Chapter 1: Academy Surprise

It was an average day for the people of the city on Pioneer 2. The air was frisk and not a single increase or decrease in temperature. Mechanical flying cars sped throughout the city overhead, while people walked below on the concrete. Pioneer 2 was not a very big place with all these tourists running around. There was a Healing Center, the Hunter's Guild, the Pioneer Bank, the Shops, a teleport warp to the principal's office, and a teleport warp to the planet Ragol.

Many hunters, rangers and forces come from the Academy to participate in combats and even solo-actions down on Ragol. Although, some hunters take the quest offers at the Hunter's Guild. As for me, I was still at the academy learning my ass off about what to do and what not to do to the world's environment, magic-casting and even good manners. That's me, Lani Melfice. I'm a Fonewearl at the Academy of Forces. I've trained to become a force to explore the planet of Ragol and discover new things. Ever since Pioneer 1's destruction, many hunters have been transporting down to Ragol to try and find out what really happened to the ship and its crew. Rumor has it, that a large explosion destroyed the ship, killing the people among it. I'm really curious as to why the principal is still trying to contact Pioneer 1. Is something wrong? Did he have someone special aboard the ship? Maybe I'll try to find out. I mean… what could go wrong?

It wasn't my first day at the academy; In fact, I was going to graduate that afternoon. Then after the graduation would be my first mission. Explore Ragol. I was so excited to even get out of the academy. Down the hallway were the classrooms and then to the left was the simulator room where the students are tested of their skills. Suddenly, I was stopped by one of my favorite teachers, Mrs. Arusia. She taught the students the art of magic, even though all students of the force can only be taught Foie as a requirement. The rest of the techniques had to be found on their own.

Mrs. Arusia- "Very nice to see you again, Lani. I hope you are ready for graduation this afternoon because afterwards, the teachers and I have put together a little 'test' for you all."

Lani- "Really? I wonder what it could be…"

Mrs. Arusia- "Like I said, you'll have to wait and see."

Lani- "Intriguing."

Mrs. Arusia left the corridors rather quickly, like she was in a hurry. I wonder what that test could be? Maybe a paper test… or maybe it'll be like some fake thing or something.

Anyway, I hurried towards the classrooms to talk to the other students.

Jake- "Hey, Lani!"

Lani- " Hiya, Jake!"

That boy had some sort of essence coming from him that I couldn't pinpoint. I knew there was something different though. He was graduating with me also. He is a lot better at magic than I was too. He had learned Foie within a couple weeks, when it took me nearly 3 months.

Jake- "I bet you're excited this afternoon. I can't believe we actually get to see the world finally!"

Lani- "I know it's great."

Jake- "You okay? You seem a little distressed."

Lani- "I just have a funny feeling you know… about the test."

Jake- "Oh, that. Well everyone's excited about it. Even the teachers."

Lani- "Okay, well, I'm going to the cafeteria for some food. You want to come with me?"

Jake- " Nah, I already ate. Thanks for the offer though. See ya!"

Lani- "Okay, then. See ya."

Right away, I knew something fishy was going on. As I left for the hallway, a couple of girls were snickering towards me. They were the usual Fomarls that hated Fonewearls for some odd reason. Jake, on the other hand, didn't hate me even though he was a human force too. Maybe I just pissed them off or maybe they're racists…

Down the corridor, was yet another teacher, who seemed to be limping awkwardly. His posture was rather horrid and it looks like he had a major injury to his leg.

Lani- "Are you alright, Dr. Hoffman?"

I ran over to him as quickly as possible and tried to ease him.

Hoffman- "Lani! I thought you were supposed to be at graduation! It starts in 10 minutes!"

Lani- "What! It can't start yet; I thought it was supposed to be in the afternoon!"

Hoffman- "Well, change of plans! The graduation has to be commenced immediately before the 'test' is released."

Lani- "What is this about this 'TEST'! Please tell me!"

But without another word, Dr. Hoffman stumbled off, leaving me in the hallways behind him.

I thought to myself for a second about this 'test'. What the hell could it be? As usual, I was running around, getting lost until I found the auditorium where the ceremony would commence in about… 1 MINUTE! I opened the doors revealing a well-lit auditorium filled with the entire academy as the audience and my class up on the stage. We never wore an attire of suits and dresses, so we just stuck to our original clothing. I was running like mad down the aisle until I barely tripped down at the bottom. The teachers glared at my confused state and me. How the hell did everyone get here, so fast! That's when I remembered telepipes. Telepipes had the ability to transport you to a designated area from memory within a matter of seconds.

Mrs. Arusia- "I see that you are late by about 5 seconds. Luckily we didn't start without you."

Lani- "Sorry."

I found my spot, right next to Jake, who stared at me awkwardly.

Lani- "Hey there."

Jake- " Why didn't you just pipe down here?"

Lani- " Because I don't have any telepipes!"

Mrs. Arusia- " Shhhh! The ceremony is about to begin."

I could see the principal making his way up to the podium where he'd give a long speech and tire everybody out. Albert Reinhardt was our school's principal. He possessed leadership qualities and a heart of gold.

Albert- "Fellow classmates, welcome to the Graduation Ceremony of the Academy of Forces!"

The loud applause collapsed my ears even as I covered them. Jake was standing next to me, fidgeting with something in his pocket. I just stood there and waited for what seemed like 20 minutes.

Albert- " It gives me great pleasure to announce that these students shall be granted as full-fledged forces!"

Once again, the audience cheered. I could see even little kids in the front row cheering for us. It was so cute.

Albert- " Okay, now without further ado, I would like all the graduated students to remain on the stage, while the rest of you exit the auditorium."

I watched as everybody teleported with a matter of seconds. They warped so fast, it was surprising to me. Jake pulled out his prized possession he had in his pocket. It was a key to something. I didn't know what though, but I thought it would be like a diary key or something.

Albert- " Okay, Forces. Here's the point. The test will be held in a simulation, but let me warn you about it. Well, I'll let Mrs. Arusia explain."

Mrs. Arusia- "Thanks, Albert. Now, Forces! Pay attention to what I am to tell you!"

I continued to eye Mrs. Arusia with absolute respect and nudged Jake's arm with my elbow to show him that a teacher was speaking of importance.

Mrs. Arusia- "Here's the scoop. The test is a simulation, but it is also a rather real situation. The mission of this project is to obtain a MAG. The simulation will take place in a building that is very familiar to you, but there will be nobody there except for you Forces. This mission can only be achieved with ultimate teamwork and responsibility. Everyone has to obtain a Mag in order to evacuate the simulation. In other words, a telepipe will be next to each of these Mags for you to escape. Some Mags will be about, but some others won't. In order for these types to appear, you must either complete a task within the simulation or defeat your enemy. Now, I want each one of you to step through the warp and complete this mission."

My mind was spinning crazily. I can't even believe what I heard, but this mission will be easy. Jake felt rather scared about the whole thing. Something was bound to go wrong. Then suddenly I remembered Dr. Hoffman. His leg was injured…But from what? Did it have to do with the simulation? I stopped thinking at that moment and watched as Mrs. Arusia used her Ryuker Techinique. It was a fascinating display for a teacher, even if it had the same effects as a telepipe. One by one, students lined up to warp through the pipe and into the simulation. I was somehow obviously last in line.

Jake- "You scared?"

Lani- "Nah! It'll be a piece of cake."

Somehow, I think the principal overheard me and he chuckled under his breath. Now, I definitely thought something was about to go wrong.

Jake disappeared through the portal as I waited a few seconds. I breathed a loud sigh and stepped on through. My body felt like it was being lifted as I stepped into the portal. Then suddenly I was teleported to my destination.