Alex (surprised): "W..Whaaaat?!"
His voice broke the sudden silence between them as he stared at Simon in disbelief. Simon had just revealed his unique ability.
Alex (shocked): "You can scan things?! That's awesome as hell dude"
Simon blushed slightly and gave a shy smile, trying to downplay the significance of his power.
Simon (awkwardly): "Yeah, but… not how you're thinking. It's just scanning objects, really. Knowing details most people don't care about. Nothing impressive."
Alex shot him a sympathetic look. He knew Simon felt like his ability wasn't all that important, but Alex still wanted to show his support.
Alex (with a small smile): "Hey, at least you've got something you can control. Me? Random teleportation."
He said it casually, hiding the truth. He didn't want to talk about the hidden tattoos that gave him powers he'd rather keep secret.
Simon (teasing): "Random teleportation? Seriously?so it was for real in a random way like the rumors said"
Alex (laughing): "Yeah, sometimes I end up in the corner of a room, and other times… smack in the middle of a wall."
He grinned, trying to lighten the mood.
They both laughed, but inside, Alex's anxiety was still building. As they continued walking toward campus, their conversation shifted.
Simon (confidently):"Anyway, I don't think today's test will be too hard. We aced the theory part, didn't we?"
Alex smiled a little, knowing Simon's confidence came from how well he'd done on the written portion. Alex was decent at theory too, but that wasn't where the real problem was.
Alex (feigning indifference):"Yeah, theory was a breeze."
But the truth? The field test was where things could fall apart. He needed to get top marks, or he'd lose his scholarship, and that meant no more university. The thought alone made his stomach churn.
Alex (thinking, tense): "The field test today is the real problem."
Simon glanced over, picking up on the faint hint of worry in Alex's expression.
Simon (confidently):"Alex, don't stress. All we need to do is show we can handle our abilities. Even if they're basic, no one expects us to be pros yet."
Alex tried to smile, but the pressure was suffocating. Simon didn't know the whole truth. Alex had been hiding a large part of his power, and the field test was where he'd have to prove himself. But if he revealed everything, it could attract the wrong kind of attention, and if he failed, that would be the end.
Alex (thinking): "Simon might be relaxed since his power is straightforward, but he has no idea about the pressure I'm under."
Alex (trying to ease his tension): "Yeah, I'll give it my best shot."
What he didn't want to admit was that if he failed today, he'd be out, with no chance to continue his studies.
Their conversation drifted naturally. Simon, ever the optimist, was excited for the day. Alex, on the other hand, was doing his best to keep his rising anxiety hidden behind jokes and casual remarks.
Simon (jokingly): "At least there's no written exam today! I'm so done with writing."
Alex (smiling): "True, but today we've got to prove ourselves out there."
He said, feeling like each step toward the university added weight to his chest. Today could be his last if he didn't score well.
Alex and Simon arrived at the test hall, the walls gleaming with lights, advanced technology everywhere, showcasing the incredible progress of their world. The hum of students training mixed with the sound of hurried footsteps in the background.
Simon (optimistically): "Look at all this tech! Seems like they're really investing in everything here."
Alex (quietly): "Yeah, but none of this will help if I can't pass the test."
As they were talking, a tall man with striking features walked over. He was dressed in athletic gear, and his sharp eyes carried a sense of seriousness. Alex recognized him right away—it was Professor John Smith.
John (with a slight smile): "Good to see you both, Alex, and... your friend. Sorry, I've forgotten the name."
Alex and Simon both straightened up, with Alex giving a polite greeting.
Alex (a bit reserved):"Hello, Professor John."
Simon (respectfully): "It's Simon, sir. Good morning."
John turned to Alex, his expression thoughtful as he spoke in a calm tone, "I heard from Professor Elizabeth about what happened with Matthew."
A flush of embarrassment crept over Alex, his heart speeding up. He wasn't eager to revisit that incident.
John (serious): "It was worrying—you lost your temper and nearly hurt your classmate."
Alex nodded, fully aware he'd acted impulsively. That moment reminded him how quickly he could lose control.
John (with understanding): "It's good to see you back. I hope you're feeling better now and ready to keep moving forward with your studies."
Alex felt a mix of embarrassment and gratitude, unsure how to respond.
Alex (quietly): "Yeah, I… I'll do my best."
He was doing his best to stay calm, but he could feel the pressure building from every angle.
John (encouragingly): "Remember, mental preparation is just as important as the physical. If you ever feel like things are slipping out of control, take a deep breath and reset your focus."
Alex nodded, feeling the weight behind the professor's words. As Simon listened closely, Alex realized he wasn't alone on this journey—the support from his friend and the professor could really make a difference.
John (gesturing toward the hall): "Alright, get yourselves ready for the test. Use everything you've learned and aim for your best."
As they walked toward the test preparation area, Alex felt ready, even though there was still some nervousness bubbling inside him. He knew that before he could prove anything to anyone else, he had to prove it to himself.
While the other students got ready, Alex noticed a group of professors gathered in the corner. When he turned his head, he saw her: Professor Elizabeth, with her striking silver hair and captivating presence.
Alex (to himself, whispering):"No way. Is that really Professor Elizabeth?"
Just as he was watching, something unexpected happened—she gave him a quick wink from across the room, a friendly greeting.
But… (-_-)
A weird feeling hit Alex, like an arrow straight to the heart.
Alex (internally, stunned):"Did she just… wink at me?"
His face turned red, and his thoughts began to run wild. In his head, he imagined standing in front of her as she praised his courage. Then, out of nowhere, a funny little scene popped up—he pictured their future daughter running over to him, calling out, "Daddy!" with a beaming smile.
Alex (chuckling in his head): "We'd make a great adventuring family! I'd be an awesome dad!"
But then reality came rushing back as he remembered losing his temper with Matthew. He looked back at Elizabeth and realized the wink was just a friendly gesture.
Alex (a little embarrassed): "Oh, it was just a hello. What was I even thinking?"
Feeling awkward, he tried to keep smiling. He gave a polite nod and almost tripped over himself from the nerves.
Alex (telling himself, trying to stay composed): "I really need to stop letting my mind run away with me."
While Simon was busy chatting with the other students, Alex let out a deep breath, trying to get his head back in the game. The wink still lingered in his mind, but now it was time to focus—things were getting serious.
___
The students gathered in the large hall, their nervous whispers blending with the hum of nearby equipment. The cold, white light from the overhead lamps gave the place a serious, almost intimidating atmosphere. Everything seemed carefully arranged to encourage focus and caution. Alex stood next to Simon, trying to keep his outward composure, but inside, he was a bundle of nerves. The closer the test came, the more the pressure built on his chest. His stomach twisted occasionally, as if he were racing against the clock.
Alex (to himself):"It all comes down to today... everything."
He glanced around at the faces of his classmates. Some had nervous smiles, while others seemed to be masking their fear. Simon looked more relaxed than most, but Alex knew him well enough to see he wasn't as calm as he appeared.
Just then, a middle-aged professor stepped forward, cutting through the murmur of the room. He had a confident stride, with a short beard that made him look serious, though his calm smile offered some reassurance. He glanced over the students before speaking in a steady, clear voice:
Professor (calmly): "I know a lot of you are feeling anxious, and that's perfectly normal. This is a significant moment in your journey as hunters-in-training, but it's not the final one. The purpose of this test is to assess how well you control your abilities, not to determine whether you pass or fail."
Alex listened carefully, trying to let the professor's words sink in. He wanted to believe that it wouldn't be as bad as he was imagining.
Professor (continuing):"The test today is split into three parts. The first part is entirely individual. You'll each enter a virtual reality capsule, where you'll face a series of traps designed to test your intelligence, reflexes, and agility."
Alex pictured himself inside the capsule—a virtual world filled with traps. What kind would they be? Technical? Physical? Or would they challenge his senses? His mind buzzed with possibilities, none of which made him feel any more prepared.
Professor (gesturing): "It's not just about surviving the traps, though. It's about how you respond to them. Can you think on your feet? Can you stay calm under pressure?"
Alex had been through some tough moments in his life, but this pressure was something different. There wouldn't be a second chance here. He had to prove himself right from the start.
Professor (getting more serious): "The second part is also individual. You'll face one of the instructors in a simulated arena. These arenas replicate different natural environments. The goal isn't to defeat the instructor, but to show how you handle and adapt to changing circumstances."
At that moment, Alex noticed some of the students shifting nervously. Their expressions showed a mixture of fear and uncertainty.
Alex (nervously, to himself): "An arena fight? I don't need to win, but I need to prove myself. What if I can't show enough?"
He took a deep breath, trying to calm the negative thoughts swirling in his head. It wasn't just about making it through—it was about showing what he was capable of, even the parts he wasn't sure of himself.
The professor raised a hand, signaling for full attention before he added:
Professor (with a hint of mystery): "As for the third part... I'll keep that a surprise for after you finish the first two."
The whispers in the room grew louder, as students tried to guess what the third part could be. The mystery surrounding it only seemed to fuel their unease.
Alex (growing anxious):"A surprise? What does he mean by that? Is it going to be something completely unexpected?"
His mind raced with thoughts. Could the third part be the hardest? Would it require something they hadn't been trained for? Whatever it was, Alex knew he had no choice but to prepare for anything.
The professor walked slowly toward the group, his eyes filled with encouragement. He smiled slightly and said:
Professor (confidently):"Remember, this test isn't just about measuring your physical abilities. It's about testing your mind and spirit. Mental preparation is just as important as physical readiness. If things start to get overwhelming, remember to focus—or you can always withdraw, though I wouldn't recommend that."
Alex felt a slight sense of relief as he listened to the professor's advice. He clung to those words, reminding himself that staying composed was just as important as strength or skill.
In the background, the capsules began to open slowly, signaling that the moment of truth was drawing near. A soft green light emanated from inside, like an invitation that everything was set.
Simon (with a mix of confidence and tension): "Well... looks like it's time."
Alex looked at his friend, trying to muster a bit of optimism, but he couldn't entirely hide the anxiety on his face. He took a deep breath, but it felt as if the air was too thick to fully take in.
Alex (quietly):"Yeah, it's time."
As he moved toward the capsule, his heartbeat pounded in his ears. Each step brou
ght him closer to an uncertain fate, but he knew one thing for sure: this wasn't just a test—it would define his future as a hunter.