---
As the recruits murmured, some with excitement and others with nervousness, Kane couldn't help but notice the tension building among his friends. They were all in the same predicament, and the fear of being exposed as different from the others weighed heavily on them.
Before he could dwell too long on his thoughts, a stern voice broke through the chatter. "Line up, recruits!" shouted a tall officer with a severe expression, clipboard in hand. "You'll be called in groups of five for your initial assessment. You'll receive an identification band that will be displayed on the telecom you received on your way here, linked to your specific abilities. This will be part of your record throughout your time here."
Kane's heart pounded faster. They couldn't risk drawing attention by declining the ability test, but if they tried to mask their abilities, they might be suspected of something worse—cheating or dishonesty. Leo gave him a tense glance. "Any ideas, Kane?"
Before Kane could respond, another figure approached. She wore the same uniform as the instructors, her green hair pulled back in a tight braid. Her eyes scanned the recruits with sharp intelligence, lingering a little longer on Kane and his friends.
"You three, step aside," she said, her voice calm yet firm. "I'm Specialist Lena. Follow me."
With shared looks of confusion, Kane, Leo, and Liam obeyed, moving away from the main group. Lena led them down a quiet corridor until they were out of earshot of the other recruits. Turning to face them, her expression softened, though her gaze remained intense.
"I know what you're thinking," Lena said, surprising them. "This test. Your abilities—or lack thereof." She folded her arms. "I was briefed on your files and noticed some irregularities. You were the last-minute recruits, right?"
Kane nodded cautiously. "Yes, we were accepted just before the intake."
"Thought so. The Academy doesn't take in recruits without knowing exactly what they're getting, so I was asked to keep an eye on you," she said, her eyes glinting with a strange look. "Now, whatever abilities you have—whatever your source—keep it hidden."
Kane exchanged shocked glances with Leo and Liam. "You… you know?"
"Not everything," Lena said with a faint smile. "But enough. And if you value your place here, you'll play along with whatever temporary ability we assign you. You're not the first with… unusual circumstances." She handed each of them a small device—a simple metal ring. "These will suppress any unique energy signatures. Put them on during the test. They'll make it appear that you're unpowered, so you'll be granted hubs."
"But still," Kane said, his worry evident. "Won't getting the hubs expose us? I mean, won't they find out if we don't actually have the abilities displayed on our identification bands?"
"No worries; we've got that covered. Just play the part and pretend to take the hubs. After that, do as you're told and pretend to draw energy from them. Because of the rings I gave you, the hubs won't work, so you won't look suspicious," Lena explained. "And as for the identification band, it doesn't really show one's actual ability, so that shouldn't be a problem."
The woman seemed genuinely helpful, but something about her assistance nagged at them. Why was she helping them? Casting that thought aside for now, they looked at the rings and exchanged determined glances.
As they slid the rings onto their fingers, Kane felt an odd, cooling sensation spread through him, dampening the subtle awareness he'd developed since acquiring his abilities. "Thank you," he whispered, both in relief and confusion.
"Don't thank me yet," Lena said, her expression growing serious. "The real challenge begins soon. You won't just be tested on your powers here, but on your will to survive. Remember that."
With a nod, she turned and strode away, leaving the boys alone, the weight of her words settling over them like a heavy cloak.
Returning to the main hall, they rejoined the line of recruits just in time for the tests. Now that their abilities were concealed, Kane felt a surge of determination. This was their chance, and they were ready for whatever the Academy would throw at them.
---
Kane, Leo, and Liam stood shoulder to shoulder in the queue, blending in with the other recruits as best they could. The room was abuzz with nervous energy. Some recruits whispered to each other in excitement, while others clenched their fists, mentally steeling themselves for whatever challenges lay ahead.
The heavy doors at the far end of the hall opened with a mechanical hum, and a broad-shouldered instructor strode in, his stride measured and unyielding. His uniform, black with silver accents, fit him like armor, and his gaze seemed to pierce through every recruit he looked at. He stopped in front of the group, sweeping his eyes over them before he spoke.
"Recruits!" he began, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "This assessment will determine where you stand in the Academy. Your rank today is your starting point, but remember: nothing here is permanent. You will either rise to greatness or fade into mediocrity. Your abilities, strength, speed, and agility will be measured. So bring your best—anything less is unacceptable."
As he spoke, the walls around them began to shift. Blue lights flickered, forming intricate patterns that wove through the room. The recruits gasped as the surroundings morphed, a vast holographic landscape unfolding before their eyes. What had been a simple hall now transformed into an enormous training ground, complete with open fields, obstacle courses, and reinforced structures for the tests.
Kane marveled at the seamless transformation. He had heard about advanced holographic tech before, but seeing it up close was an entirely different experience. Leo elbowed him, grinning. "Can you believe this? It's like we're in some kind of VR simulation!"
The instructor's voice broke through their amazement. "Your assessment will consist of three trials," he announced. "Strength. Speed. Agility. You'll go in groups of five. Each of you will receive a grade, and based on this, you will be assigned an initial rank. Ranks will change as you progress in the Academy—improve, and you rise. Fail, and you fall."
The recruits exchanged glances, the air thick with competition. Everyone wanted to prove themselves, to show that they belonged. Some wore smirks, clearly confident; others looked apprehensive, likely already doubting their chances. But Kane and his friends stood quietly, each of them wondering how they would measure up against recruits who had powers from the start.
"Alright, first group, step forward!" The instructor called five names, and the chosen recruits moved forward, their faces a mix of excitement and nerves.
The first test began with a display of strength. A weighted sphere hovered in the center of the room, modified by intense gravitational fields that amplified its mass. Each recruit had to strike it with all their might. Kane and his friends watched as one by one, recruits kicked or punched the sphere. Some sent it flying across the training ground, while others struggled to even make it move.
Next came the speed trial. Recruits were each directed to a track that stretched around the arena, marked with obstacles that would shoot up without warning. This required not only speed but sharp reflexes. The recruits dashed forward, weaving and ducking, some stumbling over barriers while others seemed to glide effortlessly, their movements a blur.
Finally, the agility test commenced, a dizzying maze of platforms, ropes, and swinging obstacles. Here, the recruits had to rely on coordination and finesse. Some recruits moved with a natural grace, leaping from platform to platform; others slipped and crashed, frustration and embarrassment evident on their faces.
As each group finished, the instructor read their initial ranks aloud. Kane noticed the shifting expressions among the recruits as the results were revealed. The strong and fast had pride in their eyes, while those who had fallen short clenched their jaws, already feeling the weight of the Academy's hierarchy. It was clear that this place was ruthless, separating the weak from the strong in full view of everyone.
Recruits began to gravitate toward those who had performed well, hopeful to secure alliances. Already, groups were forming, the seeds of rivalry and camaraderie taking root.
Kane swallowed, feeling the tension in the air. This wasn't just an Academy; it was a proving ground where only the best survived.
The instructor's voice cut through the crowd once again. "Next group—Kane, Leo, Liam…" He paused, checking his list. "You three, and…" He gestured to two other girls standing nearby. "Olivia, Mira—step forward."
Kane's heart raced as he exchanged glances with Leo and Liam. It was their turn. The moment had arrived to put themselves to the test, to see if they could survive and carve out a place in the Academy.