BLACK IPEE (WN)

Where am I? How did I get here? The thought echoed in Lucian's mind as he blinked into the overwhelming bustle of the city.

The city was unlike anything he had ever seen. Towering spires of polished metal stretched toward the sky, their surfaces shimmering with shifting colors. Streams of people moved around him, their clothes strange and futuristic, exuding an air of sleek functionality. Hovering vehicles zipped through the air, and holographic displays projected glowing advertisements in every direction. The air buzzed with a hum that was part machinery, part life—a stark contrast to the silence of the forest he had just left.

He barely had time to process his surroundings before a group of three approached him. Two women and one man, each clad in garments that seemed woven from light and energy, stopped a few feet away, their gazes scrutinizing him with a mixture of curiosity and caution. The first woman, tall and elegant, spoke up, her voice carrying a melodic yet commanding tone.

"Who are you?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. Her hair shimmered like molten silver, and her eyes glowed faintly.

"I..." He hesitated, unsure of what to say. His thoughts raced as he scanned their faces. "My name is Lucian."

"Lucian?" the second woman, shorter and more animated, repeated. Her hair was a vivid shade of blue, tied into intricate braids. She glanced at the others. "He's not registered."

The man, broad-shouldered and stoic, stepped forward. His deep voice rumbled like distant thunder. "Do you know where you are?"

Lucian shook his head. "No. I was... somewhere else. Then I was here."

The tall woman exchanged glances with her companions before turning back to him. "You're in Nexus, the capital city of Xylarthion. Judging by your confusion, you must be from the Root World."

"The Root World?" Lucian repeated, frowning. "What does that mean?"

The shorter woman chimed in, her tone light but tinged with seriousness. "It's where ordinary humans live—your old world. This place, Xylarthion, is for those who've awakened abilities. When someone from the Root World gains powers, they're brought here. It's... complicated, but it's a safety measure."

The man added, "Your family, if they haven't awakened, won't remember you. It's as if you never existed to them. That's part of the process."

Lucian's stomach churned. The revelation hit him like a blow. For a moment, he felt an ache deep in his chest, but his mind quickly pushed it aside. Family? he thought coldly. I only have myself and my god. The others matter not.

Before he could linger on the thought, the tall woman gestured for him to follow.

"Come with us," she said. "We need to perform a body scan. It's standard procedure for newcomers. After that, you'll be assigned to an academy based on your age and abilities."

Lucian hesitated but saw no better option. As they walked through the city, the group explained more about Xylarthion. He learned about the Arcane Network, a system that tracked abilities and ensured order among those who lived here. It was powered by magical runes and energy, a marvel created by ancient sorcerers during the Great Wars to coordinate military efforts. Over time, it had expanded for civilian use, connecting magical communities across the world.

"The Arcane Network is like the internet of your world," the shorter woman explained with a grin. "But, you know, powered by magic. It links everyone and everything. If you rank high enough, you can access more information and even communicate with other worlds."

"Other worlds?" Lucian asked, his tone betraying his skepticism.

"Yeah," she replied, her enthusiasm bubbling. "This universe—Nexurias—is made up of thousands of worlds. Each has unique races, features, and cultures. So far, 2,086 worlds have been discovered, but not all are inhabited. Some are still... well, let's just say dangerous."

The man added, "Your rank—called a Star Rank—determines your access to resources, education, and even information. Right now, yours is negligible. You're just starting out."

Lucian processed their words, his sharp mind piecing together the implications. This place was structured, hierarchical, and filled with unknowns. Good, he thought. The more I understand, the more I can control.

They arrived at a sleek, dome-like building of polished white stone and glowing runes. Inside, the air was cool and sterile, humming with a faint magical energy. They were greeted by a tall man in a white coat—clearly a doctor—flanked by a pair of nurses.

"New arrival?" the doctor asked, adjusting his glasses as he scrutinized Lucian. Without waiting for an answer, he gestured toward a cylindrical device in the corner. "Step into the scanner."

Lucian obeyed, walking into the device as the nurses activated it. A soft hum filled the room as beams of light scanned his body, analyzing every fiber of his being. The process was quick, but Lucian could feel a strange energy coursing through him, as if the scanner was waking something dormant.

"Interesting," the doctor murmured, studying the results that appeared on a floating screen. "Your physical metrics are impressive, and there's a faint magical signature. It's weak but... not unusual. We'll need to monitor it."

"What does that mean?" Lucian asked, stepping out of the scanner.

The doctor smiled faintly. "It means you're not ordinary, but you've got a long way to go. The academy will help with that."

One of the nurses handed him a sleek, black wristband with glowing blue runes. "This is your Linker," she explained. "It's connected to the Arcane Network and will provide updates, schedules, and even translations. It's essential for navigating Xylarthion."

Lucian slipped it on, feeling the device adjust to his wrist as it activated. A holographic display lit up, showing his name, rank, and basic stats. It also displayed a notification: Orientation: Tomorrow, 8:00 AM at Nexus Academy.

The tall woman, who had remained silent during the scan, finally spoke. "You'll need to be there on time. The academy is strict, and first impressions matter."

Lucian nodded. "I understand."

As they escorted him back outside, Lucian glanced at the bustling city around him. Everything was foreign, yet he felt no fear—only curiosity and a growing hunger to understand and conquer this new world. He had no ties, no past weighing him down. If this world is as vast and powerful as they say, then I will carve out my place in it, he thought, his expression cold and resolute.

The group left him at a small, furnished dormitory near the academy. As he closed the door behind him, he sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the glowing runes on his Linker. His thoughts were clear and sharp. This was only the beginning, and he would ensure that when the next chapter of his life unfolded, it would do so on his terms.