Chapter 1 Whispers of Defiance

Vardy sat on the floor of his small, run-down room at White Oak Academy, his eyes fixed on the dark screen of his old console. Memories of his time swallowed up in the virtual world of Rune Quest Flooded his mind, a world that once held him captive in its allure. The echoes of battles fought and victories won resonated within him, now distant yet vivid.

A sudden knock shagged out the quietude enveloping his room, prompting him to stir from his reverie. "Vardy, are you in there?" Mason's voice pierced through the door, tinged with a mixture of weariness and anticipation.

With a deliberate pace, Vardy rose and opened the door partially, meeting Mason's gaze. Their eyes locked briefly, a silent exchange of understanding passing between them. Mason's news of a summons to the main hall by an unknown officer stirred a sense of curiosity and apprehension within Vardy.

Engulfed by a wave of resignation, Vardy accompanied Mason through the dimly lit hallway, their footsteps echoing off the worn linoleum floors. The stark contrast between their reality and the opulence enjoyed by their peers weighed heavily on Vardy, a constant reminder of their marginalized existence within the academy.

As they joined the gathering in the main hall, a sea of weary faces greeted them, each bearing the burden of unspoken struggles and unmet expectations. The academy officer's presence at the front, armed with a clipboard and an air of authority, signaled the beginning of another obligatory address to the students.

Amidst the sea of uncertainty and discontent, Vardy and his peers stood united in their shared experiences of neglect and disillusionment. The impending discourse promised nothing but a reiteration of their perceived insignificance within the confines of the academy's hierarchy. Yet, as they braced themselves for the inevitable lecture, a glimmer of defiance flickered in Vardy's eyes, a silent vow to defy the constraints imposed upon them.

As they entered the main hall, a few dozen other students were already gathered. Most looked just as worn down as Vardy felt. At the front of the room, an academy officer stood with a clipboard in hand.

"Listen up," the officer began in a stern voice. "You're all here because, despite your lack of powers, you've been given a chance. The Frame Initiative is your opportunity to prove you belong here. Failure is not an option."

Vardy leaned over to Mason. "Sounds like the same speech as last week."

Mason smirked. "They must have it memorized."

The officer glanced at them sharply, and Vardy straightened up, pretending to listen. But his mind wandered again, thinking of *Rune Quest* and the freedom he felt there. Here, in this academy, everything felt suffocating. But he knew one thing for sure-he wouldn't let them break him.

The officer continued, "Tomorrow, your physical endurance tests will begin. Make sure you're prepared. Dismissed."

As the crowd began to disperse, Mason turned to Vardy. "You think you'll make it through this?"

Vardy's expression stayed calm. "I made it this far. I'll figure it out."

Vardy sat on the edge of a cracked stone wall, watching a group of powered students laugh and push one of his classmates, Luthor, to the ground. The academy grounds felt more like a battlefield, and the powerless students were always the targets. Vardy stayed quiet, his eyes narrowing at the scene in front of him.

"Come on, Luthor," one of the powered students sneered. "You really think you can stand up to us? You're nothing."

Luthor got back to his feet, wiping the dirt from his face. "I'm not afraid of you," he said, his voice calm but firm. "We're here to train, same as you."

The biggest of the bullies, a tall guy with electric sparks dancing between his fingers, stepped forward. "Train? You? You're a waste of space here." He swung a fist at Luthor, knocking him back down.

Vardy clenched his fists but didn't move. He knew getting involved wouldn't help.

After the group finally left, laughing as they walked away, Luthor sat up, groaning but smiling. "Man, they hit harder than I expected."

Vardy walked over and offered a hand. "You should stop provoking them."

Luthor grinned as he accepted the help. "What's the fun in that? Besides, we're not here to roll over, right?"

Vardy shook his head. "Still, you need to pick your battles."

"Maybe. But I'm not giving up. This place is tough, but we'll survive," Luthor said, dusting himself off.

Frank, another student, came up from behind, shaking his head. "You're crazy, Luthor. I'm ready to quit. This place isn't worth it."

"You're wrong," Tracy chimed in, her arms crossed. She had been watching from a distance. "If we give up now, we'll never know what we could have done. We're not like them, but that doesn't mean we're worthless."

Jesse, leaning against the wall nearby, shrugged. "Honestly, I don't care either way. If they leave me alone, I'll leave them alone."

Vardy looked at them, feeling a strange sense of connection. "We have to stick together," he said quietly. "It's the only way we'll make it through this."

Luthor nodded. "Exactly. And hey, Vardy, I like your calm approach. It's probably smarter than what I'm doing."

Vardy didn't respond to the compliment, but inside, he felt a flicker of respect for Luthor's optimism. "We'll get through this. We just have to stay focused."

Tracy glanced at Vardy. "You're right. We can't let them break us."

Frank sighed. "I don't know, man. I just want out."

Vardy looked at him, his voice steady. "Leaving won't solve anything. We're here now, so we have to see it through."

As the group stood together, they all knew this was just the beginning. The academy wouldn't get any easier, but they were ready to face whatever came next.