Volume 1 — Chapter 1
Part 1: The Awakening of Eden
Septis, 04 Mes 911 Aven — 5:05 AM
Dawn was settling gently over Eden.
In the dormitory of four bunk beds — arranged in pairs — darkness still reigned. The curtains drawn tight prevented the slightest glimmer from entering.
Until a snap of fingers echoed.
The window flung open abruptly.
The light of dawn poured into the room like a silent wave, sweeping away the shadows that had ruled only seconds before.
The soft clarity brushed against the faces of the students.
Two of them woke calmly.
A third groaned, turned over, and pulled his blanket over his head.
In the adjoining bathroom, the sound of water ceased. A boy stepped out, drying his hair.
Another had only just opened his eyes.
The one emerging from the bath was already perfectly dressed. He wore the YCE high school uniform, impeccably fitted. Round red glasses with transparent rims rested on his nose.
He adjusted his hair, slipped on black gloves, then fastened around his neck a bracelet-necklace adorned with a small golden star.
Finally, he placed an elegant hat upon his head.
His soft yet authoritative voice broke the silence.
— Moza Wolganf. You have one hour and thirty minutes to be within the school grounds.
Moza, still half-asleep, mumbled vaguely:
— Alright… delegate…
He hesitated.
— But… should I wake him?
The delegate glanced briefly at the lower bunk.
— It would be useless.
He added simply:
— The newcomer.
Then he left the room, closing the door without a sound.
---
Moza entered the bathroom.
A few minutes later, he emerged, hair still damp. He donned the YRE middle school uniform: dark jacket, light shirt, and a discreet insignia.
Unlike the delegate, he seemed in no hurry.
He opened the door.
— Wait!
The voice came from behind him.
Moza turned.
The boy who seemed asleep was still lying down… but one eye was now open.
Moza sighed lightly.
— What is it, Mister Luó?
Luó Xuán tried to roll over in bed to save himself the effort.
Bad idea.
He rolled… and fell heavily to the floor.
— Ow…
He stayed still for a moment.
Then rose slowly, as if each movement was a negotiation with his own body.
Seated on the lower bunk, he observed Moza.
— You must be part of it too… I think.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
— You're in Yretias, aren't you?
Moza froze for a moment. Surprised.
— Yes… why?
Luó sighed already.
— Because I'm supposed to help you progress… according to Aliss.
Moza blinked.
— You know that… strange girl who sent me here?
Luó shrugged vaguely.
— You could say that. We've known each other for a while.
He added casually:
— But don't trust her appearance. She could very well have spoken with your great-great-grandfather.
Moza grew thoughtful.
— Maybe…
Luó watched him a moment longer.
— Anyway, you've adapted well. A few weeks ago, you didn't even know this world existed.
He yawned.
— You should come along with the other one too… what's his name again…
He gestured vaguely.
— Beven.
Then concluded:
— Alright, bye.
Moza froze for a second.
— …Quick. Goodbye.
He finally left the room.
---
In the corridor, Moza let out a faint sigh.
He raised his hand and brushed the ring on his finger.
Immediately, the academy's identification system activated.
A soft voice resonated directly in his ear.
— "Would you like to be guided directly to class?"
Moza answered mentally.
— No, Eden. I'll see my violin first.
— "Very well."
An intense light engulfed him.
The world vanished.
Teleportation lasted barely a second, but that strange sensation — as if the body folded in on itself — always left him slightly dizzy.
Yet he was beginning to get used to it.
---
Meanwhile, in the dormitory…
Luó rolled from side to side in his bed.
Every morning seemed a battle against existence itself.
Then suddenly—
ZAP!
An electric shock surged through his wrists.
Luó shot upright instantly.
— AAH!
He stood for a few seconds, hair slightly raised.
Then sighed.
— Well… it still works.
He entered the bathroom.
A few minutes later, he came out.
He pulled on a black shirt with a red collar, tied his tie crookedly, then slipped into black trousers, tucking his shirt in clumsily.
Finally, he threw on a black jacket with golden details.
It was the same uniform as the delegate.
But far less neat.
The most visible difference remained the jacket: the delegate's was red, adorned with golden stars — symbol of elite students.
Luó headed for the door.
Before opening it, he murmured:
— Eden… portaportation. My locker.
The answer came instantly.
— "Of course. It will be my pleasure."
Luó opened the door.
But behind it, there was no corridor.
Only a thin luminous surface.
He crossed it as one crosses a waterfall.
The sensation was always strange. Pressure, distortion… then silence.
When he emerged…
He stepped directly out of a locker.
Into a corridor filled with students.
---
The noise of the crowd gave him an instant headache.
— Great…
He pulled a glove from his pocket and slipped it onto his right hand.
He pressed the center.
A hologram appeared.
A young woman with snow-white hair and golden eyes.
— "Delighted to see you again after your standby period."
— "The requested customizations have been applied."
She inclined her head slightly.
— "But I thought I annoyed you, Mister Spiral."
Luó sighed.
— That's true. You're still annoying.
He looked around.
— But this building is a little less boring than expected.
He added:
— You're supposed to be my assistant, right?
— "Correct."
— Then handle the useless formalities.
He fixed her with a look.
— But never touch my personal affairs.
— "Understood."
She hesitated.
— "By the way… do you intend to keep the public name Mister Spiral?"
— "It will be visible on all internal networks of the school."
— "It may not be very wise."
Luó shrugged.
— You think I attract trouble?
He gave a tired smile.
— Doesn't matter.
The hologram sighed.
— "Very well, Mister Spiral…"
Then resumed in a professional tone:
— "Let's begin. You must choose a secondary sector outside Prima."
Luó thought for a few seconds.
— Apolia.
— "Physical development?"
— Yes.
— "Surprising…"
She continued:
— "In that case, which domain precisely? Combat? Martial arts?"
— No.
— "Then…?"
Luó answered immediately:
— A simple sport.
— "Simple?"
— Not complicated. Not too tiring. And above all…
He looked at her.
— Without combat.
The hologram seemed to reflect.
Then declared:
— "I've found it."
— "An easy, entertaining sport requiring little effort… without exploiting your demigod blood."
Luó blinked.
— You're a genius.
— "Obviously."
She smiled faintly.
— "But you're as good at orientation as you are… god."
— "So half."
Luó froze.
— Huh?
The hologram pointed behind him.
— "You are indeed in the right place…"
She paused.
— "But not in the right building for your class."
Luó sighed deeply.
— …Wonderful.
---
End of Chapter 1 — Volume 1, Part 1