The second day followed the same pattern as the first.

  Classes ran smoothly. Professor Williams continued his economics lecture, breaking down supply and demand curves. Business Foundations covered organizational structures. Strategic Analysis introduced case study methodology.

  The D3 students sat in their section. The D4 students sat in theirs. Everyone took notes, asked occasional questions, and went about their day.

  No orders. No incidents. Just normal classes.

  During the walk to lunch, Leon mentioned it to Noah.

  "Maybe Jay was being overdramatic. It's been two days and nothing's happened."

  "Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. The D3 students in our class seem pretty normal."

  They grabbed their food and found an empty table. A guy they hadn't seen before was sitting alone nearby, eating methodically while reading something on his tablet. His ID showed D4.

  Noah, being Noah, walked over. "Hey, mind if we sit here? Tables are filling up."

  The guy glanced up briefly. "Go ahead."

  They sat down. Leon started eating while Noah made another attempt at conversation.

  "I'm Noah. This is Leon. We're in room 204."

  "Krai."

  "You a first year too?"

  "Yes."

  "Which classes are you taking?"

  "Economics, Business Foundations, Strategic Analysis." Same as them, apparently.

  Noah tried a few more questions but got mostly single-word responses. Krai seemed content to eat his lunch and read, not particularly interested in socializing.

  "You know," Leon said after a moment, "having a low rank might not be as bad as everyone made it sound. Two days in and things have been pretty normal."

  Krai looked up at that. A small smile crossed his face—not friendly, more condescending. "You're underestimating human nature."

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  "What do you mean?"

  "You think the D3 students in our classes are kind people who don't want to take advantage of the academy's rules?" Krai set down his fork. "They're not. They're just new. Still figuring out how things work here, getting comfortable with the system."

  "So you think they'll start using the hierarchy thing?" Noah asked.

  "Of course. Give them time. They'll show their true nature eventually. People always do when they have power over others." Krai returned to his food. "The only way to survive here is to aim for a higher rank. Though that's rare."

  Leon and Noah exchanged glances. Krai's assessment was darker than Jay's, more cynical.

  "Well," Noah said, trying to lighten the mood, "guess we'll see what happens."

  Krai shrugged and went back to reading. After a few more minutes, Leon and Noah finished eating and headed out. Krai stayed behind, still absorbed in his tablet.

  "Friendly guy," Noah muttered once they were outside.

  "Seems like he's been thinking about this a lot."

  "Yeah, but he's also pretty pessimistic. Maybe things won't be that bad."

  "Maybe."

  The afternoon classes passed without incident. By 4:30, they were done for the day.

  As they packed up, Noah pulled out a flyer from his bag. "Hey, want to check out some clubs? They're doing recruitment this week."

  Leon looked at the flyer. Various clubs were listed—sports, academic, cultural, hobby-based. "Sure, why not."

  They spent the next hour and a half walking through the facility's common areas where different clubs had set up booths. Basketball, soccer, debate club, business strategy club, coding club, photography, chess. The variety was impressive even for the D region facility.

  Noah stopped at the basketball booth almost immediately.

  "I played in middle school," he told the upperclassman running the booth. "Had to focus on studying in high school, but I've been wanting to get back into it."

  "We practice three times a week, matches on weekends. You should try out."

  "Definitely."

  They continued walking. Leon looked at different options—debate club seemed interesting, but public speaking wasn't his strength. Chess club was too competitive. Photography required equipment he didn't have.

  The business strategy club caught his attention briefly. They ran simulations and case competitions. But he wasn't sure yet.

  "See anything you like?" Noah asked.

  "Not sure yet. I'll think about it."

  "You've got a week to decide. Most clubs are still accepting members."

  By 6:00, they were heading back to the dorm. Noah was clearly excited about basketball, already planning to attend the tryouts on Friday.

  "What about you?" he asked Leon. "Nothing caught your interest?"

  "A few things, maybe. I'll check them out more this week."

  "Fair enough."

  They reached the dorm as other students were filtering in for dinner. The lobby was busy with people discussing their days, complaining about assignments, making plans.

  Leon and Noah grabbed food and ate quickly, both tired from the long day. Afterward, they returned to their room.

  Noah immediately pulled up information about the basketball club on his phone, reading through practice schedules and team requirements. Leon sat at his desk, reviewing the club flyers they'd collected.

  Still not sure about which one to join.

  His phone buzzed. A notification about tomorrow's classes—readings due, an assignment to prepare.

  Leon opened his laptop and started working. Across the room, Noah was still absorbed in basketball information, looking happier than he had since arriving at academy.

  At least one of them had found something they wanted here.

  Leon focused on his reading, letting the evening settle into routine.