Competition Begins

The sliding doors of the classroom opened, a blonde young man entered "Classes already ended long ago. Why did you truly did all 500 push ups? Couldn't you just cheat and fake it?" Instead of an answer all he heard were grunts and rough breaths..

"This"Huff Huff"Pain is nothing compared to the one father felt in his last moments while fighting the Rakin in the frontlines."Huff He slowly he stood straight with bloodshot eyes glaring at Paul. Paul got intimidated,he stepped backwards hitting a desk and stumbled to the floor. Darius walked towards him, Paul instead of seeing a person walking towards him saw a demon ready to prowl towards him. Darius stopped in front of Paul and stretched his hand out. Paul stared for a second dazedly then insulted Darius in his thoughts-Damn you!. I'll make sure i use you plenty well!-.

"Thanks" said Paul while getting off the ground "Anyways let's begin with academics since we're in the classroom".

In the meantime Salvatore stared at the planet in the sky for a few seconds in front of the school main gate, then proceeded to walk out through it.

There were 4 men wearing black suits and sunglasses, looking around waiting for something or someone outside of it. One tiny detail which stood out was a silver christian cross lapel pins on their upper chests. The moment they spotted Salvatore they quickly ran over to surround him.

"How was your day at school young master?" one of the men which had a scar on his jaw asked politely, bowing slightly. Without answering, "Here" said Salvatore giving a yellow folded paper to the man."Have our intelligence locate him". The man received the paper with care "As you wish, young master".

During the month after the competition announcement Youths in both planets worked ceaselessly hoping to accomplish their dreams, climb the social ladder by joining the military, especially the youths from planet Zonia, most of which had humble origins.

In Darius' classroom, and all the other schools which partecipated in Atlas' talent hunting campaign. This day was a special one, The respective referee would come, pick up all the students partecipating, bringing them to Atlas Headquarters to begin the 6 month long trials.

Dr. House, The referee of Darius' class, entered the classroom. Spreading his arms wide "Goodmorning, fellow students. Today is an exciting day for us all, as you know the 6 months trial period shall begin today. Now, let's go to headquarters, follow after me."

All 15 year old students followed after their respective referee. The hyperloop stations of the whole planet had been rented by Atlas. Orderly the students arrived at Atlas HQ through hyperloops. Which could be called a pillar defying the laws of physics because one from the base of the building wouldn't be able to see the top... All around the building you would see military troops stationed in many checkpoints. But Darius' and his classmates passed through them unhindered.

While Darius entered in the Atlas HQ, in planet Zonia the referees directed the students to a spaceport. Marcus was inline with sweaty palms holding firmly on his ID. "Next" said the military officer on the boarding pad. Marcus gulped then stepped forward, stretched his hand giving his ID to the officer, which passed the ID through a scanner of sorts. Beep,Beep The machine began blinking green. The officer took the ID, gave it back to Marcus "Have a comfortable journey" with a light smile in his face.

Marcus heaved a relieved sigh then boarded the spaceship. An uneventful flight took place as Marcus reached Atlas HQ along with his classmates. They stood out of the rest because of their rugged and winter clothing, they also looked at least 2 or 3 years older than everyone else.

The referees guided their assigned classes to a giant theater. Once everyone sat down, the lights turned off. The curtains rose, lights converged on a single woman standing in the middle of the stage.

"Welcome to Atlas, I am the CEO of Atlas Technologies." A slender woman, wearing a tight white suit with the Atlas logo on her chest said. A woman walked on stage with a tray on her hands, she then stopped besides the CEO.

The CEO grabbed the item on top of the tray, unfolded it for all the students to see. "This is a suit which will be required for everyone of you to wear, it will track your vitals and score points lighting these strips with a color based on your rank.

Your identification dogtag must be always with you.

There is also to mention the top 200 students of everyschool will be allowed to eat at our restaurants in the middle floors. I sincerely wish everyone of you the best of outcomes." The curtain dropped. The slender woman sighed, "Jessica, notify me if there are any naturals, within them." The secretary answered "Yes ma'am".

The referees guided every classroom to their respective floors ,and made a small tour, familiarizing the students with their new living environment for the next 6 months.

Darius stepped in a small single room apartment the walls were painted white exept for the main window which looked out at the breathtaking skyline. He did a small tour, of the apartment. He found nothing amiss.

Walking over the bed he found his white uniform, a dogtag and a sheet of paper.

He picked up the sheet of paper and read it.

[ COLOR RANKING SYSTEM EXPLAINED]

Every test will be recorded and it shall be graded in a point system.

Physical Tests and Accademic Tests shall be executed daily at hour 0800.

Every school's ranking ladder consists of the color of your neon stripes while your suits color will determine you're the best of your school and as such you'll be enabled to compete against other schools for extra rewards and a better outlook for your military career.

Stripe color rankings:

COLOR: RED ->Rank: 200+ | COLOR: YELLOW ->Rank:150-200 | COLOR: ORANGE ->Rank:150-100 |

COLOR:PURPLE -> Rank:70-100 | COLOR:BLUE -> Rank:40-70 | COLOR:BROWN -> Rank:10-30 | COLOR:BLACK -> Rank:1-10

Dogtag rankings:

METAL:Cu ->Rank: 200+ | METAL: CuSn ->Rank:150-200| METAL:Fe ->Rank:150-100 |

METAL:Pl -> Rank:70-100 | METAL:Ti -> Rank:40-70 | METAL:Ag -> Rank:10-30 | METAL:Au -> Rank:1-10

"So that's how it is huh? " Darius chuckled, then layed on the bed staring at the fading starlight in the horizon till he fell asleep.