The air in the waiting room was thick with a mixture of excitement and nerves. Those of us who had passed the initial tests were now gathered for the placement test—a critical evaluation that would determine our rank within the Low Elites and how long we would remain there.
I sat in the corner of the room, twirling a throwing knife between my fingers absentmindedly. Xavier leaned against the wall next to me, as composed as ever, though I could tell he was just as tense as everyone else. "You ready for this?" he asked, his tone light but his expression serious.
I gave a small shrug. "Ready as I'll ever be. You?"
He smirked. "Piece of cake."
Typical Xavier. Always confident, always sure of himself. But before I could say anything else, a flash of blonde hair caught my eye. I turned, and my breath hitched.
"Cherry?" I whispered, almost unsure if it was really her.
There she was, standing across the room, her violet eyes practically glowing with excitement. Her golden hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, and she was dressed in the same combat-ready uniform as the rest of us. But somehow, she still managed to look like she had just stepped out of a magazine.
She spotted me at the same time, her face lighting up with a radiant smile. "Akari!" she exclaimed, making her way over.
I stood up just in time for her to wrap me in a tight hug. "I can't believe you're here!" she said, pulling back to look me over. "You look amazing. And that streak in your hair—it's so cool!"
I couldn't help but smile. "You're one to talk. You look like you haven't aged a day."
Cherry laughed, her melodic voice cutting through the tension in the room. "Well, I could say the same about you, but we both know that's not true. You've grown so much, Akari. I'm so proud of you."
Her words warmed my heart inways I hadn't expected. Cherry always had a way of making people feel seen, even in the most chaotic situations.
"What about you?" I asked, stepping back slightly to take her in. "I didn't think you'd be here."
She grinned, her violet eyes sparkling. "I've been training nonstop since… well, since you left. You inspired me, Akari. I wanted to be strong enough to make it here too."
For a moment, I was speechless. Cherry was always confident, but hearing her say that she had been inspired by me… it was a lot to take in.
Xavier cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "I hate to interrupt, but shouldn't we all be focusing on what's ahead? You know, the placement test?"
Cherry turned to him, arching an eyebrow. "And you are?"
"This is Xavier," I said quickly, gesturing to him. "We've been training together for a while now. He's—well, he's basically family."
Xavier nodded, his usual smirk softening into something a bit friendlier. "Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."
"Good things, I hope," Cherry replied with a teasing smile.
"Depends on your definition of good," Xavier shot back, earning a laugh from both of us.
Before the conversation could continue, a voice crackled over the loudspeakers. "All candidates for the placement test, report to the briefing room immediately."
The room fell silent as the weight of the announcement settled over us. Cherry gave my hand a quick squeeze. "We've got this," she said, her confidence infectious.
As we walked together to the briefing room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over me. Having Cherry here, along with Xavier, made everything feel… manageable. Even if the placement test was the most critical challenge yet, I wasn't alone.
The Briefing
Inside the briefing room, a stern-looking instructor stood at the front, flanked by two High Elites. The room was packed, but everyone was laser-focused as the instructor began to speak.
"The placement test is designed to evaluate your combat abilities, strategic thinking, and adaptability. Each of you will be tested individually, but your scores will determine not just your placement, but also your potential advancement rate within the Elites."
He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over us. "This will not be easy. Many of you will remain Low Elites for years. Some of you may never advance. But for the few who prove themselves, the path to greatness starts here."
I exchanged a glance with Cherry and Xavier. No one needed to say anything—we all understood what was at stake.
The instructor continued, outlining the structure of the test. It would consist of three parts:
1. Physical Combat: A simulated one-on-one battle against a High Elite.
2. Strategic Planning: A tactical exercise designed to test our problem-solving skills.
3. Adaptability: A surprise challenge meant to push us to our limits.
"You will be called one by one," the instructor concluded. "When your name is announced, step forward and follow the attendant."
The Test
The waiting felt endless. Names were called, one after another, as candidates disappeared through the door. The tension in the room was palpable.
Finally, it was my turn. "Akari Tsukumo," the voice announced.
I stood, my heart pounding. Cherry gave me a reassuring nod, and Xavier clapped me on the shoulder. "You've got this," he said.
I followed the attendant down a long hallway, my mind racing. When we reached the testing arena, the sight before me took my breath away. The room was massive, with a simulated battlefield stretching as far as the eye could see. At the center stood my opponent—a High Elite with a commanding presence and piercing yellow eyes.
"Begin," a voice boomed, and the test was underway.
The High Elite moved fast—faster than I had anticipated. I barely dodged his initial strike, my enhanced speed kicking in just in time. I retaliated with a series of quick blows, using my katana to keep him at bay.
"You're quick," he said, his voice calm and steady. "But let's see how you handle this."
In an instant, he shifted tactics, his movements becoming more unpredictable. I had to think fast, relying on the training Sora had drilled into me. My mind raced as I analyzed his patterns, searching for an opening.
When I finally found one, I struck hard, landing a clean hit that forced him back. But it wasn't over. The High Elite smiled, clearly impressed. "Not bad," he said. "Let's see if you can keep it up."
The fight continued, each exchange pushing me to my limits. By the time the battle ended, I was drenched in sweat but victorious.
Aftermath
When I returned to the waiting room, Cherry and Xavier were waiting for me. "How'd it go?" Cherry asked, her eyes filled with concern.
"It was… intense," I admitted. "But I think I did okay."
Xavier grinned. "Told you. Piece of cake."
Cherry rolled her eyes. "Don't listen to him. He's just trying to sound cool."
We laughed, the tension easing just a bit. But as we waited for our results, one thing was clear: our journey was far from over.