The world was beautiful.
For the first time in her life, Eghosa Precious saw the universe without the filter of atmosphere or the smallness of a single sky.
There was no horizon now—only infinity.
The holo-screen stretched across half the ship's wall, showing a view so vivid it felt like the universe was leaning into the craft to stare back at them.
Nebula clusters spilled in slow waves, glowing like rivers of dyed smoke scattered across the void.
Shattered moons drifted past like colossal bones left behind by ancient gods.
Stars pulsed in slow rhythms, breathing cosmic light that washed the cabin in soft blues and violets.
Eghosa leaned forward until her forehead almost touched the holo-panel.
Her breath fogged the glass.
Her fingers traced the edges unconsciously as if she could feel the cold of space through it.
She giggled—soft, involuntary.
Melissa noticed immediately and smiled.
"Your first time experiencing interstellar travel?"
Eghosa's voice caught.
"Ye… yes," she answered, almost whispering, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Melissa tilted her head.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yes—of course. I mean… it's not that bad," she said, trying and failing to sound composed.
Melissa chuckled, her eyes warm.
"Relax. My first time, I also giggled.
I just learned to hide it better."
"I wasn't giggling," Eghosa muttered.
"I didn't say you were," Melissa teased.
Trisha snorted from the side, eyes glued to the cosmic display.
She was captivated too, though pretending otherwise—the slight widening of her eyes betrayed her.
The cabin warmed with quiet laughter, the easy kind that forms naturally when people share wonder together.
Soon the three of them were talking lightly—little comments, small jokes, hesitant smiles building into something like the start of a bond.
Then a voice cut through their moment.
"My name is Cairn Velros."
All three girls turned slowly, in perfect unison.
Melissa folded her arms.
"Who asked you?"
"I—I thought we were introducing ourselves."
"We were," Trisha said flatly, "but it was a girl moment."
"So introduce yourself to Amos or something," Melissa added.
Cairn's eyes slid toward the boy reading a children's book with absolute focus.
"Introduce myself to Amos? I've known him since we were kids."
"Then talk to the wall," Trisha finished.
Cairn's mouth opened… then shut.
The girls, sensing weakness, continued their light bullying.
Even Eghosa began to laugh quietly.
It felt like a school trip—warm, chaotic, human.
Amos didn't comment, but Eghosa noticed the tiny pause in his finger on the page.
He wasn't unmoved—just too disciplined to show it.
---
A calm voice broke the playful energy.
"Since introductions are happening, allow us as well."
The taller UNE judge stepped forward.
Rapel.
He was built like a man who had lifted too many enemies and too many regrets—broad shoulders, a faint silver scar glowing across his cheek, eyes that looked like they had seen things a human mind shouldn't.
Beside him stood Bion, calm and quiet, a faint mechanical hum vibrating from the device strapped to his wrist like a sleeping beast.
"I am Rapel," he said.
"And this is Bion.
We are your escorts to the Empire Royal Academy."
Bion nodded.
"We'll be traveling another fourteen hours.
So now is the best time to ask questions."
The ship quieted instantly.
This felt too generous.
Too open.
Even Amos lifted his head, marking his place with one finger.
Trisha raised her hand first.
"Are you two military?"
Rapel chuckled softly.
"No. We are enforcers—like your planet's, but trained by UNE standards.
A soldier would never be used as escort."
Cairn nodded knowingly.
"I suspected. I've seen a soldier before."
The entire cabin shifted their attention to him.
Cairn continued, voice thoughtful:
"He was twelve feet tall. His skin looked indestructible. His presence was… heavy. Terrifying.
Compared to that… you two are strong, but normal."
Bion took no offense.
"That was a soldier. Humanity's true shield.
We are nowhere near their level."
A hush fell again.
Then Amos spoke—quiet, sharp:
"You mentioned Master Races. Define it."
The judges exchanged a look.
Rapel exhaled slowly and projected a hologram—twelve glowing sigils orbiting the group like ancient planets.
"There are twelve Master Races."
1. Humans
2. Fremicks
3. Zephons
4. Planticus
5. Baziun
6. Ziuds
7. Baka
8. Anterrocons
9. Serinar
10. Omini-Narians
11. Zoll-Em
12. Jada
He listed them one by one.
Each emblem blazed with a unique color and shape, shadows twisting around them as though each symbol held a piece of cosmic history.
"These races didn't earn their titles through politics," Rapel continued.
"They became what they are through evolution, strength, and influence."
"So they rule the galaxy?" Trisha asked.
"No." Bion's answer was immediate.
"They survive the galaxy.
Everyone else… tries not to die."
Eghosa's chest tightened.
Survive, not rule.
That distinction shook her.
Rapel raised one finger.
"The difference between a Master Race and a Servant Race is simple:
A Servant Race cannot enslave or dominate a Master Race."
Second finger.
"Master Races answer only to the Empire."
Third finger.
"And then there is the boon."
The hologram changed.
The entire cabin brightened with swirling starlight as a living map of the galaxy appeared—massive, terrifying, beautiful.
Gasps echoed from every corner.
The map was alive:
stars shifting,
sectors blinking,
energy streams flowing like arteries in a cosmic body.
"It updates in real time," Rapel said.
"It shows resources, dangers, Servant Races, anomalies, even ruins and cosmic storms."
Amos spoke again—voice soft but cutting:
"With this, a race can expand far beyond natural limits.
A shortcut to growth."
Bion smiled, impressed.
"Exactly."
Rapel lowered his hands.
"And lastly—Master Races may enter dimensions.
Servant Races who attempt it… face eradication."
Even Trisha didn't dare ask further.
---
Melissa leaned forward.
"So what is the Academy for?"
"We don't know," Bion answered honestly.
"The Empire ordered it. We obeyed."
"And finishing it gives…?" Eghosa pressed.
"A reward," Bion replied.
"Enough to change your life.
Enough to change your world."
Trisha swallowed hard.
Even Cairn looked unsettled.
Eghosa felt her heartbeat rising—fear, excitement, hope all mixing.
Hours passed in questions, small jokes, wandering thoughts.
Then—
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
"Spatial interference detected."
The lights flickered.
The holo-screen blurred—
—then the stars tore open.
Space twisted like a wounded beast.
Reality folded in on itself.
A massive rift split the darkness, shimmering with unstable colors.
A dimensional wound.
Trisha screamed.
Eghosa froze.
Cairn instinctively grabbed his sword hilt.
Even Amos leaned forward, eyes narrowing with real interest for the first time.
Rapel spoke softly, almost reverently:
"That… is your destination."
Bion's voice followed like a final drumbeat—
"Inside that dimension lies your new school."
Eghosa swallowed, breath shaking.
The universe she knew had ended.
The future she feared had begun.
The rift pulsed.
And the ship flew toward it.