Finally, the three could see something out of the cargo phrough the truck's window. It was undoubtedly an impressive view, stretg to the horizon, an endless sea stretched, except for nine isnds. Eae was more striking tha. One had a dense forest, while another was filled with steel-and-gss buildings. Each isnd was posed of a pletely different biome from the others.
Gradually, the trucks began approag the nding area, a small clearing on one of the isnds furthest to the right. Although they were on solid ground, the door remained locked. However, they could see something happening with the other transports.
"TIK TIK BLAM"
The door was finally opened. At the entraood a soldier who, after cheg his floating s, looked back at the trio.
“An, Isabe, and Oliver. Move to the ter of the clearing and line up with the other recruits. You will receive more information shortly.” The soldier expined.
After a sed look at the s, the soldier focused on An. “Oh, and avoid trying to escape. We’ve had to rescue dozens of citizens who got lost in the jungle and some who almost drowned in the sea.”
Ahe warning was directed entirely at him. In a way, he was grateful to the soldier since he had indeed po run into one of the forests. However, he abahe pn after seeing that the isnd was pletely isoted from the rest of the world.
As they exited the transport, the three got a sense of scale. There were hundreds of transports and thousands of students; clearly, theirs was one of the few with so few recruits.
In the ter of the clearing, several lines of students faced a stage. Oliver was impressed by the sheer number of recruits and how they seemed to e from every er of the earth. Many were chatting with those around them, discussing the advehey had gohrough to reach the Academy.
Dozens of people were above the stage, and judging by their uniforms and medals, they seemed to hold high ranks.
“ATTENTION!”
The versations ceased immediately, and many were startled by the sudden the front of the stage was an officer, clearly experienced. His uniform was older thahers, and on his chest was a steel emblem with a sword in the ter and two wings around it.
“Recruits, I am Major Five, responsible for this whole instaltion. This group of isnds is Training Base 09 for the h Army. Along with you, millions of young people from around the world and other ps in the empire will join the army to traihe hree months. During this period, we will make you capable of serving in the army and bringing glory to h.”
The Major took advantage of the moment to observe the recruits' reas in the crowd. Typically, when the scale of the operation was mentioned, you could filter out those who came from a House by their facial expressions. Students unfamiliar with the ws of the Academy were easily impressed by everything it offered.
However, there are always exceptions to the rule. Oliver didn’t know much about the Academy. Although the size was impressive, nothing there seemed to i him. Oher hand, Isabel was impressed but even more excited that she would sooer the Academy.
“To clude, before you are taken to your quarters, you will undergo a sele process. It will determine your assigs and training. Finally, I would like to remind you that at the end of the three months, you will receive your citizen cards, but the top-perf students will also have the opportunity to ehe Ranger Academy. But don’t be deluded; only 0.001% of you will have that ce.”
His expnation elicited a variety of reas among the recruits. Those more seasoned already ted on the near certainty that they would bee Rangers. Others, like Oliver, only now realized this was also a possible path for them.
The Majave o look at the recruits before stepping off the stage, making room for another officer to take over.
“Each officer will create a line. Selee and follow the officer. You will be taken to the sele areas.” The new officer expined.
Oliver, Aln, and Isabel ended up in the same lih dozens of recruits. The group was led by an officer who was noticeably older thahers. None of his limbs remained intact; all had been repced with robotic prosthetics, whisettled the recruits. As if that weren't enough, he was also the only officer with a beard, a well-groomed but strikingly white one.
After walking for a few mihe group arrived at a rge warehouse.
Before entering the warehouse, the officer turo the group.
“You will undergo four tests, each measuring a different stat: Strength, Resistance, Agility, or Energy. Based on these results, you will be divided into two battalions. Those with the best scores will go to First Battalion, while the bottom 50% will go to Sed Battalion.” The old officer expined.
The officer tinued walking until they reached the door of an ante-room.
“For the first test, we will measure yility. One by one, you will ehis room, and you must stay as long as possible without being hit by any of the projectiles. For every minute you survive, the speed of the projectiles will increase.” The old officer expined.
The officer looked at the students, waiting for any questions. Seeing that no one spoke up, he proceeded with the test.
“The first in lier the room. The others must not interfere with the test.” The old officer spoke
As soon as the first recruit stepped into the room, the others in line moved closer to the gss separating the testing arena from the corridor, eager to observe how the test would unfold. Oliver was no exceptioried to get a clear view with his face pressed against the gss.
The recruits finally got a better look at the room. The testing arena was regur, with a few neon lights along the sides. At the ter was a marked spot indig where the recruit should position himself. Except for the gss window he entrahe rest of the room was made entirely of dark metal.
[First test starting in 3… 2… 1…]
[Level 1 started]
As soon as the start of the test was announced, a siren bred, signaling that the firing was about to begin. At the far end of the room, in front of the recruit, two mae guns emerged from within the wall. They began to move automatically, log onto the boy.
"PUF! PUF! PUF!"
Each gun fired several bck projectiles. The recruit had only a few seds to dodge eae. But upon hitting the floor, the projectiles began to ricochet as if made of rubber. sidering the distance from the guns, it seemed simple to dodge the shots to those outside.
[Level 2 started]
However, the difficulty increased every sed. Even without an increase in speed, new shots were fired while older ones tio rebound.
[Level 3 started]
At the third level, the first recruit made a mistake. While dodging a ricocheting shot, he failed to notice two new, faster shots ing his way. Luckily, only one of them hit him iomach, but it was enough to knock the wind out of him and make him vomit in the arena.
[Test pleted]
[Calg …]
[Evaluated status: Agility]
[Grade: Pawn]
After a few seds of catg his breath, the recruit tried to get up. With weak legs, he slowly walked toward the exit of the arena. His mouth and shirt were slightly stained from the vomit, but he didn’t seem to have the energy to think about ing himself up.
“Quickly, recruit! We still have dozens of people waiting.” The officer warned.
“This is to make it clear how difficult the challenges are. Advang beyond level two shows you are above average. But just this will not guarantee your p the First Battalion.” The old officer expined.
The following recruits didn’t fare much better. Some mao get past level 3, while others faltered at the same spot. Fortunately for many, the projectiles mostly hit limbs. Though it caused serious pain, it wasn’t enough to make them vomit in the arena.
As the line moved forward, it was finally Oliver’s turrolled to the ter of the arena.
‘It’s darker than it looked outside,’ he thought.
Oliver wasirely sure why he was so nervous. It wasn’t as if he wao be the top performer iest. Still, a tiny spark of petitiveness burned in his chest, driving him to give his best.
The boy then waited for the dreaded annou.
[First challearting in …]
[3…]
[2…]
[1…]
[Level 1 started]
