Chapter 4: Aksel
The Academy was coming alive with a frenetic energy. The towering steel and glass structures that housed the name Megara Military Academy ,reflected the golden morning light, while the sleek corridors curved into an interconnected labyrinth that sheltered the crowd. Each wing housed last generation facilities: from training arenas to high-tech laboratories.
It was the first day back, and the final stretch before the end of the academic year. Seniors were the center of attention. With the university entrance examinations dates looming, the atmosphere was an intoxicating mix of stress, anxiety, and excitement. Every hallway buzzed with hurried footsteps and fragmented conversations.
Aksel had returned from home earlier that morning and was rushing through the halls to reach his dorm and change into his uniform. As he sprinted past groups of chattering students, his mind unconsciously wandered to his life at the Academy.
He wasn't particularly remarkable, an average student with a slightly above-average physical strength. He had joined the military academy with a plan: make connections, rise through the ranks, and eventually escape the outer city with his family.
His carefully orchestrated strategy even extended to his choice of roommate. Using his family's minor influence, he had been placed with the rumored genius of biomechanics hoping to ride on his co tails out of the outer city .But the reality had been a colossal disappointment.
That so-called genius turned out to be an inferior specimen born with a weak physique. On top of that he was deaf and as poor as dirt. Nioh, his roommate walked around with a perpetually deadpan expression being completely unresponsive to social stimuli. Sure, he aced theoretical exams, but his performance in physical training was laughable. He was a loner, avoiding all form of socializing and extracurricular activities, perpetually holed up in their shared dorm like a house lizard.
Over two years spent together, Nioh had probably spoken a grand total of three words to him, and just thinking about it made Aksel's blood boil. "My priority now is to find a duo for the field exam," he muttered to himself as he keyed in the entry code to his dorm.
Once inside, Aksel dropped his bags haphazardly and clumsily kicking off his shoes. As he did, the door to the shared bathroom slid open, releasing a wave of warm steam infused with the scent of soap and shampoo.
"Who are you?" Aksel blurted out feeling startled by the figure stepping out.
A pale face, long wet hair, and a chiseled physique—though shorter than him—person stood before him in nothing but a towel. Aksel froze as his gaze met a pair of golden piercing eyes.
"Nioh...? Is that you?" he stammered, stepping closer. "What happened to you? Did you awaken your biocore?"