After the lateral run, the candidates prepare for the next test. Gustavo and Isadora are in a fierce duel.
**Isadora (mocking):** What's the matter? Weren't you the big shot?
**Gustavo (angry):** SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
**Official:** End of the lateral test. Now, strength meter.
**Isadora (proud):** Looks like I won again.
However, the scoreboard shows that Gustavo performed slightly better. The participants are starting to lose hope.
**Extra 1:** Man, I don't think we're going to make it.
**Extra 2:** Already giving up? Try to be more positive.
**Bia (excited):** Oh, that's great, I'm amazing!
**Gustavo (annoyed):** Seriously?
**Isadora (mocking):** Well, at least your little friend is good.
**Gustavo (annoyed):** She's my sister, ponytail.
**Isadora (proud):** Whatever. Someone as stressed as you must have their ego crushed for losing to two girls. Haha.
Gustavo's face turns red with anger, but he is interrupted by the official who takes them to the next phase.
**Official:** Bring in the punching machine. You'll hit this machine, which will measure the power of your punches, but this time, skills are allowed.
**Isadora (curious):** Looks like there have been changes this year. They made an exception.
**Bia:** So, last year, you couldn't use skills in this phase?
**Isadora (disdainful):** Weren't you just insulting me?
**Bia:** Oh, but that's in the past. Don't hold grudges, okay?
**Gustavo (thinking):** Now I'm sure Bia is bipolar.
**Official:** Alright, participants, start punching.
The participants start hitting the machine, showing their skills. It's Bia's turn. She throws a punch, but it's considered weak.
**Isadora (mocking):** Seems like her strong points are just speed and agility.
Isadora steps up, uses her physical enhancement skill, and punches the machine, pushing it back and making a huge noise. She turns around proudly but sees Gustavo's smile.
**Isadora (thinking):** What's up with him?
Gustavo steps up happily, activates his skill, and his muscles surge with energy. Everyone stares in surprise. He punches the machine with such force that it destroys it, leaving everyone stunned.
**Official:** He destroyed the machine with an incredible punch. It's been a while since I've seen someone like that.
Isadora is shocked.
**Isadora:** You've got to be kidding. He destroyed the machine. No, maybe my punch weakened the machine. That must be it.
**Extra 3:** Damn, the guy's a beast!
**Extra 4:** I better start thinking about another career. How about gardening?
**Extra 5:** I should've brought my first aid kit...
But Isadora is still bothered.
**Official:** But we can't stop. Let's move on to the next phase. Running. Skills will not be allowed, just like in the previous phase.
The candidates prepare.
**Isadora (determined):** Don't get all high and mighty because of your punch, but this time I guarantee you'll eat dust.
**Gustavo (provoking):** What's up? Are you getting all worked up?
The official signals the start and the competitors take off. Gustavo and Isadora race ahead, fiercely competing, but soon Bia overtakes them with ease.
**Bia:** Bye-bye, you losers!
**Gustavo (nervous):** Damn, if she wins, she'll be bragging. But no way I'm letting that happen!
Bia runs ahead, laughing, and is the first to arrive.
**Bia:** Okay, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh!
**Isadora:** Hmm, what a fast girl, and let me clarify something: you only broke that machine because I punched it first.
Isadora walks away.
Gustavo ignores her.
**Gustavo (panting):** Damn, I should've trained my legs more. I came in 4th.
**Extra 6:** That girl is like Usain Bolt.
**Extra 7:** How does that skinny girl run so fast?
**Extra 8:** I don't know.
The three extras collapse on the ground.
### After the Race
Gustavo and Isadora continue their rivalry, and the tension is palpable as they move on to the next test. Gustavo is panting and exhausted, while Bia, who just finished the race, watches eagerly to see what comes next.
**Gustavo (panting):** Damn, you run fast, Bia.
**Bia (smiling):** I know. But I'm curious, how's Zeki doing?
Isadora, who overheard the conversation, turns with a curious look.
**Isadora (curious):** Who is this Zeki?
**Gustavo (irritated):** And what? What's it to you, busybody?
**Isadora (sarcastically):** That language is what you'd expect from someone nervous.
**Gustavo (confused):** What?
**Bia (trying to defuse):** Don't complicate things, girl.
**Isadora (disdainful):** Whatever. But who is this Zeki?
**Bia (disdainful):** Why do you want to know?
**Isadora (curious):** Just curious. Is he some sort of rival or something?
**Bia (disinterested):** Don't worry. You'll meet him when the exam is over.
Isadora is slightly irritated by the response.
**Isadora (cold):** Got it. See you at the end. Goodbye.
**Bia (muttering):** Ugh, what a stuck-up girl.
**Gustavo (provoking):** You're not so different from her, if we look closer.
**Bia (irritated):** Oh yeah? Take this!
Bia zaps Gustavo with mini shocks, making him squirm and laugh nervously.
**Gustavo (laughing):** Okay, okay, stop, that's enough!
**Bia (huffing):** Hmpf, just don't provoke me.
The official makes an announcement over the microphone.
**Official:** We have reached the end of the physical tests. Please proceed to the written tests. Go to the room corresponding to the number on the paper given to you at the beginning.
Bia and Gustavo head to their test rooms. Bia is calm, while Gustavo starts sweating nervously about the written exam.
### In the Written Exam
Participants are surprised to see Zeki finishing the test before many have even started. The examiner is stunned.
**Participant 1 (suspicious):** Wait, he's done already? This can't be! The test wasn't even distributed a minute ago.
**Participant 2 (suspicious):** He must have cheated. There's no other explanation.
**Participant 3 (accusatory):** I saw him fidgeting a lot during the test. I bet he used some kind of skill.
**Participant 4 (irritated):** He must be using some kind of cheating. It's not possible to finish so quickly.
**Participant 5 (whispering):** Yeah, I think he didn't pass without help. Someone should check if he cheated.
The examiner, noticing the growing murmurs and accusations, quickly approaches.
**Examiner (addressing the participants):** Silence! If anyone thinks Zeki cheated, I'd like to know who and why. But first, let's clear this up right now.
**Participant 6 (nervous):** Professor, Zeki must have used some skill to finish so fast.
**Examiner (calm but firm):** If he had cheated, I would have noticed. I'll review the test now. If anyone has concrete evidence, present it. Otherwise, be quiet.
The participants fall silent, some murmuring in discontent. The examiner then approaches Zeki.
**Examiner (surprised):** You finished so quickly. That's impressive. Go to the skills room. The path is to the right, and the room is at the end of the hall.
**Zeki (thanking):** Thanks. See you later.
Zeki heads to the skills room while the examiner watches, still surprised by Zeki's efficiency. The other participants are restless.
After finishing the skills tests, Zeki sat on a bench but soon heard a voice over the loudspeaker.
**Speaker:** Attention, please! Everyone who has finished the tests may go home. For those unsure about the results, we will send a letter by tonight. Please be patient.
**Zeki (thoughtful):** Hmm, in that case, I'll find the others.
Zeki left the testing area and went to the room where Gustavo and Bia were. When he arrived, he saw them chatting animatedly.
**Bia (cheerful):** Look, Zeki! Hey, we're here!
Zeki went over to them.
**Bia (curious):** So, Zeki, how was your test? Was it good?
**Zeki (calm):** It was.
**Bia (laughing):** Zeki, you had to see it! It was hilarious, Gustavo and a girl named Isadora wouldn't stop arguing. Haha!
**Gustavo (irritated):** It was that crazy one who ate it.
**Bia (retorting):** She also sounded like a loudspeaker saying she wouldn't get angry.
Gustavo ignores Bia's comment.
**Gustavo (curious):** So, Zeki, did you manage to lift any weights without relying on your psychic powers?
**Zeki (calm):** Yes.
**Bia (curious):** How much did you lift?
**Zeki (serious):** Eight tons.
**Bia (surprised):** Wow, I knew you were strong, but I didn't think you'd lift that much without using your powers. You're awesome!
**Gustavo (laughing):** Haha! Eight tons? I knew I was stronger than you! I lifted eighteen tons without using skills, I'm the best!
**Bia (informing):** Isadora lifted twenty tons.
**Gustavo (irritated):** Shut up, you gossip!
**Zeki (curious):** Who is this Isadora?
At this moment, footsteps approach the three. Isadora introduces herself.
**Isadora (proud):** So you're the Zeki, right?
The three turn to her.
**Zeki (calm):** Yes.
**Gustavo (irritated):** Get lost, woman! No one invited you to this conversation!
**Bia (trying to calm down):** Calm down, Gustavo!
**Gustavo (confused):** Girl, decide which side you're on!
**Bia (irritated):** Stop yelling, you idiot!
**Isadora (mocking):** So, Zeki, I noticed something peculiar about you.
**Zeki (curious):** What would that be?
**Isadora (provocative):** Why is your hair pink?
Bia and Gustavo stop arguing and stare at Zeki.
**Bia (curious):** Wow, that's true! I forgot to ask. So, Zeki, why is your hair pink?
**Gustavo (provoking):** Don't tell me your favorite color is pink!
**Zeki (explaining):** My hair is light red.
**Gustavo (insistent):** It's pink!
**Zeki (resolute):** No, it's light red.
**Gustavo (disdainful):** To me, it looks pink.
**Zeki (responding):** Forget it.
**Gustavo (provoking):** Alright, then it's pink.
Bia gives Gustavo a smack on the head.
**Bia (irritated):** Are you deaf, kid? He said it's light red!
**Gustavo (joking):** I was just kidding with him.
Zeki turns to Isadora.
**Zeki (calm):** So how can I help?
**Isadora (proud):** Yes, I just wanted to meet the third person in this training.
**Isadora (curious):** But then, Zeki, what is your skill?
**Zeki (polite):** I don't mind saying, if you could tell me yours first.
**Isadora (fair):** Alright, that's fair. My skill is physical enhancement. I see, so you can
**Zeki (calm):** I have psychic abilities.
Isadora is surprised by this.
**Isadora (curious):** Ah, I see. Could you tell me how the test went?
**Zeki (disdainful):** Extremely easy.
Isadora makes a somewhat serious face.
**Isadora (mocking):** You seem different from those two. Why do you hang out with them?
Gustavo gets irritated hearing this.
**Gustavo (nervous):** Wait, are you calling us dead weight?
**Bia (encouraging):** You know what, Gustavo, if you want to insult her, go ahead.
But Zeki raises his hand.
**Zeki (calm):** The tests are over. I'm going home. So, see you later.
**Bia (disappointed):** You're leaving already? Don't you want to come over to my place?
**Zeki (polite):** Sorry, but no. Thanks.
**Zeki:** If you want, we can talk later.
**Bia:** Alright, but first, can you tell me all the ranks, just so I know?
**Zeki:** The ranks are:
- Z (Global)
- S
- A
- B
- D
- C
- E
- G
**Zeki:** So there are 8 ranks in total.
**Bia:** Got it, thanks.
**Isadora:** I'm going too.
*Isadora walks away without saying more.*
**Gustavo:** Are you coming with me, Bia?
**Bia:** I am.
*Then, everyone heads home.*