Alex Mercer’s P.O.V

The weeks unfolded in a symphony of diligence and determination, each passing day bringing me closer to the elusive culmination of my efforts—a fully formed Ether core. The sensation pulsated within me, a visceral acknowledgment that the boundaries between potential and reality were dissipating.

It's close, I thought. Almost able to feel the change within me.

In the quiet solitude of my dorm room, bathed in the ethereal glow of moonlight, I embarked on another session of Dark Meditation. The cosmic energies responded to the cadence of my breath, and as I delved deeper into the practice, the sensation of imminent success enveloped me like a comforting shroud.

The room became a canvas where shadows and moonlight engaged in a silent dance, mirroring the dual nature of the path I tread. Amidst the profound stillness, I opened my eyes, casting a glance at Jake engrossed in his own meditation. It was a shared pursuit, a silent acknowledgment of the camaraderie forged in the crucible of self-discovery.

Jake's eyes flickered open, meeting mine with a playful glint. His lips curled into a grin, a silent challenge lingering in the air. "Don't think I'm going to let you catch up to me so easily," he whispered, the words carrying a friendly taunt.

I matched his grin, a spark of determination gleaming in my eyes. "I'm not too far off. When my Ether core's formed, we could go for a spar."

His chuckle resonated in the quiet room, a sound that echoed camaraderie and the spirit of competition. "I'll be counting on it."

The moonlight painted a soft glow in the room, and the atmosphere held a sense of camaraderie. Our laughter subsided, but a comfortable silence lingered, accentuated by the subtle hum of cosmic energies. Jake leaned back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, and I mirrored his posture.

"So, Alex," Jake began, breaking the silence, "your schedule, it's intense. You're really pushing yourself."

The anticipation for the first-years mission selection reached a fever pitch as the days ticked by. Whispers echoed through the corridors, and the excitement was palpable in every lecture hall and training ground. It seemed as if the entire academy held its breath, waiting for the moment when the details of the mission and the selection process would be unveiled.

I nodded, contemplating the weeks that had passed. "Yeah, I want to be ready for anything. Especially with this mission selection coming up."

Jake's expression shifted to a more serious tone. "Speaking of the mission selection, we should start preparing. It's not just about being strong; we need to stand out among the first years if we want a chance."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Agreed," I replied, my mind already churning with thoughts of the upcoming selection process. "We need to showcase our skills and make sure we're noticed."

In the soft glow of our dorm room, Jake's eyes held a mix of determination and something deeper, a silent invitation into the recesses of his past. "Alex, there's something I haven't really talked about much. My past. It's not a pleasant story, but I think you should know."

As he began unraveling the chapters of his life, I listened intently, the weight of his memories palpable in the measured cadence of his words.

"My parents hailed from a small settlement on the outskirts of Poler, a massive city on Earth."

The mention of Poler struck a chord. I had delved into books that painted a vivid picture of cities like Poler and New Arcadia, becoming acquainted with the vast world beyond the Galactic Coalition.

"We didn't have much, but we got by. Life was tough, but it was ours," Jake started, his gaze distant, as if peering into the echoes of his past.

"Then, one day, everything changed. A group of nobles decided they wanted the land we lived on. They claimed it was for some grand expansion project, but it was just a guise to push us out," Jake's voice tightened, and a flicker of anger flashed across his eyes.

"My parents were part of a resistance, vocal about protecting our homes. They believed in standing up against injustice, even when the odds were against us," he continued, a glimmer of pride surfacing.

"But the nobles don't play fair. One night, they came with their private security forces. It was a massacre, a ruthless eviction. My parents fought, but they were outnumbered and outgunned," Jake's jaw clenched, the pain vivid on his face.

"They executed my parents in front of me," he said, the words heavy with loss. "I was just a kid, helpless. They left me alive, a witness to their cruelty, thinking it would serve as a warning."

A solemn silence enveloped us, the moonlight casting shadows that seemed to dance with the weight of Jake's past.

"I vowed that day. I vowed that I would become strong, strong enough to stand against anyone who abuses their power. That's why I'm here, in the Galactic Coalition. To rise above the circumstances that tried to break me," Jake concluded, meeting my gaze with unwavering resolve.

His story hung in the air, a testament to the resilience born from tragedy. I sat in acknowledgment, the unspoken understanding between us deepening.

"Jake, I'm sorry," I finally said, the weight of his revelation settling in. "I can't imagine what that was like. But you're not alone. We'll get through this together."

He nodded, gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks, Alex. Now, let's make sure we're ready for whatever comes our way, in the mission and beyond."

Jake shifted his gaze to the moonlit landscape beyond the window, the echoes of Poler mingling with the present reality. "Poler held a tapestry of contrasts—Galactic Coalition prosperity and progress against the struggles of settlements on its outskirts, like where my parents and I hailed from."

In his voice, I sensed a mix of emotions—nostalgia, pain, and a trace of longing for a home forever altered. The city lights in the distance painted a complex picture of humanity within the Galactic Coalition.

"We may hail from diverse backgrounds, Alex, but our shared purpose is clear. We're here to prove ourselves, not just to others but to the versions of ourselves that doubted," Jake declared, determination returning to his eyes.

Meeting his gaze, I affirmed the journey that bound us. "Let's ensure that those who underestimated us come to regret it."

With a nod of understanding, Jake and I allowed the weight of the past and the promise of the future to coexist in the quiet of our shared space. The moonlit room became a sanctuary where bonds were forged, and the echoes of resilience resonated in the unspoken pact between two people navigating the challenges of not only the Galactic Coalition, but the universe as well.