A woman's voice echoed once more from the large speakers above the headquarters.
"Attention all applicants! You have a 15-minute break before the second phase of testing begins. Please use this time to rest and compose yourselves. Afterwards, proceed to the designated training grounds for further instructions."
Irosin let out a deep sigh upon hearing the announcement. His mind was still reeling from everything that had happened, and he felt a mix of shame and disappointment brewing within him.
"So that's why the Philippine Defense Force's salary shot up---this job is life-threatening and incredibly dangerous," he muttered to himself, trying to piece together the recent events.
Slowly, Irosin turned away from the group of applicants and walked a short distance away. Not far off, a small bench under a tree seemed to beckon him to take a brief rest. He sat down and held his stomach, where he had felt the blade's impact earlier. His hands were still trembling, and every touch he made to his torso seemed to echo with the pain he had felt before.
Unexpectedly, he noticed a young male applicant approaching him---the same one who had attacked a Devourer with fire earlier. He held two bottles of water.
"Looks like you really need that 15-minute break," he teased. "You look like you just woke up, and it's already afternoon."
Irosin smiled and accepted the water. "Did you really have to say that? None of us knew what was happening earlier."
The guy smirked and looked off into the distance, in the direction of the headquarters. "I thought it was real at first too. But sometimes, you have to think quickly. What if there are real situations like that in an actual fight? We'll all experience fear, but if we don't know how to control it, how can we fight?"
Irosin considered his words for a moment and glanced at the guy's nametag---Applicant 01, Baku Naga. "So, you're the very first applicant who accepted the Defense Force's offer."
"That's right. It's a pleasure to meet you, Applicant 300, Irosin Garlo," Baku said with a grin.
They shook hands, and Irosin noticed an unusual warmth in Baku's palm. It was as if something was burning beneath his skin. Irosin closed his eyes and felt Baku's aura. He couldn't believe the strength of the young man's energy.
When he opened his eyes again, he found Baku staring at him with a curious expression.
"So, you really are a true Shaman," Baku said in awe. "The heat of your energy... it's something else."
Baku nodded, and in that moment, his eyes seemed to ignite, as if flames had sparked within. "My power isn't strong enough yet to defeat that man."
Irosin raised an eyebrow, sensing the weight in Baku's tone. "Man?"
Baku fell silent for a moment before answering, "That man… I want to find him and burn him alive."
Irosin's brow furrowed, sensing the heavy emotion behind Baku's words. "What did he do to you?"
"Attention all applicants! Your break is over. Please proceed to the designated training grounds immediately for the second phase of testing."
They both stood up, exchanging a determined glance. "I won't let myself be humiliated again," Irosin declared, thinking of Mayari.
As they walked toward the training grounds, they felt the tension in the air. Each applicant seemed ready to show their skills, but they knew the true purpose of the Defense Force went beyond facing simple battles. Physical strength and courage were essential---traits that were being tested with every step they took toward the vast training room.
Upon entering the training room, they noticed its unusual setup. At the center was a large, circular arena with sturdy railings around it. The floor appeared to be made of some sort of material that wasn't ordinary---it looked like hardened metal infused with ancient magical symbols. In each corner stood towers with glimmering crystals, seemingly ready to unleash some form of power.
At one side of the arena stood a beautiful woman with long white hair---their instructor, Master Amara, a renowned Mage-Type Shaman skilled in various forms of magic. She wore a cloak adorned with symbols of wind and earth, and her presence cast a calm yet cold silence over the room.
"Applicants," Master Amara began, her voice clear and deep, "for this second test, we want to see how strong your control over your power and body is when faced with unexpected opponents."
Irosin glanced at Baku, who appeared to be mentally preparing for the battle. He could feel the intense determination radiating from his companion---not just to pass, but to fulfill a personal goal.
"Show us all your abilities," Master Amara continued, gesturing to the arena. "Once you enter, only the nine best will advance to the third stage of the test. And your opponents? They're not to be taken lightly. These are the Devourers---but this time, they aren't illusions."
As the Devourers emerged from the side of the arena, Irosin saw shadowy beasts with sharp fangs and blank white eyes. Each one had a smoky aura, as though their souls were bound to dark energy. A few applicants screamed, but Baku remained unfazed, his hand emitting smoke---a sign that he was ready to fight.
"Irosin," Baku murmured beside him, "I hope you don't give up."
Before Irosin could reply, Mayari suddenly leapt into the arena, throwing him a disdainful look.
"That woman!" Irosin muttered angrily and leapt into the arena without a plan.
As Irosin landed in the arena, he immediately felt the weight of the tension. He sensed the fierce energy emanating from the Devourers as they slowly advanced toward him, their smoky auras like poison filling the air around him. He could hear murmurs from the other applicants who hadn't made it to this stage, watching from the audience.
"I thought that guy would've run away in fear," one guy murmured.
"Poor guy. He definitely won't last," chuckled a girl applicant, unable to hide her amusement.
Baku leapt toward Irosin, annoyed. "On my signal," he whispered coldly. His hand ignited, and he charged at a Devourer, releasing a rope of flame from his palm. "Irosin, now!" he shouted as he ensnared one of the Devourers.
Before Irosin could react, he felt a cold breeze envelop the area. His vision went dark, and in an instant, his entire body was surrounded by an unusual energy. A purple light gradually enveloped his skin, covering his eyes until it blazed out from his entire body. The energy erupted from within him, like an uncontrollable fire.
Baku froze, taking a step back as he stared at Irosin. "What… what is that?"
Irosin didn't answer; in truth, he had no idea what was happening. His body moved on its own. He felt as if he was inside his own body but couldn't control it. The purple energy surrounding him seemed like something foreign---not a power he recognized as his own.
Three Devourers charged at him, their sharp fangs ready to strike.
But as Irosin slammed his fist into the ground, a powerful burst of energy erupted, surging from his fist in a wave of purple light that filled the entire arena. In an instant, all the surrounding Devourers turned to ash, carried away by the wind until they vanished into the air.
Everyone fell silent, stunned by the power displayed by someone they had considered an ordinary human.
"Is he really just a normal guy?" muttered the man who had been looking down on him earlier.
"Impossible… according to his resume, he's supposed to be just an average person!" Mayari stammered, staring at Irosin in the middle of the arena, confused.
Irosin glanced at Mayari, and despite the lingering fear and shock in his heart, he managed a sly smile. "Go on, tell me I'm weak now, corn-headed girl," he thought to himself.
Mayari rolled her eyes and glared at him. "We'll see if you can back up that cockiness, you ridiculous-looking man."
The nine applicants standing above the arena turned their attention to Master Amara as she spoke again. "The second stage of the trial is over. All who lie defeated on the ground have failed… and you nine have passed."