Standing before the students, Dracus Stoneheart continued to explain the rules of the physical examination to the eager students. His rocky exterior gave him an imposing presence, but his tone was firm yet reassuring.
"All right, listen up, students. This is where the real test begins," he declared. "We're here at the Valorian Academy's vast track field, which includes some challenging terrain in the adjacent forest. The goal is simple: complete the course in the shortest possible time."
He then began announcing numbers one by one and instructed each student to line up on the expansive track. The students paid close attention, eager to prove their mettle.
Dracus Stoneheart continued, "Remember, the qualification criteria is time-based. The faster you finish, the better your chances. However, a word of caution: if you collapse or are unable to continue before crossing the finish line, you will be disqualified. So, push yourself, but don't overexert yourself. Pace yourselves wisely."
His stern gaze swept across the group of hopeful students, emphasizing the importance of balancing speed and endurance in this challenging test. With that, the physical examination was set to begin.
As Ahiro awaited his turn during the first batch of students, he felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness. The room was filled with the murmurs of those who were next to participate, recounting previous year's experiences and discussing the upcoming race. Ahiro kept to himself, trying to maintain his focus.
When it was finally time for the second batch, he moved to his designated position on the track. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, and Ahiro could feel his heart racing in anticipation. He knew this test would be challenging, but he was determined to give it his all.
A small drone appeared in front of him, its hovering presence signaling the countdown. "Three... Two... One," it announced, and the race began.
Ahiro burst into motion, his legs carrying him forward with purpose. He didn't start at a full sprint but at a speed just below his maximum, a calculated decision based on the assumption that this race would be longer than a mere sprint.
As he ran, his mind focused not on the immediate hurdles, which he couldn't see, but on maintaining his stamina. He treated this race like a marathon, pacing himself carefully to ensure he had enough energy to tackle whatever obstacles lay ahead.
Before Ahiro stood the first hurdle, a wall that began to erect itself in front of him. The holographic figure of the rock teacher appeared and issued instructions.
"You have to climb this wall," the holographic figure declared, its voice echoing authoritatively. "Make sure not to jump down from the other side, but descend carefully."
Ahiro had never attempted something like this before, but the design of the wall seemed straightforward. It wasn't a matter of technique, but rather one of strength. As he placed his hands on the sturdy surface, he could feel the texture of the holographic rocks beneath his fingers.
With determination, Ahiro started to climb. His muscles strained as he pulled himself upward, using the rough edges of the rocks for leverage. He knew that having a bit more technique would have made this task easier, but he focused on the strength in his arms and legs to propel himself upward.
Gradually, he ascended the wall, each grip and foothold becoming slightly easier as he gained confidence in his ability to conquer this obstacle.
As soon as he climbed down he continued to sprint without catching his breath. His heart pounded in his chest as he maintained his pace, not even a minute passing before he confronted another obstacle.
In front of him, a grid of lasers materialized, forming an intricate pattern that barred his way. Once again, the holographic figure of the rock teacher appeared to issue instructions.
"You must cross this grid without triggering any alarms, the alarms trigger if you touch the laser so tread carefully." the figure announced, its voice echoing across the field.
Ahiro wasted no time. He carefully studied the laser grid, analyzing the pattern and the spaces between the beams. He realized that his smaller stature could give him a slight advantage in navigating the narrow gaps between the lasers.
With quick, agile movements, he began to cross the grid. His small figure allowed him to maneuver through the nooks and crannies of the laser pattern, avoiding the beams with precision. He moved swiftly and efficiently, knowing that every second counted.
Successfully crossing the laser hurdle, Ahiro resumed his sprint. He understood that this test was all about speed and agility, and he aimed to minimize his time between each obstacle, pushing himself to his limits.
The next hurdles were similarly designed to test various aspects of physical fitness:
A narrow beam stretched over a pool of water, forcing candidates to maintain their equilibrium while crossing. A series of hurdles set at varying heights, requiring candidates to jump over them. A crawl under the laser mesh while being soaked in water.
Ahiro pushed himself to cross all the hurdles without failing and taking as little as time he could take. As Ahiro advanced further, he encountered a set of hovering boards that moved erratically above a pool of water. The holographic figure of the rock teacher materialized once more to provide instructions.
"You must cross this juncture using the hoverboards," the figure declared, its voice unwavering. "They will continue to move, and if any of you fall, you will be disqualified."
Ahiro focused intently, analyzing the movement patterns of the hoverboards as they glided unpredictably over the water. With a moment of hesitation, he made his move.
Using his keen sense of balance and agility, he timed his jumps onto the boards perfectly. He landed on each one causing them to waver, swiftly traversing the hazardous path. His body moved gracefully from one hoverboard to the next, displaying remarkable coordination and control.
Despite the boards' erratic movement, Ahiro maintained his composure, knowing that a single misstep could lead to disqualification.
Ahiro was now teetering on the edge of exhaustion. His muscles screamed in protest, and his breaths came in ragged gasps. Every step felt like an eternity, and he could feel his body's limits being pushed to their breaking point.
Once more, the holographic figure of the rock teacher appeared, this time with encouraging words. "This is the last stretch of the track," it announced, its voice resonating with understanding. "There will be no more hurdles, so you can run as fast as possible. This is your last chance to reduce your time."
A surge of determination coursed through Ahiro's tired body. He knew he couldn't afford to hold back now. Summoning every ounce of strength and willpower, he pushed himself to his limits. Each stride became a relentless sprint, and the pain in his muscles seemed to fade into the background as he focused solely on reaching the finish line.
With every ounce of energy he had left, Ahiro propelled himself forward, his feet pounding the track with an unwavering rhythm. The finish line loomed ahead, a beacon of hope and triumph. Despite the exhaustion and the countless hurdles he had faced, he was determined to complete the race and prove his worth.
As he crossed the finish line, a sense of accomplishment washed over him. He had pushed himself beyond his limits, enduring physical and mental strain, and he was finally able to complete the race.