The class followed Kael into a large training room, cluttered with towering structures of pillars, platforms, and hanging ropes. Some obstacles reached the ceiling, while others curved around the floor.
"Thank you, Maris," Kael said to a younger girl carrying a large jar.
She wobbled awkwardly until dropping it in the middle of the class.
"Everyone, this is Maris Feld. She'll be assisting me with your assessments today."
She waved at everyone.
"Together, we'll be evaluating your performance and identifying your strengths and weaknesses. But for now, we'll be focusing on agility. Pay close attention to the instructions. This test isn't just about how fast you move, but how well you control your body under pressure."
Landen scanned the room, sizing everyone up.
In a battle arena, there were five distinct roles, one of which was the assassin. They were known for their agility, moving through the shadows to hunt their targets. They specialized in high burst damage and speed, but their defenses were typically weak.
If this test focused on agility, then it was clearly meant for the assassin role.
Kael continued his instructions. "If you look down at your suits, you'll see a number assigned to you. That number is your identifier for these assessments. Your results will be posted after all the exams are completed. When that happens, you'll need to find your number to find your score."
All the students had changed out of their uniforms and were now wearing black suits, each marked with a number on both the chest and back.
They glanced around, noting each other's numbers. Landen wore number 28, while Ember had number 4. Standing beside her was the white-haired boy, wearing number 56.
Kael pointed at Maris. "Hit the lights."
She tapped on her tablet, and the room went completely dark.
Gasps filled the space, and then the large jar on the ground began to glow.
"Don't move," Maris said.
Opening the jar, hundreds of glowing lights slowly floated out, filling the entire area.
"Wisps?" Landen whispered. "Am I the only one surprised here?"
"For this test, you will be performing the Wisp Tag," Kael said. "Your suites are equipped with sophisticated sensors that will track your every movement. We will be monitoring your coordination, balance, reaction time, acceleration, and velocity."
Maris and Kael passed a woven basket to each student.
"Your goal is to catch as many wisps as you can within 30 minutes. Use the basket to store the wisps you catch, and our system will automatically register your points."
As Landen put the basket on, he opened the system menu and checked his agility stats. It read: || Agility: 2 ||
"You still possess ten unclaimed stat points," the system said. "Shall I apply them to your agility?"
"No, I don't need help."
"A few points to your agility would make this test easy."
"I can do it without the system, plus this will be a good test to determine my baseline."
"As you wish."
Despite his confidence, Landen felt nervous. He had never been athletic—that was why he spent most of his time playing video games. In his past life, he had been scrawny, with little strength or stamina. Now, he felt stronger and healthier, but he knew his agility stat was only 2.
Still, he wasn't going to rely on the system. He needed to find other ways to improve.
Kael tapped his tablet, and a large holographic display appeared above them.
"There are a few things you should know before you begin. Take a close look at the display, and you'll notice different-colored wisps. Each one carries a different point value."
The display zoomed in, isolating four colored wisps.
"A white wisp is worth one point," he explained. "These are the most common—you'll see them everywhere. Blue wisps are worth two points. Less common, but still fairly easy to find. Red wisps are worth three points. These are rarer and often harder to reach. And finally… the gold wisp. Worth ten points."
"You'll notice the higher the value, the fewer there are. White wisps will be scattered throughout the course, but if you want a high score, you'll need to keep your eyes open for the others. But, just know—they're worth more for a reason."
The hologram shifted again, the wisps fading as bold symbols appeared in their place.
"There are also two rules," he said. "First: you are not allowed to use any abilities during this test. This is a measure of your natural physical capability—nothing more."
"Second: you are not allowed to interfere with other participants. No fighting, no sabotage, and absolutely no stealing wisps from someone else." His gaze swept across the group. "Any violation of these rules will result in immediate disqualification."
The white-haired boy stepped up beside Landen, wearing the number 56. He glanced at the course ahead, then at the number on Landen's chest.
"So… you're number 28," he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You don't look like much."
Landen didn't turn. "And you talk too much for someone who hasn't started yet."
"Sharp tongue. I like that. Let's see if your legs can keep up with it."
"I don't need to prove anything to you, just stay out of my way."
"Oh, I plan to," he said, cracking his neck slightly. "Wouldn't want to slow myself down. But I'll be watching. If you fall behind… don't blame the test."
Landen finally glanced at him, unfazed. "If I fall behind, it won't be for long."
The boy grinned. "Good. I'd hate for this to be boring."
He turned his attention back to the course, clearly eager for the test to begin.
"Let me remind you all," Kael said, "your results today will determine whether you earn your place here at Aegis. This is not just a test. It's your future. Do your best."
Landen exhaled slowly. "No pressure, right…" he muttered, his chest tight.
"You have ten minutes." Kael raised his hand.
"Begin!"
BUZZ!!!
Students leapt, sprinted, slid, and climbed as glowing wisps scattered in every direction. Some vaulted across pillars. Others scrambled up walls, baskets snapping shut around flickers of light.
While all the students moved, Landen and the boy ran side by side, equal in speed, and they both dove towards a few wisps. Instead of catching anything, they crashed into each other hard.
Landen looked over to see him there, standing perfectly still, his body relaxed as if the collision hadn't even happened. His eyes were unfocused, staring off into space.
What is he planning? Landen wondered.
Then, slowly, the boy turned his head.
His gaze locked onto Landen—and a faint, unsettling smile spread across his face.
They both sprinted together again, but this time the boy was much faster than Landen.
I swear our speed was just equal, but now I can't seem to keep up. Did he use some kind of ability or something?
Landen stopped as he watched him sprint ahead, jumping around on different obstacles until he stood at the top.
He looked back at Landen, holding his first wisp in his hand.
"I will win this," he said, then jumped away.
Landen narrowed his eyes, replaying the movements in his mind.
No abilities allowed…so what did he just do?
He clenched his fist. "...Who are you?"