Start-Up Tests

Arlen couldn't believe his eyes.

'What is this old man doing here?'

—There are a lot of you and we don't have much time so let's move on to the exam quickly. Change your clothes and put on your school tracksuit —Brand pointed to a white tracksuit similar to his uniform—. When you're done have Kevin Ball stand in the middle of the circle in front of us.

Brand waited for us to change and for the boy to stand where he told him to stand.

—Listen everyone —Brand said—, when you get to the center of the circle you will see that there are 5 targets at different distances with targets on them. The test is that using your skill you will take as little time as possible to hit them. You will be scored on time taken, force applied, and accuracy. Ready?

The boy seemed pretty confident, when he was given the start signal he created 5 needles of water and threw them in the direction of the targets missing one of them.

—Okay, next Olivia Wolf.

—Hey, what's the result?

—The results will be explained to you the first day of class. Now please wait for everyone to finish the test. Now if you'll excuse me, Olivia Wolf please stand in the circle.

Kevin looked like he wanted to complain, but simply folded his arms and waited for the rest to finish. But Arlen had stopped looking at Kevin long ago, he was focused on Olivia.

"Because you look at her so intently you're going to get her attention, but in a negative way."

Arlen reacted to those words and started looking down at his hands. But Edgar wasn't the only one who had noticed his behavior, old Brand had caught him.

'Oh, the youth. I'll have to give him a couple of love tips later.'

And Brand turned his attention back to Olivia before him.

—Same thing. You start in 3... 2... 1... go.

Then Olivia made a move that caught Arlen by surprise. Olivia lifted her foot and when she went to step, the floor swallowed her foot. She did that same move a total of 5 times.

'What did she just do?'

It was the only question hanging around Arlen's head when suddenly Brand called out his name.

—Arlen Ober.

Arlen got ready to go to the center of the circle like everyone else, but Brand stopped him.

—Are you sure you want to do this? I can change the outcome a little if you want to but-

—Please. I know you're doing what's best for me, but I want to do it. I want to prove that no skill is not a failure.

Brand sighed as he listened to him. He had a mixture of feelings inside him, on one hand, he was proud to hear him say that, but on the other hand he knew that meant the beginning of mistreatment and oppression. He didn't want that to happen to him.

—Normally, I would now offer you one of the skills available to the IOH, but tomorrow morning, which is still a day off, I will meet you at the door of the quarters. Now we can't waste any more time, so....

Brand turned away pointing the way to the center circle. Arlen was grateful to the old man, he didn't want to depend on him, but he knew this was for the best.

Arlen stood in the middle of the circle and when he was given the exit he went running back and forth as fast as he could. Of course, the other 4 people noticed the boy's case, but only Kevin muttered something.

—No ability and he looks so weak I'd say he hasn't even awakened his bloodline. What's he doing here?

None of the other 3 answered, because none of them had the answer, rather they were asking the same question. What is a boy who has neither ability nor bloodline awakened doing in this place?

They all watched in silence as Arlen finished hitting the 5 targets and returned to them.

—Next up, Caleb White.

Caleb walked with a confident stride to the center of the circle and waited until Brand gave him the signal. It was then that Arlen noticed a big drop in temperature and instantly all 5 targets were frozen. But what was only a drop of a few degrees Arlen noticed them as if it was below freezing.

[You can't stand the cold.

All your stats drop by 33%]

'What?! Hey Edgar what does this mean?'

"Didn't I tell you? Just like heat makes you stronger, cold is your weak point."

[Name: Arlen Ober]

[Level: 0 (5/10)]

[Awaken state: Not awaken]

[Bloodline power: 0]

[HP: 13/13]

[Strong: 8]

[Agility: 7]

[Stamina: 7]

[Points: 0]

[>Skills]

[>Quests]

[>Inventory]

'And how long am I going to be like this?'

"Until you stop being cold."

Arlen was only in a t-shirt he hadn't expected to be so cold and could only hug his bare arms in response hoping for a quick end to the situation.

Which ended sooner than expected because Brand, seeing Arlen clutching at the cold threw a heat wave bringing the environment back to a suitable temperature for everyone and thawing the targets. Arlen could see his stats returning to normal.

—Last one, Laia West, please.

As Laia got ready she pulled out 5 knives with her, and at Brand's command she was throwing one at a time. Arlen didn't know what was happening until Laia threw the third knife.

'She propels them with wind. That way they pick up more speed and go farther.'

"Well spotted. Not bad how she uses her ability, but maybe she could use some sort of bow."

'Maybe it's not compatible with her bloodline.'

The two argued silently as they watched Laia finish and return. Brand stood in front of us as he checked the results on his watch.

—Well, this test is over now. The next one will be at the next training camp. I recommend that you go running.

After those words, the five of them hesitated for a moment before running off. Arlen saw how he was left behind.

'Shit, there's that physical difference again.'

Arlen had always fallen behind in physical tests, or when he fought back he couldn't do it freely, waking up was such a physical drive. After leaving where they were and following the marked path they arrived at the next training ground.

There stood a teacher they had not seen so far. Short brown hair, with brown eyes and dark skin.

—My name is Lewa. Here you will show me your abilities using your bloodline. As you will see in different parts of the field there are different things, you will go out every two minutes and you will do what you have to do in each part. It will be measured how you do in each test and the resistance you have. The order will be: Caleb, Kevin, Laia, Olivia and Arlen.

After we got situated Lewa gave the signal to start and Caleb ran out first. It was then that Kevin turned to Arlen.

—Hey bloodless, what are you doing here?

Arlen, who was distracted watching Caleb, got a chill running down his spine when he heard that. He thought they had already started stalking him, but following Edgar's advice to breathe and not think negatively he calmed down and answered truthfully.

-I come to do what everyone does, I come to become strong.

Arlen hadn't looked away from Caleb and couldn't see the surprised look on the faces of the others. Even Professor Lewa smiled when she heard the answer.

There were cases of people who had not awakened their bloodline, but who had an ability and came to the combat department. They all went down because of the harassment and because they didn't have enough willpower to continue. Some would switch departments, some wouldn't come back in second, but Arlen had said that without any hesitation.

'Ha, looks like someone interesting has joined this year, we'll see if you're like the rest or really have the balls to be here.'

After that the test continued.