BLACK IPEE (WN)

Lucian woke up to the faint light slipping through the window. For a moment, he just stared at the ceiling, listening to the quiet hum of the morning. No alarms. No shouting. Just silence. That was still weird.

He sighed and sat up, running a hand through his hair. No point in wasting time. Sliding off the bed, he hit the floor and got straight into push-ups.

"...Eighteen… nineteen… twenty…" he muttered under his breath. The movement was second nature by now, something to ground him. Sweat started to bead on his forehead, but he kept going. The ache in his arms was almost comforting.

Once he was done, he sat back, stretching his arms over his head. "Good enough," he said to no one in particular. He got up and headed to the sink in the corner.

The water was ice-cold, but that just made him more awake as he splashed it on his face. His reflection stared back at him from the mirror—a little tired, a little sharper around the edges than before he got here. He paused, wiping his face with a towel.

Staring at his reflection in the foggy mirror, Lucian let the words come, soft and resolute:

"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how."

His voice barely carried, but the weight of the quote lingered in the still air. Nietzsche. The man had understood survival on an elemental level. Lucian knew his "why." It was survival itself. And nothing—no beast, no system, no challenge—would stand in his way.

After throwing on his uniform and stuffing his bag, Lucian stepped outside. The air was fresh, cool enough to wake him up completely. Students were already filling the halls, heading to class or chatting in groups. He didn't bother joining the noise. He preferred to stick to the edge of things, keeping to himself.

The campus stretched out around him, huge and polished, with towering buildings that made him feel small if he looked at them too long. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear the faint hum of whatever tech or magic ran this place. It was strange, but he was getting used to strange.

By the time he got to the lecture hall, most of the seats were already taken. He slipped into one near the back, far from the clusters of students talking like they'd been friends forever. Lucian leaned back in his chair, eyes scanning the room.

Same deal as always, he thought. Show up, learn fast, figure it out as I go.

The professor strode in, calling for silence. Lucian straightened in his seat, ready to dive into whatever came next.

"Let's get this over with," he muttered under his breath.

The classroom was nothing like Lucian had imagined. Rows of sleek, crystalline desks shimmered faintly under the warm glow of hovering lights, each desk outfitted with a Holo-Glyphic Interface. The walls were lined with glowing runes and diagrams of intricate magical systems, pulsing softly in rhythmic patterns.

Lucian stepped inside, his expression neutral but his eyes scanning every detail. The room was half-full, students chatting in low voices or curiously fiddling with their interfaces. He made his way to an empty seat near the back, ignoring the glances his presence elicited.

"New here?" The girl at the desk beside him had vibrant green hair and a curious smile.

Lucian glanced at her but didn't respond immediately. After a moment, he gave a curt nod.

"Name's Elyse," she said, undeterred by his silence. "Don't worry. First class is always overwhelming. But Professor Marov's good—strict, but fair."

Before Lucian could reply—or dismiss her entirely—a sharp chime echoed through the room. The conversations ceased, and the students turned to the front as the professor entered.

Professor Marov was an imposing figure, his long robes adorned with intricate runes that seemed to shimmer with life. His silver hair was neatly tied back, and his eyes, glowing faintly with arcane energy, scanned the room with an intensity that silenced any remaining whispers.

"Welcome to Foundational Studies," Marov began, his voice measured and commanding. "This class will prepare you for survival in Nexurias. You'll learn the principles of mana, the Arcane Network, and the technologies that sustain our society. Fail to grasp these basics, and you'll be dead—or worse—within a week."

The room was silent, the weight of his words sinking in.

"Let's begin with the Arcane Network." Marov gestured, and a holographic projection materialized in the air before him. It depicted a vast web of glowing nodes connected by pulsing lines.

"The Arcane Network is the lifeblood of our communication and information systems," he explained. "Powered by magical nodes, it transmits data, messages, and even memories across great distances. It was originally a military invention but is now integrated into civilian life. Each of you has limited access to the network—until you prove you can handle its dangers."

Lucian's brow furrowed. Dangers?

Marov seemed to sense his unspoken question. "The Arcane Network is not without risks. Untrained users can lose themselves in the flow of information, their minds overwhelmed by the sheer volume of data. And then there's the matter of Runic Encryption—our primary security system."

A new projection appeared, displaying a series of complex runes. "Runic Encryption protects sensitive data. Without the proper decryption sequences, accessing this information is impossible—and tampering with it can have... explosive consequences."

The students shifted uncomfortably, but Lucian's focus sharpened. So, the network isn't just a tool—it's a battlefield.

Marov continued, moving seamlessly to the next topic. "Now, Mana Generators."

Another hologram appeared, this time of a sleek device emitting a faint blue glow.

"These devices convert ambient magical energy into usable power. They're what keep our cities running, our vehicles moving, and your personal devices charged. They're also why Nexurias can sustain such a dense population—without them, we'd be fighting over resources."

Elyse raised her hand. "Professor, what happens if a generator fails?"

Marov's gaze flicked to her. "Excellent question. A generator failure can lead to localized mana scarcity, which disrupts everything from transportation to basic utilities. In extreme cases, it can even cause a collapse of the Aetheric Transportation system."

Lucian's mind raced. A weak point. Something to exploit—or protect.

The lecture moved on to Aetheric Transportation, Alchemical Fabricators, and other key technologies. Each topic added another piece to the puzzle of this world. Lucian listened intently, his analytical mind piecing together connections and possibilities.

By the end of the session, his head buzzed with new information. As the students filed out, Marov called out, "Lucian D'Acron, stay behind."

Lucian paused, glancing at the professor.

Once the room was empty, Marov approached him, his expression unreadable. "You're not like the others. You don't just absorb information—you analyze it. Good. You'll need that."

Lucian said nothing, waiting for the professor to continue.

"I've seen recruits like you before. You think survival is just about strategy and strength. But this world demands more. Adaptation, yes, but also trust—in your abilities, in your instincts, and in the people around you."

Lucian's jaw tightened. Trust? That's a liability.

Marov seemed to sense his skepticism. "You'll learn. One way or another."

Without another word, he turned and left, leaving Lucian alone in the empty classroom.

Lucian exited the building, the cool evening air brushing against his face. Elyse was waiting outside, leaning casually against a pillar.

"You survived Marov's lecture," she teased. "That's a good sign."

Lucian glanced at her but didn't reply.

Elyse shrugged, falling into step beside him as they walked toward the dormitories. "So, what do you think of the Arcane Network? Pretty amazing, right?"

"It's a tool," Lucian said finally. "Nothing more."

She laughed. "You're a tough one, huh? Well, stick around. This place might just surprise you."

As they reached the dorms, Lucian paused, his gaze lingering on the faint glow of the magical nodes in the distance.