The next morning, Caius sitting at the back of a crowded bus, staring out of the window as the city streets blurred past. The bus was filled with students from his school, all chatting excitedly and buzzing with anticipation. Today was the day of the evaluation, and it would take place at a specialized facility outside of the school grounds.
He kept his gaze fixed on the passing scenery, trying to block out the noise around him. He could hear bits and pieces of conversations floating through the bus.
"Did you hear? They say we might even get to see some high-level awakeners today."
"I hope I get a good class… imagine getting something like a Sorcerer or a Berserker!"
Murmurs continued around him as excitement and curiosity buzzed in the air.
"Did you hear? No one's got a class yet!"
"Yeah, it's weird. Everyone's status is 'none.' What does that even mean?"
"It's like we're in some kind of game, but no one's figured out how to play."
Their words were filled with nervous excitement, but Caius could only roll his eyes. "These fools are acting like they're about to become heroes," he thought.
As he brooded, he felt a sudden weight on his shoulder. He glanced to his side and saw Aiden, who had somehow dozed off, leaning against him. Caius's eye twitched with irritation. He glared at Aiden and pushed his head away, causing Aiden to jolt awake.
"Huh? What?" Aiden mumbled, looking around groggily. He blinked a few times, confused, before realizing where he was. "Oh... hey, Caius," he said with a lazy grin, as if he hadn't just made himself comfortable on Caius's shoulder.
Caius narrowed his eyes. "Do you think we're friends or something?" he snapped. "Don't touch me." He shifted away from Aiden, putting a bit of distance between them.
Aiden chuckled and stretched, unfazed by the cold reception. "Relax, Caius. No need to be so uptight. Just got a bit tired from all this excitement."
Caius didn't bother responding.The bus came to a stop, and the students started filing out one by one, their chatter growing even louder with excitement. Caius waited patiently, letting the others go first. He wasn't in any rush.
"Hey, hurry up, Caius," one of the students sneered as they passed him. "Don't want to be the last one again, do you?"
Caius ignored them, standing up slowly and grabbing his bag. As he made his way toward the exit, he could feel the eyes of a few students lingering on him, murmurs following in his wake. He paid them no mind.
The bus doors opened, and the students stepped out into a vast facility nestled in the outskirts of the city. As Caius got off the bus, he surveyed the area. The place had an air of both authority and isolation. The facility was named Ordinus Training Center, a sprawling complex designed for rigorous training and evaluations. The entrance was marked by tall, iron gates, and a wide path led up to the main building—a large, modern structure made of steel and glass that gleamed under the morning sun.
The main building stood in the middle of an expansive courtyard, which was lined with trees and meticulously maintained hedges. Beyond the building, there were extensive open fields, tracks, and various training grounds. In the distance, Caius could see a dense forest that bordered the entire area, adding a natural barrier that seemed to isolate the facility from the outside world. The forest, with its towering trees and thick undergrowth, gave the place a secluded, almost eerie feel.
A man stood waiting for them at the entrance of the main building, flanked by several assistants. He was in his late forties, wearing a neatly pressed suit and carrying an air of authority. His short, silver hair and sharp eyes commanded attention. As the students gathered around, he raised his hand to call for silence.
"Welcome to Ordinus Training Center," he began, his voice firm and clear. "I am Director Alaric Thornfield, the head of this facility. I will be overseeing your evaluation and training here. Some of you might have heard bits and pieces about what's happening, but let me make this clear—today marks the beginning of a new era for all of you."
The students listened attentively, some nervously glancing at each other, while others whispered excitedly.
Director Thornfield continued, "This facility is equipped with the latest technology and resources to assess and train those who have awakened to this new system. Our goal is to help you understand and utilize your newfound abilities effectively. The evaluations today will be divided into several stages to determine your potential, and how best to guide your development."
He gestured toward a few assistants standing nearby. "These are your guides for the day. They will take you through each step of the evaluation process. Pay close attention to their instructions."
One of the assistants, a young woman with short brown hair and a clipboard in hand, stepped forward. "Follow me, please," she said, her tone brisk and professional. She led the group toward the first section of the facility, where a large electronic board displayed various information about the evaluations.
Caius looked around as they walked. The place was certainly designed to impress—everything was state-of-the-art, from the high-tech equipment to the carefully planned architecture. The pathways were wide, and the grounds were clearly divided into different sections. There was a section with running tracks, another with what looked like obstacle courses, and a more secluded area with small arenas.
The assistant continued, "Today's evaluations will include several tests: physical fitness, reflexes, endurance, and a simulation assessment. These tests will help us gauge where each of you stands currently, and whether you have any unique capabilities."
Caius listened but was more interested in the forest area he'd noticed earlier.
As they reached the first testing area, a large open field with various pieces of equipment set up, the assistant began explaining. "We'll start with a series of physical tests. These are designed to measure your current physical abilities—strength, speed, agility, and endurance. You'll be assigned points based on your performance."
"Points?" Caius muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing. "So they're turning this into some kind of game."
Another assistant stepped up with a smile that seemed a little too eager. "Yes, points! They're important because they will determine your ranking and progress. The better you perform, the more opportunities you'll have for advanced training and specialized classes."
As the students lined up for their first test, Caius remained at the back, observing. "So this is how they intend to control us," he thought. "By dangling the carrot of advancement and powers we've yet to understand."
The excitement was palpable among the students. Some were stretching, others bouncing on their toes, psyching themselves up for the challenges ahead. Murmurs filled the air:
"I heard the higher your score, the faster you can unlock a class."
"Really? I hope I get something cool, like a swordsman or a mage."
"No way, man! I'm aiming for something even rarer."