Integrity Mods

The gate leads me to my bright future. This beautiful place is mankind's best attempt at creating heaven on Extract. As long as you get in and don't fail, you have a secure future.

Basically, it's a beautiful pay-to-win fantasy for every other person. Ashrs have taken care of the 'Pay' part for me. I am secured.

Just ahead of us, another group walks, arguing about something. Just beyond the veil lies the academy, there is a garden on both sides to the entrance. It's lush green and humongous with just grass and barely visible trees at the boundary. The brick stone path with benches and vending machines is a very long walk inside.

It's like a 20-minute straight walk till we reach the reception dome. Another magnificent structure, utterly complete in its perfect design, glass-laden covering, and 2-floor height. Man, what a peculiar structure.

<Blueprints for the structure received>

<Would you like to view?>

So far, I know that the nanites will do absolutely whatever I want. More than that, actually. So much so that they will disregard any sort of protocols, fail-safes, and even the [Grid] itself.

We collect our IDs that are loaded directly onto the interface... yes the system or the software of the nano gel actually has a name.

The software part of the nano gel is called the I.M.O.T.E.P. or you can use the unofficial slang and just call it Integrity Mod. A normal Joe's entire life runs on the Integrity Mods. Everything can be done by the Integrity software. Therefore, for 'security' purposes, It was connected to the [Grid]. The guy was a genius whoever came up with that plan.

We walk to a large hall that can accommodate at least 500 people by the size of it. All line up in front of the stage. Holographic screens are all around us.

You can hear the excitement. You can feel those jitters yourself. Everyone is happy. What could possibly go wrong from this point onwards? I mean, it's the freaking Hunter's Academy!

But I know better than this. Hope is what they have in their eyes, and I know better than anyone in the world that hope is a bitch. A bitchier bitch than the bitchiest bitch.

The staff that was sitting on chairs got up as the head of the academy entered and took control of the speakers using his Integrity software.

"Alright, children who have enthusiastically joined in hopes of a bright future, feel disappointed. While our fee is exorbitantly high, it's still barely enough to keep this place maintained. You saw on your way here the marvel this place is. A huge amount of donations, sponsorships, and funds given by the government are what keep this place running, rather than your money. And now the government has withdrawn its support, and we are now getting mere peanuts from them. Thankfully, we saw it coming with that new asshole in charge." His speech was broken up by his personal assistant.

"Ah, come on, they are old enough for a few swear words. They feel the same anyway," he replied to her, and we could all hear his reply out loud through the speakers.

"So, guys, prepare to work way harder than you were expecting. Also, our sponsors have increased their funding, so they are going to work you to your bones as well. It was a fair trade, let me tell you. They did not take advantage of our situation. I would also like to make an important announcement. All those families who sent a big chunk of funds hoping that we would give their children an extra... well, you guys can feel free to take it back. I am not taking any of your shit. Also, guys, be prepared for more fieldwork and practicals, as the government had the audacity to ask us to make you guys into much stronger hunters than we have ever been able to ever before. And I'll be honest, we don't have the power to refuse this request of theirs. We have heard reports of, erhhh... those... disgusting things from outside... being... more... disgusting... something about developing intelligence... yuck. We have let those bed bugs live for far too long, and now they say they have ditched their insect brain for monkey brain. Those are all the issues we are currently facing. We will adjust your classes and curriculum accordingly. Please be respectful to the staff; they are overworked as it is. Mighty thanks to the Anubiz group for their ginormous help during these difficult times. Now, before I part, I would like to tell you all good luck. You can do it. We can get through this. Like we are fucking supposed to because we are all hunters. We are not those fucking losers. I would like for you guys to think of yourselves as higher than them because you ARE HIGHER THAN THOSE FUCKING IGNORANT AND WORTHLESS LEECHES. YOU GUYS ARE THE FUTURE, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE ENTIRE EXTRACT TELLS YOU. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?"

The speech that started as a tired man complaining and bitching about his problems somehow ended like Hitler's German superiority speech, and it worked. It lit a fire in everyone. It was like a complete table toss after that "good luck" point. He just knew what to say... he is super awesome. Was he always like this? If he was, I bet he has fan clubs.

"I can already hear the girls talking about him. "So dashing, so charismatic, eeeeeyaaaaaahhhhh," typical fangirls, but this time I approve. That legend better get some clout here. He is better than that fucker who is controlling everyone outside. Damn, was I really that hostile toward that Shay guy before? That speech moved everyone.

The staff later came onto the stage and shared a few words. They talked about some rules, ethics, behavior, classes, schedules, and stuff.

Today is the first day, so apparently they will just show us around the campus, allocate us dorms, and assign classes. They showed us around. Everyone's integ got an update on their schedule, classes, rooms, and most importantly, a highly detailed map that told where what was, what areas you are allowed to enter and when to enter, etc.

"Alright, Class 1A, on me!" shouted a very brown man. He was a physical arts teacher, the best in the entire Vrath, an ex-hunter, and an ex-army superior. He has been out there, in the wild. He was wearing a green tank and grey jeans. His presence demanded subordination and respect, a well-built man.

He was nowhere near as strict as we thought he would be. He would occasionally chat with us while we moved, and he would tell us about what outside was like. He was a fun and jolly man.

"By the way guys, I will also be like your homeroom teacher, so if you have any issues with anything, you can come to talk to me. Also, there are no rules on campus that prevent you from enjoying your...teenage life, but I swear I hear absolutely anything that goes along the lines of 'without consent' or 'while you sleep', straight to [hayil]. UNDERSTOOD?" he shouted at the end.

"YES SIR!" all in unison. He didn't have to tell them to give a louder response.

"ALRIGHT, DISPERSE AND REST WELL!" He commanded and was about to turn away and leave when one of the people from our class yelled.

"WAIT SIR! SORRY SIR, BUT YOUR NAME, SIR?" It was Rudolph Carnnentis, the older brother of Laurel Carnnentis, the girl I helped out a while back. Wait...., what the hell, how did he go so unnoticed for so long? Surely someone saw him. People should be talking about him already! I looked around, and the others were looking around too. They were all genuinely surprised to see him, and they were gauging each other's expressions the same way I was!

"Meryl Holster," the instructor replied, moving his hand forward to him.

Rudolf pushed his and shook his hand, "R... Rudolf Carnnetis, SIR." It was like he had met his idol. He was pink and nervous. The teacher released his hand and gave him a pat on the head. It was cute. The teacher left, and Rudolf vibrated in the spot like a broken machine.

None of them had enough energy to socialize, so all went to their rooms.

To Be Continued==>