Chapter 2 Into the Fray

The Training Grounds at White Oak were truly impressive, leaving a lasting impression on those who set foot in them. The vast expanse of the grounds was predominantly open-air, adorned with grand rings enclosed by towering metal walls that evoked the image of ancient arenas where heroes honed their skills.

Among the students, Vardy found himself among the Frame students, a distinct group that stood apart from the others. As he observed the crowd, he estimated that there were approximately two hundred 'normal' students bustling about, each with their own aspirations and dreams of becoming heroes.

In contrast to the grandeur of other renowned hero schools, White Oak appeared modest in size. Vardy couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps the school lacked the financial resources of its counterparts, yet there was an underlying sense of mystery that lingered in the air. It was as if there was more to White Oak than met the eye, a hidden depth waiting to be uncovered.

Compared to other hero schools, White Oak was small. Vardy thought maybe they didn't have much money, but something felt off.

The arenas were high-tech, with some able to change the terrain. They had obstacles and drones ready for battle.

"Listen closely!" bellowed Officer Fletcher, his voice echoing across the grounds. "Because I won't say this again! We already know your powers and your Altana Cell count."

Vardy knew this meant they could access student profiles to see who was strong or not.

"But cell count and a bullet point summary of your powers doesn't mean sh*t out there where you'll be fighting for your lives against Vagrants or other Altanas. Combat is where we really determine your worth. Where you really use those powers you were born with."

The students murmured nervously. Some were excited, but the Frame students were scared. They hadn't even seen their Frames yet.

Officer Fletcher went on about classes and rewards. Class A meant good treatment, but the lower classes had to work harder.

"Excuse me, sir!" Luthor's voice cut through the tension.

Vardy knew Luthor would probably get hurt again.

"What about us?" Luthor asked, motioning to the Frame students. "We have no cell count or power profile. How do we fit into this?"

Fletcher didn't like the question. He hurt Luthor's shoulder with a hot touch, warning them to stay quiet.

"Their Frames are inside the arenas," Fletcher said sternly. "You can pilot them when the fighting begins."

Luthor asked how, but Fletcher didn't care. He told them to find their names on a board and go to their assigned arenas.

"The arenas will scan you to see if you can fight. If you get knocked out, drones will take you out."

"Fighting for ninety minutes will decide your class position," Fletcher explained. "Then get moving, maggots!"

As luck would have it, Vardy and the other Frame students found themselves in arena number 1, bumping the student count from 50 to 54.

"How do I even move in this thing?" Luthor grumbled, his face barely visible under the helmet of his Frame power suit. He was stuck in a fixed T-pose, looking like an unfinished video game character, while others laughed at his predicament.

Vardy examined his own Frame, a towering humanoid suit made of segmented black plates with coils of dark grey cable underneath. As he touched the Frame's chest, it recognized his handprint.

"Subjects, huh?" Vardy mused. "That's all we are to this world."

"I couldn't get mine to open properly. And who made you subject number 1?" Luthor complained. "Help me figure this thing out!"

Vardy knew Luthor hadn't properly accessed his Frame. Without a bio signature scan, the suit didn't recognize him as its owner, leaving him stuck.

It was clear White Oak didn't care about the Frame students; they were just there for funding. Vardy knew the academy expected them to fail or quit.

"Aww, look, the Duds can't even use their crutches!" a student taunted Luthor, sparking laughter.

"They thought they belonged here with us, with real powers," another jeered.

"Don't mind them. Altanas are the next stage of human evolution," a girl sneered.

"It makes me sick being around them," a serious-looking student added.

"They won't be so cocky once I punch their faces in," Luthor retorted.

"And how will you do that? By T-posing?" Vardy teased.

Officer Fletcher's voice interrupted, announcing the start of the evaluation.

The arena shook as Hard Light Environments rendered, creating a simulated combat terrain.

"Let's see you try and move now!" someone mocked as several Frames struggled to walk.

"This is insanity," Frank fretted, adjusting his glasses nervously.

"Yeah, how are we supposed to fight in these things?" Jesse worried.

"Doesn't mean we can't try," Tracy encouraged, activating her Frame.

Vardy knew how to use the Frame, thanks to a secret training program his parents had left him. But he kept it to himself, letting the others underestimate him.

As the countdown ended, the evaluation began, and students targeted the helpless Frames.

"You're mine!" a student charged at Vardy.

"Boosters 4,5 engage," Vardy commanded silently, using thrusters in his heels to dodge the attack.

Vardy swiftly disabled one opponent, surprising everyone, including Tracy.

"What? How?" she exclaimed.

But Vardy had no time to explain as more students attacked.

"Boosters 4,5 maximum output. Engage left flare," Vardy ordered, using his suit's capabilities to incapacitate another opponent.

With no weapons, Vardy faced a crowd of adversaries, knowing he couldn't defeat them all.

But then, the leader of the bullies appeared, exuding a menacing aura that Vardy knew he couldn't match.

"Holy crap, it's Dean!" exclaimed some Altana students, marveling at Dean like he was a superhero.

Vardy watched closely as half of the students were mesmerized by Dean, while the others fled, uninterested in dealing with Vardy.

This indicated one thing: Dean was a serious threat, not just to Altana students like Vardy, but to everyone.

Vardy considered his options against Dean and realized he had none.

The Solar family was renowned for their powerful abilities, passed down through generations. Hayate Solar, the patriarch, ranked 15th in the World Rankings 100, possessed immense power called True Sun Force, granting him incredible strength, speed, and more.

If Dean inherited even a fraction of his father's power, Vardy stood no chance against him.

There were rumors of a Solar weakness, but they were effectively erased from the public eye by the family's PR team.

Dean mocked the defeated students, berating them for losing to someone like Vardy.

Then, Dean attacked with incredible speed and power, incapacitating the Altana students effortlessly.

He then turned his attention to Vardy, taunting him and delivering a devastating blow that left Vardy battered and broken.

Despite the pain, Vardy refused to give up.

Meanwhile, Tracy, another Altana student, tried to defend Vardy but was swiftly defeated by an invisible assailant named Sly.

Sly's ability to phase through matter made him a formidable opponent, leaving Vardy and Tracy helpless against him.

Sly, enjoying his dominance, inflicted more damage on Vardy before leaving them both incapacitated.

As Sly departed, Vardy gritted his teeth, refusing to show any sign of weakness in front of his tormentors.

The combat evaluation ended as expected, with Vardy and the other Frame students placed in the F-class alone.

Looking back, it was clear the 'F-class' was designed to isolate Frame students further.

Vardy and Luthor recuperated in the infirmary after the assessment, escorted by drones as Altana students laughed at their misfortune.

"The infirmary, a large building with white walls and a glowing green cross sign, was well-equipped but off-limits to them," Vardy observed carefully.

Instead, they were confined to a makeshift basement with basic medical supplies, reminiscent of a Vagrant outpost.