The arena vibrated. The violet sky pulsed as if alive, reflecting the tension below. Ethan, Sky, and Claire watched from Group Five’s platform, each pulse of light sending tiny shivers through their bodies.A chime echoed through the system.> “TRIAL ONE — COMBAT SIMULATION INITIATED.”The floating platforms shifted, rotating slowly to face the center of the arena. A low hum filled the air. Then, from the center, a pillar of light shot upward and split, forming five separate arenas, each unique, isolated, and immense.The system’s voice continued:> “Each group will face a singular simulated adversary. Survival depends on coordination, strength, and ingenuity. Failure is not optional.”Ethan’s jaw tightened. He could feel the familiar cold edge of anticipation cutting through his veins.Sky muttered, almost under his breath, “Not optional… That doesn’t sound fun at all.”Claire gave him a side glance. “Sky, focus.”The platforms descended slightly, placing Group Five onto the arena fl

Dorm Sector A did not sleep.Not really.Even after most lights dimmed and the glowing cubes softened into a gentle blue haze, the room buzzed with restless energy. People shifted in bunks, whispered quietly, argued in hushed voices, or paced the metal floors.But Group Four…Group Four was awake on purpose.They had claimed a section of the upper level, the beds clustered around them in uneven patterns like a chaotic nest. Their presence radiated a strange, unpredictable aura—half danger, half excitement, entirely impossible to ignore.Rook, their unofficial leader, sat on the edge of his bunk sharpening a long, curved blade. His red streaked hair caught the dim blue light, making him look like he glowed.Pixie twirled her pink bat—bright, neon, chipped, and decorated with stickers. Every spin made the metal whistle. “Rook, tell me why we’re awake,” she demanded. “Because if it’s for something boring, I’m smacking you.”“You smack everyone,” Ash muttered from his bunk, hidden behind

Dorm Sector A did not have quiet hours.Not when Group Two existed.Their section—center-left of the large shared room—was a whirlwind of clashing personalities, laughter, arguments, and general disruption. They weren’t trying to be chaotic.They were chaos.Lights flickered overhead as though afraid of them.Vivi hopped onto the nearest bunk like it was a stage.Her hair was a blur of neon streaks, and her jacket looked like it had been customized by a hyperactive graffiti artist.“ROLL CALL!” she shouted.No one had asked for it.Cole groaned, sprawled across his bed like a dying cat. “Vivi, stop screaming. My bones hurt.”“You didn’t even do anything in the trial,” Mirabel whispered from the corner, hugging her pillow.“I did mental work,” Cole said defensively. “It’s exhausting being annoyed by everyone.”Riff bobbed his head to the beat leaking from his headphones. “We fought a giant lightning wolf. The beat was sick.”Kai stretched lazily, muscles flexing under sun-kissed skin.