Nathaniel felt the captain was taking every opportunity he had to jab at his perfect performance in the knowledge test. "Maybe it's just my imagination."
He chose to ignore it as thinking over it wouldn't change anything and might even make him more self-conscious.
"I will be explaining the tests so you can have a general idea of what you are up against." Captain Rodgers paused as he glanced over to ensure that decorum was maintained before he continued. "The affinity test works as a meter to measure the relationship between a person and tachyon energy."
"As a Guardian, your relationship with tachyon determines how far you would get as well as how much strength you would be able to use." The candidates paid extra attention to what the captain said, not wanting to miss any important info.
"The passing grade for the affinity test is 45%. Anything below that and the candidate would be sent packing."
"After that is the core quality test. This determines the type of core you would be able to form to cultivate and so ties in with the first test. Now there is no pass grade for this test but it would be wise to attempt to get the best possible score. Getting anything lower might not bode well for you."
The captain meant well as he spoke but due to the way he said them as well as how strict the test rules were, it still placed pressure on the candidates, Nathan inclusive.
He hadn't taken part in the entrance exams before thus he couldn't be sure of how well he would fare. "What's more, my entrance into the academy is important if I want to have any hopes of saving everyone."
"The last test, the vocation test, determines the position you would take on the battlefield so it is important as a career choice. Once you have been placed in a class, you absolutely cannot leave. You better start thinking now what you are best at."
Captain Rodgers had finished speaking but the hall remained quiet as the candidates ruminated over his words. Seeing as they took him seriously, he felt relieved.
"Now if you nitwits are done thinking about home, I suggest you prepare yourselves, we will be sending you in now." The captain added. "Due to a large number of candidates, we would be separating you into groups and that way, things would move faster. So remain in your seats and wait until it is your group's turn."
After he was finished, a few other military personnel walked in and sorted them out. Nathan found himself in the fifth batch.
"How are you feeling?" He looked to his side to find Reyes a little excited. "Well, I guess, I'm a bit scared, not gonna lie."
"Same here. But just think about it, if we can get good grades, we have a chance to become Guardians. It makes me excited just thinking about it. The power to protect." Reyes tightened his fist unknowingly. "It is pretty cool to think about."
Guardian. That was what they called those that went out to battle in a bid to recover what humanity had lost. Armed with the latest tech and surging with internal power, this was made possible all because of one discovery… The discovery of Tachyon energy.
When the war against the Machines erupted, humanity fell to the losing end instantaneously. The technology that they built turned against them all because they dared to do the abominable.
Their tanks had no effect and their nuclear weapons… Well, it helped to terraform the planet, making it uninhabitable for most life forms.
This caused humanity to fall back on their last plan, escape. And escape, they did. They settled on the dark side of the moon, following its cycle to ensure that they were never directly exposed lest they risk getting shot down.
While escaping, they had chosen to first take those that were the best in their fields, especially those in science and technology. Arts were not so appreciated in such a scenario.
They struggled to find a means to fight back against their creations and that was when Tachyon was created.
Using the concept of quantum physics, Ian Holt and his team of scientists were able to create a new kind of energy that could be harnessed for various uses.
It included the creation of a perpetual energy source that kept their ships floating for so long.
This also allowed humans to gain a fighting chance. Later on, they also realized that if used properly, some could directly siphon the energy into their bodies to train themselves.
Such people would be capable of superhuman feats, effectively putting them a step above everyone else. Of course, this was welcomed as it strengthened humanity's offense.
Thus, Guardians came to be. They were praised as heroes by the common masses. Their service on the battlefield was acknowledged by all.
Just thinking about becoming one of them as a newbie candidate would be an awesome experience but Nathaniel was well aware of the horrors that came along with the position.
He had seen them die in his previous life. Some at least only got shot but others were not so lucky as they were ripped apart. Which was why he knew… It was utter naivety to think that being a Guardian was awesome.
Engaged in small talk with Reyes, it soon reached their group's turn. "Let's go."
They were a total of a hundred in the group and they were led to yet another building, this one three times as big as the hall they had used previously. "These guys spared no expenses on their equipment, huh."
Nathan wasn't all that shocked by the size. "Guardian academy is the only source they have to get more people to fight against the Machines. Of course, they would have to invest as much as possible."
Soon they got to a room that had a total of ten pillars at its center. These pillars were pulsing with an ocean blue light, stretching from the ground to the ceiling.
A lady dressed in military attire with a white coat over it walked up to Nathan's group with a smile on her face. "Hello everyone, I am Sergeant Haller and I am your examiner."
"I'm sure Captain Rodgers has already briefed you all on the exams you would be undertaking." "Yes ma'am." A few answered in tow.
"Good. I will be working off what he said. The first test, as you all know, is the affinity test." She paused momentarily. "This test helps us to know just how well your body can relate with Tachyon energy. Now I know that the captain merely told you the passing grade for this test without telling you why."
"Yes ma'am."
"That's just like him. The reason why the passing grade for this test is set at 45% is that anything lower and your body might undergo mutation, which would lead to either death or you might just directly become a monster. Thus 45% is the threshold for you to be allowed to cultivate.
"Even at 45%, your cultivation would be limited as going too high might cause your body to break down. Thus it is advised that if your score is below 50%, you'd best head back home.
"If you insist on staying… Well, prepare yourself for a mediocre future."
The sergeant waited a bit to allow her words to sink in. "Now then, let the test begin."
"What guarantee do I have that I can get a high score on this test?" Nathan bit down on his lip as he feared for the worst. If his score ended up being below 45%, then he would have to abandon the mission he was tasked with.
"Things are so much harder than I thought." He was right to be afraid. He had chosen to shed his mediocre ambitions for something greater yet he was already faced with such adversity at the beginning. "How much harder does it get after this?"
Seeing as most had a look of anticipation in their eyes, Sergeant Haller did not dawdle as she quickly explained. "All you have to do for this test is to place your palms on the pillar and concentrate on sensing the energy within it. You will have thirty seconds to perform the task. Note that if you are unable to sense anything after the time is up, you will be sent home.
"Now, you guys should line up in rows of ten before each pillar." The guards helped to arrange them after which the test officially began.
It was soon Nathaniel's turn as he stood in front of the pillar, his eyes watching intently as the blue energy within pulsed with intervals.
"Begin." He reached out with both arms and placed them on the pillar. He closed his eyes and then… he waited.
One, two… seconds passed agonizingly for Nathan as he waited for a reaction but there was none. "Am I going to fail my mission before it even begins?"