As agreed upon, Adam and his squadmates kept up their training. They tested their physical limits, memorized textbook content, and practiced their combat skills. As they immersed themselves in self-improvement, a week went by in a flash.
"Attention!" [Senior Officer]
All the soldiers lined up and straightened themselves. Before them stood their seniors, along with a few unfamiliar faces.
"Today will be the final test! We have some onlookers today, but pay them no mind!" [Senior Officer]
Adam took a glance at those he didn't recognize.
("Are these guys here to supervise us?") [Adam]
Scanning the few unfamiliar faces, he actually found someone familiar.
("The old man!") [Adam]
The very man who had sent Adam to this camp had come to oversee them.
("That must mean these other guys are sponsors as well.") [Adam]
The old man met Adam's gaze and gave him a wink.
"Let's begin with the test! From now on, each squad will be given a separate task! Complete it within ten hours! Use any means necessary to achieve your goal!" [Senior Officer]
With a nod, one of the other officers handed out a piece of paper to each squad.
"Do not open it until you return to your tents! Dismissed!" [Senior Officer]
All the soldiers gave each other strange looks, but decided to return to their temporary home. Once inside, Adam and his squad grouped together to read the paper given.
"What's it say?" [Adam]
"It says… "Objective one: Capture one member from squad two and deliver them to the training field. Objective two: Prevent the capture of any members of your squad. Lack of success in both objectives will result in failure." [Bryan]
Everyone quickly understood the situation they were in. Without a word, Adam and his squadmates immediately rushed outside to see that all the other squads had done the same.
"Everyone, focus on survival! Adam, go capture the target!" [Bryan]
Adam nodded and headed for the group that just exited tent two.
"Someone's coming!" [Squad Two Member]
"Sorry, nothing personal!" [Adam]
He grabbed the nearest person, just to be attacked by four other soldiers.
"Hands off!" [Squad Two Member]
Adam's legs sank into the ground as two soldiers tried to pry his fingers off of their ally.
"Level 4 Earth Manipulation?!" [Adam]
Even so, he didn't let go.
"Get him off!" [Squad Two Member]
One of the soldiers went around and put an arm lock on Adam's neck.
"Back off guys!" [Squad Two Member]
The squad retreated while one still struggled to break free from Adam's grip. That one quickly stopped what they were doing and shifted forms, or rather, made a layer of some kind of material around themselves.
("What is that?") [Adam]
Is what crossed Adam's mind before feeling an immense shock from the soldier grappling him.
"Urgh!" [Adam]
His teeth chattered as he withstood an electrical shock.
"T-T-Th-This F-F-Feels- W-W-W-W-Weird!" [Adam]
The shock died down after the sudden discharge, allowing Adam to pull off the soldier sticking to his back.
"You know what? You're my hostage now." [Adam]
He slammed the soldier down into the ground, knocking them unconscious. Adam no longer had a use for the others, so he released his grip on the soldier veiled in a strange material.
"Stop him!" [Squad Two Member]
They all latched onto Adam in an effort to make him fall. Unfortunately for them, it was not nearly enough to even make him falter.
"Really? After all that training, THIS is the tactic you guys are going for?" [Adam]
Adam hoisted himself out of the ground along with those piling onto him.
"H-How is he doing this?!" [Squad Two Member]
After reaching solid ground, Adam spun himself fast enough to throw everyone off. Of course, he kept a tight grip on his hostage.
"There we go." [Adam]
He knew they weren't going to stay down for long, so Adam started to move towards the usual training area.
"A-Adam! We need help over here!" [Robert]
Glancing over to his squad, Adam could see them getting overwhelmed. Apparently two squads decided to gang up on them.
("Two squads?!") [Adam]
"I think the officer gave them both missions to target your team. Maybe it's a handicap of some sort." [Krino]
("That's unfair!") [Adam]
Adam looked at his hostage and back at his squad. He felt conflicted as to what he needed to do.
("Maybe the mission will be cleared if I turn this guy in first?") [Adam]
"Not likely." [Krino]
Adam wasn't one to argue with that logic since Krino was usually right.
("Do you think I can fight two squads off while holding this guy?") [Adam]
"Maybe. You're more likely to accidentally kill your hostage though." [Krino]
Adam could imagine that. All the thrashing around might truly injure the soldier.
("...Damn.") [Adam]
Taking a deep breath, Adam released the soldier.
"Good choice." [Krino]
"My squad's survival is more important." [Adam]