Chapter 24 – The Nexus
Vega entered the classroom.
The conversations died at once.
One by one, the students turned toward her as she walked to the podium. Her black hair was tied neatly behind her head, revealing sharp purple eyes that seemed to take in everything. A small mole sat beside her right eye—the only soft detail on an otherwise cold face.
She moved with quiet authority, back straight, expression calm, every step measured.
When she reached the podium, she stopped and looked across the room.
"Good morning, students."
Her gaze swept from the first row to the last. A few students shifted in their seats under the weight of that stare.
"I hope you've all settled into your dormitories."
A few students nodded.
"Good. Now, let's discuss something important."
Vega pressed a button.
Beep.
The screen behind her lit up, displaying the image of a sleek, watch-like device.
Confusion rippled through the class. Some students leaned forward. Others frowned, trying to figure out what they were looking at.
"This is called the Nexus," Vega said, her voice cutting cleanly through the murmurs. "It was designed by Aurelian. Every one of you will be required to wear one around your wrist."
The image changed.
Several golden, coin-like symbols appeared across the screen.
"These are Aurelian Points—or AP."
The room went quiet.
Every student was listening now.
"These points will matter a great deal during your time here. Every student, from Group D to Group A, has been given exactly one thousand Aurelian Points."
A low murmur spread through the classroom.
Some students exchanged glances. A few already looked less curious and more calculating.
"What those points can be used for, and how you can earn more, is something you'll have to figure out yourselves."
Vega paused.
Her purple eyes swept across the room once more.
"I'm not going to explain everything as if you're a flock of parrots."
Several students swallowed.
Vega pressed another button.
Clap.
The classroom doors opened, and two assistants entered carrying large boxes.
"Distribute them."
The assistants moved down the rows without speaking, handing each student a sealed case.
One after another, plastic lids popped open as students pulled out a black Nexus and a sleek phone. Some immediately turned the devices over in their hands, examining every detail. Others strapped the Nexus onto their wrists, curiosity outweighing caution.
Jay watched quietly.
When his own case was placed on his desk, he opened it without hurry.
The Nexus was light—almost weightless.
He fastened it around his left wrist and felt a faint click as it locked into place.
"Now," Vega said, "place your finger on the upper surface of the Nexus."
The students obeyed.
Beep.
Small blue holographic displays rose above each device.
Jay looked down at his.
Name: Jay
Group: A
Rank: 10
Aurelian Points: 1000
Hmm.
'Interesting.'
He let the thought pass without further reaction. His face gave nothing away—it never did.
Vega's voice pulled everyone's attention back.
"The Nexus displays your basic information," she said. "It also has several other functions, which you'll learn about later."
She gestured toward the phones still resting on their desks.
"These were also designed by Aurelian. They will allow you to access information and communicate with other students while you're on Aurora Isle."
A few faces brightened at the mention of communication.
"But there is one restriction."
Vega's expression didn't change.
"These devices only function within Aurora Isle. You will not be able to contact your family or friends outside the island."
Disappointment washed over the room almost immediately.
Some students sighed. Others exchanged frustrated looks. A girl in the second row muttered something under her breath.
Thud!
Vega slammed her palm against the podium.
The sound cracked through the classroom like a whip.
Every student froze.
"Disappointed?"
Her voice remained calm, almost soft.
"Then I can take those phones back right now."
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Vega nodded once.
"Good. Now you understand."
She turned away from the podium and walked out without another word.
The door clicked shut behind her.
For several seconds, silence held the classroom.
Then a collective breath of relief escaped the students.
Rey leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.
"Man... she's strict."
"Give me a break," someone muttered behind him.
A quieter voice from the back added, "But she looks pretty hot."
The student beside him snorted.
"Yeah. Hot enough to fry you."
Soft laughter spread through the room, easing the tension that had settled over them.
Rey glanced at the Nexus on his wrist, turning his arm slightly so the blue display caught the light.
"This thing's actually pretty cool."
He turned toward Jay.
"What do you think?"
Jay studied his own device for a moment before giving a small nod.
"I think so too."
His tone was flat, almost bored.
Rey stared at him for a second.
He was starting to wonder if anything could get more than a mild reaction out of Jay.
Before he could ask, the classroom doors opened again.
A middle-aged man entered.
He looked to be in his fifties, with brown hair and sharp black eyes. One of them was covered by a dark patch, giving him a distinctive and somewhat intimidating appearance.
He walked toward the podium at an unhurried pace, his steps steady and deliberate.
"Good morning, students."
His voice was deeper than Vega's, carrying a quiet weight of its own.
"My name is Paul. From today onward, I'll be teaching you the geography of our world."
The class gradually settled.
The earlier tension faded, replaced by curiosity.
Paul smiled faintly, though the expression didn't quite reach his uncovered eye.
"I assume most of you already know about the region you come from and the territories surrounding it."
He turned toward the screen.
"But knowing something and understanding it are two very different things."
The screen behind him lit up.
"We'll examine the regions more closely in the coming days—their geography, strongholds, territories, and what makes each of them different."
Mira sat upright in her seat.
Her attention was completely focused on the lesson.
She had always wanted to learn more about the world beyond the places she knew, and this was the first real chance she had been given.
Paul turned toward the display.
"Today, however, we're going to begin with something a little different."
Snap.
A single name appeared across the screen in bold letters.
THE CENTRAL PLAINS
The classroom fell silent once more.
Paul's expression grew more serious.
"Before we discuss the four major regions of our nation, there's one place you need to understand first."
He paused, letting the name hang in the air.
"The Central Plains."