"Now that there is a lot of hidden potential." A wry laugh echoed through the room followed by some gulping. It seemed whoever was trying to laugh had choked up and was trying to calm himself down by taking some water. The mysterious man took his seat back in his office. Before placing a cup on the table. He was watching the eventful morning show at the canteen through the monitor in his office. He gave the order for the trooper present in the canteen not to interfere with the matter and from what had happened his guess was correct. Kai Halsten surely had powers that lay hidden, he just needed someone to act as a catalyst to be able to use them.
αα
Kai's receding footsteps echoed through the empty hallway leading to the dorm where he stayed. He seemed to be in a hurry, the sizzling sounds coming from his back made matters only worse for him. He swore to run if not for the, "DO NOT RUN, WET FLOOR!" Sign that was open just by the entrance to the dormitory.
Kai quickly shut the door behind him as he entered his dorm, making sure it was locked securely before rushing over to his bed. He took off his uniform, placing it on the bed before walking over to the reflective window. He smelt burnt skin, his back ached from the feeling.
'What is that?' Kai thought as he tried to use his hand to reach for the new mark he had on his back, but failed since the mark was far into his back and could only be observed. He had no previous marks on him before this morning and now he was growing one. It looked like a scale but had a wrinkle-hard old look accompanied by its red color. 'Am I growing scales?' Fear was slowly growing inside of him.
A light knock came from the door bringing Kai back from his thoughts. "Just give me a minute," Kai replied at the knock. He quickly picked up his uniform, putting it on before going to check on who was at the door.
The knock came again before Kai opened up. It was Annika.
"Oh! Great, you're alright!" Annika said as Kai came out of the dorm.
"Why shouldn't I be?" Kai answered back at her harshly. He didn't know why, but he hated the Randi family. "You know you shouldn't be here, this could get us, me, in trouble."
Annika trailed behind Kai observing him as they walked out of the dormitory.
"We've been asked to gather at the training hall, that's all."
"Lead the way then," Kai said as he stopped gesturing at Annika to take the lead with his hands. "After you."
αα
"Welcome to Assembly recruits." Sergeant Valkyrie's voice came from the speakers that hung from the walls inside the hall.
Annika and Kai walked over to where their team sat, Frode and Ingrid were present but it seemed Erik had more important people to be with so he wasn't seated together with the team.
"The big man is back!" Frode said happily as Kai took a seat.
"Now, take your seats every according to your team." Sergeant Valkyrie said. This caused the hall to become rowdy as everyone searched for their teammates and their seat positions. After a while the hall becomes quiet again.
"Today, Colonel Skai, Accompanied by some Professor, will be taking you recruits on a tour around the facility." Sergeant Valkyrie began. She kept a keen eye on team 29, observing Kai mostly as she continued. "While on tour team 29 shall stay behind for a brief interview." Colonel Skai walked up the stage whispering something into the Sergeant's ear.
"Please, move according to your numbers to collect your Nano Monitors from Professor Creed, and also have a nice day." Sergeant Valkyrie said before climbing down the stage.
The recruits moved with orderliness as they trailed behind each other slowly. Kai picked up his Nano Monitor from the Professor before walking over to his team. "I guess we're just going to have to stay back for the interview," Ingrid said shyly as she approached her team. She was the last member of the team to get her Nano Monitor.
"Come with me." Sergeant Valkyrie called the team as she led them. "Where are we headed?" Erik asked, he had created a strong impression on the team after yesterday's performance, so nobody bothered to challenge him.
"To the Power Assessment Chamber." Sergeant Valkyrie answered casually. "We are going to run some tests on your teammate Kai who put up a display today."
Erik turned to face Kai. "You've done it again slave boy." Erik's face turned red, Kai was now responsible for him missing his tour. "Now! You owe me."
The team kept quiet as they all followed the Sergeant, nobody paid attention to what Erik had said.
"Let's make this quick," Sergeant Valkyrie said. "Kai, please move into the Power Assessment Chamber." Kai walked into the Chamber as he entered the chamber, it closed and started to hum as the assessment began.
"P.A.C. is activated," Sergeant Valkyrie said. "Precision assessment has started, Kai. Try to focus this time."
Kai tried his best to focus but his system refused to activate. It was just like last time. Still no change in his precision assessment.
"Let's move on to the next assessment," Sergeant Valkyrie said. "Speed. Get on the velocity matrix."
The assessment ended, and Kai finished with a score of "88 out of a hundred!" Sergeant Valkyrie muttered. He still managed to keep his speed record
The strength assessment was quick this time as Kai was immediately tested with over 100kg of concrete. He was able to surpass his former score making it to 90.
"Agility and Reflex assessment is next," Sergeant Valkyrie said.
Kai was quite good at dodging the attacks from the farmworkers but was unable to cause any damage his score was at 69.
"Move to the Essence Chair."
"Activating the Essence Chair," Sergeant Valkyrie said. "Relax, recruit. Your heart rate is high. Remember not to tense your core, the chair has to build a connection."
This time Kai managed to keep a calm core as he connected with the chair. The numbers rose to the highest before coming down to 6
"Your average is 50." Sergeant Valkyrie said. "Seems you have an increase in your average but you are still stuck at rock bottom."
This was all strange for Sergeant Valkyrie. She had heard of Kai displaying some powers in the canteen today but here she was unable to beat his score.
Kai sighed sadly as he got out of the Chamber. "That will be all for today." Sergeant Valkyrie said before leaving the team.
A lot ran through Kai's thoughts. Since it was the end of the day already he decided to visit the study repository the next day.