Chapter 61 The Letter
One evening, as they sat around the common room table, a letter arrived for Kai. His heart pounded as he recognized the seal - it was from his sister. "They're letting us visit our families," he said, sharing the news with a mix of excitement and concern. "But only the top fifty recruits."
The room fell quiet. Frode was the first to speak up, "Don't worry, we've got this. We're in the top fifty now, and we're not going anywhere."
"Yeah," Annika agreed, "we're unstoppable."
Ingrid nodded firmly. "We've come too far to let anything break us apart now."
The team looked around at each other, their determination palpable. They knew the final stages of their training were approaching, and they had to be at their best to secure their spots in the top fifty. Each member had their reasons for fighting so hard - family, friends, or perhaps just the desire to survive in a world where power meant everything.
The days grew longer and more intense as they honed their skills, pushing their bodies and minds to the limit. Kai found himself spending extra hours in the training room, perfecting his control over the dragon node's fiery power. He could feel the dragon's presence more acutely than ever before, and the whispers grew more insistent, but he remained resolute.
The final assessment day arrived, and a mix of excitement and anxiety was in the air. Colonel Skai's voice boomed through the academy's speakers. "Recruits, today marks the end of your basic training. Only the top fifty will be granted the honor of moving on to the advanced stages and the chance to visit your families."
The line for the power assessment chamber grew tense as recruits took their turns. Each one emerged looking more drained than the last, their new rank tags glinting on their uniforms. As Kai's turn approached, his thoughts raced. Could he hold his own against the elites? Would his dragon node be the key to victory?
Stepping into the chamber, he took a deep breath as the doors sealed behind him. The first exercise, precision, began with a flurry of holographic darts flying towards him. Drawing on the dragon's agility, Kai dodged and weaved, plucking them out of the air with ease. His eyes darted from target to target, his reflexes sharper than ever.
"Impressive," murmured Professor Dastain through the speakers. "Now, for your strength assessment."
The room shifted, revealing a massive stone column suspended from the ceiling. It was easily ten times heavier than the heaviest weight Kai had ever lifted. He took a deep breath and called upon the dragon's might, feeling the power surge through him.
With a roar, he hoisted the column off the ground, his muscles straining with the effort. The weight was immense, but the dragon node didn't allow for failure. He held it aloft, his eyes locked on the target, and with a grunt, he threw it across the room. It crashed into the opposite wall, sending chips of stone flying everywhere.
"Strength, 98 out of a hundred," Professor Dastain announced, sounding genuinely surprised.
Kai stepped back, sweat beading on his forehead, but the sense of pride swelling in his chest was worth every ounce of effort. The whispers of the dragon node grew quieter, as if satisfied with his display of might.
Next was the agility and reflexes test. The room's walls and floor morphed into a complex maze of obstacles. Kai took a moment to study the layout, his mind racing with strategies. He knew he had to be swift and precise; any misstep could mean disaster.
"Begin!" the disembodied voice of Sergeant Valkyrie echoed around him.
Kai sprinted forward, leaping over gaps, his feet barely touching the floor. The maze grew more treacherous, with walls closing in and spikes shooting from the ground. His dragon eyesight allowed him to anticipate each danger before it struck, and he danced through the obstacle with grace.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
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As the final section approached, a swarm of holographic dragonflies descended upon him, each one trying to distract and disorient him. He swiped them away with precision, his reflexes now an extension of the dragon's instinct. The timer stopped, and the room went silent.
"Agility and reflexes, 93 out of a hundred. You are truly a natural, Kai." Professor Dastain's voice had a hint of admiration.
The whispers grew again, louder this time. Kai felt a rush of energy, his heart racing in his chest. He knew this was it - the moment that would decide his fate. The essence chair beckoned, and he approached it with a mix of trepidation and excitement.
"Please take a seat, Kai," instructed Professor Dastain. The chair's restraint locked around him, and the whirl above his head hummed to life. The light flickered, cycling through a rainbow of colors before settling on a deep, vibrant blue. The dragon node within him surged with power, and he felt his body shift, his senses heightening.
The first challenge was a mental one, a series of puzzles that grew increasingly complex. The whispers grew louder, guiding him through each solution. He could almost feel the dragon's intelligence, ancient and wise, melding with his thoughts. His mind worked faster than ever, piecing together the intricate patterns with ease.
Next, the room plunged into darkness, and the smell of burning metal filled the air. The essence chair's arms extended, each tipped with a sizzling hot blade. Kai's heart raced as he felt his skin prickle with heat, but he focused on the task at hand. He had to trust his instincts, his dragon's instincts.
The blades approached his face, and he could feel the searing heat. He held his breath and closed his eyes, willing the dragon to protect him. With a snap, the blades stopped mere millimeters from his skin, then retreated. The whispers grew calmer, and the chair's embrace loosened.
"Congratulations, Kai, you have passed the final assessment with a total average of 95. You are ranked blue," Professor Dastain announced, his voice filled with a newfound respect.
Kai stepped out of the chamber, the weight of the rank heavy on his shoulders. His friends gathered around him, their eyes wide with amazement. "Welcome to the top ten," said Frode, slapping him on the back.
"You did it," Rerna whispered, a hint of awe in her voice. Kai could feel the warmth of her hand as it rested on his arm, grounding him.
"We did it," he corrected her with a smile. "Thanks to all of us."
The arena buzzed with excitement as recruits compared scores and congratulated one another. The tension of the day had transformed into a cautious camaraderie. As they stepped out into the corridor, their eyes fell upon the updated ranking board. Kai searched for Team 12's names and found them nestled among the elite.
"We did it," Ingrid said, her voice filled with relief and pride. "We're all in the top fifty."
They walked back to their dorms, the corridors echoing with the sound of their footsteps. The academy had never felt so alive with ambition and hope. Each recruit knew that the path ahead was fraught with danger, but with their new found unity and their growing powers, they felt invincible.
The days leading up to the visitation were filled with excitement and nervous anticipation. Kai found himself lost in thought, his mind wandering to his sister. He hadn't seen her since the last time he left for the academy, and the longing grew stronger with each passing moment, this would be his first time seeing her healthy from the F-X7 virus. During their final training sessions, he pushed himself harder, eager to prove to her that he was worthy of her pride.
The day of the visitation arrived, and the atmosphere in the academy was electric. Families and friends of the recruits had come from all over the nation to see the progress of their loved ones. The top fifty recruits were lined up in the grand hall, their eyes gleaming with excitement and nerves. Colonel Skai stepped up to the podium, his stern gaze sweeping over the room.