As the class stood in the training room facing their instructor once again, they could sense that today's test wouldn't be as easy as their first one. Stage 2 was a whole new battle they weren't sure they were ready to take. Running.
No matter how athletically skilled you may be, running was no easy task, especially when your status at a prestigious academy was on the line and this race would prove to be a difficult one for Kenneth because she was going to be racing against Feras.
Fera were beings that had the ability to shapeshift into a bestial form at will. Those with strong bloodlines could shapeshift into powerful animals like wolves, or tigers. They gave people significant advantages like strength and speed which was an unfortunate discovery for Kenneth.
She knew all this information thanks to Kenneth 1.0 but there were still quite a few things she wasn't knowledgable about. If it hadn't been for this world, Kenneth would have never believed that humans were capable of changing forms and become animals. She wasn't a religious person nor was she someone who cared for science, but even she believed that this kind of ability went against human nature. How could something like this even be considered normal?
But alas she couldn't voice these opinions of hers at the risk of offending everyone here. Kenneth was the only Empath in this room and as a minority, she already knew there was no chance of her winning this race. She was only human, well as human as you could be in this world, there was nothing she could do but hope that the thirty percent of Fera she had in her would magically manifest itself and she could tap into that ability to give her some sort of advantage.
Kenneth hoped it would be the case, but something in her knew it wouldn't be that simple. She could only accept her fate and try her best. Kenneth had always been the fastest in her unit as well as her fellow squad leaders so she knew it wouldn't be a complete defeat.
"The next stage will take place in a form of an obstacle course. You will all be allowed to transform into your beast forms for this race, actually, it is required. There will come a time where you will have to fight or complete your missions in your beast forms . This test will allow us to see how fast you all are as Feras." Alexi explained to the students.
Instructor Alexi then turned his attention to Kenneth. "Ms Greywater, since you are mostly an Empath, you will not be required to transform. You can run as you are." Is all he said before returning his attention back to the whole group.
Hearing this, many of the students were confused. "What did he mean by mostly?"
"I suspected she was an Empath but didn't think it was true."
"Yeah. She certainly doesn't fight like one."
"Maybe she was just lucky?"
Hearing the students whispering to themselves, instructor Alexi frowned.
Maybe I shouldn't have said that out loud. He thought to himself.
He didn't think it would cause such a strong reaction out of the students. He turned to look at Kenneth thinking she would be uncomfortable or embarrassed, but was surprised to see the look of indifference on her face.
I guess it didn't bother her? But I should still apologize to her after class, he said to himself.
Taking out his remote, the training room changed and a large state-of-the-art obstacle course was presented before them.
"Welcome to the Nebula. This obstacle course was designed to test the limits of your agility, strategy and endurance."
The course was built within a spherical chamber that could be controlled instantaneously by the touch of a button. The first stage was the holo maze, an interactive labyrinth that seemed to have a life of its own. Its transparent walls were created using advanced holographic technology making it both realistic and immersive. Each wall was constructed to shift and create new pathways and dead-ends every minute in order to disorient and confuse the one's inside.
The sensors embedded in the floor and walls detected the participant's movements as well as hidden traps.
The following stage was the quantum walls which consisted of sliding barriers made of strong almost impenetrable material designed to withstand the strength of Feras, each timed perfectly to open and close.
It was up to the students to pass through safely without being caught. Once they made it past the quantum walls, they would face level A dummies which were stronger and smarter than regular dummies that performed like low grade droids. They were programmed to stimulate real life opponents in order to obstruct their path.
Lastly, the final stage was the free-for-all which was most likely the toughest part of the obstacle. The students needed to run a long distance to make it to the finish line while fending off traps and barriers, as well as their opponent.
Once they crossed the finish line, the obstacle would be over.
"I'll be closely monitoring and controlling the obstacle making it increasingly difficult as I see fit. Each obstacle course will defer so for those of you watching on the sidelines thinking you'll have an easier time since you saw how the obstacle course works, think again." Alexi warned as he looked at everyone with a serious expression.
"This is an important Stage and will require your upmost effort and attention. If at any point this becomes too taxing, feel free to press the panic button that will be located at each stage. Do not feel the need nor the pressure to complete this test if your body cannot hold out anymore. There is no shame in admitting defeat."
All forty students lined up in a straight horizontal line facing the Nebula that was laid out in front of them. Instructor Alexi with his remote still in hand selected a button and a large screen came down from the ceiling. Two lists were displayed on the screen: Group A and Group B. Each group consisted of twenty students and next to their names was another student.
Alexi didn't need to explain what this list meant. It was quite obvious. The person next to their name was the person they would be racing against, in other words, their opponent.
"The names are written in order so whoever's name is first, please step forward." Instructor Alexi ordered.
Looking up at the screen Kenneth saw two names at the top of the list. Fae Martin and Durian Black. Fletcher who had been standing next to her couldn't help but gasp. A girl who looked much younger than eighteen stepped out of the line and made her way towards the starting line.
The young girl had a head full of dark and curly tresses with brown highlights, framing her small doll-like face. Her brown skin glistened in the bright lights of the room as she made her way towards the starting line. Everyone could tell she was nervous and rightfully so because the person she was competing against was none other than Durian, the big oaf.
"I can't believe the person she's going against is Durian of all people." Fletcher muttered, a hint of concern in her voice.
Durian's imposing stature made Fae look like a lost child who had wandered into the building after losing sight of her parents. Half of the students couldn't help but worry for her while the other half cheered Durian on telling him that this would be an easy win.
Fletcher couldn't help but frown when hearing their taunts. "I can't believe them. The race hasn't even started and they're already cheering for this guy like he won the race already."
Kenneth looked at the group of cheering boys and sighed as well. This is how it's always been. People always judge other's in appearance. Just by looking at the girl, they already made their own biased assumptions that she would lose, and of course Durian didn't make any efforts to stop their hollering. He didn't even bother looking at his opponent because in his eyes she was nothing.
The countdown began as the two transformed into their Fera forms. Durian transformed into a black lion that was roughly 3 meters tall. If Durian wasn't imposing in his human form before, his beast form was on a whole other level. His long and muscular body was now covered in obsidian fur as his gold coloured eyes shined brightly under the lights. His aura exuded hubris and arrogance and even though Kenneth didn't want to admit, Durian looked majestic in his lion form.
The students who were waiting on the side shivered unconsciously as he let out a powerful roar.
Fae who stood next to him transformed into cat, and although her form was much larger now, she still looked small when compared to Durian. Fae's slender body was coated in black silky fur making her look elegant even in her cat form. Though her aura wasn't as powerful as Durian's, Fae could still command a presence in the room which surprised the group of student that were making fun of her earlier.
She let out a low growl as her eyes focused on the course before her, taking on a running stance.
Once the countdown reached one, the two bolted Durian only seconds faster than Fae.