The next morning, Marcus felt well and refreshed. He was full of determination and with Luna's training from yesterday, he was a little more proficient with his ether control.
As he entered the building, he was greeted with the same woman from yesterday. Her expression was hollow and her suit was white. The woman nodded subtly as she turned around, gesturing for Marcus to follow.
She led Marcus Into the elevator and down the same hallway from yesterday. Marcus entered the same room from last time, where none other than Kael himself was waiting.
"Ready for part two?" Marcus teased.
"Ready as I'll ever be, just don't get caught up again," Kael said with a sigh.
The second test started with the back wall sliding down, revealing the same white room from yesterday. "Welcome to the second exam, for today's scenario, an anomaly has managed to escape containment. You must find and dispose of it before the authorities begin investigating the commotion, if you understand the rules, then please step forward."
"Welp." Marcus said with a chuckle, "Nothing ventured–"
"Let's just start this test," Kael said with a sigh.
Marcus smirked as both boys stepped forward.
"Agreement acknowledged, beginning exam."
The white room began to transform into what looked to be a landfill, the sky darkened and what looked to be simulated rain began to fall from the sky.
"You take the right, and I'll take the left," Kael said with a determined expression.
Marcus nodded, and the second exam began.
Marcus looked out over the simulated landfill. His eyes narrowed as he took a deep breath. "Let's get started…."
The test went by similarly to the first, with Marcus finding the anomaly hidden in a cave of rubble. It was a rank-five anomaly, it was a large insect-like creature with four spider-like legs and an oval body.
It had one central eye with a long loopy tongue.
when it noticed Marcus, it began whistling loudly as it charged him. It skirted around the landfill cave sporadically.
Marcus grinned as his hand turned into a long silver blade.
He charged the creature with that blade aiming directly for its large eye.
He lunged forward, but the creature dogged him.
Marcus swung around in a hurry to catch the creature's back, charging a bolt of ether in his other hand and quickly firing it off.
The ether smacked against the back of the creature and ripped apart its body. Chunks of its body flew apart with a black gloop splattering on the walls of the cave.
Marcus frowned as he grabbed at his face, whipping away a black gloop from it. "Goddamnit, why does this happen to me?"
Marcus could hear the sounds of hurried footsteps above him before Kael flipped down and landed before the entrance of the cave.
Kael turned around to face the cave, he studied Marcus briefly before looking down at the mutilated corpse of the anomaly.
"You know capturing was an option too, right?" Kael asked sarcastically. Sighing as he knelt beside the anomaly, "Help me clean this up, the cops are still coming…"
Marcus chuckled nervously as he approached the corpse and Kael. "Come on, you asked if I could fight, well here's proof of that." Marcus then knelt down as he began collecting chunks of the anomaly and putting them into a pile.
Kael's expression turned sour, he then smirked. "I guess that's true."
Once the pieces of the anomaly were collected, Kael began to crush together the pieces. He continued to do this for about a minute straight, blending the pieces together until they became a fine powder and gloopy liquid.
"Come on," Kael said as he held both parts of the anomaly in air bubbles. "Let's get moving."
Marcus nodded as he followed Kael out of the cave.
Stepping out, Marcus noticed two flashlight glares in the distance.
There was faint chatter as well. "Shit, we're gonna need a lot more officers we have to investigate every time someone sees something suspicious." One of them commented.
"Ain't that the truth." The other replied.
"They're here," Kael whispered as he lowered himself to the ground.
Marcus followed Kael's lead. Crouching low he followed behind him.
As the police officers approached, their flashlights cutting through the simulated rain, Kael began to sneak forward.
"Stay close," Kael whispered, his voice barely audible over the rain.
Marcus wordlessly nodded, his eyes scanning around almost on instinct. They just needed to get out without being seen.
The duo continued, sneaking through piles of trash and debris as cover. The officers' voices grew louder as they grew closer to the duo. Seemingly oblivious to the boy's hiding a few feet away.
Kael gestured for Marcus to pause, and he began searching for another path. As he found another path, Kael gestured for Marcus to follow.
They moved quickly, yet quietly, making their way toward the edge of the simulated landfill.
They soon reached the perimeter of the test area, and Marcus finally breathed a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"Don't relax yet," Kael commented, scanning the surroundings once more. Once satisfied, he motioned for Marcus to follow behind him.
As they slipped out of the testing area, the room began to revert back to its original form.
"Congratulations." That same automated voice called out as the room began shifting back to its original form. "Please deposit the anomaly with your assigned assistant."
The assistant from before stood at the entrance of the testing room. This time with a bucket beside her.
She gestured towards the bucket with a pointed finger, and Kael nodded. Disposing of the contents of the anomaly within the bucket.
The assistant frowned as she massaged her temples, "you can go." She said with a sigh.
Marcus chuckled nervously as he followed Kael out of the room. As they headed toward the elevator, Kael popped his neck as he cracked his knuckles.
"Another success." Marcus joked with a nod.
"You attract a lot of trouble." Kael explained, "You make a good distraction but a terrible sneak."
"Ouch," Marcus commented.
The boys entered the elevator and began their ascent to the ground floor.
The elevator ride was silent, with the only exception being the constant hum of the elevator. Marcus leaned back in the elevator deep in thought.
These tests were indeed becoming progressively difficult, Marcus wanted to discuss these tests with Felix, but he barely returned to the dorms. It was to be expected as Marcus didn't return much either, but he was still curious about his whereabouts.
The chime of the elevator snapped Marcus back to reality. The doors hissed open and both Kael and he walked out.
"See you tomorrow," Kael said with a quick wave before turning to leave.
Marcus went the opposite way, heading back to the front exit to meet up with Luna and Dr. Fletcher.
Stepping outside he was greeted by them. Luna's face illuminated with joy as her gaze fell upon Marcus. "Hi, Marcus." She said with a warm smile, "How was your test?"
Marcus grinned as he wiped his hands on his chest, "well, I passed." He said with a chuckle, "But I'll definitely have to take another shower again."
Luna chuckled as she released Dr. Fletcher's hand and approached him. She reached for his hand but Marcus pulled it away. "It's dirty." He explained.
"I don't care," Luna replied with a frown. "Give it here."
"Luna I–"
Dr. Fletcher approached Marcus, reaching into her lab coat and pulling out a small handkerchief. She handed it to Marcus, placing it into his hand.
Marcus was slightly surprised by such an action, accepting the gesture hesitantly. "W-what are, what is…"
Dr. Fletcher smiled faintly, sighing softly as she pulled away from him. "Just wipe your hands." She explained.
Marcus nodded as he began wiping his hands. He couldn't quite understand what Dr. Fletcher was doing, as he remembered quite clearly how strange things were between them since their last argument.
Once his hands were clean, he reached one down to Luna, she quickly grasped it, holding it tightly. Marcus smiled down at her, before turning his attention back towards Dr. Fletcher.
"Here." He said nervously, handing her the handkerchief.
"You keep it." She said, stepping back from him, "I don't need a piece of cloth covered in gunk."
Marcus chuckled unintentionally.
Dr. Fletcher nodded, before walking past him and into the building.
Marcus turned around to watch her, an expression of confusion and hope on his face. As she disappeared into the main building, Marcus sighed.
"Are you ready?" Luna asked.
Marcus looked down at Luna. His expression was unreadable. "What's happening with her?" He asked, "I thought I messed things up."
Luna smirked as she brought a hand to her chin. "I don't know what you're talking about." She teased, "She looks the same to me."
Marcus frowned. "What have you two been up to?" He asked skeptically.
"Just a little girl talk, about… things." She said knowingly.
Marcus didn't know why Luna was being so vague, but he wasn't going to question her, as she wasn't looking to answer.
Marcus sighed, "All alright, keep your secrets." Marcus said with a pout.
Luna giggled as Marcus walked with her toward the dorm.
Over the next two days, Marcus's routine remained the same, he would wake up early in the morning, and greet Felix as he left for the day.
He would then get dressed himself, before making his way to the eatery with Luna.
He'd eat a quick breakfast, before dropping Luna off with Dr. Fletcher in the training center, where they would act extremely suspicious, yet never give Marcus an answer.
He'd then make his way to the main building where the assistant would be waiting to take him to complete his test.
He'd complete it side by side with Kael, ending the test with anomaly goo on his face and hands.
Once the test was completed Marcus and Kael would make their way back up to the surface, where they'd go their separate ways.
Then he'd meet with Dr. Fletcher and Luna, before starting another training session with Luna and ending the day with a restful sleep.
Until the last day of the exam finally arrived.
Marcus awoke, catching Felix slipping into his trainee combat suit. He had an excited expression his eyes glowing and his grin wide.
"You seem excited." Marcus commented as he slowly rose out of bed, rubbing his eyes, "Today's the day, huh?"
Felix nodded. "Yeah bro, after this we'll be officers, and I'm excited for it." He explained. "But you wanna what I'm really excited for?" He asked as he straightened out his suit.
"What?" Marcus asked curiously.
"We'll become brothers after this," Felix said with a warm and genuine smile. "Remember, you promised me that."
Marcus' eyes widened slightly, he had completely forgotten about that promise. So much had happened that he didn't have much time to think about it, yet it seemed Felix had been looking forward to it.
"You remembered that?" Marcus asked almost in disbelief, "It's been almost two months."
Felix frowned slightly. "How could I forget a promise like that?"
Marcus chuckled nervously, "I'm just joking around man, trying to brighten up the mood."
Felix nodded. "Well don't try to weasel yourself out of this promise, otherwise I'll strangle you." Felix joked as he exited the room. "See ya, bro."
As the door closed behind Felix, Marcus waved him off. "See ya."
With Felix gone, Marcus got ready for the day and soon found himself standing side by side with Kael.
"Are you ready for this?" Marcus asked Kael.
"Born," Kael replied.
The final test had begun.