The Federal Star Military Academy sat on a floating platform above the Core Star's atmosphere, its spires piercing the clouds like silver needles. For most students, it was a dream come true.
For Kay, it was a battleground.
He stepped off the hoverbus and into a sea of pressed uniforms and polished boots. The air stank of expensive perfume and nervous sweat. Boys and girls from the core planets laughed and joked, their confidence radiating like heat from a reactor. Their parents—nobles in expensive coats—whispered behind gloved hands, pointing at the few slum kids who had somehow scraped together the fare.
Kay kept his head down. His clothes were clean—Ella had insisted—but they were still patched in three places. His boots had been resoled twice. He carried no luggage, no family entourage.
Just a crystal hidden under his shirt, a grey bracelet on his wrist, and a mother's ring on his finger.
"Look at that one," a girl in a silk uniform whispered to her friend. "Does he think he's lost?"
Kay ignored them. He walked toward the testing hall.
The hall was vast, rows of energy detection platforms glowing soft blue. Over three hundred applicants. Only fifty would be accepted.
Kay found his platform—Row G, Number 14—and stood in line.
A boy from the mining colonies stood ahead of him. Calloused hands, nervous eyes. He kept flexing his fingers. When his turn came, he scored 0.58. He looked relieved just to survive.
Then—
"Well, well."
Karl. Flanked by Jax and Lila. His uniform was tailored, his hair perfect, his boots so shiny Kay could see his own reflection.
"I see you survived the asteroid belt," Karl said quietly. "Impressive. But survival isn't winning."
Kay didn't bother looking back. "Maybe."
Karl's smile flickered. "We'll see. Very soon."
The tests continued. Most scores fell between 0.40 and 0.80. A few touched 0.85.
Then Karl stepped onto the platform like he already owned it.
The blue light blazed.
0.91. Gasps. 0.94. Whispers. 0.97.
The number froze. Thunderous applause. Even examiners nodded.
Karl stepped down, basking. As he passed Kay, he whispered, "Try to beat that, gutter trash."
Kay said nothing.
Finally: "Candidate 147 — Kay."
He walked to the platform. Hundreds of eyes—curious, dismissive, hostile.
He stepped onto the blue light.
0.70. Rising. 0.80.
A few nobles smirked. "Not bad for a scrap eater," someone muttered.
Then the number slowed. 0.85. Stopped.
Scattered, condescending applause. A few laughs.
Karl's voice cut through: "Is that all you've got, zero-credit nobody?"
Kay stepped off, face blank.
They don't know I can control the reading.
Ella's bracelet had a dampener—a small circuit that could mask up to 0.10 of his true energy. His real score was 0.91. Tied with Karl's initial read before his final push.
Let them underestimate.
After the test, Kay ducked behind a column near the refreshment dispensers, pretending to check his wristband.
"You're hiding something."
He turned. A woman—mid-thirties, short dark hair, sharp grey eyes. Examiner badge: Lin Wei, Combat Division.
"I don't know what you mean."
Lin Wei crossed her arms. "Your energy flickered twice. A dampener. I've seen them before."
Kay's heart skipped. "That's—"
"Against the rules?" She raised an eyebrow. "Technically, yes. But I'm not going to report you."
He stared. "Why?"
She touched a faint scar on her forearm—old, pale. "Because I've seen what happens to slum kids who show their full strength too early. They get crushed." Her grey eyes met his. "I was almost one of them, once. You're smart to hide. Don't get caught."
Kay didn't know what to say.
Lin Wei glanced around, then leaned closer. "The third round is in an abandoned space station. Karl's family has tampered with it. Expect traps—and illegal weapons."
"How do you know?"
"I have my sources." She straightened. "Be careful, Kay. You have potential. Don't waste it."
She walked away.
Kay stood there, mind racing. She knew my name. She knew about the dampener. And she warned me.
Who is she?
Outside, the sun set over the Core Star's artificial horizon. Candidates gathered in groups, celebrating or commiserating.
Ella found Kay near the exit. "How'd it go?"
"0.85. Hidden."
She nodded. "Good. Let them think you're weak."
"An examiner talked to me. Lin Wei. She knew about the dampener."
Ella's eyes widened. "Is that bad?"
"She didn't report me. She warned me about Karl's traps." Kay rubbed his mother's ring. "And she said she was almost one of us."
Ella was quiet for a moment. "Maybe she's an ally."
"Maybe. Right now, I'll take it."
They walked toward the hoverbus stop. Behind them, the academy spires glowed gold in the fading light.
Tomorrow: the combat arena.
And Kay had a score to settle.
End of Chapter 10