The ship strolled across the ocean. As far as the eye could see, blue stretched endlessly, sparkling from the light it received from the great shining star.
The candidates stood aboard the ship, watching the island which came closer into view.
But then—
They noticed a faint green mist slowly condensing in the air ahead of them.
The candidates stiffened but non of them intended to run.
Not like they had somewhere to run anyway— they were surrounded by the ocean.
The mist drifted forward, converging and circulating into a massive vortex directly in the ship's path.
"What is that?!" "It's like some sort of portal." "A mist forming a portal?" "Wait! Does that mean—?!" "Yeah. It could only be one person." "The space witch?!"
Some gulped while others shivered slightly but they all had a similar expression— determination.
The ship slowly passed through the mist vortex and came out of the other side but they realized they were still on the ocean.
Some exhaled in relief while others like Desmond and Emmanuel just stared on calmly.
They then noticed something—
The island which was right ahead of them had somehow split into seven different islands, arranged in a wide circle which the ship was right between.
As the candidates kept watching in confusion, the huge mist vortex started whirling violently around the ship.
The candidates immediately grew alerted, eyes wildly darting around.
"W— what's going on?!" "Is this her doing?!"
Some of the mist rained down at high speed and enveloped around one of them before dissipating in an instant to deem the candidate missing.
The other candidates gasped, moving away from that spot.
"What the—?!" "What just happened?!"
The mist rained down again at high speed— this time, upon all of them.
Screams echoed as candidates were enveloped one after the other, vanishing the moment the mist dispersed.
Someone tried to run but converged ahead of him into a portal. He stepped through before he even had the chance to stop himself.
Desmond smirked, shaking his head.
"What a bunch of idiots! Getting scared for nothing!" He grinned.
Rexford chuckled behind him.
"Don't know if we'll end up on the same island but... see you guys later!"
"Yeah! See you guys later." Emmanuel repeated and with that, mist swarmed swiftly around the three teleporting them away.
A woman who seemed to be in her early twenties sat calmly on the weather deck, eyes closed, a soft smile gracing her lips. Her arms moved gracefully through the air— commanding the mist.
[Susanna Sharway ]
[Age: 23]
[Ability: Mist gate]
After the last candidate got teleported, she took a deep breath, turning around to face six other people— five men and a woman. Clearly staff members.
"You guys ready?" She asked cheerfully.
The first person exhaled sharply and smirked.
[Kamna Kopoo]
[Age: 28]
[Ability: ???]
The woman beside him smiled sweetly— though something menacing lingered beneath.
[Richelle Andorff]
[Age: 36]
[Ability: ???]
Another person yawned. "What a hassle."
[Farouque Obin]
[Age: 27]
[ Ability: ???]
The fourth person, an elderly man, nodded with a soft smile.
[Jean Hagan]
[Age: 58]
[Ability: ???]
The fifth person, a stern-looking man smirked faintly.
[Father Abraham]
[Age:44]
[Ability: ???]
Finally—
The fifth person was a person we all knew pretty well. Maxwell Appiah.
He just brushed his hair back with one hand, eyes glowing dark purple as he grinned with excitement.
"I take it as a yes, then." Susanna said and lifted her hands as her mist condensed above them.
With a wave of her hand, the mist swept over the group— teleporting them instantly.
Mist then condensed from beneath her, rising up to engulf her and in a breath, she vanished.
Desmond opened his eyes to find himself in the midst of other candidates on one of the islands.
Tall trees surrounded them, their leaves swaying gently in the warm breeze. Thick bushes and patches spread across the ground.
The air was warm and humid, carrying the scent of greenery.
He looked around, scanning all the candidates nearby. No sign of Emmanuel or Rexford.
"Guess we got separated huh?" He sighed looking ahead as the candidates around kept chit-chatting
"Okay Everyone. Gather around." Everyone flinched and started looking around, searching for the source of the voice.
"Up there." Someone called out, pointing to the sky.
Everyone followed his gaze skywards, to see someone standing atop floating board. It was none other than Maxwell Appiah.
Everyone sighed in relief while Desmond just stared on with indifference.
They started gathering around as instructed.
Desmond took 3,4,5 steps and stopped when two hands landed on either sides of his shoulders.
He turned to see Emmanuel and Rexford standing behind him.
"I thought we got separated?" Desmond asked in surprise.
"Don't be ridiculous." Emmanuel blurted. "I noticed you from the beginning."
"So did I." Rexford seconded.
Desmond clicked his tongue, narrowing his eyes with a smirk.
"How are you guys faster than me?!"
"You just need to work harder!" Emmanuel teased with a grin.
"Whatever!" Desmond shrugged as the three walked to join the others.
"Okay!" Maxwell clapped, still standing on the floating board in the air.
"Time to begin the first part of the practical exam."