Chapter 45: Summoner’s Military base on another planet

Chapter 45: Summoner’s Military base on another planet For a brief moment, as the students stepped through the portal, all that could be seen was an endless wash of green—like a veil of emerald mist. It shimmered around them, glowing with a strange hue, until it slowly dissipated. Then, like curtains being drawn back on a grand stage, a new sight began to reveal itself. They emerged into a colossal metallic chamber, its sheer size enough to make even the most stoic students widen their eyes. The arched ceiling loomed high above, giving the place an almost cathedral-like presence, though everything here was cold, precise, and mechanical. The walls were forged from a thick, glistening metal that reflected the dull overhead lights, casting faint reflections of the students wherever they turned. It was massive—unreal even. And standing ahead of them were three military personnel. Two of them stood slightly apart, faces focused and eyes glued to the tablets they held in hand, their fingers dancing across the screens as if calculating something important. The third man stood still, hands behind his back, his expression unreadable, eyes observing the students with a sharp and disciplined gaze. His uniform clung tightly to his broad frame, and across his face was a long jagged scar that started just above his right brow and stretched down to his jaw—old, faded, but deep. A mark not easily forgotten. A relic from war, no doubt. When the men with the tablets were finished, the scarred soldier stepped forward with purpose in his stride and authority in his voice. "Hello students. I am Military Agent Tom, and I will be your guide around this base so you can get accustomed to your new home as quickly as possible. Please follow me. And no pushing," he announced, his voice firm and gruff, bordering on aggressive, though it carried the weight of command. Without hesitation, the group of students followed closely behind him. The line formed itself naturally, like water flowing into a stream, each student aware that this wasn’t the place to cause trouble or ask too many questions. Kairos glanced at the man. ’Agent Tom? So he isn’t a sergeant...’ he thought, already noticing the rank disparity between the military academy they came from and this unfamiliar base. As Tom led them through the metallic halls, he spoke over his shoulder with the precision of someone used to giving orders. "This planet’s terrain is hostile, so pay close attention. Day lasts longer than night, and the atmosphere can shift rapidly without warning. Being alone at night is not just dangerous—it’s foolish," he said, his tone devoid of any comfort. He continued, giving a long, detailed explanation of the world’s surface. He spoke of regions unexplored, of thick jungles where strange fauna thrived, and of mountains that never stopped shifting. His lecture was less a warning and more a blunt declaration: survival here required discipline, and carelessness would be punished swiftly—perhaps fatally. ’Another planet...’ Kairos’s heart pounded faster as the realization solidified. ’This... this isn’t Earth anymore.’ He didn’t know if the sensation in his chest was excitement or anxiety—or maybe a strange mix of both. Either way, his mind raced with what that meant. The weight of the unknown pressed down on him. "I know many of you have questions, which I will not entertain," Agent Tom said sharply. "So keep them to yourselves. I’ll explain what I can—and you’d better listen." He stopped in the middle of a large hall and turned to them. "You will be receiving specialized gear to assist you during the hunt. I’m sure most of you already expected that. But let me start with this—your phones have now been automatically updated." The murmurs started to rise slightly before his glare silenced them. "Each device now contains a detailed map of all currently explored areas on this planet. It will help guide you during missions. Additionally, we’ve activated a sensitivity system that will assist in identifying creatures you encounter. The phone will analyze the beast’s type, grade, strengths, and weaknesses. So I suggest you don’t lose it." Almost instinctively, every student reached into their pockets, checking for their phones as if they were suddenly lifelines. The significance of their devices had changed. No longer just tools of convenience—they were weapons, shields, eyes, and ears. Eventually, they reached a building that somewhat resembled the dormitories of the Military Academy, but much smaller. The doors were tightly spaced, suggesting cramped quarters and efficiency over comfort. "This will be your dorm for the next few days. Girls on the left, boys on the right," Tom stated without pause, already turning to lead them away again. The base was clearly not designed for leisure. Every corner, every corridor, every station reeked of purpose—tight, efficient, and serious. No luxury, no distractions. Tom continued the tour, taking them through various sectors of the base. Some were already familiar to the students, but others were unlike anything they’d ever seen. One station in particular drew Kairos’s attention. It was a laboratory—sterile and white, humming with machinery. Men in pristine lab coats worked on what looked like core-infused weapons. Sparks flew, screens flickered with data, and energy pulsed from devices that looked years ahead of anything on Earth. ’Core weapons...’ Kairos’s eyes widened in fascination. A few other students had also slowed, curiosity painted on their faces. But Tom, unmoved, barely gave them a few seconds before barking, "Keep moving." "To think... the military actually lied," Carlos muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Kairos to hear. Kairos nodded slightly, not looking back. ’I’ve been thinking the same thing...’ he admitted silently. But he swallowed the thoughts quickly. He didn’t want trouble. "I know," he replied quietly. "But why should we worry? I don’t have family or influence like you do. I can’t afford to question their motives. I’d be erased—just like that." Carlos looked at him and nodded slowly, understanding. "I see... You’re different." Kairos didn’t answer. But inside, the thoughts kept spiraling. ’Why did they lie to us? Why hide the fact we were leaving Earth? What else are they hiding?’ Eventually, they reached an enormous metal door—fortified, sealed tight, practically humming with power. Tom stopped before it, saying nothing, simply tilting his face up toward the security camera above. A moment passed. Then, with a deep mechanical groan, the door shifted. A loud thud echoed, followed by the rolling grind of gears. The doors began to open. Blinding light spilled through the crack—too bright, almost unnatural. "Go forward and be mesmerized," Tom said. It might have sounded kind if not for the harshness of his voice, which made it feel more like an order than an invitation. The students stepped forward one by one. Kairos trailed behind, eyes squinting, trying to adjust to the light. And when he finally stepped outside, the world changed. The light overwhelmed him. For a moment, he was blind—like walking into a star. But then, as his vision adjusted... He froze. Mouth wide open. Breath held. Before him lay an alien world of beauty. The terrain was surreal: forests of pink and green trees stretched far into the horizon. The sky glowed with an orange hue, dotted with stars like it was already twilight, even though the sun—a massive glowing orb—burned brightly above. The air was crisp and cold. Beneath his feet, the leaves crunched thickly, foreign yet oddly comforting. "It’s beautiful," a soft voice said beside him—Kaela. She spoke so quietly only someone listening closely would catch it. It was exactly what Kairos had been thinking. He exhaled slowly, filled with awe and disbelief. ’So this... this is another planet.’ ***Author’s note*** Since I have been typing and Mass releasing 5 Chapters for I think 5 days, I’ll settle for 3 since I am at a current burnout. Please continue to support nonetheless. I’ll try to go back to mass releasing soon.