An automatic system opened the monorail door. The female robotic voice from the speaker told everyone that we have arrived at the west station. People were slowly walking out the tube to go on their own daily activities. I took the first step outside. The smell of rust, machinery, and some whiff of coffee scent mixed in the air. A light sniff of sanitizer and floor detergent also came into my nose. I look back at the monorail that served my interest. Then I realized how rusty yet sophisticated the traveling machine was. From there, the height of the station allows you to look further on the landscape. In the distance, I could see the mighty structure of the academy blurred from the morning mist.

* * *

Before I got out of the gate terminal, I went to check out the girl earlier. I glanced a bit to the right just to make it less obvious, but I couldn’t see her anywhere between all the people mending their own business. Her disappearance was a bit unexpected. Just how quickly did she get off before me? The monorail horn snapped me back into reality. Obnoxious to your ear and heart. Thus the honking machine returned me back to my journey.

The terminal gate exit was a one-way mechanism. Unlike the entrance gate, you don’t have to do anything. A sensor would check you up and it would open automatically. Only took me a few steps down the stairs, before I heard someone calling me.

“Hey, Archie!” Shouted a guy in his teens, waving his hand like an idiot. You couldn’t miss this guy in a kilometer away since his shaggy short blond hair was standing out.

“Hey, Kevin.” I replied as I took my last step out of the stairs.

I switched my focus to the person next to him. It was a girl that stood in such a sweet polite gesture.

“Morning.” She greeted me. A light and simple smile warmed the air. The shoulder-length - dark brown hair was looking neat and classy on her general look. She wore the same uniform as me and Kevin. The only difference would be the modest skirt and knee-length black socks instead of the pants.

“Morning, Sarah” I replied warmly to her adorable gesture.

“Sorry, did you guys wait for me?” A bit worried, I asked.

“Nah, we’ve just arrived a second ago.” Kevin replied cheerfully. “Let’s go, we still have some time. But it’s better to be early.” He added.

I nodded in agreement, and we walked together into the academy.

They maintained the road into the academy so well. You could see the main road for the automobile was in perfect condition, deep black colored plastic asphalt shows that it was just getting proper treatment. The street markings made of light metallic-chrome, connected with an industrial-grade transparent monitor glass that won't break easily. That display was showing directions and information for both pedestrians and drivers.

As I would get more out of my eyes, I could feel Kevin was so eager to start a conversation.

“So, how do you feel about the academy? It’s our first day. Feel excited?” He asked with his eyes glowing.

“What are you talking about? It’s so-so I guess.” I calmly answered.

“I’m not expecting anything except smooth sailing, graduating with a good score, and. . .”

“Getting your slow and relaxing life? haha,” He teased me as he interrupted in the middle.

“Ugh.” I just stopped talking as if a chameleon caught on my tongue.

“I wonder why you’re so obsessed with this plan of yours? I bet, if you try, you can aim higher and get a better position in the corporation or security force.” Kevin said in a disappointed tone.

“Come on Kevin, Archie has his reason. We talked about this.” Said Sarah in a matured woman way.

Thank you, Sarah! You’re such an understanding angel.

“Well, I promised that I’m going to tell you someday. It’s just way too uncomfortable to talk about it as I’m not really sure how to explain them myself.” I said calmly.

“Huh, that kind of answer again. Yeah, it’s fine, man! I just feel that you could be. . . MORE. You know?” Kevin said in a mixed tone of disappointment and hope.

“Now, now, Kevin. I believe Archie will be just as successful in supporting the program.” Sarah added.

Once again, I thanked Sarah for believing in me. The reasoning behind my decision would be both simple and complex at the same time. One day, I would explain it to them.

As we walked closer into the academy, a vast glass display in the crossroads appeared. Installed in one of the 3 story buildings on a crossroads, it was quite an eyesore. The digital square full of high-tech wonders was there to show the people some information. Or in this case was the public service advertisement, which looks a lot more like propaganda. What great timing! The content that I was about to see should explain one of the deciding factors for me to choose the supporting program.

“Join us, the Security and Exploration force of Vojensky Corp.” The voice came from the speaker next to that display. At that point I would really like to just walk faster into my destination. It was quite unfortunate that the red marks for the pedestrian stopped us in our tracks. This forced us and several other people to be stuck right there while that propaganda was raining down upon our eyes and ears.

“Be the hero of the city, as you clear an unknown area from mutated monsters or find the pre-war relics that will bring you immeasurable wealth for generations to come.” More narrations added as they displayed the cool mech-suit with a handsome, mustached macho man. He was holding a plasma rifle while his hair swirling in the wind. They added some CGI explosions behind him, as if all of that feature wasn’t enough.

“Or do you feel like having the best adventure as you fought the bandits and the horde of ghouls to make the world a better place?” The ads then showed us some women in a very cool exo-suit flying while shooting lasers at both bandits and ghouls in such a glorified way. Seriously, that was an exceptional CGI. I bet in reality you wouldn’t look that pretty. Nothing appealing from blood and gore splashing into your face.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Join us and be the hero you always wanted to be.” With that last line, the ads ended. A dozen men, women, and humans with a mutated face lined up in the same uniform. They posed so epically behind the city landscape. People with a decent amount of Intelligence would understand exactly that the choice of actors was probably just for diversity. After the splendid organization logo appeared, it finally stopped. It was cool for the first or second time to watch, but these ads were everywhere! People probably have been seeing it for dozens, even hundreds of times already.

I wondered if other people around me were feeling fed up with that bullshit. So fed up right in the stomach, just like how I would vomit from eating stale bread.

“hahaha. It’s true. I heard them from the city network forum.” Said Kevin cheerfully behind me.

“No way, that’s not funny. Probably just a rumor.” Replied Sarah with her concerned face.

Unlike me, they were completely in another universe. How could they be so ignorant? Such bliss. They somehow ignored the obnoxious advertisement loud noise. That conversation, however, grew a bit of curiosity in me. Not for long, Kevin seemed ready to pull me into the discussion. I didn’t really care, but it’s better than listening to the advertisement.

“Hey Archie, do you believe in the rumor about the farm incident?” Kevin asked me suddenly.

“Uhh, about what exactly?” I replied, trying to be interested in the topic.

“You didn’t hear or read it somewhere?” He asked curiously. “Nah.” I honestly didn’t know.

“Ok, let me tell you this. I saw a video where a domesticated bull went wild and sent his owner flying.” He said it in an excited tone.

“Not just that, the thing rammed into a steel-plated cage and managed to get away. Only after the security force shot it with dozens of tranquilizer darts, then they finally subjugated the beast.” He said it with such sparkly eyes.

“Uh yeah. And why is this information so important for me?” I asked him with a little regret. I should have set my expectations lower, it’s Kevin here. I knew that the topic would be weird and I can’t hide my annoyed face. Kevin seemed disappointed in my response. Thus, trying to melt the cold and awkward situation. 

“Well, it’s not about you, Archie. I asked Sarah about this incident since she has an interest in animal, mutant, and monster stuff. She even wants to be a tamer one day, remember?” He said that back to me. Bridging to pull Sarah back into the mud. 

“Geez, Kevin. I already told you. We can’t be sure of what happened until we hear the official statement from the experts.” Quickly Sarah added into the conversation.

Checkmated, Kevin could only laugh in a cringe.

“Ah, well. . . hahaha. I thought Archie may find another info about it, it seems like it’s not the case. Never mind, then.” Kevin said awkwardly.

There goes Kevin, getting excited about everything. Maybe a bit too cheerful, way too merry going for his own sake. And when I thought I could finally get some peace, he raised his finger into the giant display. To change the topic. Not a better topic, though.

“Hey look, it’s Franz the ultimate hunter!” He said it a bit loud.

Dang it Kevin, not so loud. Look, you made Sarah a bit embarrassed as well.

“Seems like his visit to eastern Europe is fixed next month. Any chance he will visit Prosov on his way?” He added.

To be honest, I don’t know and I don’t care, Kevin. Didn’t I have told him about this a long time ago? The fact that I disliked those kinds of people. He was probably still trying to influence me with his naïve image of a hero. Sorry to disappoint you. My opinion was still standing on the other side, and here’s why.

For me, those glorified mercs, hunters, and adventurers were just a way to lure you into joining the security forces. There is no glory if you’re dead. The military program will prepare you just barely. You wouldn’t be ready to face dangers outside the wall. We’re talking about only 2 years of training and education. Not to mention that the intern program was only a year after. You would lack both experience and skill. Thus revealed my other reason for choosing the supporting program. I wasn’t stupid enough into buying their propaganda and I wouldn’t want to become an expendable force for the corporation benefits.

"Ah the light turned green. Let’s go.” I said while Kevin keep talking about this and that hunter stuff. Sarah followed quietly, ignoring him completely as well.

”Ah right, let’s go. Hey, wait! Geez.” He said as he realized that he was being left out.

* * *

At last, one hundred meters before me, I could see the gate into the academy. I noticed more and more people my age were wearing the same uniform as me. The buildings close to the academy were fabulous. Catered and designed to look attractive towards teenagers. Those shops were probably aiming to get more customers from the middle and upper economy class of the academy student. Yeah, the cafeteria was fine, and I didn’t think I had any passion to pursue the latest fashion anyway.

The atmosphere felt like I was going into some prestigious place and getting myself a new horizon of knowledge. Except for those things in the cages. It’s like a bull, but they have some scales and their horns were weird, it was spiraling. They were not like what we usually see on farms. Made me wonder why they’re being kept just outside the academy walls.

“Umm Kevin, were you talking about those animals?” I asked Kevin that walked behind me.

“Huh? What animal?” He replied quickly.

“Damn, you forget already? Never mind, then.” I replied regretfully.

“Oh! About the farm thing? Hmmm. Nah, that one is a bit larger, and it has different horns.” He replied as he paid more attention to the creature behind the bars.

“What are those things doing here, anyway?” I subconsciously released a question into my mouth instead of just in my mind.

“Those are red spiral-horned bulls. Maybe they brought them here for experiments or some practical lessons? I’ve read ahead, and it seems like we have a lesson about bestiary in the first semester.” Said Sarah confident and cutely.

As expected of Sarah. She knows about this kind of stuff well. Wait, actually. We should have read ahead and learned about what we would study in the academy. Me and Kevin were the stupid ones there.

“I see, Sarah. You’ve prepared well. Hear that Kevin? You should be prepared as well!” I jokingly said.

“Huh? Like you have the right to say that to me!” He sneered with his eyes squinted to me.

Yeah, true. Got that right, Kevin. End of the conversation, moving on. We’re a few steps closer to the entrance.

They equipped the front gate of the academy with one of the latest biometric detection technology. When you pass the sensors and the camera, you’ll get identified immediately. People outside the academy could only enter via the security gate next to it to get a clearance or permit. Simple and fancy at the same time.

As we were about to enter the gate, I noticed the black-haired girl from the monorail before was already there inside the campus area.

It quite surprised me at how she could arrive earlier.

Curiously, I was looking into her from a distance. A few microseconds later she also glanced over to her left and ended up with both of our eyes met.

Oh crap, should I wave my hand? Pretend to be cool and give a handsome man salute?

HECK NO!

Then, another microsecond later, I just threw my face to the right, pretending to scan the horizons.

“Yo! What are you stalling for? Come on!” Suddenly Kevin surprised me. A tap of his hand on my shoulder was a bit startling.

“Ahha haha. Yeah, let’s go.” I replied awkwardly.

When I turned my gaze back into that girl, she disappeared. The crowding students on the way probably swept her presence away. Well, not important. We wouldn’t be in the same program, anyway. Reminded by Kevin’s call, I quickly got myself back on track.

As we took our steps into the academy premise, I reminded myself of my simple goals. Vojensky 2nd academy, please let me have a superb relaxing life in the future.