1 [Chapter 1 – Routine]

Ultar II, the second sun that could be seen by the inhabitants of Planet Siri-0rF, was rising once again.

This old fellow responsible for my thirst was sure hateful. Even if I couldn't directly see it, the increase in temperature that woke me up clearly announced its presence.

To make things worse the little shack I'm currently residing in, is more of a metallic box than what you could call a house.

Anyway, I'm starting to familiarise myself to this frustrating new life of mine.

Indeed, from today it'll be a year since my routine changed, and in a few hours I'll be reaching adulthood.

Becoming officially fourteen years old.

Tired, I forced myself to stand up. I then proceeded to move my sluggish body towards the chest containing my mining equipment.

A simple set composed of a trusty Pristine Pickaxe, a pair of leather gloves and a small lantern.

Before anything else, I grab the old tattered grey leather suit neatly folded over the chest.

It has been gifted to me by my uncle. Apparently it was used by one of his ancestors long ago. It would seem not much of a deal but it wasn't just an old rag.

It had been crafted with the skin of a Gundir. A big sand worm that dwells in the dunes of the Great Salkandra desert. This suit helps one to preserve his vitality after hours of physical labour.

Dressed up, I equip the pickaxe and the lantern onto the toolbelt of the suit.

I'm almost ready, I only need to drink down a good jug of water. Since I won't be able to drink at all deep down in the mines.

Then I grab one from the shelf near me and then fill it with water. I can't say its the most clean water I've ever seen, but as always I don't have much choice.

Gulp! … Gulp!… Gulp!

Still feeling a bit dizzy, I sat down on a nearby chair. My body needs to receive some energies too.

Next I quickly eat one of my last energy pills. I should spend some [coin]s to buy some more.

Feeling my body's fatigue fading away and a sense of clarity permeating my thoughts, I collect my small leather bag. Then i stuff inside it the gloves and my ID card.

Reluctantly I slide my aching feet inside the old pair of boots before my eyes. I can feel the usual pain, they are too short for me. Uncle bought them for my first day at the gymnasium.

I'm Ready for another day in the Elkitryc mines. A mining system that reaches the deepest parts of Mt. Elkos.

I've been working there since one year ago.

Once I ended the training at the gymnasium, an institution of the empire capable of evaluating the possible talents hidden in the common citizens. After a period of three years you will be assigned to an occupation depending on your attitude on the various subjects.

You can imagine that mine didn't end up that well.

Here in the Elkitryan Empire, one of the four major colonies present in our planet, for a reject like myself who's not adept in manipulating nano-energy there aren't many possible occupations.

Said so, becoming a miner is sure a hard and taxing work. But at the end of the day was the safest work I could be offered with.

I should be thanking uncle for this.

Siri-0rF is a rather peripheral planet inside the [Union], and it would have been forgotten long ago if not for the [System base]s established.

Most citizens through a medium attached on their bodies are able to access particular functionalities of the [system]. How many operations are enabled to the user depends on their personal merits. In fact only the talented and strong individuals are recognised by the [Union] and so by its [System].

Why bother so much in establishing bases even on irrelevant and impoverished and places like

Siri-0rF?

They need all the possible talent in fighting the enemy of all, the shadows.