The process was quick and efficient with barely an hour passing by. It was now Kenneth's turn.
The man who looked to be in his late thirties cast her a quick glance, "Name, address, race and registration status please."
Seeing the virtual screen displayed in the air made her feel a little strange. It still hadn't sunken in that this was her new reality.
Conflict brewed within her though she'd never let it show. Her face remained expressionless and devoid of recognizable thoughts. The man then said something that surprised her, "Please transfer 25 units before completing your registration."
Nowhere in Kenneth's memory did it show that you needed to pay in order to get in.
Looking to her left she heard another administrator ask the same question and the person opened their virtual watch and transferred the units without any problems. Normally Kenneth would've left right then and there. This was information she had no knowledge about and she wanted to know where her money would be going.
Before coming here, she made sure to check her current balance and saw that the previous Kenneth had 150 units in her account which wasn't much. She was glad that she had her memories otherwise she wouldn't be able to tell how much money 25 units really was. 25 units = $3.85 Rial which was approximately $10 USD
Kenneth didn't want to cause any problems nor draw any attention to herself so she pulled out her watch and transferred the units. Once the droid confirmed the transaction, the administrator sent her a confirmation of enrolment before handing her an orange bracelet.
"This will let the people know that you've passed the first step of enrolment. In the event that you don't get in, the units will be transferred back to your account. The Cyborg will now guide you to the testing tents." The man said, gesturing towards the Cyborg in question.
Kenneth looked at said Cyborg and realized that this droid was different compared to the ones she'd seen at the library. These droids looked more human like and spoke with more feeling. Kenneth didn't know whether this was a good or bad thing but she followed the Cyborg that lead her directly in front of the tent.
"Please wait for the instructor inside to let you in." It said before leaving.
Kenneth stood there completely dumbfounded. All she could do was use this opportunity to look around and get further acquainted with the place. The tents, placed close together, housed a disciplined crowd overseen by droids at each checkpoint. Kenneth estimated around 400 people in line, unsure how many would qualify for Toleran Academy. Remembering Kenneth's memories, she knew it was a school for the exceptionally gifted, a challenge she embraced as an Empath.
With no family expectations, she decided to take her chances. If she succeeded, it meant stability and education; failure meant she'd find another path. The thought of Kenneth's casual approach to life made her shake her head, but she understood—barely an adult, the previous Kenneth hadn't planned much.
Interrupted from her thoughts, she entered a tent where a young man awaited. Xander, a young man in his mid twenties with striking white hair, brown skin and pale eyes that carried some distance yet possessed some warmth despite his serious demeanour.
The young man looked up from his documents and silently assessed Kenneth as she walked in. Unlike others, Kenneth didn't react outwardly. She carried a strong aura unlike her outside appearance. Xander, the academy's second youngest instructor, noted her calm demeanour. Expecting her to relax, he found her vigilant, hinting at hidden strength.
Reviewing her file, he noted her frail frame that hid an underlying resolve.Interrupting his thoughts, Xander explained the assessment process. "Hello, miss Greywater. I'm Xander White, your assessor today. You'll place your hand on the testing machine to determine your Empath percentage and level. Orange or higher is required to pass."
Kenneth nodded, attentive. "Understood."
"Any questions?" Xander asked.
"Yes. What happens after I pass?" Kenneth's question caught Xander off guard, her confidence implying she expected success.
Xander chuckled softly, surprised by her seriousness. He composed himself, meeting her unwavering gaze with a hint of amusement still lingering in his eyes.
"If you pass, you can choose to become an Esper or a Fighter. As an Empath, the path of an Esper is more suitable, though some do opt for Fighter. Just know, it's challenging for Empaths to succeed as Fighters—it's not as straightforward as it may seem," he explained.
Kenneth remained steadfast. Failure wasn't an option for her; she was determined to succeed by any means necessary.