No one knew how they had arrived. The steel doors slammed shut behind the last student with a dull thud. There were no goodbyes, no promises of returning home. Once inside High University, the outside world ceased to matter. Phones had no signal, the windows showed only an artificial sky, and every hallway was monitored by cameras that never blinked. No one clearly remembered how they had agreed to enter; they all shared the same detail: after crossing the main gate, leaving was no longer an option.
In that place lived elite soldiers, assassins, monsters, digital creatures, and people who, anywhere else, wouldn't even stand breathing the same air. Bedrooms, classes, schedules, and even friendships were decided by a central system that changed the rules whenever it pleased. Disobeying meant losing privileges, disappearing for days, or waking up elsewhere on campus without any explanation.
The speakers emitted a brief beep before an artificial, surprisingly calm voice echoed throughout the building.
—"Welcome to High University. From this moment on, you are property of the system. Your only obligation is to adapt, obey, and survive. We wish you a pleasant stay."—
The lights of the massive lobby finally turned on, revealing all the new students gathered face-to-face for the first time. Some remained silent, others watched with suspicion, and a few simply smiled, because even in a place from which no one could escape, there was always someone who found it fun to turn coexistence into a disaster.