After the announcement that a test would be held, the tension peaked. The cadets trained until they were on the verge of collapsing every day.
The flames of enthusiasm shone in their eyes, as if they had been brainwashed by dangerous propaganda. Days flew by with intense heat until finally, the anticipated day arrived.
They gathered in the magnificent, bowl-shaped space. A vast, round arena stretched out, its sides covered by towering metal walls with audience seating filled with attending seniors and executives.
Cain looked at the surrounding area. The arena itself was located inside the same building where he spent his time sharpening his shooting accuracy.
The atmosphere in the arena turned heavy, filled by the raw determination of the cadets, each gripping their dummy weapons in hand.
From the side, a metal door hissed, sliding open to reveal the general, accompanied by a bespectacled woman wearing formal attire, such as a black suit and black skirt.
"Cadets, sorry to keep you waiting."
The general stood close to the front row. He turned to the side, and the woman nodded as she operated the terminal in her hand.
The arena floor split open in a blink, exhaling smoke and rising to form a small altar with an iron box on top.
Also, the raised floor, which was considered an altar, vibrated, and then a robotic arm emerged from each side, carrying the box on its head.
"Stay in your lines, cadets, let the robots move, and take an emblem from the box then wear it on your chest."
Several robots carrying the boxes appeared and immediately walked along the rows of cadets. They took an emblem from the robot one by one and wore it on their chests.
Cain, standing at the back, followed the instructions as he listened to the general's explanation.
"Soon, all of you will be transferred to a facility around the city of Babylonia, where the test will begin."
As the cadets furrowed their brows, the woman in the suit fiddled with the terminal in her hand, and next to the cadets, the floor split open.
A sophisticated circular device appeared, equipped with intricate electrical circuits and ascending stairs.
'T-That's?!'
Cain's eyes widened, his breath hitched as he watched the circle hum, pulsating while emitting energy that clumped together, forming a blue curtain that spun like a whirlpool.
"Whoa."
"Quantum transportation system, it really exists."
"I thought it was just a rumor."
A wave of murmurs spread like wildfire, raising the tension almost overwhelming the new cadets.
"Listen, put your hands on the emblem and say: Activated barrier!"
Cain and the other cadets followed the instructions and spoke.
"Activated barrier."
The emblem on their chests glowed. Then, a thin layer spreads throughout their bodies, protecting them like a skin.
His black eyes turned blue, and the Scan Protocol skill automatically activated.
[Scan Protocol activated]
[A barrier made from a magnetic force that can repel an attack that causes harm to the user.]
[No danger detected!]
[Durability: 300%]
A blue panel suddenly appeared in front of him. The boy nodded and waved his hand to dismiss the notification.
'Durability, huh?'
Cain looked at the cadet in front of him, his eyes shining blue, and the system panel appeared on the periphery of his vision.
...
[Durability: 300\%]
…
'I see. That really helps.'
"Remember, cadets, beyond that tunnel is a place where all of you will be tested and fight until one winner remains."
The cadets froze, the cold creeping into their flesh and bones, gnawing their bodies stiff like malignant cancer.
"With the emblem on your chest, you don't have to fear injury, because the moment the protector on your body is destroyed, your body will be automatically transferred back to this place."
All the cadets simultaneously looked down at their chests. They take a short breath and touch the emblem before clenching their other fists.
However, everyone's attention was drawn by a boy who raised his hand.
"General, are there any rules we must adhere to in this test?"
Abel asked, causing the other cadets to simultaneously look toward the general, who sneered fiercely, showing his white fangs.
The general crossed his arms and roared.
"None!"
His voice rang like distant echoes, sending an invisible pressure that choked the cadets' throats. Their faces turned pale as a sheet as strength began to leave their bodies.
"This test is not just to see your abilities. Treat it as a simulation in a war that knows no friends or foes."
While the others struggled with fear, Cain raised his hand and pointed to the teleportation gate.
"Has the test begun?"
Silence descended on the arena. Seconds felt like an hours as the old man finally nodded, prompting the boy to dash and plunge into the tunnel ahead of others.
"I'm first!"
Cain crossed his arms over his face. A soft sensation enveloped his body like the depths of water. For a few dozen seconds, his body felt like it was floating, and his consciousness returned from the void.
When he opened his eyes, he saw that the surrounding area was a vast dirt land mixed with rocks stretching to the far end. His feet immediately moved, carrying him away from his landing spot.
After observing for a while, Cain realized that the place was not just flat; hills and pillars of rock were scattered in every corner. He also found a green expanse at the far left with tree trunks standing in line.
His steps halted when he witnessed a blue light appearing in the sky like a falling star.
'Don't tell me.'
Cain took out his pistol and aimed its muzzle at the star.
A second passed, and his hands kept following the trajectory of the light. As he suspected, the light disintegrated and turned into a human figure.
Taking advantage of this situation, Cain pulled the trigger several times. A series of explosions echoed in the field. The recoil jolted Cain's shoulder, but not as severely as the Winter Hawk.
The four bullets that shot out were aimed precisely at the cadet's head. The cadet's head was thrown back, his eyes narrowing as he felt a pain that shook his brain.
Then, a sound of shattering glass resonated through the empty field, and slowly the cadet's body faded and disappeared from the war zone.
"Yeah, that's my first kill."
Cain pumped his fist high, grinning happily. He sheathed the pistol into its holster, then continued his journey to hide in the forest.
'Hm!?'
Hundreds of falling stars appeared from the sky, scattering randomly to various corners. He kicked the ground, running toward the forest while gripping the katana that was strapped on his left waist.
***
"It's starting."
A beautiful, short, blue-haired girl said. Instead of feminine, she looked handsome, with her tomboy appearance and gestures. But from the curve of her body, it could not be denied that she was a woman.
She glanced to the right, at her friend Luna, whose gaze never left the tunnel.
When the last cadet successfully passed through the portal, the object glowed, and a glowing boy appeared near it.
Luna and the blue-haired girl's eyes widened. Instantly, someone was eliminated from the get-go as the last person entered.
"So fast, even the monitor hasn't been turned on, eh, Luna!? What's wrong?"
The blue-haired girl raised her eyebrows. Luna leaned forward, biting her lip. Her blue pupils shrank in agony.
But when the light covering the boy faded, revealing the figure of a brown-haired boy, Luna let out a long sigh and leaned her back against the chair.
"Thank goodness."
The silver-haired girl patted her medium chest lightly. Her behavior immediately made the blue-haired girl suspicious.
'It's quite rare to see Luna, who is always composed, acting flustered.'
The handsome girl parted her lips. Her delicate fingers traced her lower lip, and she looked seductively at the portal. She lifted her gaze to see a hologram floating in the middle of the arena.
On each screen, several new cadets were shown fighting, running to find a hiding place. Everything seemed chaotic until once again the blue-haired girl heard a commotion beside her.
"Cain, Rika, do your best."
It happened in an instant, but the blue-haired girl caught the two figures Luna was whispering about. A gray-haired boy and a red-haired girl were in their respective battles.
She raised her hand to cover the smile on her lips and said to herself.
'I wonder what kind of person can melt Luna's ice wall.'
Her thoughts were drowned out as loud cheers shook the auditorium.
The blue-haired girl leaned back and opened her mouth.
"Cain and Rika, huh?"