First Class
The chairwoman picked up the phone as if she'd been waiting for it.
"Made up your mind?"
It was a short question. I took a deep breath and answered.
"Yes."
A low chuckle came through the receiver.
"Good. Be at the National Awakener Central Academy by tomorrow morning."
The call didn't last long. After hanging up, my heart raced a little for no good reason. I looked down at Psi beside me.
"Guess it's really starting now. Kinda exciting... but a bit scary too."
Psi responded by nuzzling her face against my hand, letting out a short chirp as she acted all cute. I smiled and stroked her head.
"Yeah. Let's do our best together."
The next day, I stood in front of the Central Academy holding Psi in my arms. The building was far bigger than I'd imagined. Awakeners bustled around the entrance, and I spotted some students with their guardians too. Tension started building inside me.
Following the instructions I'd received that morning, I headed straight for the chairwoman's office. When I knocked, a calm voice came from inside.
"Come in."
I opened the door, and Yoon Sera, the chairwoman, rose from her seat to greet me.
"Good to see you, Student Park Sung-jun."
She gestured toward the sofas. "Have a seat."
I sat on the sofa opposite her, still cradling Psi. Psi, curious about the unfamiliar space, hopped around exploring. "Psi, be careful. Don't get hurt."
The chairwoman watched her for a moment before getting to the point.
"Alright, let me give you a quick rundown on the Central Academy."
Her voice grew even calmer.
"Awakeners are required to attend for three years by law. You know that, right?"
I nodded.
"Here, you'll train to develop your abilities, but also learn basics like theory, laws, and awakener regulations. Strength alone isn't everything."
It definitely didn't feel like a regular school.
"Classes are divided by age group. You'll be placed in the high school track."
I listened quietly.
"Everyone lives in the dorms. You'll get uniforms, basic gear, and a stipend."
A stipend too? Way more organized than I'd thought.
"After graduation, it's up to you—join a guild, work for the government, become a mercenary, or live quietly as a civilian."
She added meaningfully, "But no matter what path you choose, these three years here will be the foundation."
The room fell silent for a moment. This was the place where I'd spend the next three years. I glanced at Psi, now perched on my lap. Her small eyes looked up at me.
I really felt like I was standing at a crossroads now.
"Got it."
Yoon Sera smiled in satisfaction at my response.
"Good. We'll handle the uniform and dorm assignment by afternoon. For today, why don't you get a feel for the class atmosphere first."
She pressed the intercom button.
"Sea, could you come in for a sec?"
Moments later, the door opened. A blue-haired girl in a neat uniform stepped in, a sword hanging naturally at her waist.
"You called, Chairwoman?"
Her voice was calm but clear.
Yoon Sera pointed at me. "Introduce yourselves. This is Lee Sea, who handles class rep duties in the high school group. She'll be your guide starting today."
Lee Sea's gaze turned to me. Sharp, but not unpleasant.
"Hi. Nice to meet you."
I bowed my head right away. "I'm Park Sung-jun. Looking forward to it."
As I followed Lee Sea down the hallway, I took in the Central Academy's interior. Students training everywhere. The air was thick with tension.
Lee Sea continued her explanation. "I'm eighteen, been here about half a year. High school group's got four of us including me right now—all joined around the same time."
She pointed ahead. "That's the training ground and classroom combo. Classes and practical combat training all happen there."
Psi poked her head out from my arms, peering around curiously. Lee Sea's eyes naturally drifted to her.
"So... that's your summon? She's cute."
I shook my head. "Not a summon. She's family."
Lee Sea looked at me for a second, then gave a small smile. "Got it."
We opened the door and stepped inside. Three pairs of eyes turned to us at once. A pink-haired girl. A muscular guy. And a calm-looking girl who looked up from her book.
The sudden stares made Psi burrow deeper into my arms, overwhelmed. Lee Sea spoke first.
"This is our new classmate starting today. Treat him decently, everyone."
I stepped forward and bowed. "I'm Park Sung-jun, seventeen. And this is Psi."
A brief silence, then the three rose from their seats one by one, greeting me in their own ways.
The pink-haired girl jumped up first. "I'm Han Yura! Eighteen. Nice to meet ya!"
Her bright voice instantly lightened the room. Spotting Psi in my arms, her eyes sparkled. "Whoa, wait—you said Psi? Oh my god, she's adorable!"
She looked ready to pounce any second.
Next, the muscular guy stood slowly. His presence matched his build—heavy and solid.
"Kang Tae-jun. Seventeen, same as you."
Short, firm tone. "We're classmates, so let's have each other's backs."
No fluff, but he inspired trust somehow.
Finally, a sound from the window side as a book closed. The cool-looking girl lifted her head. Calm, sharp eyes.
"Seo Ha-rin. Seventeen."
Short and to the point, then she scanned me up and down. "Don't disrupt class and we're good. Just don't be a pain."
Cold tone, but not outright hostile. Just the type who drew lines.
I bowed again. "Looking forward to it."
Psi kept her face buried in my arms, still overwhelmed by the attention. What a colorful bunch. The mood-maker, the reliable tank, and the prickly brainiac. These three years here wouldn't be boring, that was for sure.
Right after introductions, the door opened and the instructor walked in. A solidly built man. His mere glance straightened everyone up.
"Seats. Now."
One command, and we all sat. He looked at me.
"You the new guy the chairwoman mentioned?"
I half-stood and bowed. "Yes."
"Lee Sea'll catch you up on past lessons. Figure out what you missed."
Straight to the point, no nonsense. He wrote "Ability Exploration and Team Training" on the board.
"Picking up from last time: ability application and team cooperation. Real gates operate in five-man squads minimum."
His eyes swept over us. "Perfect timing with the newbie. This class runs as one team."
He paused, then added, "Introductions done, I assume. Abilities shown?"
No one answered, so he jerked his chin. "Step up one by one and demo."
Lee Sea went first. "Ice magic and swordsmanship."
The moment she drew her sword, the air chilled. Frost formed along the blade, ice crystals spreading across the floor. Sleek, precise. Beautiful, but deadly if it cut you.
Instructor nodded curtly.
Next, Kang Tae-jun. "Muscle hardening and strength enhancement."
His arm muscles bulged solidly as he spoke. Skin looked metallic-tough. He slammed a training pillar lightly—thud. Simple, overwhelming power.
Han Yura waved casually from her seat. "I'm a healer!"
A soft light emanated from her fingertips. The room's tension eased a bit. Her sunny personality matched a stable, essential role.
Last, Seo Ha-rin rose slowly. "Telekinesis... and mental powers."
She twitched a finger, and a training orb in the corner floated up. No contact, perfectly controlled. It hovered midair, stopped by her gaze alone.
The instructor's expression hardened ever so slightly.
With demos done, all four pairs of eyes turned to me. Psi flinched a little in my arms—probably overwhelmed by the sudden focus. Her tiny claws gripped my shirt tighter as she burrowed in.
I gently stroked her back. "It's okay."
Whispering that, Psi peeked up at me, her round eyes blinking. Seeing her eased my tension a bit.
But looking up again, their stares were still locked on me. All straight-up powerful abilities. Combat specialist, tank, support, mental. Nothing ordinary.
I swallowed. Honestly, I was a little nervous. These guys all felt like seasoned awakeners already. Me? Fresh newbie with a brand-new power. One that... raised dinosaurs. Might come off weird.
I glanced down at Psi. She tilted her head at my look.
"Kyuu?"
Like she was asking, What's up? I smiled faintly. She looked totally carefree.
That actually calmed me down. Yeah. No need to overthink. Not like I was hiding it, and these were people I'd be with from now on.
I took a slow breath in and out. Then stepped forward to the front of the class.
My shoe tapped the floor, echoing softly in the quiet room. Psi shifted in my arms. I held her more securely.
The instructor's gaze stayed on me, expressionless. But I could tell he was waiting.
The classroom air settled heavily.
"Dinosaur Gacha" might sound too casual. I hesitated a moment, then finally opened my mouth.