The Military Academy

The feeling of going through a portal was not as thrilling as Ian had expected. In the portal, he felt weightless as he could almost feel himself in an endless space but still feel nothing at the same time. Even his sense of touch was lost as he couldn't feel the hand of the soldier he held or his grip on his bag. He felt nothing and felt like nothing as he traverses through space.

He staggered a little bit once he was out of there as he felt dizzy and it felt like everything was spinning in his eyes. He thanked his lucky stars that he hadn't eaten anything this morning because if he had, he was pretty sure he would be emptying the contents in his stomach on the floor by now... probably pass out and fall on top of it too.

"Are you okay?" the soldier asked genuinely as he looked at him with concern. "It's always tough when it's your first time using a portal. It's okay to feel unwell after it. I was sick for a week straight on my first time."

The soldier smiled genuinely at him as he tried to make him feel better and it warmed Ian's heart even though he knew this would be temporary. Once they discover that he isn't only weak but also doesn't have an ability, they would all resent him. Unfortunately, even this nice soldier would be a part of them. He just wanted to at least enjoy this moment.

"I think I'm better now," he smiled back at the man who then proceeded to lead him into the school.

Ian looked around at the school as he tried to wrap his head around the amazing sight.

Looking up, the school was built inside a giant transparent bubble, high enough to reach the clouds and not impede flying but still impressive nonetheless. The bubble extended miles down, leading into the city which seems to be full of people going about their daily business.

"So this is the Dome City of the military, huh?" he thought. "It's no wonder they say it's impenetrable. With a dome like this, it is would be almost impossible for it to be attacked from the outside."

The military school itself was quite expansive. It covered a lot of land, and rightfully so as it seems to have literally everything.

In front of the gate was the school's main building, built in the form of a large semi-dome. It was plain for the most part except for the school's name boldly inscribed on it, but it was amazing no less as it was built with a reflective material that would show your reflection before you got in.

The walls of the main school area were to talk for Ian to effectively see the other side, but he could see other tall buildings in it too.

The soldier led Ian off to the side, to another dome-looking building where he could see many other students gathered. They all didn't have school uniforms on so he knew they were new just like him and he was beginning to get nervous about it. His hand was beginning to shake slightly and he was scolding himself for thinking he could handle this pressure. They weren't even paying attention to him but he could already feel their eyes burning into his skin.

"Why are we here, sir?" Ian asked nervously.

"You need to come here for the power testing and your system watch," the soldier said with a smile. "It's okay to be nervous. Just don't let it affect your test."

"Oh, of course," he replied as he thought to himself. 'There is nothing to test anyway. I'm obviously the weakest person here."

He was left on his own by the soldier once he entered his name into the tablet in front of him and asked to go find a preferable place to wait until it was time for the formal proceedings. It seems like they're still waiting for students.

He made his way to an empty seat as quickly as possible, ignoring all the other students who already seem to be striking conversations with each other and getting to know themselves better. He was already feeling funny and he sincerely hoped he doesn't pass out anytime soon.

"Hey, get off that seat," a gruff voice said and he looked up to see a ginger-haired boy with freckles on his face glaring at him. From Ian's perspective, the boy looked even worse off than him with his round glasses on. He was short, barely Ian's, and chubby, with a round jaw and pot belly. He looked almost exhausted from standing alone.

"Why?" Ian asked, surprised by his rudeness.

"I said get off, you trash!" he yelled as his finger slowly elongated until they were just like tentacles in an octopus. While Ian was surprised by the boy's actions, he was even more surprised that everyone around them was ignoring this guy's actions, like they both didn't exist.

"Do you need to sit down?" Ian asked. "Are you exhausted?"

"I said stand up, Ian!" the boy yelled his name this time and Ian was taken aback by this. He knew nothing about this boy but it seems like the boy knew him quite well.

"I see now," Ian smiled. "You are only acting like this because you know I'm weaker than you. It's obvious since your ability itself is weak and not suited for you. It's an ability that is better suited for a person who thrives in close combat and is agile as well. You obviously aren't any of both."

"Don't you-"

"Silence, you runts!" a strict deep voice boomed through the area, interrupting the boy mid-sentence and catching everyone's attention. "Now, I would like to welcome you to your mandatory three years of military service to your planet. Here, we would try our best to make respectable soldiers out of every one of you. As for those who choose other paths, we would do our best to equip you with enough knowledge and power to protect yourself in these troubled times. It doesn't matter what you want to do after these three years, I would advise that you all do your best here, because, during the time you are here, you are humanity's soldiers and defenders. Understood?!!!"

"Yes, sir!!" Everyone shouted in unison. Ian along with others who were sitting down had already stood up the second they heard the man's voice.

"With that being said," the man said. "I, as the Commander of this military base welcome come you to your military academy. Good luck!"