After letting the candidates digest the information, the instructor told them that the test would be taken in group of fives, and they would be assigned randomly.
Adrian let out a short sight as he looked at the platform's, the determination in his eyes wavering as he realized that it might not be as simple as he thought. 'I just hope all that hardwork wasn't for nought.' his thoughts surfaced.
Meanwhile, the large screen flashed, and five names appeared on it, "Candidates with the number 18,10,6,20, and 2 should proceed to the platform." the speaker crackled as the official announced.
The candidates made there way towards the first platform,-
*BUZZ*
A loud sound resounded throughout the whole place, signaling for them to start. All the candidates sprang into action, moving with calculated step as they approached the boards. One of the candidates with a tall figure and dark hair stopped in front of the board, a large smirlk plastered across his face.
He outstretched his hands and closed his eyes, trying to maintain optimal focus. The next instance, a large green colored blast left his palms, aiming for the board, the blast struck the board with a loud -
*BANG*
The board reverberated due the force behind the attack,afterwatds the board lit up as the number, "9" was boldly written on it.
Adrian's eyes widened as he watched the scene, "he's awakened already?" his question rang out.
"Yeah, most of the candidates here are awakened, I'm also an awakened." Dave replied Adrian.
"Oh.." Adrian muttered, as he focused on the ongoing assessment.
The group of five passed the strength assessment, moving on to the next section.
They all took there position at the beginning of the obstacle course, the track was a long one with obstacles present as some point.
After making sure the candidates were ready, the official gave the go ahead, and they a sprinted into action.
They all sprang into action, as they swiftly sprinted through the course, a certain dark haired teenager had a light blue sheen around his legs, causing his peed to increase exponentially. He swiftly weaved through the obstacles, jumping over the rocks, and sliding beneath a large metallic bar, a large smile plastered across the candidates face as he sped through the course.
The other candidates weren't slacking behind, although they weren't as fast as the dark haired boy, but the slowest was moving at a breakneck pace.
00:42
Adrian looked at the timer and returned his gaze back to the obstacle course, 'Wow.. I've never seen anyone move that fast, except for the cars.. But that guy at the front' - his gaze shifted to the dark haired teenager - he's definitely using an ability,' Adrian speculated.
After a few seconds, the dark haired boy crossed the finish line. He let out a small sigh as the blue sheen around his legs receded, he looked at the timer on he's side of the track - 00:37. "Tch." he clicked his tongue before moving to the next assessment.
After the other candidates finished the course, the large screen flashed and showed their names and score, the last person finished the course in 00:27.
Meanwhile, the dark haired boy was already at the reflex section, preparing to start the test.
There was a line that separated the section into five different places, crossing any of the lines is not allowed.
There's a five meter gap between each lines, providing enough space for the candidates.
The walls in front of the dark haired boy lit up, indicating that the test is about to begin, a whirring sound followed as two white disk, hurtled towards the boy.
He swiftly moved to the side, dodging the first one, then he shifted his shoulder a little, dodging the second one.
The same process continued till the timer hit, 00:15, the speed and amount of the disks increased, four disks rapidly approached his position.
The boys eyes widened, he ducks the first disk and pushed himself to the side to avoid the other, skidding cross the floor, he used his arms to push himself upwards, successfully dodging the disks.
"Why isn't he using his ability?" Adrian's questioning gaze lingered on the dark haired boy.
"He's probably waiting for the right time to use it, or he's depleted his aether." Dave replied.
*BZZT*
One of the candidates participating in the reflex didn't dodge the disk on time, causing him to fail the reflex test.
"Dammit! " the boy exclaimed with frustration.
The dark haired boy easily dogded the disks after using his ability, passing the reflex test.
The other candidates also passed the reflex test andoved on to the aether sensitivity test.
"Candidates with the number, 3,9,11, 4 and 8, should proceed to the platform." the official announced...
***
A few hours later ,adrian watched with bated breath, when the official was about to announce the nce the next candidates.
Most of the candidates were already done with the assessment, the remaining students yet to take the assessment were less than a dozen.
"Candidates with the number, 106,112,116, 132 and 133,proceed to the platform."
Adrian jerked up after hearing his number, his mind was racing with worst-case scenarios as he walked towards the platform.
Dave noticed Adrian's anxious expression, "Calm down and stay focused, this is not the time to get jittery." Dave's voice woke him up from his thoughts.
"Ye-yeah.. I won't screw it up." Adrian muttered.
*BZZT*
When all the candidates approached the platform, the buzzer resounded through the hall.
Adrian approached the black board, he stared at the patterns running all over the board, he closed his eyes and tried to move the aether within him, when-
*BANG!*
A booming sound rocked the platform, Adrian immediately searched the source of the sound with his eyes.
Dave stood in front of the black bored, his arms seemed to be covered in brown colored rocks, that covered his skin, all the way to his face. The number, "12" appeared on the black board, a small smile tugged at the side of his lips.
Adrian's pupils constricted, he couldn't believe his eyes, 'he was that strong?...focus Adrian, focus!' Adrian closed his eyes as he tried to control the aether.
As he focused, a surge of energy began to build, and his palms started to tingle. With a swift motion, he clenched his fist and unleashed a powerful strike, hitting the board with a resounding thud.
Adrian retracted his hand, beads of sweat could be seen all over his forehead. The board lit up, and the number, 6.5 showed up.
"Phew, that was close.." Adrian let out a sigh of relief, he looked for the other candidates, only to realize that they were already going through the speed test.
Adrian took a second to gather his breath, before he moved towards the speed section. The official gazed at Adrian's approaching figure, 'he can already harness aether even before he awakened, he has some potential..' the officials thoughts surfaced, his expression different from his curious observation.
At the starting point of the track, Adrian bent his knees slightly, immediately the timer started, he pushed off the floor, his speed increasing as he moved through the obstacles.
Although he wasn't going that fast, his speed was already reaching that of a physically fit athlete, he dodged and jumped, cautiously moving through the course, any mistake and he wouldn't make it in time, Adrian knew he couldn't afford to fail... 'No! I won't fail.. I've come too far to fail.'
A resolved glint flashed across his eyes as he pushed forward.