Kai woke up with a tingling sensation running about in his body. Today they were to officially begin the first challenge among their ranks since he came into the academy. At the end of this challenge, their performance during the challenge would reflect on the Ranking Board giving them a new perspective on who was the top recruit and worthy material for the academy.
"Alright, Kai, remember to stay focused," Frode said, his voice a mix of confidence and concern as he slapped Kai on the back. Kai nodded, his eyes darting around the crowded arena. They had both just made it to the arena in time. Soon they noticed a space beside Annika and Ingrid, they had been reserving the seats for their teammates. "C'mon, over here." Ingrid's voice though inaudible from the noise the crowd made, Kai and Frode still understood as they made their way towards the seat.
The Colonel soon arrived, making a grand entrance with the Sergeant and Professor behind him. The once noisy hall was now as quiet as the space that surrounded prime earth, even a pinfall could be heard inside the arena. The Colonel took his place at the podium, his voice booming through the loudspeakers. "Welcome, recruits, to the day that will set the stage for your futures!" His smile was wide and genuine, but there was a steely glint in his eyes that made Kai's stomach tighten. "Today, you will face your first challenge: the obstacle course. Only teams that work together will come out on top. Are you ready?"
The arena buzzed with anticipation as the first team was called up. They sprinted to the starting line, a mix of nerves and excitement palpable in the air. Each team would take their turn, the crowd's cheers growing louder as they watched their comrades push themselves to the limit. The Ranking Board flickered and changed with every victory and defeat, teams moving up and down like pawns in a giant chess game.
Ake's team was next to face the obstacles challenge, They had dropped on the Ranking Board already since other teams had proved to be a challenge. Ake, with his agile frame, took the first obstacle with ease, a series of rope swings over a pit of foam blocks, he used his wind power to support himself, making it across the pit with a record time. Miguel followed, his breathing heavy but his movements precise. He was not a bearer of an air node but a sound node.
They soon reached the middle of the course where they encountered the infamous "Wall of Hands," a towering structure covered in artificial hands that randomly opened and closed, leaving only narrow gaps to climb through.
Ake, the team's wildcard, stepped up again. His ego had been bruised by their low ranking, but his other teammates had managed to pass the first challenge with the longest time, delaying him with a setback and he was determined to prove himself. He scaled the wall with surprising speed, ignoring the pain that shot through his fingers with each handhold. His air skill was very instrumental in his attempt to pass the challenge.
Miguel went next, his larger size making the climb more challenging. His teammates watched anxiously as he moved steadily, his muscles bulging with effort.
Stu's heart pounded as he took his turn. He had never felt so exposed, the eyes of the entire arena seemingly boring into his back. He took a deep breath and began to climb, each hand and foothold a battle against his fear and doubt. The hands on the wall felt like they were closing in on him, trying to push him back down. His grip slipped, and for a moment, he was suspended in the air, gravity taunting him. Miguel reached out, catching his arm and pulling him up. "Don't look down, Stu. Just keep going," he whispered fiercely.
With renewed determination, Stu found his rhythm and climbed. When he reached the top, he felt a burst of pride. He had done it. He had overcome his fear. The team regrouped at the top, panting and grinning at each other. The final obstacle was the "River of Fire," a narrow wooden bridge with flaming pits on either side. The flames licked at the air, casting an orange glow across the arena.
The Colonel announced, "Teams, you must cross the river in pairs. Only the brave will make it through unscathed!"
Stu looked at his teammates, his heart racing. He was the black sheep of his team and he needed to make it out. Miguel stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. "I'll go in front," he said, his voice strong and commanding. Ake nodded, and together they formed a knot by holding their hands.
Stu followed suit as he held onto Ake's hand. Their other two teammates also did the same. Ake's eyes were wide, but he took a deep breath and sprinted alongside Miguel. His overconfidence was evident as he ignored his teammates, focusing only on himself.
They stumbled once, the heat intense, but managed to recover. However, as they reached the halfway point, Miguel's foot slipped, and he toppled into the flames. The crowd gasped as Ake dove to grab his hand, his arm reaching through the fiery curtain. With a powerful pull, Ake yanked him back onto the bridge, the fire leaving a scorch mark on his uniform.
Soon they emerged victorious as the victory horns sounded. Ake's team skyrocketed back to first position as they had completed the challenge in record time. Only those who were yet to perform would now be able to beat their record.
As the teams completed the obstacle course, some emerged bruised but triumphant, while others staggered off, defeated. The tension grew as the lower-ranked teams began to prove their worth, knocking out some of the early favorites. The Colonel's smile grew wider, his eyes gleaming as he watched the competition unfold.
When Kai's team, still ranked at 29, was called up, the crowd fell silent. This was a team with potential and without a doubt would be able to pass the challenge successfully. Frode took the lead, his broad shoulders squared as he studied the daunting course. "We've got this," he murmured to the others, though the doubt in their eyes was clear.