Aboard the spaceship, an attendant led Kaden to his private room. She gave him a quick explanation of the room’s features, and then left him to his own devices.

Sitting in the soft and comfortable chair, Kaden was thankful that his father had forked over the money, so that he could relax and enjoy the long journey. With a bed, chair, a desk, and most importantly, some privacy, he could at least pass the time comfortably.

On the entire spaceship, there were only a few of these rooms. Most of the other passengers were either stuck in shared rooms with bunk beds, or they had a spot in the seating area. And those were the truly unlucky ones, crammed into tight rows and columns like sardines in a can. Kaden could think of much better ways to spend four days.

Enabling the projection on his communicator, a flat holographic screen appeared in front of him.

He started browsing the net, mostly just reading general information about the Central Martial Academy, as he didn’t have much else to do.

The academy was located on a large planet, not too far from his home planet, Rhea.

But despite the big size, the population was rather small, leaving most of the planet empty and desolate. There were also very few companies that did business on the planet, which caused there to be even fewer opportunities for employment.

Things had been that way ever since the academy had been founded many many years ago. The reason was simple, and it all led back to why the academy had been built on that planet in the first place.

Dungeons.

They were one of the most effective ways of leveling up, and the planet had them in spades. The spawning frequency was just far higher than anywhere else within the Democratic Alliance's territory.

The entire dungeon enterprise sector normally would’ve jumped at the chance to operate on such a planet, but the Central Martial Academy had secured the license to every dungeon on the planet. Their agreement with the Democratic Alliance's government even included the ones that hadn't spawned yet.

As a lot of business revolved around either extracting, transporting, or using materials and resources from dungeons, most companies had no reason to go there.

That also meant the planet’s economy was quite stagnant, and there was little trade going on with the surrounding planets. The few businesses that could thrive here, mostly revolved around servicing the academy and it’s students.

Things like uniforms, food, weapons, armor, and whatever else a student could need, were all hot commodities.

The takeoff warning light turning on cut Kaden’s browsing short, as he had to hurry and strap himself into his seat. He finished just in the nick of time, as seconds later, the spaceship’s thrusters turned on, and his body was pressed forcefully back into his seat from the rapid acceleration. His stomach lurched from the force acting on him, and all the blood rushed to his legs.

Starting to feel dizzy from the lack of blood in his brain, he cursed the old spaceship. Because there was little traffic to or from his destination, the company that serviced the route, often used somewhat antiquated models.

The uncomfortable dizziness persisted until they left the planet’s atmosphere, and entered zero gravity. When the onboard gravity system finally kicked in, Kaden was able to relax once more.

***

After four days aboard the spaceship, Kaden was glad to finally be off of it and be reunited with solid ground once more.

Halfway there, the stabilization system had gone all awry, which had made the spaceship vibrate for the entire last leg of the trip.

But at least he had made it here in one piece, and without puking. Some of the passengers in the seating area hadn’t been so lucky, which made Kaden extra thankful that he hadn’t been down there with them.

After getting all his things, he booked a flying car to come and pick him up.

When it arrived, Kaden was surprised to see that the car had a driver. He asked the man about it, and it turned out that it was one of the deals the academy had with the planetary government, to create more jobs for the locals.

The man didn’t even pilot the car, and just sat back doing nothing while the autonomous vehicular control system did what it had been designed to do. It was a strange experience, and would take some getting used to.

Kaden was dropped off at the academy’s entrance and paid the fare which totaled to 10 credits. He didn’t really know whether that was expensive or cheap, as he had no clue about the value of money.

His father had just transferred him 1000 credits and told him not to spend it all at once.

Two armored guards stood outside, watching him as he walked up to the academy’s gate. Giving his student ID to one of them, Kaden was let through the gate.

Many signs had been put up for the new students, so they knew where to go. Following them, Kaden was soon in the reception of the academy’s central building, completing his registration and being assigned a dorm. The nice lady also told him that his uniform would be sent over soon.

The first year dorm was easy to find, as it was quite close to the central part of the academy.

“201… 203…” Kaden muttered as he walked down the long hall, looking for his own room.

Finally he came to room 207, and as he stood outside the door, he could hear some muffled yelling coming from inside.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“Don’t you see, it’s stupid!”

Kaden felt bewildered as he listened, just barely able to make out the words.

What’s going on in there? Tapping his ID to the scanner, the door slid open, revealing the room’s occupants.

“I just don’t get it, why would you pick the military?” The same voice that he had heard from behind the door was still in the middle of an angry tirade. And now Kaden could see the owner, a short lanky boy who looked quite frustrated.

It didn’t take long for Kaden to realize that he had walked in right in the middle of an argument between his roommates.

“I already told you, it’s tradition!” A stocky boy with unruly brown hair yelled indignantly at the lanky boy who seemed to be the one that had started the argument.

“But… it’s so dumb!” The lanky boy just shook his head, looking absolutely lost for words. “The contract is a million times worse, I don’t get why you would agree to it.”

“Now now guys… Why don’t we calm down? It’s not a big deal,” A third boy sitting off to the side said, trying to mediate the situation and calm the two of them down.

“It is a big deal! This numb nut and that anti-social guy,” The lanky boy gestured at a fourth boy that was sitting on one of the bunk beds, and whose face was growing redder by the second, “they’re both idiots for picking the military—“

“I keep telling you, I’m not anti-social! I’m just tired, you came in here and woke me up.” He looked furious, and it was like steam was coming out of his ears as he yelled back. “I was just sleeping, minding my own business, and then you two came in and started arguing like morons.”

“Yeah yeah…” The lanky boy waved him off, looking like he didn’t believe him in the slightest.

Kaden just stood frozen in the doorway, watching the scene play out before him. And then, like they had all noticed him at the same time, everyone turned around to look at him.

“Aha, a new guy.” The lanky boy’s eyes lit up. “Tell me, military or corporate?” He watched Kaden expectantly.

“What do you mean?” Kaden really didn’t know what he had just intruded on. It felt like he had the worst timing in the world.

The lanky guy sighed, tapping his foot impatiently. “I mean your affiliation, which are you sponsored by?”

“Oh, I see.” It finally dawned on Kaden what the argument was about. “Neither, I’m not sponsored,” He replied.

“Tsk… another rich kid.” The lanky guy shook his head, clearly unhappy with that. After all, he had been hoping that Kaden was corporate like himself, so that he would have someone else on his side in the argument.

The boy who had been trying to break up the argument earlier just gave Kaden an apologetic shrug.

“It’s the same for me,” The boy jumped up from his seat and came over to shake his hand. “Names Ewan, yours?”

“Kaden,” He replied, shaking Ewan’s hand. With his stylish blonde hair, charming face, and easygoing attitude, the boy gave Kaden a friendly impression.

“As for these other blokes, Derrik and Gavin are both military.” Ewan introduced him to the stocky boy, and the one that was called anti-social. “And Finlay…” Ewan gave the lanky boy a clap on the shoulder. “Well, he’s obviously corporate.”

***

Kaden settled in nicely with his roommates. Despite the initial introduction, they were actually quite friendly. Even Finlay, who had started off quite antagonistic, well… he was still a bit abrasive, but much less than earlier.

To break the ice between them, they made some small talk about where they were from, their interests, and their families.

“Oh!” Ewan’s eyes widened as he seemed to have come up with something. “We should talk about our weapons.”

“That’s a good idea,” Kaden said, eager to find out what weapons his future teammates used.

“What? I mean, I don’t mind, but why?” Unlike everyone else, Derrik just looked confused.

“For our first year, we have to form teams with our roommates. It’ll be good to know the structure of our team. Did you not read the information we were given?” Finlay looked at him like he was a lost cause.

“Uhhh… no.” Derrik scratched his face awkwardly, “I kinda forgot about that.”

Finlay sighed and shook his head, and for a moment, Kaden was afraid he was going to say something that would make them start arguing again. But contrary to his expectations, Finlay kept his mouth shut.

“Anyway, I’ll go first, this is what I use.” Ewan opened his bag and pulled out a strange metal disc with a large hole in the middle.

Kaden eyed it skeptically. He had never seen anything like it before, and certainly not as a weapon.

Seeing everyone’s doubtful gazes, Ewan explained, “It’s called a chakram,” He twirled it around his finger, “and it’s a throwing type weapon.” And just as he said that, the disc flew off his finger and embedded itself in the ceiling.

Small dusty white particles of whatever the ceiling was made out of, fell down as everyone turned dumbstruck, staring at Ewan.

“Oops… I didn’t mean to do that.” Ewan visibly cringed, looking back at them sheepishly. “To be honest, I haven’t actually been using them for that long.”

“My turn!” Derrik said, his face lit up in wonder. And when everyone had been expecting him to pull out his weapon, he jumped up on the top bunk that was underneath the chakram instead. He pulled the disc free and jumped down on the floor. Now in a hurry, everyone moved to stand behind him.

Derrik managed to throw it somewhat competently, and it flew steadily through the air, cutting into the wall on the opposite side of the room, before clattering onto the floor.

“He’s an idiot…” Finlay muttered, and Kaden couldn’t help but agree with him.

There were five of them, stuck in a small room only about 14 square meters, and Derrik thought it was a good idea to be throwing sharp metal objects around.

Ewan just shook his head, and walked back over to pick up his chakram, ashamed that he was partly at fault for this.

Kaden was just glad to see that he was smart enough to put it away for now.

“I suppose I’ll go next then,” Finlay sighed, “I use a bow, and after recent events,” He eyed Derrik and Ewan, “I don’t think there is a need to bring it out.” Everyone agreed with that, except for Derrik, who just looked disappointed.

“I use a two handed spear,” Kaden said.

“Warhammer!” Derrik said, and before anyone could protest, he had already taken it out and started swinging it back and forth to show it’s might.

“Stop stop!” Finlay rubbed his forehead. This was already wearing him out. “Put it away before you hit something, or god forbid, someone.”

“Fine…” Derrik said, sulking as he put it away.

Finally, everyone turned around to look at Gavin, who was the only one left.

“Sword and shield…” He mumbled quietly.

“What did you say?” Kaden asked, not sure if he was the only one who hadn’t heard what Gavin said.

“Told you he’s anti-social,” Finlay said, shaking his head.

“I’m not anti-social!” Gavin fumed, and then his cheeks started reddening in embarrassment. “I use a sword and shield okay. And I already know it’s boring, you don’t have to say it.”

“What do you mean? It’s not boring at all,” Kaden said, having no clue what had given Gavin that idea. “My older brother also uses a sword and shield, he’s quite impressive when he fights with it.”

It was a common choice, sure, but also a very solid and versatile one. Kaden was even reminded of the twins, who also used a sword and shield. Well, in a technical sort of way, as one of them had a sword, and the other had a shield.

“Yeah, that just means you’re our tank. You’re a key part of the team, we’ll be relying on you,” Ewan said, giving him an encouraging thumbs up.

“Really?” Gavin asked, the hope clear in his voice.

“Mhm, it’s true,” Finlay agreed, albeit somewhat reluctantly.

Kaden knew that a tank was very important to a team exploring a dungeon, his father had stressed that over and over. Without someone capable in front, it would be much harder to fight effectively and minimize risk.

“…Thanks guys.” Gavin mumbled, a small happy smile forming on his lips.

“What’s a tank?” Derrik’s face was a portrayal of confusion.

“How can you not know, you’re the off-tank you idiot!” Finlay yelled.

“The off… tank?” Derrik just looked even more lost now.

“Arghhh, I can’t take this.” Finlay shook madly, boiling with frustration.

Ewan and Kaden just shared a look, both dreading the arguing that they feared was about to start again.