Shadow Being System

The academy field was buzzing with activity. Several black, reinforced buses, large enough to carry around 50 students each, were parked along the perimeter of the field. Each bus bore a number painted on its side, representing a different academy. In the distance, a makeshift tent had been set up, where clerks worked efficiently, processing students who had formed a long line in front of them.

William joined the line, feeling the weight of the moment settle on him. As he stood there, lost in thought, a firm pat landed on his back. He turned to see Sam grinning at him.

"Didn't recognize you for a sec, man!" Sam said, eyeing William's jet-black hair with an amused expression. "You really went all out for the academy, huh?"

William chuckled. "Yeah, new place, new look, right?" He glanced down at Sam's luggage, relieved to see that Sam, like him, was carrying a small, modest suitcase. "Looks like I'm not the only one traveling light."

They continued chatting as the line moved forward. When it was finally their turn, the clerk behind the table asked for their forms and documents. After a quick review and a few stamps, they were each handed a tag.

"Next!" the clerk barked, already waving the next student forward.

William and Sam took their tags and moved toward the buses to stow away their luggage. As they approached their respective buses, Sam turned to William with a wistful smile.

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"Looks like this is it," Sam said, extending his hand.

William grasped his hand and pulled him into a tight hug. "See you on the other side, man. Don't forget to write," he joked.

Just as they were about to part ways, a loud cheer erupted from behind them. William turned, eyes widening as a group of girls rushed toward him, excitement written all over their faces.

"William! Can we get a hug too?" one girl called out, waving excitedly. "Or maybe an autograph... on any part of our body!" another teased, causing a ripple of laughter among the crowd.

William froze, panic flickering in his eyes. "Uh, I..." He glanced around, trying to find an escape route. His feet began moving him toward the front of the military academy bus, where a group of male students were lining up.

Seeing the situation, the male students quickly formed a human shield around William, grinning like mischievous conspirators. One of the boys, a tall, broad-shouldered guy, turned to William with a wink.

"Don't worry, we've got your back, Mr. Celebrity," he said, playfully.

Though they usually eyed William with a bit of disdain, the boys were his allies today. In fact, William knew that on more than one occasion, they had used his good looks to charm girls for phone numbers or even score discounts when shopping. Despite the teasing, they had each other's backs when it counted.

"If you girls want hugs," one of the boys shouted, "you'll have to settle for one of us!" The girls groaned in mock disappointment, shouting back that it was "William or nothing!"

The soldiers stationed nearby watched the playful scene with amusement, some chuckling as they leaned against the buses.

Across the field, inside the military academy bus number 4, three people sat quietly. At the front, an older driver with gray hair and an eye patch covering his left eye glanced at the scene outside through the rearview mirror. Next to him sat a young man with average features, silently observing the lively students. But at the back of the bus was a striking woman in her early twenties.

She was slender, dressed in fitted jeans and a leather jacket, with long, jet-black hair cascading down her back. A pair of black boots completed her immaculate look. She was pristine, almost ethereal in her beauty. As she watched the students laughing and playing, a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips—a smile that was far from mundane.

But that smile soon faded as she sighed, a deep, sorrowful sound that filled the otherwise quiet bus.

The driver, having heard her, glanced back. "What's on your mind?" he asked in a gruff but kind voice.

The woman kept her gaze on the students outside. "It's just... such a pity that their smiles will soon fade," she said softly. "Our generation failed to preserve the smiles of the younger generation."

The driver nodded, his face weathered by experience. "Aye. But it means our generation failed to preserve your generation's smiles too, didn't it?" he said with a touch of regret.

She turned her head slightly, meeting the driver's eye in the mirror, her expression unreadable.

The driver let out a long breath before adding, "Who knows, though... maybe this new generation will be the one to preserve their smiles."

Checking his watch, he sat up straighter. "It's time to head out," he announced, his voice cutting through the lingering heaviness of their conversation.