"The evaluation will be carried out in three phases. First will be a physical test involving tasks seat up to evaluate every physical aspect of your body. It will involves sprints, weighted runs, Weight lifting, shot put throws, punching, and much more."
"The second set of evaluation will be carried out based on your energy interaction capabilities. You will be tested on the basis of mana sensitivity, mana reserve , mana capacity, mana output and input ratio, applied mana for special cases among you. It will also involve you showing your abilities, and skills if any."
"The third and last section will involve the round for practical sparing. This round is specially designed for ranking the students in the class. The top five students will be allowed to move to the Gama class by next year." Martin explained all three test that was to be conducted to evaluate the students.
.....
"I hope you haven't forgotten about our bet?" Ralph appeared behind Ragnar and spoke.
"I guess you family has talent for sensing behind people." Ragnar said.
"We will get a chance to have a go at each other, given you are able to reach the last round on the basis of your performance." Ralph laughed and left. He was angered by Ragnar's remark, but now was not the time to burst out. He had to bid his time and then deliver the killing blow, destroying Ragnar once and for all.
"Why did you accept Ralph's invitation to fight?" Sonya appeared beside Ragnar and asked.
"Because he asked so nicely and he was quite persistent on taking an yes for an answer. I had to comply with his his request or else, I wouldn't have been allowed to exist in the class by my kind teacher."
"Do you need me to deal with it?" Sonya said.
"I told you not to worry about my condition and focus on your training. I can take care of myself. No need to worry." Ragnar said with a smile.
Sonya couldn't help but smile back, but deep down she felt conflicted. She felt that he was holding himself back so as to not bother her. She wanted to help him, but the situation didn't permit it. If she forced her way through he would lose his guts completely and something unthinkable might happen which she didn't want to inflict on him. She chose to hold back.
"Ragnar Avalon." His name was soon called.
"Guess it's my turn. See you at the end of the road." Ragnar smiled and rushed towards the test zone.
Martin was waiting for him there.
"We will be beginning from running test. You are to take ten laps of the entire ground without stopping at the fastest time possible." Martin was smiling as he said that since he expected Ragnar to be the one to fail this examination.
The test started and something unexpected happened. A single figure rushed out, leaving everyone else in the delta class to taste dust. It was none other Ragnar. The only other figures who managed to keep up with him. were those who had a speed related ability. In front of the shocked eyes of everyone present, Ragnar came second in the test.
"Ragnar Avalon, Seven minutes thirteen seconds." Martin said at a loss of words. He didn't expect such an outcome from the competition.
The next test was a long jump, high jump , hurdles, weighted runs, and short-put. Ragnar was ranked second in every single one of the games. It almost felt like he was intentionally placing himself in the second position. Once could be a coincidence, two is perspective, but more than that is a definite choice.
"Moving on to the last test, the punching power test. This machine is specially designed to measure the intensity of your punches. You are to attack without using any of your abilities. I will repeat, this is a raw measure of your physical abilities. Punch without using any abilities."
Ragnar's turn came once again and this time too , he placed second.
"He is cheating. How could someone like him perform sinwell in the examination? This is some kind of mirage. I want to make an appeal to the jury to inspect Ragnar Avalon." One of the participant screamed of disparity between them. He accused Ragnar of foul play.
"Are you suggesting that I have cheated in front of the experienced and perceptive eyes of our examiner's." Ragnar said.
The boy was shut down. Any further comments would be like questioning the integrity of the examination itself. That was not something he could possibly take the burden of.
"Physical test is now over. After talking the scores, we have placed Ragnar Avalon as the first rank overall due to his exceptional performance in raw physical attributes." Martin said with a dazed voice. His mind was busy comprehending what had just happened. Ralph on the other hand was watching Ragnar with shock filled eyes. He himself was placed seventh in the entire class. Ragnar was placed first. This was an unprecedented result.
.....
The second test began soon enough.
"This portion of test will comprise of three things: Mana sensitivity, mana perception, mana manipulation and mana usage. Please proceed towards your respective stations to carry out the examination." Martin said.
His eyes were fixed on Ragnar this entire time. He looked at him as if he was seeing a ghost. This Ragnar was nothing like he expected. Even if it was just a physical improvement, it was enough to make a difference.
The first test was mana sensitivity and perception test. It was test where the examinee was out into a isolated environment with three artifacts in front of him attached to the mana supply line. The examination will begin with mana being infused into a single object at a time. The examinee has to sense mana around him and choose the equipment which was infused with mana.
The test had ten levels. The highest someone managed to reach till now was the seventh level. Beyond that was an impossible feat for a student. Little did they know that a storm was approaching them.