Chapter 4.1: The Cube & Campus Executives

After a tiring day of training, Rogia grabbed her things from the back of the cab. All she wants at that moment is to have good rest. She had already reached the cube gateway, which served as a passageway to their allotted apartment. In this tunnel, it is not the room or floor number that should be pressed but the hora. The hora is a wristwatch-like device that is given to every pupil in this universe. Likewise, it is provided to recover your identity in this sector. The cube gateway, which happened to be the elevator of the realm, closed as it slid towards her dorm at the speed of light.

When the door opened, Rogia didn't hesitate to come out because she was so tired. The first thing she noticed was the open door from her roommate's cabin. She set her belongings on the nearby counter and had a look around as she reached for an apple. This time nothing was damaged as she expected due to her past experiences with the former roommate. She removed her outer coats and went in search of her companion. She knew it was there since she looked at the vicinity of the bathroom. She approached it to introduce herself when she was taken aback by its intention. The woman dashed towards her, holding the toothbrush from the sink. She avoided it nonchalantly since she knew she'd rather spend her energy dodging other things than this. She glanced at her garment from down until she could stare into her eyes. She was wondering how someone like her could get into this realm. She also wanted to bet that perhaps the woman in front of her would not be around for long. She bit into the apple she was holding with a mischievous smile.

"I'm Rogia, nice to meet you too," she said. She left the bathroom while Maxine was dumbfounded and went back into the living room. She comfortably flattened herself horizontally on the sofa because she was tired. Maxine departs from the bathroom while trying to sneak on the sides.

"Where am I? I'm Maxine, btw" Maxine said as she slowly approached Rogia on the couch. Her left arm is rested on her forehead as she glanced at Maxine's approach.

"You should've known, no one had the power to enter this world unless you have that," Rogia said after she pointed towards her necklace. Maxine glanced in the direction she was telling, only to see the stone transform into a chain.

"Svetlo finds its owner. There are only a few people to be invited as hunters. Unfortunately, you're one of them" Rogia closed her eyes again after her message.

Maxine fell into silence. From her perspective, this is the right decision. Whatever the outcome, staying in this place is for Alscheya's release from the burden she has imposed on herself. While reminiscing, she realized she had a companion going here, Austin.

"Austin!!" Maxine blurted out of nowhere.

"Hey! Can't you see, I tryin' to rest here?" Rogia replied as she was annoyed.

Maxine immediately apologized. She, on the other hand, became engrossed in her deep thoughts once more. Trying to figure out the best way to get out of here and find Austin. She decided to find the doorway out of this room after a few minutes of standing in the same spot. She discovered the cube gateway after taking a turn. Analyzing it, this appears to be an elevator, yet there are no buttons to press. She paused for a moment to ponder the best method to open it. Maxine placed her hand against the door, preparing to knock when she spotted something. Her arm hangs wristwatch-a-like device. Without hesitation, she put the watch in front of the small scanner next to the door.

She walked in as soon as the door swung open. There is no handle in that small space, but you can see how fast the cube gateway functionality is. She wasn't easily swayed or anything, but she could stand on her own two feet. The door opened in the distance as well. A bizarre scenario of a location appeared before her eyes. As she went out of the cube gateway, she noticed additional people outside wearing the same outfit as hers but in a different hue. It's a little bit of vibrated than usual.

"Maxine!!" someone screamed. She looked behind her and found Rogia gasping for air.

"Don't you have at least care for your roommate when are you leaving? Another thing, do you know where to go?!" said Rogia as she was trying to gasp for air. Knowing it transported her new roommate out after she noticed that the cube gateway was working, she felt a little concerned about her getting lost.

"No, but I have a mission to do. I have to go," Maxine replied. Rogia dashed in front of her to slightly give her a push on the shoulder.

"Stop right there. This isn't about your world anymore. If you think being on your own can solve anything.. then think again." Rogia told her as she leaned closer to her face.

"Follow me!" said Rogia as she started to walk away. She felt that Maxine wasn't moving, so she did not stop walking and scream again.

"I'm not asking you!"

A few individuals turned to them as a result of the shout. Maxine had no choice but to follow the woman. It still doesn't trust her at this stage, despite being her companion in the Cube. As she wandered around the place, the place looked different from a typical building she used to live. It's too flashy, vibrant, and futuristic. The floors and walls are full of neon colors such as plastic pink, proton purple, and electric cyan. She also noticed that the place didn't have many doors, but it was an open field with many people chatting. There are also chairs and a table on the second floor. However, the floor seemed to be invisible. Anywhere she looked, it was as if they were about to fight. They convey the aura of a warrior, knight, guardian, or perhaps a happy individual. She believes that if it weren't for her, Alscheya would be in this condition. Rogia stopped walking as they reached the end of the field. A cab also stopped in front of them as it would be their ride going to the campus' office.

"This place right here is the Cube. If you're thinking of an apartment or dorm kind then, yes, you are right. That transportation you ride, that shock the heck out of me, that's cube gateway or elevator from the real world!" Rogia told her while she awaited her to enter the cab with her.

"Things are usually similar from our world.. but this is more magical," said Rogia.

A vehicle without a driver went in front of them. The cab started moving towards their destination. On this journey, you can observe many types of light all around you that serve as the energy of the place's presence. They also passed a shop where people were carrying weaponry as they left. Based on their behaviors, they may be preparing for war.

"You said earlier that we're hunters, aren't we supposed to get one of those?" Maxine asked.

"Hunters are trained, not a smuggler. For now, the possession of those weapons is impossible for you. You need to pass a lot of classes, rookie." Rogia replied.

"Class? Isn't that a word used for students?" once again asked the curious Maxine.

"Exactly, this realm is a university for the hunters. We are getting some practices to protect the outer world. Aren't you a guardian when you were born?" Rogia asked her back.

"Unfortunately, I became a burden for someone. Taking her place is my only redemption for that person. How 'bout you?" said Maxine.

"Same," Rogia responds with a simple answer.

"How long you've been here? You seem to be tired earlier," said Maxine.

"Something you'll have to deal with soon. Do you see that corner over there? Bring in your hora and show it to them. From there, you'll have everything you need." said Rogia as she pointed towards a building around the corner. They left the cab and entered the building.

Inside, there is a large sign that says Campus Executives Department. A robot greeted them at the reception area. The robot commands them to show their hora clinging to his arm. Her name, birthday, ID number, and other personal information are displayed on the screen. After Maxine confirmed this, the robot directed them to follow it. They were led to a room full of individuals seated in front of monitors at the end of the hallway. The robot stepped away for a moment to look for her file. When he returned, he was carrying a flash drive-like device. The hora was poked into Maxine's arm, and the processing began. It didn't take long until they were told to return to their Cube. It also reminded them to study for their forthcoming rookie test. They decided to leave the premises as Rogia invited Maxine to go to a coffee shop nearby. As they approached the coffee shop, there must be some commotion going on there.

"I said my order should be extra hot with two syrup pumps! I can't taste any sweetness!" said the lady, getting frustrated over her messed-up order.

"We did that already, and you've been complaining every day about it, yet you still order here. Come on, just come back another day!" said the counter person who pulled out a sword. The lady customer also pulled out a dagger as she stood in a fighting stance— the crew inside the cafe pulled out their weapons, too, expecting any instances.

"Madam, you knew you don't want where this would go.. just come back another day." one of the waiter crew said. The lady held onto her dagger tightly as she swiftly dashed away, leaving the cup of coffee slashed open. Maxine's eyes widened as the lady stopped in front of her in a blink of an eye.

"Regards my message to the manager," said the lady. She slowly walked towards the exit calmly as if nothing happened.

"Are these kinds of situations normal?" Maxine asked.

"Get used to it," Rogia replied as she skipped the spilled coffee. As they reached the counter, the crew was back to normal with its cocky smile.

They ordered something to fulfill their stomachs within their stay there. They got their chairs near the window sill.

"Hi, welcome to Mysterical High! Your perfect field to fulfill the prophecy!" the hora said as Maxine opened it.

"I've scrolled through this hora thing for some time after the robot put something in it. How do I start my training? What's with this badge or logo at the corner part? How do I spend this allowance given for me?" Maxine was asking a lot of questions.

"Hunts are initiated randomly. What matters is that as a hunter, you have a limited-time mission every now and then, so keep an eye on that. That badge in the upper corner is your definition of a semester in the outer world. Unlike the old system, we're supposed to fulfill three semesters here, depending on your own pace. Right now, we're both under Emergent or usually called rookies. The next one was called MI or the Minor, which allows you to have the advantage to take part-time jobs such as those crew. Lastly, you got MA or the Fully-fledged students, which allows you to have a chance to be in the position or at least one of the Junior Executives." Rogia replied as she stared at the nearest building that they had been to earlier.

"Allowance or the currency was called EDA in here and is given after every mission that was finished. However, collecting missions shouldn't be your goal. Winning all the hunts, exceeding the popularity poll and parties, and be one of them must be your priority. You can thank me now" Rogia flashed a smug smile after all the information she shared.

"Oh, please give me signs when you're trying to make me laugh. Coz' I think my humor is broken," Maxine said as they both chuckled.

"So you mean to say, there are parties that should be accomplished too? I've seen some announcements for my scheduled classes, my missions, and some information too. There is also a map that shows the navigation— hold up, I can teleport too?" Maxine asked while she was checking out the hora.

"Definitely! Get easy on spending your EDA's, and there are times that some stealers are treating hunters as heck. Take note, your time spent here and in the outer world is different. Even you have the key to the portal, and you don't have any right to leave here, not unless your semesters are all done." Rogia told her as she sat comfortably. Maxine took a sip of her coffee while she was still looking at some facts.

"Before I forgot, who is Austin?" Maxine was fascinated by what she heard from Rogia. In all she has gone through today, she was reminded of someone she came from within this realm. Where could he be?