The arena began to shift and warp around them, as if they were being transported to an entirely different location. Kaen blinked in astonishment, his heart racing as the familiar environment morphed into something foreign. He was not alone in his surprise; two of the other three participants mirrored his bewilderment. The exception was a silver-haired girl, who stood resolute and composed, an unwavering determination etched across her features.
"Who is she?" Kaen muttered under his breath, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension. As the shifting motion came to an abrupt halt, he took in their new surroundings with wide eyes.
"Where is this?" he wondered aloud. They found themselves in a stark, sterile room filled with an array of complex machinery. The air was thick with the hum of equipment and the scent of antiseptic. Strangely, they were not alone; a group of people in lab coats bustled about, their expressions focused and intent.
"[First, we will test your aptitude for wielding Manu, and we will continue with the exam.]" The voice that echoed through the room was different this time—not Darius's but a calm, authoritative female voice.
"Jael Ryder, step forward!" one of the lab-coated individuals called out, directing attention toward Kaen and his companions. The second boy stepped forward confidently, his determination evident.
"Yes, I'm ready," he replied, his voice steady as he approached the imposing machine—a towering pillar with a glowing sphere at its center. The man in the lab coat gestured for Jael to place his hand on the sphere, and he complied without hesitation. As soon as his palm made contact, the sphere radiated a brilliant blue light.
"Good! You have an awakened core," the lab technician announced with a nod of approval. After the assessment, Jael was escorted to a separate room, leaving the remaining participants to await their turn.
"Lina Strauss, step forward!" The next name rang out, and one of the girls—pink-haired and strikingly beautiful—stepped up. She approached the machine, and after a similar procedure, the technician also nodded in approval, leading her to another room.
"Elena Portman! Step forward!" The last girl was called, and she stepped forward with confidence. The lab technician smiled broadly, even laughing in delight as he guided her away after a successful assessment.
"Kaen Ruck! Step forward!" When his name echoed through the room, Kaen took a deep breath and stepped up, his heart pounding in his chest. The technician gestured for him to approach the pillar.
"Put your hand on the sphere," he instructed.
"Okay," Kaen replied, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice. As he placed his hand on the cold surface of the sphere, he felt a sudden tremor course through it. Startled, he pulled his hand back slightly, but it was too late; the sphere began to glow ominously dark, the vibrations intensifying until, with a deafening crack, it shattered into a thousand fragments.
"Eh?" Kaen uttered in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock.
"Eh?" The lab technician echoed, equally astonished. Both of them exchanged stunned glances, the air thick with an electric tension as they processed the chaotic spectacle before them.