The Bronze Academy sat on a jagged peak in the High-Wilds, a fortress of burnished metal and reinforced glass that looked like a crown for a mountain. It was the premier "re-education" center for the children of the elite and the ultimate cage for those deemed "unstable" by the Global Council.
Inside the Academy’s central courtyard, Leo stood at the edge of a sparring ring. He was wearing the bronze-and-gold uniform of a "Scholar," but his eyes were fixed on the sky. He could feel the vibration in his bones, the low-frequency hum of a Sterling engine.
"Focus, Sterling!" a drill-instructor barked. The man was a Beta with shoulders the size of boulders, his scent a mix of old sweat and copper. "The Moon won't save you here. Here, we only respect the Bronze."
Leo didn't answer. He reached
