Prologue.

Earth 2175….

Mankind defined civilization as having power and attaining whatever one desired.

That definition came into existence the day 'They' arrived.

No one knew who or what they were. 

The only thing they knew was that an uninvited guest had suddenly arrived upon earth.

'They' desired us!

They were, the Destitutes…

… Mankind's mortal enemy.

They viewed humans as livestock!

The government fought back, but it was useless. In the end, the earth was split in half; bearing the Destitutes on one side and Humans on another.

However, it wasn't in man's nature to give up, as Project 101 embarked.

The government's solution to gaining their beloved world back again was, to raise younger generations to be the defenders of our world. 

And so, the people were filtered as they separated the useful from the useless, placing humans on a hierarchy worse than financial status.

Every human who had gone through the special training was weighed to determine who would protect, and those who would be protected.

Those with lesser importance were placed below, and those they wanted… were worshiped. 

Overall, there were more than nine Division—classified with codes—and a child born into a family bore his family code and was expected to attend the Academy for special to raise their luck.

However, should they fail, they would be stuck with their division code for life!

Only a few people had been able to climb the leader, but never to the top. 

It was like a curse glued to the family's lineage when the Destitutes arrived, and I was born into that curse. 

Shared into nine Division, Division nine, the least of the Divisions was home to criminals, to put it short it was a prison, a place where they would throw away the worst set of people. 

Murderers, frauds, and all kinds of criminals were sent here, I was born into such bloodline. 

Regardless...

… I was different!

I, who was born into the lowest of all Rankings, finally fulfilled my dream.

I became an Elite student!

But…

… Never in my wildest dreams…

… Did I expect what came next?

None of us did!

*****

“Ehem!”

“As you all know, this year, things are going to be a bit different.”

Broadcasted live is the Prestigious Principal of ALAB Academy who claims to have something important that would change our lives forever, although everyone doubts that, I'm pretty hopeful about his words. 

The broadcast room is overflowing with teenagers who were dragged here as per instructions and a bit of force. 

The place is heavily guarded with armed men so whether everyone liked it or not, we had to listen. 

“This year, for the first time ever, your Division has been granted permission to study at ALAB,” he says. 

What?! 

What did he just say?

His words struck hard like lightning bolt causing my attention to skyrocket. 

Our Division– to study at the Prestigious academy. 

Prehaps I've been couped up for too long in this place to the point where the slightest mention of freedom has me beaming brightly. 

My face brightens, I'm shocked beyond words after hearing this, but it was a bit too soon to rejoice. 

“But!” He suddenly cuts off our celebration, “not everyone is going to be admitted in. 

We have decided to host an examination for Division 9, and only, 5 would be admitted, now 5 is a rather good start wouldn't you agree?

Now, the examination is in one week, do well to study and perhaps you might have a shot at changing your destiny. Good luck!”

The TV goes blank and everyone comes down to a terrible bone chilling silence. 

Five people, just five?

I look around at the multitude who watched the broadcast with me, our numbers over a thousand. 

‘How am I supposed to get in?’ I wonder. 

“Alright everyone, get in the line and get out of here!” 

Pulling teenagers my age and even lower by the corner, were forced to get in a single line and leave the hall, our lives, pretty much like shackled. 

A single step outside and my eyes are nearly burnt by the scorching heat of the sun. 

This place, my home is filled with people who are half dead. 

Dirty, sicken, and skinny, the worst possible place to leave in, Division 9. 

Whack! 

I feel a hard blow to the head and fall to the ground when a kick to the stomach has me flying. 

“Next time, don't stall, except you'd like to go in the box,” a man yells. 

Pained from the impact I’m barely able to gather myself and raise my head but the next second, I'm looking away with fear. 

‘Shoot! 

It was the wrong call.’

“Got a problem with me boy, cause I'd like to know why you're staring at me,” he says. 

He squats, grabbing my face in him palm and forcing me to look him in the eyes again. 

There was no time to hesitate as I quickly apologies, “I'm sorry sir, it won't happen again.”

“Well it better not, because the one who'd be regretting it would be you and not me, you damn twig!” 

Whack!

Again, I receive another kick that has me wailing in pain. Still I know better than to remain on the ground as I hurry to get on my feet and join the line. 

Creak!!!

“Oh there you are,” my mother says while rushing out to the door.

She pauses, questions clearly written all over her, and when she could no longer bear it, she asks, “what did they say?”

“They… want to admit five students from Division 9 to attend ALAB,” I tell her. 

Her mouth wide open with no words uttered as she chuckles with confusion. 

“W-what? Five students? But that's impossible, there's too many students.”

“Yes and I'm thinking of participating.”

“What?!”

Although calm and composed, her tone obviously spoke otherwise, she did not like what she heard. 

Mother reaches out to me, but I retract, upon noticing my rebellion she puts on a fake smile. 

“Why– [sigh] why don't you stay here with me so you can help out with a thing or two.”

“But I don't want to.”

“Ande~”

Tch! 

There she is again, she'd probably want to tell me the story of how much she hates Division 1 because of what they did to father. 

“Mother please, have you taken a look outside? It's sickening, we're treated like garbage.”

“You don't understand, the world out there is very terrible and cruel and competitive–”

“It's always been terrible,” I yell, cutting into her sentence, “I mean the reason we're stuck here in the first place is because dad got caught for fraud.”

“He was framed,” she cries. 

“Then let me prove it mum, let me go out there and show everyone just how great we are. Mother please.”

Ignoring my words she heads straight for the kitchen, cleaning the already dried plates all because she's trying to avoid my eyes. 

“Why don't you let me have my way, just this once.”

She turns around swiftly, grabbing me by the shoulders as she shakes me. 

“You don't understand, they aren't going to make things easy for you, they dispise us!!!”

Her eyes are red from silent tears, I'm left speechless not knowing how to comfort her. 

With a long sigh she finally releases me, turning towards her dishes, I could hear her as she sobs. 

Carefully I count my words. 

“I don't need them to. Once I become an Elite, I'll finally be able to prove our innocence, isn't that what you've always wanted?”