"Please, lie down inside. Once the scan is complete, you will enter the virtual world where your assessment will begin." I obeyed without hesitation, reclining into the soft embrace of the cabin's cushioned interior. As the lid slowly closed, the last image I saw was Ethan's reassuring smile. "Good luck, Mr. Michael," he said, and then everything faded into darkness.
A faint vibration rippled through the silence and my skin began to tingle. A gentle, mechanical voice spoke directly into my ear: "Replication complete. Connecting to the virtual world." When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a strange and pristine environment that looked as if it had been carved from light.
Standing before me was a stern man with sharp features. He greeted me with a simple statement: "Welcome to the world of assessment."
I paused to take in the scene and then focused on myself. I clenched my fists and felt that familiar surge of internal energy streaming through my meridians.
A perfect replication of my real self. In that moment, a chill of unease brushed over me. The Stellar Human Alliance's methods are terrifying. To replicate everything so flawlessly makes me wonder if I have any secrets left at all.
Then I turned my gaze inward and dove deep into the recesses of my mind where the Otherworldly Passage was supposed to reside. I muttered, "Strange," as I noticed an emptiness where that passage should have been.
Was it possible that even with their advanced technology they could not replicate it? Or had they never known it existed in the first place? A rush of relief mingled with caution. If they were unaware of the passage, then I had to ensure that it remained hidden.
Before I could dwell on it further the stern man's voice cut into my thoughts, "Ascendant, please choose your assessment scenario." My eyes shifted as vivid scenes flickered before me—a barren desert of endless yellow sands, an ancient forest with towering trees reaching for the heavens, and a futuristic cityscape alive with glittering skyscrapers.
I found my heart drawn to the forest and pointed toward the realm of ancient trees. With a subtle nod from the man, the surroundings transformed. The floor became soil and immense trees stretched infinitely in every direction beneath a blazing sun.
The man continued in a matter-of-fact tone, "Based on your energy readings the assessment will begin at the First Level Ascendant stage. You will face an opponent at this level. Defeat him to proceed to the next stage. Do you understand?" I nodded firmly and replied with a quiet "Understood." Then he vanished, leaving me alone in that vibrant forest.
Not far off, I sensed the soil stirring. Grains swirled upward and coalesced into a humanoid shape until a tall, broad man materialized. In a voice filled with raw aggression he roared, "Die for me!" and charged forward. I regarded him with detached curiosity.
Faster than a typical Meridian Strengthening martial artist, yet he poses no real threat. As the figure lunged, I focused inward and with a mere flicker of mental will I extinguished the spark in his eyes. His form collapsed into dust and was whisked away by a sudden gust of wind.
A low, persistent thrum signaled the next round. Once again the soil churned and reformed the same opponent, though this time his aura burned with a fiercer intensity, nearing the peak of a Meridian Strengthening fighter. I did not waste a moment; my gaze hardened and before he could react he disintegrated into nothingness.
Round after round the test continued, each opponent more formidable and menacing than the last. Yet I moved through them with efficient precision, dismantling the first six as if they were trivial obstacles. Then came the seventh.
This time the sand figure reappeared with a different air. Its eyes shone with a cold intelligence and it stood motionless as if measuring me. "An Ascendant who specializes in mental attacks, are you?" it sneered. "This time I have strengthened my soul defenses. I am immune to 78 percent of your mental assaults. Let's see how you fare now." I raised an eyebrow and a small, wry smile crossed my face.
With a surge of arrogance, the figure strode forward and bellowed, "Die for me!" as its voice echoed through the forest. In that split second I vanished, reappearing behind it with lethal speed. My hand wrapped around its neck with an iron grip, and as I twisted sharply, I heard a resounding crack. The figure froze, disbelief etched into its features for a moment before it crumbled back into the soil.
I released the broken form and quietly mused as I brushed stray grains from my hand, "For those who walk the martial path, the body is the foundation. Strength flows from it naturally. The will of the spirit is only an extension of that power."
"You... you're not an Ascendant like a Psyc Master?"
I shook my head slowly and looked out toward the horizon. "No, I am far more than that." I knew all too well that Psyc Masters were renowned for their mental prowess but were burdened with fragile bodies. No amount of genetic enhancements or dual-path training could completely mend that fatal flaw.
.....
In the quiet halls of the Ascendant Association, Ethan Cole stepped out of the assessment room and returned to his workstation. His thoughts lingered on Michael, his curiosity growing with every passing moment.
"I wonder what level Mr. Michael's Ascendant rank will reach," Ethan mused, his eyes fixed on the display screen before him.
The Ascendant Association had strict rules to safeguard the privacy of Ascendants. Battle scenes during the assessment were never shown, even to internal staff. The only visible indicator of progress was the number of illuminated beams on the central display. Each beam corresponded to a stage the Ascendant had successfully passed.
Ethan leaned forward slightly, his fingers drumming on the desk. "Just how strong is he?" he whispered to himself.
His musings were interrupted by the sudden approach of a figure.
"Ethan, has Mr. Michael begun his assessment?"
Ethan turned swiftly, startled to see the president of the Ascendant Association standing behind him. The president's presence was unusual; someone of his stature rarely involved himself in individual assessments.
"Ah, President!" Ethan stammered, quickly rising from his seat. He fumbled for words, his nervousness evident. "Yes, sir. Mr. Michael has already entered the assessment chamber."
The president smiled faintly, his demeanor calm and approachable. "No need to be nervous," he said reassuringly. "I'm just here out of curiosity."
Ethan nodded and sat back down, though his hands still trembled slightly. The president's interest made sense—Michael wasn't just an Ascendant; he was a second-tier citizen. Second-tier citizenship carried immense prestige, rivaling the status of high-ranking officials. A second-tier citizen registering as an Ascendant was a rare and noteworthy event.
"Which level do you think Mr. Michael will achieve?" the president asked casually, leaning against the edge of Ethan's desk.
Ethan hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Sir, considering Mr. Michael's status as a second-tier citizen, I believe he'll have First Level Ascendant strength." He paused, adding thoughtfully, "For people of his status, becoming Ascendant is often straightforward. Some simply take genetic enhancement drugs to follow the Gene Warrior path."
The president nodded in agreement. "True. Though the Gene Warrior path has its limitations, it's still enough to qualify as an Ascendant."
Before the president could leave, the display screen flickered. A single beam of light lit up, signaling Michael's progress.
"He's begun," Ethan noted aloud, his voice tinged with anticipation.
The president, who had been ready to leave moments earlier, decided to stay. He leaned closer, intrigued. "Let's see how far he gets."
The atmosphere grew tense as the second beam of light appeared almost instantly after the first.
Ethan blinked, his heart skipping a beat. "That was... fast."
Before they could process it, the third light illuminated, followed immediately by the fourth. The lights continued to appear in rapid succession, each one brighter than the last.
By the time the seventh beam lit up, the room had fallen into stunned silence.
Ethan's mouth went dry. He struggled to form words, his gaze glued to the screen. "Seven beams... That's—"
"Seven beams? That's… late Second-Level Ascendant?" Damien muttered, his voice laced with confusion. Second-Level Ascendants weren't unheard of in Neo Astralis City, but they were exceedingly rare. What truly shocked him wasn't just the level but Michael's age—a mere 19 years.
Most Second-Level Ascendants Damien had encountered were in their forties, seasoned individuals who had spent decades honing their strength.
Meanwhile, Ethan Cole sat frozen, his mouth slightly agape. A peak Second-Level Ascendant—it was a title reserved for legends. In Ethan's five years at the association, this was his first time witnessing one.
"In Neo Astralis, even an early Second-Level Ascendant is a rarity. A peak Second-Level Ascendant, and at his age…" Ethan's thoughts raced, his heart pounding.
He glanced at the display screen, envisioning the destructive potential Michael held. According to official combat standards, a peak Second-Level Ascendant could level an entire block of towering skyscrapers with a single strike.
Damien broke the silence, his tone firm. "Ethan, let's go. We're greeting Mr. Michael in person."
Ethan blinked in surprise but quickly nodded. The president of the Ascendant Association himself personally welcoming someone? It was unheard of.
Damien, however, had already made his decision. Initially, his intent was to establish a casual rapport with a promising Ascendant. But now, realizing Michael's potential, Damien knew he needed to approach with respect.
....
The Assessment Room
I opened my eyes, blinking against the dim overhead lights as I rose to my feet. My mind was calm, but a storm of thoughts swirled beneath the surface.
"Close, but not enough."
I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders to shake off the lingering tension. The seventh opponent had fallen, but then the system conjured a Third-Level Ascendant for the next battle.
At first, I held the advantage. My Titanium Will Stage power pressed forward, forcing the enemy back. But gradually, the balance shifted. His counters grew sharper. His aura pressed down on me like a mountain. And in the end, I fell.
The defeat didn't wound me. If anything, it clarified things. If that opponent was an early Third-Level Ascendant, then my peak strength is equivalent to peak Third Level Stage. I had fought without revealing my full capabilities as not to garner too much attention.
With a final glance at the cabin, I pushed open the door, stepping into the hallway. My eyes immediately locked onto two figures waiting for me—Ethan Cole, his gaze alight with barely concealed excitement, and a middle-aged man who has an air of authority around him.
Ethan straightened, his voice laced with deference. "Mr. Michael, allow me to introduce President Damien Voss."
I narrowed my eyes slightly as I studied the man before me. Damien Voss. The President of the Ascendant Association. He was one of the top five figures in Neo Astralis City.
People of his stature didn't waste their time on simple greetings. If he was here, it meant something.