Jacob City was far larger than Greenwood City. Its buildings were taller and nicer, making Greenwood City look more like a village than an actual city.

People have magnetic cars that go even faster than the train, which shocked Kenan. “Our abilities to develop machines is another reason the fiends have been wary of outright destroying us. We could have a hidden trump card.” Edith says from behind Kenan. He was looking out the window as he saw the car shoot off into the air and disappear from his line of sight.

“Are we that advanced in technology compared to the world?” Kenan spoke.

“At least that’s what this traveling merchant once told me. He said everything else is developed far more in Sentient affairs like Psionic technology. But not everyone can use Psionic technology, unlike the technology we have here. Which is the reason it sells the best, at least among the slumbered.”

The train will make one stop before heading to the Shepard’s Academy. Kenan reminds himself as he watches Cole and Edith eat their breakfast. He was the first one up, so he already ate his.

“Train arriving preparing for stop please be cautious of the seatbelt sign,” the announcement said.

“We’ve traveled for about 20 min in this high-speed train and are still in the outer city. This place is definitely the safest human city.” Cole said while chewing with his mouth open.

Edith made a disgusted face at Cole, who seemed like the most repulsive human being on the planet. “Please, Cole, please close your mouth when you eat, " she pleaded.

“Yeah, you should really close your mouth, bro. Kenan then turns to Edith. “You never told me why you want to leave the continent? I’ve shared some of my goals. I think it’s only fair if you also share something with me.

Edith sipped her water before saying, “I want to find the person who created my swordbreaker martial art. I found the martial arts manual by chance, and I have to get the complete Manual. It only covers five forms out of the seven. I know there’s somewhere out there, and I’m sure they don’t live on this continent.”

Before Kenan could speak about what Edith had just said, a girl around Kenan’s and his friends’ age walked into the coach cab. She was short and had a large Afro ponytail, which made her head look small. “Is this the coach for the cadets headed to the Shepherds Academy?” she said in a small voice.

They both nodded. She sat down opposite Edith and right next to Kenan, but it was too close for comfort for him, so she slid a couple of inches away on the sofa.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Edith cracked a small smile.

“Will continue this conversation next time,” Kenan said.

There was a silence that filled the room that could be heard for more than 15 seconds before. Cole stopped eating in the dining area and made his way to the sitting area where the four other teenagers were sitting in silence.

He looked at Kenan and wondered why he hadn’t started a conversation with the new girl. He didn’t think his new brother was on the shy side, which made him think that he was interested in the sword-breaker girl. Cole smirked at his conclusion. “So who’s the new girl?” he asked, sitting next to Edith and me in front of the girl with the Afro ponytail.

“My name is Lia,” she said in a small voice.

“My name’s Cole, and my superior ability is in heat vision. Oh, and I have just recently awakened as a Sentient. He said proudly.

Lia’s eyes let up. “Really, what was your revelation?! You can be an officer now that you have awakened.”

Kenan and Edith looked at each other and shrugged. They had no idea there were officers in the Shepard Organization.

“I’m a martial artist, and I just contemplated the depths of my martial arts. Cole said

“That’s so cool. I wish I had taken up martial arts, but you never know which could get you to awaken.” Lia mumbled. Anyway, I’m just a Superior, and my ability, Sonic Scream

Edith gave a tiny wave. My name is Edith, and I’m also a Superior Sentient. My Superior ability is diamond mimicry.

Lia’s jaw dropped. “You’re a Sentient and have a mimicry ability! Are you from an Elder Family or something? Maybe your family is just rich?! Once you get famous, please don’t forget me.” She then turned to Kenan, the last person to introduce himself.

“Don’t tell me you are a Superior Sentient with a mimicry ability.” joked.

“I actually am. My name is Kenan Ogun, and my superior ability is in metal mimicry.”

Lia then stood plainly and said, “I must be in the wrong Coach cab. I wanted the cab with all the normal Cadets in it.” She said this as she tried to make a quick escape.

“Wait, please don’t leave. I need you to tell me more about this officer thing. I hadn’t realized there was so little that I didn’t know about the Shepherds. Edith said.

There was hesitation in Lia’s eyes, but she decided to sit down anyway. “Where are you guys from? Most of the monster cadets don’t show up until three days from now for the officer’s academy to begin and the rest of us are here to see if our ability can match up enough to be in the officers program .”

“Well, I’m from Redbird City,” Edith answered.

“And Kenan and I are from Greenwood City,” Cole said.

Lia hadn’t even heard of either of these cities. It was because the cities that Kenan ,Cole and Edith were from were almost considered remote. The Continental Train had just laid tracks in those cities 5 decades ago. That was not enough time for the larger cities and population to know of their existence. To the ones who did know of their existence it might as well be considered a small village.

“Oh ok, Lia said confusingly. Anyways, the officers within the Shepherds are usually the ones that everyone sees in the media. They get a uniform customized solely for themselves and get to go pretty much anywhere mission-wise. Instead of being stationed at one city pretty much indefinitely depending on who your Captain is.”

Lia saw all of the instances of stares she was getting and raised and eyebrows. “Didn’t your recruiter explain all of this to you guys once you joined?

They all shook their heads.

Lia was confused for a moment then she thought of the reactions their recruiters must have had from these monsters walking into their office in some backwoods city. The last thing on their minds was explaining minor details like what an officer of the Shepherds was.

“Well I guess this means you all will be taking part in the entrance exam. On paper it is just to see if your ability and your mental fortitude for combat is worthy of being a Shepherd. However theirs a test within the test to see if those who are truly powerful can become officers.

Kenan, Cole, and Edith all gave animalistic grins upon hearing this. Because every martial artist s

Seeks two things. A worthy opponent and the chance to surpass their limits