"Students... Welcome to Apex High Academy."
The man's voice was deep, carrying an innate authority that commanded silence. He spoke without the aid of a microphone, yet his words resonated clearly through the massive hall, reaching every ear. "My name is Wayland Wilson, and I am the Director of this institution," he announced, a small, proud smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
The sea of students stood motionless, eyes fixed on Director Wayland.
"For decades, Apex High has been the forge where raw potential is refined into true power," he continued, taking a slow, steady breath. "We exist to ensure that when the darkness returns, you possess the strength and the discipline to strike it back."
Aren listened intently, hanging on every word. Wayland's gaze swept across the crowd one last time. "I will not waste your time with long speeches. Work hard, push your limits, and I expect to see every one of you reach the Elite Rank. Dismissed."
With that, the Director departed. Silvia, a woman with a sharp, disciplined aura, stepped forward. "Group A, form a line to the left! Group B, second line! Group C, third! And Group D, fourth line!"
The courtyard became a blur of movement as students scrambled to find their places. Aren moved to the back of the Group D line, his old bag slung over his shoulder. He felt a presence behind him and glanced back. It was Theo.
Is he following me? Aren wondered.
Theo gave a carefree wave. "Oh, so you're in Group D too?" he asked with a grin. Aren simply nodded.
Before they could speak further, Silvia marched over to their line. "I am your instructor. Everyone, follow me."
There were roughly twenty-five students in Group D. Silvia led them away from the main hall, through a series of high-tech corridors until they reached a specialized training chamber. Aren looked around in awe. The room was packed with advanced training equipment, glowing with blue energy and sensors.
"To measure your current capabilities, we will begin with a physical evaluation," Silvia said, her tone professional and stern. "The test consists of three rounds: Strength, Reflexes, and Speed."
She pointed to the various stations. For the strength test, students had to strike a reinforced ten-foot-high wall equipped with impact sensors. The reflex test involved dodging mud balls launched at high speeds by specialized cannons. Finally, the speed test was a sprint across a long, sensor-ladened track.
As the testing began, Aren felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his chest. Should I try to use my power? I don't even know how to trigger it yet. The only time he had felt that divine surge was when Archer was beating him. He hadn't figured out how to summon Varkas's strength at will.
"Aren, I think it's almost my turn," Theo's voice broke his concentration. The boy looked as relaxed as if he were on a picnic. "Hey, could you do me a quick favor?"
Aren blinked. "What kind of favor?"
Theo's smile widened. "Could you punch me? Just once. Make it a hard one."
Aren stared at him, wondering if he had misheard. "What? Theo, I'm not going to just punch you."
"Come on! Don't overthink it. Just give me a solid hit," Theo insisted.
Aren shook his head, annoyed. "Sorry, Theo. I'm not fulfilling your weird wish."
Theo shrugged, seemingly unfazed. "No worries, I get it." He scanned the room until his eyes landed on a girl standing a few feet away. She had pale blue hair and an icy, distant expression. Theo walked right up to her, extending a hand. "Hello! I'm Theo. Theo Volker."
The girl glanced at his hand with utter disdain, then turned her back to him.
"Ah, an introvert, I see," Theo laughed lightly. He reached out and placed a friendly hand on her shoulder.
That was his first mistake.
In a blur of motion, the girl seized Theo's arm, twisted it, and slammed him into the floor with a violent thud. Before anyone could react, she conjured a spear of pure, shimmering ice in her hand. She pressed the frozen tip against Theo's throat, her voice as cold as her weapon.
"Think a hundred times before you touch me again."
The room went dead silent. Then, whispers erupted among the boys.
"She's so cool..."
"Her ice powers just froze my heart."
"What is going on here?!" Silvia's voice boomed across the gym.
The girl instantly dispelled the spear and stepped back. Silvia glared at her before checking her tablet. "Faith Cryo. You're up next."
Without a word, Faith walked toward the strength-testing wall. The students parted like the Red Sea to let her pass. Aren hurried over to Theo, helping him up. "Are you okay?"
Theo brushed the dust off his clothes, still grinning. "Never better."
Faith reached the wall. She didn't use a punch; instead, she summoned her ice spear and drove it into the center of the wall with a sharp, piercing strike.
The digital display above the wall flickered and settled on a number: 100.
Silvia noted the score, her eyes narrowing as she typed into her tablet. Faith Cryo... her power level is easily at the 'Adept' rank. If it weren't for her impatient and volatile nature, she wouldn't be in Group D.
Next came the reflex test. Mud balls were fired at Faith in a rapid-fire sequence. She moved with incredible grace, her footwork flawless as she dodged every shot.
When the final ball flew toward her face, she didn't dodge; she snapped her fingers, creating a thin wall of ice that shattered the mud on impact.
The students started to clap, but one sharp look from Silvia silenced them. Faith finished the speed test with equal efficiency, moving like a winter breeze. She returned to the sidelines, her face as emotionless as when she started.
"Her movements... she's a pro," Aren thought to himself.
"Next: Theo Volker!" Silvia called out.
Theo looked at Aren and winked. "Aren, make sure you cheer for me."
Aren watched him walk to the wall, still baffled by Theo's personality. Theo took a deep breath, and his relaxed posture vanished. He pulled back his fist and slammed it into the wall.
BOOM!
A shockwave of kinetic energy erupted from the impact, the sound echoing through the hall like a cannon blast. The students gasped as they looked at the screen.
Score: 150.
Theo smirked, casting a sideways glance at Faith. "I probably could have done better if that girl hadn't slammed me into the ground so hard."
Faith's eyes flashed with murderous intent, but Theo ignored her. He proceeded to clear the reflex and speed tests, outperforming Faith in every category. The whispers in the room shifted. Suddenly, Theo was the one they were all watching.
Theo returned to Aren's side. "Now you understand why I wanted you to punch me?"
Aren looked at him, confused.
"My power is called Impact Vault," Theo explained, leaning in. "I can absorb the energy from any attack I receive, store it, and then release it whenever I want. The more I get hit, the stronger my next move is."
Theo Volker... Silvia thought, watching the boy. His power belongs in Group A. Why did the board place him here?
She scrolled down to the next name on her list.
"Aren Vox. Step forward."
Aren froze. This was it. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a second to steady his heart, and walked toward the testing machines.