Planet Nova — on its first and largest continent, learning is the lifeblood that flows through its core. At the center of this intellectual haven stands Nova Academy, the most prestigious educational institution on the planet. Revered and maintained by the World Council—the global ruling body that rose after the final war against the beasts—it serves not just as a place of study, but as a monument to civilization's rebirth.
Surrounding the academy, the city bursts with energy. A vibrant fusion of cultures and species, it's a place where science meets commerce, and innovation walks hand-in-hand with curiosity. Shops of every kind line the wide, polished streets, their signs flickering with holographic allure. Vendors call out to passing students, robotic assistants scurry between delivery points, and the scent of fusion food drifts from open stalls.
The streets are alive with people and the quiet hum of low-danger ground vehicles—personal transports designed for local movement. Above them, the skies form lanes of organized motion. Cars, shuttles, and cargo crafts glide through invisible paths governed by near-perfect AI systems. Centuries of refinement have brought the margin of error down to virtually nothing. Less than a 1% chance of accidents exists on a global scale.
Except, of course… for those rare few who cause chaos deliberately.
But that's a story for another time.
Inside one of the Science Department dorms—room 417 to be exact—a teenage boy lay sprawled across his bed, surrounded by half-finished machines and blinking modules. Inventions filled every shelf and hovered in midair, rotating gently in diagnostic mode.
The boy's name was Arden. Like everyone around him, he was a Xenon—but his appearance stood out in a quiet, striking way. He closely resembled the ancient Xenons, those seen in old archives and preserved simulations: near-xenon features, clean-cut frame, pale complexion, and silver-tinted eyes.
The only distinct difference was the single black horn curving from his forehead—a trait not uncommon among modern Xenons. Evolution had branched their species in many directions, and features like horns, bioluminescent marks, or differently pigmented skin were now part of everyday diversity.
But Arden's overall form—the way he moved, the way he looked—felt like a reflection of a time long past. And that made people look twice.
Suddenly, a loud chime echoed through the room. Arden groaned, reaching over to the box on his bedside table. With a tap, a holographic screen flickered to life above it.
On-screen was a blue-skinned boy—similar in appearance, but more in line with the current Xenon evolution. His name was Luo, and his voice boomed through the speakers:
"ARDEN! Are you dumb?!"
Startled, Arden jolted—and fell off the bed with a thud.
"Ouch! Hey, Luo! What the hell was that about?!"
Luo's expression was a mix of disbelief and fury. "Are you seriously asking me that? What did you do recently?"
Arden scratched his head. "What did I do…?"
"You went into a Level 2 Danger Zone, Arden! You're a Level 1 warrior—and not even at the peak! Worse, you took only your janky inventions!"
Arden chuckled. "Oh… that. Yeah. It was fine, actually. Good testing ground."
"Good for testing?! Sigh You really know how to piss me off. Look—just promise this is the last time. Or I'm telling our moms."
Arden gave a sheepish grin. "Thanks, bro. Promise. Last time."
Luo sighed deeply, not believing a word. Arden had a reputation for recklessness. Even as his half-brother, Luo couldn't understand why Arden insisted on risking his life for the sake of experiments.
The call ended.
Arden stared at the screen for a moment, then whispered under his breath, "Sorry, bro… but I have to do this. Time's running out. And no one's going to believe me unless I prove it myself."
After a quick shower, Arden settled into his chair, leaned back, and tapped a glowing panel on the armrest. A wide interface projected in front of him.
"Maybe a game'll help clear my head..."
He opened the Game Hub, a massive archive of entertainment from every genre. As he browsed, one listing caught his eye—odd and out of place.
A game with no icon, no developer name, and only the title:
"Fast & Furious"
Arden blinked. "Huh? That's not supported on this platform… And it has no publisher tag?"
He was about to report it—but something about it pulled at him. Like a whisper at the back of his mind.
"...Well, it's not like I have anything better planned. Might as well check it out."
He tapped Launch.
But nothing happened—at least, not right away.
Then, the screen flickered, displaying a strange message:
[Thanks for giving the game a try. A watch will now be provided. Check your left arm and tap it twice to begin. Please ensure you are in a safe environment before proceeding.]
Arden blinked. "What?"
Instinctively, he glanced at his left arm—and froze.
A sleek, black watch now clung to his wrist. He had no memory of putting it on. But instead of panicking, he felt… calm. Strangely calm. As if something was dulling his anxiety.
Then, without his consent, his right arm moved—tapping the watch twice, just as the message had instructed. Arden tried to stop it, but his body wouldn't respond. His expression remained composed, though inside, confusion bubbled.
The watch pulsed. A moment later, a mask unfolded from its edges, snapping into place over his face in one seamless motion.
Still, no fear. No panic. Something unnatural was keeping him steady.
Then, in the blink of an eye, the world around him dissolved.
He stood in a vast white void—empty, endless. Pulses of energy drifted across it in grid-like patterns, as though space itself had been coded.