Slowly, the Vortex Tubes began rising into the air.
Below them, inside the Control Room, Operator John carefully checked all the connections linked to the spatial nodes.
A massive screen displayed every Vortex Tube, each marked with its assigned number. Alongside it was a detailed map showing the spatial routes the tubes would travel through.
"Captain, you seem quite happy today," Clara, a maintenance officer, said with a smile.
"Well, my daughter is inside one of those tubes," John replied while looking at the map in front of him.
"Thinking about her future makes happy."
He glanced around the control room at the people working alongside him.
"Alright, everyone!" John said loudly.
"We will do our best as always. The journey will take approximately fifteen minutes due to the special route, Max begin launch according to the assigned numbers!"
One by one, the space around the Vortex Tubes trembled.
Then they vanished into spatial distortion.
"I hope everyone has a good journey!" John said into the microphone.
His voice echoed throughout all the Vortex Tubes.
***
"These glasses are actually not that bad," Caelum muttered as he adjusted the glasses he had borrowed from Paul.
Paul, anwhile, was wearing an eye mask to mask his social anxiety.
"There’s really no need for that mask, you know," Caelum said.
Paul was seated beside him as they traveled toward the Imperial Zenith School, which was located on an artificial floating island near the Imperial Capital.
"Hmph! Weird fellows," another child muttered while looking at them. Judging by his luxurious clothing, he was clearly from a wealthy family.
Just as Caelum was about to begin a physical debate, the senior student responsible for them suddenly raised her voice, amplifying it with mana.
"Alright, children. I am Erica, and I am responsible for settling all of you into the school," she announced.
"First rule, no fighting!"
She said the last part while specifically looking at Caelum.
’What did I even do?’ he thought.
"That big sister is pretty."
"She’s scary."
"You idiot, talk quietly! She’ll hear us!"
The children whispered among themselves.
Erica heard every word as her eye twitched slightly.
She had taken this assignnt because it was known to be notoriously easy, practically free credits.
Unfortunately, managing these brats was already giving her a headache.
Soon the darkness outside the windows faded as the Vortex Tube exited spatial travel.
They had arrived.
Outside the windows, the massive Imperial Zenith School ca into view.
"Alright, everyone. Follow and form a line," Erica said.
The children followed her like a group of ducklings.
Though Caelum alone looked like a slightly overgrown duck.
Massive gates welcod them as the sky above remained clear and blue, filled with Vortex Tubes descending one after another.
Several students wearing scout-like uniforms stood outside, managing arrivals.
After Erica approached them, one of the boys handed her a token.
Erica glanced at it and then gestured for the children to follow her.
After walking for nearly half an hour at a relaxed pace, they arrived at a row of identical buildings.
One sign read: Foundation Division – Dormitory 8.
"Alright, listen carefully," Erica said.
"The dormitory manager will give each of you your School Badge. It contains a small subspace along with all the materials you will need during your Foundation Years."
"I will wait here for exactly one hour before leaving. Use that ti to change into your school uniforms and check your assigned room numbers."
The children turned toward an elderly woman standing near the entrance.
One by one, she handed them their badges.
Each badge bore the school’s symbol, a crown with a sword and wand crossed beneath it.
Caelum checked his number slip.
11
Climbing up to the first floor, Caelum entered Room 11.
Paul followed him inside.
"I-It’s good that we’re together," Paul said quietly.
"Yeah. Let’s change and check the uniforms," Caelum replied.
"Although I don’t know how they got my asurents."
"Soone from your family probably gave them," Paul suggested.
"So how did they get yours?" Caelum asked.
Paul hesitated.
"S-Sotis, Caelum... I envy people like you," he said awkwardly.
He then began explaining.
Paul ca from a common background. He had attended a local school at the age of five, learning basic literacy and knowledge about the world.
After two years of consistently outstanding performance, he had been selected through rit to attend the Imperial Zenith School.
Among the local population, he was soone many children envied.
"Damn! You have a protagonist story." Caelum said, feeling plot.
By now, both of them had changed into their uniforms.
The room itself was moderately large for two people and contained all the necessary facilities.
The uniform was mostly white, decorated with a single red pattern, along with short pants since they were in the Foundation Division.
"Let drink so water first," Paul said.
He filled his bottle and began drinking from it in an exaggerated way.
It looked oddly comical.
Afterward, the two of them headed downstairs again.
Most of the children had already gathered there.
anwhile, Erica was currently arguing with another boy who seed to be responsible for the second batch that had arrived at the dormitory.
"...I didn’t think Ethan’s lackey would be so free as to steal poor students’ free credits!" the boy said loudly.
Erica’s expression darkened.
"I have no business talking with soone who still acts like a child," she replied coldly.
"And it’s your fault for being poor."
The boy froze.
He had started the argunt knowing Erica wasn’t particularly skilled at verbal fights.
But that insult...
It hit harder than expected.
"Hmph! All I see is a petty thief wearing nice clothes," he shot back.
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