Meridian Academy

By nanattic

MERIDIAN ACADEMY

Rotterdam, the Netherlands — 2312.

Once, giant humanoid machines known as mecha were symbols of warfare.

After the Great Mecha War ended in 2234, their military use was prohibited.
But the technology itself never disappeared.

Mecha found new roles in disaster response, heavy industry, orbital construction, and space development. In time, corporations and nations began competing not through war, but through engineering and organized competition.

At the center of this new era stands an international academy for mecha pilots:

Meridian Academy.

Built in the redeveloped harbor district of western Rotterdam, the academy brings together students from around the world and corporations with radically different engineering philosophies.

Völker Systems, carrying on the traditions of German heavy industry.
Japan's 剣 / Tsurugi, focused on mobility and precision control.
Стриж Аэромеханика / Strizh Aeromechanics, rooted in aerospace engineering and long-range precision.
And the American Arclight Armaments, known for massive machines and overwhelming output.

Sponsored students operate their own dedicated mecha while attending classes, studying maintenance and engineering, competing in simulations, and living together on campus.

Real machines are strictly intended for industrial work, rescue operations, and space construction.

Inside Meridian's digital-twin simulations, however, the rules are different.

Pile bunkers. Blades. Lances. Energy wires. Long-range artillery and heavy weapons.

Combat capabilities forbidden in reality become part of a highly controlled competitive sport.

But life at Meridian is about more than competition.

Spend the afternoon in the hangar.
Hang out with friends in the dormitory.
Take part in an inter-company event, train for the next simulation match, or simply head into Rotterdam for the day.

There is no single path you are expected to follow.

What kind of student you become, who you gro