E13

"Anyway, the system determines whether you're competent or not. Have you ever heard of genetic mutation? I think that's the only thing that produces incompetent samples like us. At least, that's what we've been told as justification, but I don't believe it," Jerry muttered the last part of his speech in a barely audible whisper that Niard could almost catch all the details of.

"Why don't they dispose of the incompetent samples from the moment of their birth? Why does such a system exist in the first place?" 

Niard requested in a low tone, he folded his fists and bit his lower lips. 

"Why are they called samples? Aren't they humans like me? Damn, am I in a prison for mad scientists?" Niard thought to himself, his hand clenched tightly, his anger overwhelming him towards what was happening in this facility.

Without warning, a loud siren blared, followed by a voice saying, "Attention, incompetent samples, welcome to our advanced Academy. One wrong step and you'll meet your demise."

A man appeared above them, was walking on air. Niard's eyes widened; in his view, the law of gravity couldn't be broken, he was surprised. 

The attire of that man was different and elegant, even the ring he wore on his hand in the shape of a skull was strange and sent shivers down the spines of those who looked at it.

"I am E13, in charge of your initial assessment. Without further ado, those numbered from zero to 300, proceed to the seventh hall, while newcomers remain in their places," E13 said in his commanding voice, dominating the silence of the place with his presence.

The students quickly moved to line up in four rows, while Niard remained next to Jerry and some newcomers.

E13 walked on air and with acrobatic steps landed on the ground. His left eye was covered with a black patch that blinked every two minutes, his right hand replaced by a prosthetic one. He looked terrifying and unwelcoming, making it difficult for Niard to swallow.

"First, you will undergo some vital tests, then you will begin some tests to determine your lacking abilities," E13 pronounced, then with heavy footsteps approached until he stood in front of Niard, who stared at him without blinking.

"Is he planning to cut off my head with that iron hand of his?" Niard thought to himself, a bead of sweat trickling down his back. E13 pointed to the display screen, which began to show a documentary.

"The Idealization Project began after the explosion caused by the Erimekuian nation's invasion of Earth," E13 sighed, then added, gesturing to the extent of the destruction that wiped out half the planet.

The newcomers showed no reaction to his speech, as if they knew the extent of the damage that had occurred in the past and the magnitude of the losses and destruction. Earth had always been the primary target for any extraterrestrial colonization.

"Due to their surprise attack, we couldn't gather the qualified amount of surviving geniuses. As a purely scientific institution, our goal was to preserve our species from extinction," E13 mouthed, his manner of speaking resembling that of a machine not a human being, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"Based on that we began our experiments to improve the human race and make it more advanced, by improving our flaws and overcoming the shortcomings we suffered from," E13 continued, then displayed an image of the time capsules unaffected by the Great Explosion, looking disappointedly at Niard.

"There were six of these time capsules found in the wreckage of a lab under the Mediterranean Sea, as it was formerly called," E13 said, his speech catching Niard's attention as he was inside one of these capsules.

"These capsules, which you see, are impervious to penetration or destruction. Our scientists concluded that this technology did not fit that time. There are assumptions that the creator came from a distant future, one that does not include the present we are currently living in," E13 said, moving on to images of six individuals displayed on the screen with some details, such as age, appearance, and type.

"Unfortunately, my father is not among them. Does that mean he's dead? Wait, what if my father is time traveler?" Niard thought, not noticing the details of the first sentences uttered by E13.

"These are the survivors from the northern part of the planet, Tala Lewis, Montero Candide, Jacob Van, Samir Lewis, Shinko, and lastly, you, Niard," E13 mentioned. When Niard's name was mentioned, his veins stiffened. He didn't recognize any of these survivors from the explosion.

Among them was an old man who looked senile, with his eyes barely distinguishable from the numerous wrinkles. It seemed his name was Jacob Van.

 Added E13, saying'that those who graduated from the Rehabilitation Academy would have two options, '

"Either become protectors of the empire by joining its military forces, or join the Emperor's Academy to develop your abilities to produce offspring used for further experiments," E13 said, his speech spreading like poison in Niard's mind. A fixed an image on the screen had shown. 

"This is the enemy of the current emperor, to be clear, he is the enemy of the entire galaxy," he said with a dark expression, refocusing Niard's attention to the fact that this facility had a significant agenda.

They had robbed humans of their freedom to choose their fate. They couldn't be weapons of war, or even experimental mice to create perfect humans.

"Dismissed," 

E13 said in a calm voice, then disappeared from the students who began to whisper. Niard stepped back, unable to believe the future he opened his eyes to.

"True, their technology is impressive, but..." Niard murmured as his mind was immersed in thought. Without realizing it, Naird collided with a strong boy, causing him to fall to the ground.

"Do you want to die, newcomer from the past?" the boy yelled, raising his fist to strike Naird, with black eyes and a hardened face.