Chapter 6: The Final Trial
The heavy wooden door creaked open as Ryker, the stern and seasoned trainer, entered the training arena.
His sharp, calculating eyes scanned the gathered trainees before landing on the young man who was to face the final trial.
The young man, roughly eighteen with an athletic build and fierce gaze, followed Ryker silently as they moved closer to Adam, who was already waiting on the training grounds.
Ryker motioned for the young man to step forward, his expression stern yet indifferent, as he sized up Adam.
The tension in the room thickened. Adam, with his calm but alert demeanor, stood steady, his gaze cold as steel.
He was dressed in a dark, fitted combat uniform that emphasized his lean, toned muscles.
His shaggy hair fell over his forehead, casting a shadow that made his piercing eyes appear even sharper.
"This will be your final trial," Ryker announced, his voice carrying an air of authority that echoed throughout the arena. "Only one of you will pass. The other…" He paused, letting the implication sink in, "…won't make it."
Adam's gaze flickered to Ryker. "At least tell me his name," he said, his tone cool but direct.
Ryker let out a dismissive sigh, as if annoyed by the question. "His name is Gannet. That's all I know." Gannet, meanwhile, glanced at Adam, sizing him up with an arrogant smirk.
Ryker continued, "The rules are simple. Only the one left standing by the end will survive and earn the right to serve our organization. There is no other way."
Adam barely registered Ryker's words before a familiar notification window appeared before him, floating in the air with an eerie blue glow. His eyes darted over the text:
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> Mission: Survival
> Objective: Survive the match and eliminate your opponent.
> Reward: 300 SP points, System Default Skill—Learning.
> Penalty: Death.
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Adam grimaced. 'This system was supposed to help me, yet it keeps pushing me closer to death,' he thought wryly.
But the reward was too tempting to ignore. He dismissed the notification, clearing his mind, focusing. 'I have the Legendary Skill. I won't lose this easily. Whatever they throw at me, I'll face it head-on.'
While Adam steeled himself, Gannet's voice cut through the silence, dripping with arrogance. "Old man, if I beat this kid, that means I'll be the new trainee, right?"
Ryker nodded solemnly, and Gannet's smirk grew wider. "Then get ready. I'll finish this kid in one punch." His confidence was palpable as he squared his shoulders, readying himself to attack.
Adam remained silent, his calm exterior betraying none of the irritation he felt at Gannet's taunts. 'Why does everyone feel the need to mock me? Do I look that weak?'
A flicker of anger crossed his face, but he quickly suppressed it. He'd had enough of these insults, and he intended to make Gannet regret every single one of them.
"Begin!" Ryker's voice thundered, signaling the start of the trial.
Adam took a deep breath, activating his skill, Mana Eye. Instantly, his vision sharpened, allowing him to see Gannet's mana flow clearly.
His opponent's Mana glowed a vibrant blue, indicating an impressive mana reserve and years of combat experience.
Adam could see the tightly coiled muscles beneath Gannet's skin, hardened from countless hours of training. 'This guy has definitely trained with mana before,' Adam thought, mentally preparing himself.
Gannet started walking toward Adam slowly, as if savoring his victory in advance.
Then, without warning, he broke into a sprint, covering the ground between them in seconds.
Adam didn't flinch, standing his ground as he activated his unique skill, Kinetic Enigma.
The moment Gannet's fist swung toward Adam's face, he felt the kinetic energy from the blow course through his body, absorbing it entirely.
Gannet's knuckles collided with Adam's face, but to his shock, it felt as though he had just punched solid steel.
His eyes widened in disbelief. Gritting his teeth, he threw another punch, this time aimed at Adam's stomach, but again, Adam's skill absorbed the impact, rendering the blow ineffective.
Adam's lips curved into a faint smile as he finally spoke, his voice low. "Kinetic Enigma—Five Times Kinetic Energy."
Energy surged into Adam's hand, amplified by fivefold, and he struck back with a forceful punch to Gannet's forearm.
Gannet stumbled backward, pain radiating through his arm as if he'd been hit by a battering ram.
He gasped, shock and fear flickering in his eyes. 'This guy… he's stronger than I thought!'
Adam's confidence soared as he watched Gannet stumble. He could sense his opponent's growing unease, which only fueled his resolve.
No longer interested in simply defending, Adam decided to go on the offensive.
His muscles tensed as he charged toward Gannet with newfound speed, each step carrying the momentum of the stored kinetic energy.
As Adam closed in, Gannet adjusted his stance, adopting a defensive posture. 'If I wait for the right moment, I can counter him and end this,' he thought, determination hardening his gaze. But Adam had already planned his next move.
"Kinetic Enigma—Ten Times Kinetic Energy," Adam muttered, channeling the amplified energy into his fists and feet.
With a burst of speed, he closed the distance in a heartbeat.
Gannet's eyes widened in shock as Adam's fist collided with his jaw, sending him hurtling across the arena with brutal force.
Gannet's body crashed against the edge of the ring, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
He struggled to push himself up, his vision blurring. 'I underestimated him,' he thought, rage and shame flaring within him.
This wasn't just any fight; this was a battle for survival, and he had let his arrogance cloud his judgment.
Watching from the sidelines, Ryker's usually indifferent expression shifted ever so slightly.
He couldn't help but feel a hint of fear as he observed Adam's raw, untamed power. 'If this boy is given time to train… he'll become a force to be reckoned with,' he thought, a flicker of apprehension crossing his face.
Adam took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his accomplishment as he watched Gannet struggle.
To be continued....