Roy looked at Omar.
"I'll apply to Silvergate."
The words barely left his mouth before Omar moved. He didn't waste a second, whipping his phone out and tapping furiously.
"I sent you the link. We're registering right now. Open it."
Roy sighed, pulling out his own phone. A message from Omar was already waiting. He tapped it.
The screen flashed white, then displayed the Silvergate Academy logo: a shield design containing a large, stylized letter 'S' hovering above a heavy iron gate. It faded into a sleek, intimidating application portal.
[WELCOME, APPLICANT.]
[DEADLINE: 2 WEEKS, 14 HOURS.]
"There's still plenty of time," Roy muttered, his thumb hovering over the button.
"Don't even think about stalling," Omar said.
Roy tapped [Start Application].
Omar grinned, leaning over Roy's shoulder to supervise.
"Now, fill in the basics. Name, age, ID number. Boring stuff."
Roy pulled out his ID card and typed in his details.
Age: 16. City: New Cairo.
He scrolled down to the next section. His finger froze.
[SECTION 2: ABILITY ASSESSMENT]
[Powers:]
[Rank:]
Roy stared at the blinking cursor.
"Hey," Omar said, nudging him.
"Is something wrong?"
"No. Nothing."
Roy typed quickly.
Rank: B. Powers: Fire, Shadow.
The screen swiped to the final section.
[Short Essay: Why do you want to attend Silvergate Academy?]
"Alright, time to inspire them," Omar said, trying to salvage the mood.
"Write something about protecting the weak. Or... wanting to restore order to the chaos of the Stones! Something heroic."
Roy ignored him. His thumbs moved in a rapid blur against the glass.
"According to the National Superhuman Registry Act, all awakened individuals with Rank B or higher are encouraged to undergo formal training, even if they do not intend to pursue professional heroism. I am applying to ensure my abilities are regulated and safe for public interaction. I chose Silvergate because it is one of the oldest and one of the best academies there is."
Omar squinted at the screen, reading the text out loud in a slow, robotic monotone.
"National Superhuman Registry Act..."
He pulled his head back, looking at Roy with genuine horror.
"Bro, are you applying to be a hero or a lawyer? 'Registry Act'? Really?"
"It sounds professional," Roy argued, not looking up.
"It sounds like you copied the Terms of Service," Marie chimed in, leaning over to read it herself.
"You sound like a robot."
"Yes. That is the point."
Marie frowned.
"How is that the point?"
"Because," Roy explained patiently, "even if I do well on the test, they'll read this essay and think I have zero passion. They'll think I'm just here because I have to be. They won't put me in the top class."
"Wait," Omar said.
"You aren't trying to get into the top class?"
"No."
"Why? Didn't you just agree that you wouldn't hide anymore?"
"I agreed not to run away. That doesn't mean I need to put myself on a billboard," Roy said.
"The top class is a spotlight. The bottom class gets no resources. But the middle class? That's the blind spot."
"The perfect balance of information and anonymity."
"You're actively sabotaging your own future," Omar groaned, sliding his hands down his face.
"Do you know how much easier life would be if you graduated from the top class?"
"Easier for you, maybe," Roy said dryly.
He scrolled to the bottom of the page. A green button pulsed rhythmically.
[SUBMIT APPLICATION]
[WARNING: By clicking this, you certify that your information is correct. Falsification of records may result in immediate disqualification or legal action.]
Roy hesitated.
Once he pressed this, there was no going back. The system would log him. He would be in the database. He was inviting the very world he hated right into his life. And there was the risk that...
Tap.
Roy blinked. Omar's finger was pressing the screen.
[SUBMITTING...]
[UPLOAD COMPLETE.]
"I wasn't going to give you time to reconsider," Omar, a massive grin spreading across his face.
"You're in."
Roy glared at him.
"I would punch you, but you're lucky we're in a public park."
"No need to thank me," Omar shot back, unbothered.
"Okay, I'm done. How about you two?" Roy asked, shoving his phone into his pocket.
"I just finished mine," Marie said, turning her screen to show the confirmation checkmark.
"The only one left is Omar."
Omar sat down, took his phone out, and his thumbs flew across the screen. Less than two minutes later, he looked up.
"Done."
"That was fast," Roy noted.
"I had my answers drafted in my notes app the moment I decided to go." Omar admitted shamelessly.
"So, that's it. Next stop: the exams."
"Right," Roy said.
"Do we actually know what the test is?"
"I don't," Omar said, looking at Marie.
"But she should. She's the one who researched it."
Both boys turned to her.
"Okay, here's the breakdown," Marie said, shifting into lecture mode.
"There are two tests. The first one is a preliminary screening held here in the city. It's simple: a judge from the school asks you to demonstrate your power to see if you meet the baseline requirements."
"And the second?" Omar asked.
Marie's expression grew serious.
"No one actually knows. Students who pass the preliminary are taken to the Academy Palace. It's on an island that doesn't exist on any public map."
Roy raised an eyebrow.
"An invisible island?"
"Every year, some students come back after a few days," Marie continued.
"They never say why they returned, only that they failed the second test. It's like they're sworn to secrecy."
"What the fuck did you two get me into?" Roy rubbed his temples.
"A secret military base?"
"Language," Omar warned.
"There are kids in the park."
"Sorry," Roy muttered.
"But seriously. An unmapped island? A secret test? Is there anything you do know?"
"The most popular theory is that it's a combat trial," Marie said.
"A battle royale."
Roy buried his face in his hands, elbows resting heavily on the table.
"A fight as a test... I'm already regretting this."
"Well, no backing down now," Omar said, standing up and clapping a hand on Roy's shoulder.
"We're in the system."
"Yeah, sure," Roy mumbled.
"No backing down."
"We're in this together," Omar declared. He looked between them, his eyes shining with excitement.
Marie was watching them quietly, a slight hesitation in her posture, as if she was still waiting for
permission to be part of the 'we.'
"The three of us are going to conquer Silvergate," Omar continued.
"I won't," Roy corrected, finally looking up.
"But you two can conquer whatever gates you want."
Omar ignored the pessimism and turned to Marie.
"What about you, Marie?" Omar asked.
"Are you in?"
Marie looked at the two of them.
She smiled.
"Of course. I'm in."