The barriers between sectors solidify, cutting through Seoul like purple laser lines. My ability continues its constant updates:
[Basic Information Sight]
Current Access: 2.5%
Status: Involuntary Display
Control: Unavailable until 5%
Note: Information overload constant
The chemistry lab's relative stability doesn't last. Glass beakers begin to vibrate, their purple contents swirling faster. The air grows heavy, like the moment before a lightning strike.
A voice echoes through the transformed city, reaching every corner of what used to be the university district:
"Greetings, students of Sector 23. I am The Scholar, and you have been selected for my special curriculum. Attendance, as you might expect, is mandatory."
The voice fills the room, echoing with the precise diction of a veteran professor. Through the windows, we watch as reality... folds. The space in front of our building bends inward, creating an amphitheater out of twisted architecture and purple light.
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Entity
Name: The Scholar
Threat Level: SSS
Status: Manifesting
Distance: 45m
Basic Traits: Reality Manipulation
Current Action: Arrival
Warning: DO NOT ENGAGE
The figure that appears could be any distinguished university professor – neat suit, silver hair, wire-rimmed glasses – except for how it flickers between forms. Sometimes young, sometimes old, sometimes neither, like time itself can't decide what the Scholar should look like.
"I see the adaptation phase has produced... interesting results," the Scholar continues, its voice carrying perfectly despite the distance. My ability floods with information about everyone in the lab:
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Human
Name: Park Seo-yeon
Threat Level: A
Status: Combat Ready
Distance: 3m
Basic Traits: Lightning Mastery
Current Action: Defensive Stance
Warning: Power Fluctuating
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Human
Name: Kang Ji-ho
Threat Level: B
Status: Alert
Distance: 5m
Basic Traits: Wind Control
Current Action: Group Protection
Warning: Stress Detected
The Scholar adjusts its glasses, and reality ripples. "Your current survival rate is... disappointing. Only 89 students remaining from an initial class of 1,500. Hardly acceptable academic performance."
Professor Lee tries to stand, using the wall for support. His status window shows his condition:
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Human
Name: Lee Jung-hoon
Threat Level: C
Status: Recovering
Distance: 1m
Basic Traits: Mental Enhancement
Current Action: Observation
Warning: Power Depleted
"Now then," the Scholar pulls a book from thin air, its pages glowing with purple light. "Let's begin with the basics of survival in your new academic environment. Your first test..." It smiles, the expression too perfect to be human, "...starts now."
The Scholar opens its book, and the purple light intensifies. Reality bends around the transformed campus like paper folding into new shapes.
[Basic Information Sight]
Current Access: 2.5%
Status: Involuntary Display
Control: Unavailable until 5%
Note: Information overload constant
"Your first examination," the Scholar announces, "will test basic survival aptitude. The university grounds have been... redesigned for this purpose."
Through the lab windows, we watch as the campus transforms further. Buildings twist into impossible shapes, creating what looks like an elaborate maze. The amphitheater below splits into multiple levels, each one filled with different horrors my ability struggles to process:
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Modified Human
Name: None Registered
Threat Level: A
Status: Controlled
Distance: 48m
Basic Traits: Test Subject
Current Action: Placement
Warning: Purpose Unknown
"Each level," the Scholar continues, gesturing with elegant precision, "contains specific challenges. Think of it as a practical examination of your newly acquired abilities."
Seo-yeon steps forward, electricity crackling around her hands. Her status window updates:
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Human
Name: Park Seo-yeon
Threat Level: A
Status: Power Stable
Distance: 2m
Basic Traits: Lightning Mastery
Current Action: Leadership
Warning: Combat Imminent
"And if we refuse?" she asks, her voice steady despite the tension in her stance.
The Scholar's smile doesn't change, but the air grows colder. "My dear student, this is a mandatory course. Though..." It adjusts its glasses, and one of the distant survivors simply... ceases to exist. "You're welcome to drop out at any time."
My head pounds as information floods in about the remaining survivors:
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Human
Name: Unknown
Threat Level: Varying
Status: Multiple
Distance: 10-50m
Basic Traits: Various Abilities
Current Action: Grouping
Warning: Panic Spreading
"The examination is simple," the Scholar explains, turning a page in its glowing book. "Navigate the transformed campus. Reach the designated safe zones. Demonstrate proper control of your abilities. You have one hour."
Min-ji's flames flicker weakly as she helps Professor Lee stand. Sung-min's enhanced muscles twitch with exhaustion. Through the windows, we can see other groups forming, alliances being made and broken in seconds.
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Entity
Name: The Scholar
Threat Level: SSS
Status: Active
Distance: 45m
Basic Traits: Reality Control
Current Action: Test Preparation
Warning: EXTREME DANGER
"Oh, and one final note," the Scholar adds, its form flickering between ages again. "This is a graded exercise. Those who fail to meet the minimum requirements will be... removed from the program. Permanently."
The purple light pulses, and the maze below comes alive with movement. The test has begun.
"We need to move," Seo-yeon says, taking charge. "The chemistry lab won't stay stable for long."
[Basic Information Sight]
Current Access: 2.5%
Status: Involuntary Display
Control: Unavailable until 5%
Note: Information overload constant
The Scholar's voice carries through the transformed campus: "Groups of four to six students only. Consider this your first lesson in resource management."
People start scrambling to form teams. My ability tracks the chaos:
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Human
Name: Park Seo-yeon
Threat Level: A
Status: Strategic Planning
Distance: 2m
Basic Traits: Lightning Mastery
Current Action: Team Formation
Warning: Power Ready
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Human
Name: Kang Ji-ho
Threat Level: B
Status: Uncertain
Distance: 5m
Basic Traits: Wind Control
Current Action: Considering Options
Warning: Flight Risk
The Scholar waves its hand, and parts of the building begin to dissolve. "Your examination space is ready. Choose your paths wisely."
Through gaps in the dissolving walls, I see three distinct routes through the maze. My ability forces updates about each path:
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Modified Human
Name: None Registered
Threat Level: A
Status: Guarding
Distance: 40m
Basic Traits: Strength Type
Current Action: Route A Patrol
Warning: Multiple Entities
"We stick together," Professor Lee says weakly, blood still crusting around his nose. "Seo-yeon, take point. Sung-min, you're our strength. Min-ji, conserve your flames. Jin..." He looks at me. "Watch for threats."
The Scholar's voice carries a hint of amusement: "Thirty seconds to clear the building before it joins the examination course. Do mind the fall – it's quite educational."
Chunks of floor begin disappearing. Groups rush for different exits. Some make it. Others don't. My ability keeps tracking:
[Basic Information Sight]
Target: Human
Name: Various
Threat Level: B to A
Status: Evacuating
Distance: Varying
Basic Traits: Multiple Powers
Current Action: Escape
Warning: Structure Failing
"Time to test your survival instincts," the Scholar announces as more of the building dissolves. "Remember – this is just the tutorial. The real lessons..." It smiles that too-perfect smile again, "...come later."
The floor beneath us starts to crumble. Seo-yeon points to the leftmost path.
"That way! Move!"
The purple light intensifies, and we jump.