First Chapter

After some contemplation, Emir found himself torn between two obvious choices.

On the one hand, he needed to train in that environment to gain first-hand experience with real weapons and combat scenarios.

Besides, he had to be near the protagonist, how else would he steal his cheats?

Said cheats that he currently had no idea about and in what form they would end up in.

Moreover, he would gain the chance to acquire new skills, which could prove invaluable given that his TDS ability mastery had started stagnating.

'It's most probably due to me getting used to the simulated danger, so I need actual dangerous situations.'

'But on the other hand, that's where we all died in the novel for reasons I can't yet seem to remember...'

'My family will go either way, and it's technically the safest place on the planet while also the most dangerous, considering the Elite.'

Emir's thoughts churned as he weighed his options.

"I'm not sure," he said honestly.

"It's a big decision, and I want to think it over before I decide."

Laura nodded in agreement.

"That's alright, what you're doing is important, especially for a decision like this... And besides we have three days to decide, you can take your time."

Lily looked a little disappointed but quickly perked up.

"Well, either way, I'm definitely going to apply for that program. I can't wait to start!"

Over the next few days, they discussed the invitation and their options.

In the end, they all decided to accept and join the UEF Academy.

Meanwhile, Emir accepted because he wanted the challenge.

He wasn't going to hide from his fate.

It would be the best and quickest way for him to become stronger.

Emir also knew that Lyra's organization would've wanted him to go, as she was the one who pushed him into accepting.

…

…

…

Exactly three days later, Ethan came back again and asked them about their decision.

"Yes, my children wish to go, and we're all honored to be invited to the academy." Laura answered.

"Understood," Ethan simply said.

"Get your bags and await me at the south gate of this sector, we shall depart from there."

Seeing them nod, he turned back and left the house.

"Okay, Lily, Emir, quickly get your luggage and wait in the living room while your mom gets ready." 

"Yes, we will." They replied in unison.

Emir went back up to his room, and took a final look around, noting anything that he might have missed.

'Looks like I have everything I need.' He thought as he looked down at his bag.

Said bag was a futuristic one, a high-tech marvel that embodied the cutting-edge of this world's technology.

'So, I got my clothes, shoes, underwear, augmented suit, rucksack, and my trusty terminal, hmm...'

'All set. Let's go.'

He soon left the room after his final check was over.

Dragging his bag downstairs, he saw Lily just getting out of her room.

"Heyyy brother, come help me pack my stuff." 

Pausing his steps, he silently stared at her with a blank expression.

"OKAY! Okay, I'm sorry alright, but I was too lazy and forgot to pack my stuff, so stop staring at me and come help, pleaseee." She countered, looking at him with her classic puppy eyes.

"Sure, give me a moment." He said suppressing a chuckle.

Emir walked over to Lily's room, with his bag behind, following him like a loyal companion.

Entering her room, he found Lily frantically throwing clothes and accessories into her own bag.

"Hey, calm down. What do you need me to do?" He laughed at her sudden burst of energy.

"Can you help me pick out some clothes?" She asked, holding up two different shirts.

He nodded and began sorting through her clothes, helping her choose outfits that would be appropriate for the trip ahead.

Once finished, they made their way to the living room, where Laura was waiting for them.

She looked up and smiled at their arrival.

"Ready to go kids?" She asked, tapping her bag, and standing up.

"Yeah, let's go." Emir answered while opening the door, leading them out of the house.

They trudged forward with four bulky bags weighed down by their possessions trailing closely behind them.

The gate loomed larger in front of them with every step, a towering monolith that seemed to stretch up to the sky.

Emir couldn't help but marvel at the size of this gate, even though he'd seen it many times before.

And as he stared at the gate with unblinking eyes, it slowly began to open, just before they reached it, allowing people to come in.

'Are those hunters? Or are they affiliated with the government?'

Ethan, seemingly able to sense Emir's thoughts, replied as he walked towards them from near the gate.

"These people are hunters, their mission is to protect you, the passengers, and the cargo in the trucks that are coming in."

By the time he finished talking, the gate was fully opened, and the trucks entered.

Those armored trucks were massive, imposing vehicles that looked like they had been designed for war.

Their sleek, angular bodies were made from a reinforced, high-strength material that could withstand even the most devastating attacks, and some were equipped with an array of advanced technologies that made them a true force to be reckoned with.

Mounted on the roof of the trucks was a series of devastating weapons, including heavy machine guns and even missile launchers, that glinted menacingly under the sun.

Their big tires were designed to grip any surface, and they were reinforced with a special material that made them virtually indestructible by the terrain.

Going past the isolating barrier between the sector and the gate, they approached one of the trucks.

Its doors, which were several inches thick, opened with a hiss to reveal a spacious, high-tech interior that was filled with advanced navigation and communication systems.

Snapping Emir out of his astonishment, Ethan's words reached his ears:

"Alright guys, hop in. I'll join you in a few moments, so wait inside. A hunter will show you where to sit, please follow him."

The hunter he mentioned came to the family of three, waving at them.

Noticing him, Emir signaled to his family and they quickly followed after him, climbing into the truck.

While he did so, he could feel the hum of its engines vibrating through his bones.

And after traversing through a lengthy hallway, they arrived at the living compartments.

The hunter indicated which room each of them was assigned to, and fortunately for them, their rooms were located next to each other.

As they continued the tour, he pointed out the cafeteria where they would eat during the journey, which was a spacious area situated just beyond the living quarters.

Lastly, he led them to the meeting area.

'I can safely guess that all high-end clients do their business transactions here.' Emir thought as he surveyed the room.

The hunter spoke out, his voice gruff:

"Wait here for Sir Ethan, he will walk you through what you need to know."

Without waiting for them to reply, he turned around and began walking back.

Cutting through the building tension, Lily spoke with a thrilled voice:

"This soooo exciting, isn't that right, guys?"

Laura let out a sigh, while Emir laughed out loud, saying:

"Yes, yes, it definitely is."

Ruining the moment Ethan came in and sat on one of the couches in the room, he then proceeded to point at the couch opposite him.

"Please sit, I'll tell you what you need to know about the trip and UEF Academy."

As they sat down, Emir's eyes wandered around the room, taking in its futuristic design and advanced technology.

The walls were lined with touch-screen panels that displayed real-time information about their journey and the various systems on the truck, and the furniture was all made from a high-tech material that looked like it was straight out of a sci-fi movie.

Ethan cleared his throat, bringing Emir's attention back to him.

He then began to explain the details of their journey, including the destination, the expected duration of the trip, and the various amenities and services that would be available to them on board.

Most of what he said was what Emir already knew, so he started to drift off into his thoughts again.

The UEF Academy was in Sector 11-A.

A sprawling campus that spanned several square miles, consisting of dozens of futuristic buildings and structures that were all interconnected by a network of glass walkways and train tracks.

The main building of the academy was a towering structure that rose up into the sky, gleaming in the sunlight with its reflective exterior.

It was made up of ten levels, each dedicated to a specific department.

Inside, the building was a marvel of modern engineering and design.

The walls were lined with touch-screen panels and holographic displays, and there were even advanced AI systems used as guards.

Though they could only be considered dumbed-down systems that were in no way comparable to Lyra's capabilities.

But they were enough to control everything from the lighting and temperature to the security and surveillance.

The classrooms were all state-of-the-art, equipped with the latest technology and tools to facilitate 'immediate' learning.

There were labs and workshops for students to conduct experiments and develop their projects.

Said labs were used by the staff as well, for reasons Emir had yet to know.

Outside of the main building, had various other structures that served different purposes.

Those buildings ranged from a training complex with stadiums and arenas for various sports and activities, as well as a performing arts center for music, theater, and dance.

Quite a typical behavior for the Elite...

Even if the world was under such circumstances, they still managed to find to entertain themselves, one way or the other.

And of course, the hunters were no exception, with their own training facilities outfitted with every piece of technology imaginable, many unknown to Emir.

However, unlike all other sectors that had a massive dome covering them, the academy didn't, since all that went there had at one point in their lives been injected with nanobots that made them immune to radioactive particles.

The buildings themselves were radiation resistant of course, as were all the other common wearable items like clothes, footwear, and accessories—

The truck suddenly started moving, cutting off his thoughts.

Emir looked to his right and saw Lily screaming with her hands raised up.

"ANDDDD WE ARE OFFFF!!"