"What do you think?" A man donning military attire with a powerful aura about him asked.
They were a group of five men. Each of them was a powerful figure in the military.
Before them were a bunch of screens. it projected the happenings of the examinations.
"Your daughter looks set to break the record of the Blake family." Another man chuckled. "The candidates this time around seem to have promise."
"What intrigues me most is Ian's boy. Can't believe he came to try out." A redhead snorted. "He is but a lowly brat. There is a reason Ian never acknowledged him as his seed."
The first one to speak sighed. "But his boldness is quite intriguing. How about a bet?" The redhead put up a brow with interest. "What bet?"
"I bet you that Ian's boy would make a name for himself." The redhead was taken aback. "Are you joking?" He shook his head. "Why would I?"
The redhead licked his upper lip as he grinned. "Alright then. I bet you that he would collapse face first." A man with an eye patch chipped in. "Then I will act as the coordinator."
The other two expressed interest as well. "Now let's watch and see."
***
Nathan was unaware that his future was being used as a reason to bet. Maybe if he knew the figures involved in the bet, he would have a heart attack.
He followed after Reyes as they were led into yet another hall, this time with glass chambers reaching the roof. "What is this?" Reyes was filled with curiosity.
"Welcome candidates, to the core quality test. I am your examiner, Doctor Hassan." A cheery voice sounded from the announcement system.
"Ah, Uncle Hassan participated in the academy exams as an examiner?" Nathan looked a bit surprised as everyone waited for instructions to be given.
"Now before we begin, I have the responsibility to explain what this test is about." Hassan paused momentarily. "The core quality test is an exam that determines the purity of tachyon your body can work with.
"Tachyon, if not taken seriously, could cause pain worse than death. With studies, we realized that tachyon itself has different grades based on its color scheme and each grade has its radiation level as well as how much power it produces.
"The grades in ascending order are; Navy blue, Midnight blue, Aquamarine, Sky blue, and Royal blue.
"The tubes before you are measuring devices that informs us what grade of tachyon one is capable of using. As I said before, the stronger the grade, the more powerful it is.
"Ahem, candidates are advised to make their way into the tubes for testing." Nathan looked a bit flustered as he stared at the tubes. "Are you worried about getting a low grade here as well?"
Reyes stood beside him as he asked. "There is a big chance of that happening." Reyes sighed. "Does it matter though?... You just told me that affinity ratio doesn't define a person's strength and now you worry about this?"
"Yeah, you are right. I shouldn't make it such a big deal." Nathan urged himself after which he and Reyes headed for a tube to occupy.
Once he had found a tube, Nathan tapped a button on the tube to cause it to open. He stepped in and closed it.
He slowly closed his eyes and was left in a dreamlike stasis. A few seconds later and he was woken up by a jarring sound. "Is that it?"
Nathan anticipated the result as he stepped out of his tube to check his score. Once he tapped the screen in the tube for results, he was appalled by what he saw.
"Navy blue..." He stood rooted in his spot, unsure of what to make of it. Just then, the tube next to him opened and Reyes stepped out all smiles.
"You are out already?... What did you…" He trailed off. He had caught sight of the color scheme on Nathan's tube. "You should check yours out," Nathan said weakly.
He sighed softly in his heart. Things were going to be extremely difficult moving forward. Reyes nodded as he turned to face his tube, placing his palm on it.
A second later and the results came out. Aquamarine. Reyes looked over to find Nathan smiling at him. "Congrats."
Just then, there was a loud shout. "What's that?" Nathan and Reyes moved to the source to find several people gathered at a particular tube.
"Isn't that Elena Blake?" Reyes asked. "The life of a genius must be nice," Nathan commented, he had already scoped out the reason for the gathering.
"Royal blue… That means she's surely going to become a General." Elena stood before her tube with a rather dull look on her face. She didn't bother those that gathered around her as she waited for further instructions.
"I must congratulate you all on your results." The announcer said. "Ensure to stick with the results gotten while cultivating, lest you risk dying all to obtain better benefits.
"Please exit the hall and head over for your final test." A different voice was heard this time. "Time for the vocation test," Reyes remarked.
"Let's go." They headed out, lead by military personnel until they reached the final test area.
Unlike the previous two tests, this was carried out in an open-air environment with a dome above their heads. Several weapons were stacked about, free for use.
A bald gentleman with a mustache moved to stand before their group. "Good day, students. I welcome you to the final test today. I am your examiner, Sergeant Armstrong.
"The vocation test is not exactly a test, merely an opportunity for you lot to pick the position you would want to assume on a battlefield. As Guardians, there are several posts.
"Each with its usefulness. So for this test, you are tasked with looking around and deciding what position to assume in your tenure as a Guardian.
"Some of the posts available are; Swordsman, Spearman, Archer, Sniper, Bombardier, Artillerist, Repairman, Spy, Defender, and Heavyweight.
"The weapons signifying each class are placed out for you to decide. You have one hour and good luck."
The candidates quickly moved forward. Some have already decided what Guardian class to take up. Nathan stood in place, unsure of his choice.
Reyes nudged him. "What are you thinking about?" Nathan shook his head. "When I arrived here, I had some misgivings about my performance but I hoped for the best. Now standing here, having already experienced two setbacks, I'm not sure I dare to keep going."
"Huh, what's this about?... The same guy that stood up to that arrogant asshole from earlier is now doubtful of his capabilities?... And here I thought that we were past that." Reyes joked.
"You don't understand. I'm not naturally bold or courageous. I am a mediocre person that enjoys working with tech and staying on my own. The only reason I said all that was because I have never been a fan of looking down on others.
"I have experienced that, one too many times."
For once, Reyes had a serious expression. "If you back away now… You will never be able to come back." His words served a different meaning for Nathan as he bit down on his lip.
He was tasked with something so enormous, if not for the system, he would have long since crumbled. "Use what you are good at to make up for what you lack. I'm sure there is a reason you decided not to back out until now."
"…I understand." Reyes tapped his shoulder lightly after which he joined to search for a job class. Armstrong noticed Nathan standing alone and just as he was about to comment on it, something shocking occurred.
"Ah, fuck it!!!... If the current system for measuring strength is based on a need to cater to the naturally gifted, then I will change that system by creating one that allows the weak to fight!!!"
Nathan did not realize that he had said those words aloud, garnering the attention of everyone as they all looked in his direction, Some wide-eyed, others partially amused, and some others rather interested in his words.
Reyes chuckled inwardly. "This guy is crazy."
"Shit." Nathan cursed inwardly as he stood in place. Just then. [Ding… Host has triggered an event.]
[Event title: Empowerment of the weak.]
[Mission details: Create a weapon that maximizes the efficiency of a weak tachyon core.]
[Mission success: Acknowledged by others and Active skill – Appraisal.]
[Mission failure: Become the academy clown.]
Nathan stared at the blue screen before him as a fire surged in his heart. "Even the system agrees with my decision." His fists tightened.
"Haha. I like candidates with fire like yours. I look forward to seeing you live up to your declaration." Sergeant Armstrong guffawed as he walked over, slapping Nathan's shoulder with enough force to cause him to collapse to the ground.
"Aiya… That hurt." He groaned. "All a part of the process."