Standing beside the receptionist is a short, blocky machine, its size too compact for its intended purpose. A large square plate sits securely in the middle, concentric circles glowing red every few seconds, indicating that they are active. A small bullseye burns dark red, tantalising every viewer with delusions of grandeur. Outside laid oridanium wires, sparking every so often, carrying data to and from the bullseye. A large crystal sits in the center of the device, encased by vacuum glass on all sides, isolating whatever may come to it, or from it. Its silver casing reflected reflected light and it's surroundings, yet not them.
As Jake grew more and more curious about how the machine would be used, the receptionist stopped in front of the monitor, and started tapping away. After a couple of minutes later (and a very awkward length of silence), she patted her hands on her clothes, picked up her tired drooping ears from her eyes, and instructed Jake to stand in front of the machine. "This device, known as Comprehensive Testing Index, also known as CTI, was first developed in the year 5257 NRE, uses the radiation emitted from a duality - reversed Cryotonian diamond to measure your strength. Before, we used Tungstellium steel to create the machines, and it worked for a while. But as soon as those so - called 'peerless' geniuses kept on trashing the machines, we had to switch to Berylium - Bronze Hyperdense Mesh. Although it's more expensive, it did stop to the trashing of our machines (and saved a lot of our budget)." He could almost feel the wincing of the receptionist, having dealt with thise obnoxious talents, as well as a decreasing salary.
After getting all of her frustrations out of her chest, she huffed, before turning towards Jake, clasping her hands while putting it against her right, furry cheek, "Since this is your first time coming here, you will be assessed more throughly, for we need to make a new comprehensive data file inbtbe Federation System. For the first test, you have to punch at the square 10 times using strenght that feels... normal to you, after which an average will be taken and set as your base strength. For the second test, all you have to do is just punch in the center of the machine, with all your might that is. It will the calculate the resulting gross force you can exert at your peak point. For the third test, we will be finding out your reaction response by recording how many steel balls you can dodge within one minute."
"Hold up, I can get tbe reasoning forbybe forst two tests, but the third test?" Rasing one eye, Jake questions the logic behind it. In exasperation, the receptionist rolls her eyes, before replying angrily "Do you have any ideas how many stupid people there are? You would not believe the amount of people who die each year just because they could not dodge their opponents quickly, and before you ask, yes, this is a risky occupation, where life and death is determined for each and every activity. More will be discussed if you pass the tests."
Taken aback, Jake accepts all their calmly, for he has no other choice. He grumbles loudly, before preparing for the tests.
For the first test, due to practicing the Humanistical Codex for 5 years, his punches were precise, landing exactly at the center for a combined load of 1000 B (Bors). Taken aback, she marvelled at his discipline, fornusually the punches are always uneven, leading to a very broad average combat Index. She marvelled at who had taught him this, wondering what kind of being they were (somewhere, an eye twitched).
Not letting the results of the first test bother her, she composed herself before going onto the next test. Here, Jake, on order to facilitate his strongest attack, had to take some time to charge up his attack, before launching straight into tne bullseye. Astoundingly, the results came up to the maximum of 12690 B, the limit of the machine. She did not know if it was her imagination or not, but the device shook slightly, before a small cracking noise was heard. Thinking it was a hallucination, she continued on.
For the third test, Jake wondered how they would do it. "Will we, you know, head outside to do the third one..." Trailing on, he hoped she would get the hint and start explaining. Shocked from he stupor again, she pushed back a stray hair back onto her wet forehead, before tapping at the monitor again. Only now she realises she was sweating, and heavily at that, for she knew what this signified.
As Jake watched in curiosity, wondering what will happen, the machine started to whirr, before expanding in all directions, the most prominent being vertical. He watched in awe as the CTI turned into a very... futuristic changing room. As he realized what he should do now, the receptionist nudged him to move inside so that they could start the third test. "Oh, and before I forget, don't fear." With a shirt giggle, she wipes of her forehead, praying that at least here he will fail a bit, for she does not how long her heart can hold on. She pressed the start button.
Standing awkwardly inside, Jake wonders what he is supposed to do, when suddenly the pitch black void expands into a room. A warped, chirpy tone cokes from the speakers, hidden somewhere in the nee room "Hello? Hello? Sorry, forgot I can't hear you. Anyways, for this test, some steel balls will be launched from the walls, and you are supposed to dodgebthem, as much as possible. The test will end once you.get hit thrice, or until the timer runs out, which is highly improbable, even for a monster like you. Anyways, good luck!"
Without giving him a chance to get ready, 5 steel balls got pelted towards him, at high speed. Dodging them just barely, he sweated, before the next 6 balls were pelted, at even higher velocities. This continued on for what seemed like forever to him, barely dodging each ball.
Yet it did help him in one aspect: his spatial awareness.
By constantly having steel balls being pelted at him, his reaction speed and body fluidity kept on getting better and better. At first, he found it tiring, hating it almost. Yet as time progressed, feeling the sense of improvement, he started to.enjoynyjsi feeling, craving it to the point of obsession.
Just as he felt that this would goon forever, the room vanished, leaving behind the pitch black void again. Realising that the test was over, he headed towards the exit, sweating heavily, panting with masochistic joy.