After confirming that his family was safe and together Mike moved back to the things he glanced over originally, specifically his skill. He didn’t know if the fact he had an skill called Spirit Mastery and then also had a section of his Overview dedicated to Spirit was significant but the two had to in some way be connected.

He wasn’t upset with his skill, mostly because he had no idea what it actually did, but there were a few things he noticed that intrigued him. The first being his skill had a level listed, his being at 1 which wasn’t at all shocking to him, but it also had a max level listed, or should have at least. Instead of a number he just had three X. His skill also had no evolution which may be a bad thing. The only upside to that was his skill had the word mastery in it, and once you mastered something could you even get better than that?

Then there was the Spirit part of the Overview. Gates, Control, Attunement and finally Density, four separate categories of Spirit, with all being at a % level except gates which was numbered. All of them were bleak as all were at 0. The upside at least was he had nowhere to go from here but up.

There was nothing else to look at on his Overview so he closed it. He could have looked to check the tracker for people he knew but looking further into it would lead him down a hole he didn’t want to have to dig himself out of. His family were okay and together, that’s all that mattered to him at the moment.

Hello everyone, now that you have had time to look through your Overview and search for people in the tracker it is time we move to the final part of today. As was previously mentioned I am Quinn Starm, or Governor Starm as I am more commonly referred. It is important that everyone listen closely and think carefully about the choices I am about to put in front of you.

There are 1 million of you standing before me but not all of you will be staying in this city. Instead you will need to be spread out amongst our cities but to do that we need to each make a decision on how you are going to start your lives here. Everyone can also rest assured that everyone here is 18 or over and as such we believe that you all can make your own decisions.

After I go through each of the choices you may choose from you will all be given the time you need to think through which you would prefer. The first thing I would like to say is that after I finish speaking and it is time to make your choice, if there are others here that you know but have not yet found an area has been set up on my right here where you can come first and register your name and who it is you want to find to help you unite with people you care for.

Now the decision. You have the decision to fight against the Demons along side us, you will not do so right away, instead we will access your skill and pair you with someone who can help you learn and grow. There is risk in this decision, people die fighting the demons. But there is also power and wealth to be gained.

If fighting is not something you wish to do but instead potentially take up a craft or assist in other ways, maybe you were a business person and now wish to learn what runs our economy, maybe you have a skill set or skill now that you see and think you would like to use it to help our world without the pressure of fighting, we welcome it.

If neither of those things appeal to you, or maybe you just need time to acclimate yourself to all these changes you are free to do so. We have places set up for people to live and with it we have dedicated volunteers that will be with you to answer questions and help you adjust. At any point you can also change your mind and move to fighting Demons or even growing your skill.

We understand that these changes are difficult and there is no shame in taking the time you need to adjust. Everyone here has grown up with The System and the way our world now works. Do not compare yourself to those of us from our world, instead push to be the best you can be.

Lastly, Headmaster Yasgard has opened up a very limited amount of spots at The Academy for a select few of you that show you have what it takes to not only rise in power but to go all the way to the top. For those between the age of 18 to 21 you can choose to try out for a spot at The Academy, it is where the best and brightest of our children go to be trained as Champions.

But I will warn you, the spots available are exceptionally limited, competition to get in will be beyond what you can imagine. You will not only be tested physically, you will be tested on how quickly you can learn and adapt. You will be tested on how you adjust to the use of Spirit. The professors and instructors will find your breaking points and push you further. All of that will occur in the first week.

If you manage to get through and are picked as a student for The Academy it will only get harder. You will be joining students that have had and understanding of The System their entire lives, some have trained their lives for entrance to The Academy, others show exceptional skill and have been offered entry. You will be treated as their equal, as such it is expected that you would not only keep up with them but exceed them.

The Academy is where our future Champions are forged, some don’t make it, others excel. I will be perfectly clear, if you are not willing to give everything you have and more, do not bother trying out for The Academy, you will not make it.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Regardless, those who wish to attempt to find a place within The Academy and fail, you will be able to choose from the other three options previously mentioned.

Now if you are wishing to meet up with someone that is on this planet with you and have yet to find them, please come to my right. For those that wish to fight, go to Commander Lurnsmer directly opposite to where this platform is over there. For those wishing to grow their skill or use their own skills straight away please join me to my left. All of you who wish to take the time you need before making decisions stay in the centre of this square. Lastly, if you wish to try your hand at The Academy and are below the age of 21 please follow Headmaster Yasgard towards The Academy doors behind me.

The decision is yours and I hope you all find a way to not only embrace our planet but make it your own. Good luck.

Mike had listened to every little bit of information that the Governor had given him on the choices he had, only two though stood out to him. Learning to fight and use his skill straight away or The Academy. There was one thing that made the choice easier for him though, The Academy was were Champions were forged, it was where he would learn the most and where he had the best chance of some day earning the money or materials he needed to get to his family.

If he chose to fight straight away he may some day get what he needed, but there was a chance he may never rise to where he needed to be or die before he got the chance to get there. So he chose The Academy.

Walking to where he saw Headmaster Yasgard go he had to weave in and out of people making there way to different places or just standing around looking lost and unsure. Unlike many others he walked with a purpose, trying to make his way to where he needed to be quickly so as to not look like he had any doubt in his mind that he wanted to join The Academy.

The closer he got to the platform the fewer people there were around. It had taken him nearly 10 minutes to get to where he was now, and slipping behind the platform he found that there were even fewer people around. In a much smaller group just past the platform he spotted Headmaster Yasgard watching over what looked to be 20 or so people from a distance, all of whom looked to be about his age.

As he reached the group he couldn’t help but feel his nerves grow a little, he didn’t know if that was due to the eyes of all the other people from Earth turning towards him or because the Headmaster had also decided to look him over, assessing him from head to toe.

Feeling awkward he lowered his head at the Headmaster in a nod, acknowledging him without saying anything, not that he had any idea what he was supposed to say anyway. None of the others were really talking, instead standing around looking unsure as to what they were supposed to do. As he reached the group some of them gave him small smiles while others just looked away from him.

No one greeted him which he found weird, and slightly off putting, but maybe they had been given some direction before he got there that he had missed. Instead of standing there awkwardly as well he decided to just ask.

“Does anyone know what we are supposed to do? I hope I didn’t miss anything.” He directed it at the entire group, not knowing anyone name he didn’t really have much choice.

“We are waiting, obviously.” He looked at who spoke and didn’t get the best vibe from the guy. The look he had on his face was one he had seen before, the look of someone who thought they were better than everyone else. That, added to the fact the guy looked he spent way too many hours in a gym lifting weights, stylish clothing and his standoffish posture he knew he wanted to stay away from the guy.

“Has Headmaster Yasgard said anything to anyone?” He looked at the others in the group and a few shook their heads while others chose to ignore him. “Okay, has anyone gone up to him and asked what he would like us to do?” A few more people shook their heads. A few looked towards the Headmaster but when he caught their eye they quickly looked away.

He didn’t get it, if all these people came here to join The Academy, wouldn’t it have made sense for them to have gone up to the Headmaster of said academy and spoken to him, at the very least to get some direction as to what he wanted them to do.

Looking over at the Headmaster he noticed the mans eyes were on him the moment he turned his head to face him. Not letting his nerves get the better of him he started walking in his direction, one foot in front of the other until he was standing just a few metres in front of the imposing man.

“Sorry to interrupt you Headmaster Yasgard. I wanted to see if there is anything you needed us to do or if we are supposed to wait as a group until you are ready for us?” He did just as his mom had taught him from a young age, when in doubt always ask. Use your manners and be respectful. With the Headmasters eyes on him it was hard to ignore the feeling inside of him that told him to run away, but he pushed through it and instead looked him in the eye and waited patiently for a response.

Keeping eye contact, one second turned to three which then turned to ten. The silence was killing him and he wanted to run away back to the group. The only thing that kept him there was that the Headmaster didn’t seem angry or annoyed, if anything he felt like he was sitting a test that he didn’t know if he was passing or failing.

“What is your name and age?” The moment the Headmaster spoke he had to hold back a sigh of relief. He may not have failed whatever this weird test was after all.

“Mike Winset and I am 18, Headmaster.”

“Mike, why do you want to join The Academy?” Mike hadn’t expected the question, although he should have. It was an obvious question to ask someone wanting to join his academy. Answering it was not straight forward either. He knew why he wanted to join The Academy but he didn’t know if that would be a good enough answer for the Headmaster.

“I want to become a Champion. I want to get as strong as I can so one day I will earn enough to speak to my family, maybe even to one day see them. I don’t care what it takes, I will give everything I have and more. Joining The Academy is the only way to do that.” He decided to go with a brutally honest answer. He wasn’t going to lie and say he wanted to fight Demons, or he wanted to help this world out of the goodness of his heart. If he had to do those things to get what he wanted, he would. But the end goal was and will always be his family.

Headmaster Yasgard’s face did not change at all when he spoke. Even when he finished he just got a considering look from the man. It took a few moments before he got a response. “I advise you go back to the group now. I will wait another hour for any late comers to join us, after that we will begin. And Mike, if you haven’t before I suggest you try your hand at meditating.”