The testing chamber was nothing like the grand hall where the Resonance Sphere tests had taken place. Here, everything felt clinical and efficient. Aetherium panels lined the walls, projecting holographic data streams that shimmered faintly in the ambient light. Evaluators moved briskly between consoles, adjusting settings on various devices designed to measure every conceivable parameter of a participant's abilities.
At the center of the room stood Rynar. His broad shoulders and steady stance set him apart from the other participants, who watched him from a distance with a mixture of curiosity and unease. Despite the hum of advanced technology surrounding him, Rynar felt a strange calm. The nerves that had gripped him earlier were gone, replaced by a quiet determination.
"Precision test first," the wiry evaluator announced, her sharp eyes scanning her clipboard. "Let's start simple and escalate as needed."
She gestured toward a floating platform system that had been calibrated for fine motor control. Several Aetherium weights, varying in size and density, hovered in midair above the platforms. The objective was clear: place each weight on the designated platform without destabilizing the delicate balance of the system.
---
Rynar approached the weights, his green eyes narrowing as he studied them. The shimmering platforms flickered faintly, responding to even the slightest movement in the air around them. He reached out, grasping a medium-sized weight, its surface cool and unnaturally smooth.
As he set the weight down, the platform adjusted minutely, its holographic stabilizers recalibrating in response to his touch. The process was delicate, demanding a level of control that seemed at odds with his raw strength. Yet, Rynar completed the task effortlessly.
The wiry evaluator raised an eyebrow, jotting notes on her clipboard. "Interesting," she muttered. "Most participants rely on mana stabilization around their bodies to balance the objects. They combine mana with physical effort to avoid destabilization."
She glanced at Rynar, her sharp gaze lingering on his steady hands. "But he's doing it entirely without mana. Effortlessly."
Another assistant leaned closer, murmuring, "You think he's compensating with natural reflexes?"
"Maybe," the wiry evaluator replied, her voice thoughtful. "Or maybe... he's practiced this before."
Rynar said nothing, his jaw tightening slightly as he reached for the next weight. She had no idea how many years of backbreaking labor and painstaking effort had gone into honing this level of control.
---
The evaluators wasted no time moving to the next test. A sleek reflex pod unfolded from the wall, its metallic surface gleaming under the room's light. Holographic targets materialized in front of it, their movements erratic and unpredictable.
"Reflex test," the evaluator announced. "The targets will increase in speed and complexity as the test progresses. Hit them as quickly and accurately as possible."
Rynar nodded, stepping into position. The targets began to move, their glowing forms zipping across the air in irregular patterns. He reacted immediately, his hands darting out with precision. Each strike landed cleanly, the holographic targets shattering into fragments of light.
As the speed increased, Rynar kept pace, his movements blurring slightly. His heightened senses allowed him to anticipate the trajectories, giving him a critical edge over the system's randomness. Yet, as the test reached its final stages, the targets began to outpace him.
The wiry evaluator watched closely, her brow furrowing. "Far above human limits," she murmured. "But not quite at the level of knights or aura users with refined techniques. His reactions are raw—natural."
The assistant next to her frowned. "If he's this fast without aura, imagine what he could do with proper training."
The evaluator nodded, her pen still scratching notes. "We'll see."
---
Next came the endurance test. A massive treadmill-like platform extended from the floor, its surface shifting to simulate various terrains. Holographic projections created the illusion of steep mountain trails, scorching desert dunes, and icy cliffs.
"Endurance test," the evaluator said. "This will push your stamina to the limit. You'll be monitored for heart rate, muscle strain, and oxygen levels."
Rynar stepped onto the platform, his boots crunching faintly against the simulated gravel. The test began at a steady pace, the terrain mimicking a gentle incline. He adjusted quickly, his movements efficient and controlled.
As the difficulty increased, the treadmill's resistance and incline pushed harder. The simulated heat of a desert sun bore down on him, followed by the icy winds of a snow-covered mountain. Despite the relentless shifts, Rynar maintained his stride. His breathing remained steady, his heart rate barely fluctuating.
The assistant monitoring the results glanced at the evaluator. "He's still in the green zone. How is that possible? Most participants hit their threshold by now."
The wiry evaluator leaned forward, her sharp eyes scanning the data. "Years of hard labor," she muttered. "It's written in his body—he's built for this."
As the simulation pushed into its final stages, the treadmill began to stutter. Sparks flickered from the base, and the glowing runes along its sides dimmed.
"It's overheating," one of the assistants said, alarmed. "We've maxed the endurance simulator."
The evaluator sighed, motioning to shut it down. "Enough," she said, her tone tinged with frustration. "There's no point in pushing further."
Rynar stepped off the platform, his breathing heavier now but far from exhausted. He glanced at the evaluators, their expressions a mix of awe and confusion.
The final part of the test involved a full-body scan, a procedure designed to analyze every measurable trait—strength, aura, mana resonance, and affinity markers. Rynar stepped onto the circular platform at the center of the room, the faint hum of the machinery filling the air. Holographic panels spun around him, beams of light mapping his form with precision.
The evaluators leaned forward as the Aetherium panels projected streams of data. Numbers flickered and shifted, the system struggling to process the results.
"Force capacity..." one assistant began, his voice trailing off as the numbers climbed higher and higher. The display flickered, the runes glitching before stabilizing. "Exceeds standard parameters," he finished, his tone tinged with disbelief. "Beyond measurable thresholds for unenhanced individuals."
The wiry evaluator frowned, her pen pausing mid-air. "No aura detected. No mana resonance. No elemental affinity," she muttered, scanning the incomplete data. "This makes no sense."
The scarred instructor stepped closer, his arms crossed. "What about genetic markers? Physical anomalies? Anything?" he asked sharply.
Another assistant shook his head, gesturing to the screen. "Nothing unusual. If anything, he's... too normal."
The wiry evaluator stared at the screen, her sharp gaze narrowing. "No mana. No aura. And yet, his body exceeds even the most enhanced aura users in raw potential. It's like..." She paused, her words hesitant. "It's like he's running on something entirely different."
The room fell silent as the evaluators exchanged uneasy glances. The system had processed billions of individuals over the centuries, and yet it seemed to falter here. Not because it failed—but because it didn't know how to quantify him within its established parameters.
---
Above the testing chamber, Lady Kaelis Vallin watched the proceedings with an intensity that made even her knight-commander hesitate. Her silver robes gleamed faintly in the dim light, the golden filigree catching every shift of the holographic displays.
"He's outside the system's framework," she murmured, her voice calm but laced with curiosity. "Not beyond it. Just... apart from it."
The knight beside her shifted uneasily. "Your Grace, are you suggesting—"
"I'm suggesting nothing," she interrupted smoothly, her gaze still fixed on Rynar. "But what I see before me is potential. Raw, untamed, and unclaimed."
Her lips curved into a faint smile, her sharp eyes gleaming. "And potential, my dear knight, is the most dangerous force of all."