age than to a newborn, I might blush. But coming from you, I feel a bit dirty. Sorry, not interested; let’s go, Eld.” She continued past me out the way I entered this lobby, Eld following behind as I got the message and caught up with them.
We walked in silence down several hallways. I was left with thoughts and guesses about who this was and what we were heading toward. No nameplate or description was on this woman’s office lobby door. I had nothing to go on other than that Eld was here, following her in silence.
We were waived through a security checkpoint that led to another hallway. At the end of the hallway was a prominent set of doors. We went to one next to the prominent ones at the end. The door she led us through was unlabeled and spaced about 20 meters from the other doors next to it in the hallway.
We finally walked through another unlabeled door into a control room. The room was the size of the gym I had warmed up in earlier, but this one was filled with people working in front of monitors, each displaying scenes from various fights. On the largest screen, taking up half of the far wall in the room, was a first-person view from Ian’s perspective. It was of me lying on the ground. Then, the image of him looking at my stomach changed to an almost colored X-ray or MRI-type view.
My core began to grow at a ridiculous speed. There were units of measurement and other readouts on the side of the screen view corresponding to my core growth, heart, and respiratory rate, among others. I stopped reading as Eld nudged me to keep pace. We walked into a conference room where the image I’d been watching was paused as I woke up. My eyes were the focus as the picture was zoomed in, and they were void of black, but interspersed in the black were lights dancing and twinkling like stars in a turning galaxy.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“Wow,” I whispered in genuine astonishment.
“Please have a seat, Jordan,” the woman tersely spun and waved toward the seat. We both sat opposite each other while Eld stood behind me, and two other men entered and stood behind the woman before me.
“We are all here and even showing you behind the curtain because you are already causing problems,” She paused, maybe hoping for a response. I chose not to take the bait. “We are under pressure to bring you up to at least the first-year standards of a cadet both here and at the other academy. We have been given a deadline, yet you lack knowledge, experience, and political protection. Forces are conspiring to see you fail or worse. Others wish to see your uniqueness shine.”
“We have a new plan for your education,” she turned to the screen as it reversed to the image of my core formation. With a core and improved physique, you are ready for a different kind of training—one unsuited for the political elite but more suited for you.”
I held my tongue and judgment, but it felt like I was getting the boot from this prestigious academy.
“We have a program that runs parallel to this one to train the rest of the military. You have thus far met our future commanders, political leaders, and those who will hold powerful positions. Of course, many others fight to keep Arcana running smoothly. The regular army doesn’t operate its training here, but one particular program runs nearby. We will be throwing you in the deep end, even more so than we have already. You will need to get through pain, difficulty, and challenges you have yet to experience. But you will do so with less intrigue and espionage, hopefully. You will also do so with men and women who will help with the challenge.
“What exactly is changing besides location?” I asked, hesitant to hear what exactly was changing.
“I’ve read up on your planetary military history. The unit training you will join is akin to your world’s special forces but during their boot camp. It starts in one week. Eld and one instructor will be getting you prepared. Don’t waste this week. It would be best if you kept up, or this will waste everyone’s time. And it will either cost you allies or help bring more to your side.”
“I want to grow stronger and learn to use my System powers. If this will help, I’ll take this as a rare chance to get stronger.”
“Afterwards, depending on your performance, you will rejoin the academy or the military. A lot is riding on how you handle this.”
She stood up abruptly. “Eld will begin your training, and you will report to your new assignment in a week. Oh,” she waved to the screen with my image. We will be watching, so be careful.”
I smiled as genuinely as I could. Eld pulled me along till I was walking next to him. He led me through the corridors and out of the administration building. He was silent the entire time.
We walked silently to Eld’s house, where I’d been set up to stay. Once we crossed the threshold and the door shut behind us, he spun, and his eyes bore into mine.
“Quite the day, Jordan,” he laughed and then smiled. “Would you like to begin training or prefer some time to yourself?”
“Suddenly, I get to choose?” I couldn’t help but snark back.
“Jordan, I am here to help. You may have been ripped from your world and thrown here, but I am committed to helping you and have taken great measures to assist you. Granted, you haven’t seen many of them. When the time comes, you will learn more. But yes, you have some choices. I will recommend and encourage where I can, but I will also need to be brutally honest and push you beyond your limits. Or next week, you will get destroyed.”
That got my attention.
“Destroyed?” I questioned with surprise.
“Yes, the training you are about to enter is not as much academic as it is gladiatorial and designed to eliminate the weak. Not all of our military makes it to the training you are about to go through. It is a version of a boot camp and a crash course on special techniques that you will greatly benefit from. But I encourage you to lean less on your System and AI for the next week. You will be blocked from both once you enter the program in a week.”
“What? They can do that?” I was shocked.
“Yes, and they will temporarily stop incoming notifications and System communications. So try not to be dependent on them or even practice blocking your notifications.”
I was still surprised by this news as Eld turned and waved me further into the mansion.
“What do you wish to do for the rest of the day?”
“I think I’ll go to my room and meditate. I have much to process and understand about my core and its impact on me. But if I am up for it, could I enter the Gate in the garden later?”
“I’m surprised you are so eager to reenter after your last couple of experiences. But it’s fine if you let me escort you,” Eld nodded.
“That sounds good; how do I contact you if I want to do that?”
“Just use your System communication to ping me,” he held up a hand. I said limit your use, but it’s easier than tracking me down. Now go clean up and rest.”
After my dismissal, I went upstairs to my room. I went to the bathroom, again surprised by the tub, and the whole room was immaculately clean. After my first time here, I still pictured it covered in my blood.
I took a quick but relaxing shower. Until I remembered that a bunch of people in a room of displays were potentially watching me. I quickly stopped my shower and dried off. By the time I was done, I resolved not to think about it too much. If they were going to be pervy about it, what could I do? Make it awkward, or ignore it. For now, I’d ignore it until it became a problem.
Skit, sorry, I’m going to ask you not to alert me to things unless they are critical. You heard what I’m up against next week.
I received silence in response. I suppose that’s you starting the silent treatment. Well, thanks!
It was time to explore the changes within me. What happened to my core? How will my gathering and shaping change?
I folded my legs under me, got comfortable, and closed my eyes to picture my Spirit body and core.