The train station at Valorian City was unlike anything Leon had seen. Glass architecture, polished floors, digital displays showing arrival and departure times in multiple languages. Even the air felt different—cleaner, somehow.

  Leon followed the flow of students exiting, most of them looking far more confident than he felt. Designer luggage, expensive clothes, small groups already chatting like they knew each other.

  He made his way to the information desk where a woman in a crisp uniform smiled professionally.

  "Student ID, please."

  Leon handed over the card that had arrived with his acceptance packet. She scanned it, and her smile became slightly more fixed.

  "D4 status. Your residence is in the D Region, Dorm Four. Transportation to the academy city is available outside. Follow the blue signs."

  "Thank you."

  Outside, multiple buses were lined up in organized rows, each marked with letters—A, B, C, D. There were several of each, loading students. Leon noticed the A buses were fewer, sleek and luxurious like private coaches. B buses were Luxury but less extravagant. C buses looked comfortable and modern. The D buses were clean and functional, but noticeably more basic.

  Leon found one marked "D Region" and climbed aboard. It was already half-full with students, all carrying various amounts of luggage. He found a seat near the middle and settled in.

  The bus filled up more—apparently D region had a decent population. Makes sense, Leon thought. If the hierarchy went A, B, C, D, the lower ranks would naturally have more students.

  The drive took twenty minutes. Through the windows, Leon watched the city unfold. It was massive—easily the size of a small metropolis. Modern buildings, wide streets, shopping districts, parks. All of it surrounding what must be the academy itself, visible in the distance behind tall walls.

  The bus made several stops within D Region. Leon watched students get off at different points—D1, D2, D3. Each stop seemed progressively less polished. By the time only a few students remained, Leon realized they must all be heading to D4.

  He stepped off at the final stop and looked around.

  D Region was noticeably different from what he'd glimpsed of other areas during the drive. The buildings were newer but more utilitarian. Clean, functional, but lacking the architectural flair. Shops and cafes lined the streets, but they seemed more basic.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  He pulled out the campus map on his phone. Dorm Four should be... north from here. About a fifteen minute walk.

  Leon started walking, dragging his suitcases behind him. The streets had clear markers—D1, D2, D3, D4. He was heading toward D4, apparently the furthest section.

  After ten minutes, he got turned around. The map wasn't quite matching what he was seeing. He spotted what looked like a nicer area ahead—cleaner streets, better maintained buildings.

  He walked toward it, thinking maybe his dorm was that direction.

  A barrier stopped him. Not physical—just a scanning post with a clear sign: "C Region. Status C3 and above only."

  Leon approached it anyway, thinking maybe it was just informational.

  His student ID buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out. A red message flashed across the screen: "Access Denied. Insufficient Status Level."

  "Hey, you lost?"

  Leon turned. A security guard was approaching, expression neutral but firm.

  "I'm looking for Dorm Four."

  "D4?" The guard checked a tablet. "That's back the way you came, then north. You can't access C Region with D4 status."

  "Oh. Sorry, I didn't realize—"

  "New student?" The guard's expression softened slightly. "Yeah” , “ happens every year. Status determines region access. D4 can only access D Region. You'll get used to it."

  "Right. Thanks."

  Leon backtracked, face warm. He should have read the information packet more carefully.

  He found the correct path this time, heading deeper into D Region. The buildings got progressively simpler. Dorm One looked decent—modern, well-maintained. Dorm Two was similar. Three was noticeably older, more worn.

  And Four...

  Leon kept walking, suitcases feeling heavier. He must have taken a wrong turn again. The buildings here looked almost run-down compared to what he'd seen earlier.

  "Excuse me," he said, approaching a guy around his age wearing a Valorian uniform. The ID card visible on his lanyard showed D2. "Do you know where Dorm Four is?"

  The guy looked at him, then at his suitcases, then at the ID card Leon was still holding.

  "D4?", “ Yes “ Leon replied, the guy’s lip curled slightly. “keep going that way. Can't miss it. It's the dump at the end."

  "Oh. Thanks—"

  "Word of advice," the guy interrupted. "Maybe don't broadcast your status so obviously. D4s don't exactly have the best reputation here."

  He walked away before Leon could respond.

  Leon stood there for a moment, then continued walking. His grip on his suitcase handles tightened.

  Other students passed him, most with D2 or D3 on their IDs. Some glanced at him, noticed his luggage and lost expression, and quickly looked away. Others whispered to their companions, eyes flicking back to him.

  He was already being categorized. Judged.

  The walk felt longer than it should have. Finally, Leon saw it—a building at the end of the street, noticeably older than the others. Four stories, gray concrete, minimal decoration. A sign out front: "Dorm 4."

  This was it. His home for the next year.

  Leon approached the entrance, passing a few other students who were coming and going. Their conversations stopped when they saw him, new face with luggage, clearly just arriving.

  No one greeted him. No one offered help.

  He reached the main doors and stopped, looking up at the building.

  D4 status. The lowest rank in the lowest region. In a school that apparently operated on strict hierarchy, he was at the very bottom.

  Leon took a breath, adjusted his grip on his suitcases, and pushed open the door.

  Ready or not, this was his new reality.

  He stepped inside.