Academy

Zhao Lin bolted towards the Academy. He was a bit late because of the man from before. But for him, helping someone now prevents future disasters that could've been stopped.

The Academy was situated in its own area within the Inner ring. Its entire grounds had facilities equipped to train students to surpassed other facility. Here, students were measure by their strength output. Humanity put much emphasis on strength and skills. It was these two that would ultimately help one survive. Zhao Lin had never got his strength measured, and from what the trainer who called him said, he would need to eventually. This visit, would enlist into the Warriors Database.

One of the buildings he entered was a testing gymnasium. Inside was everything to test his abilities. When he entered he was met with 2 Instructors.

The two saw him and immediately started introducing themselves while starting the procedure. One started typing into a terminal that seemed to control the gymnasiums. The other started explaining things while handing his things. The first thing handed to him was his Warriors ID card. It was given to all Warriors who had were admitted to the Organization. Students, if chosen, would be given such a card as well, as they were practically hand picked by the Organization. The card was an ID, keycard, and bank access card. It was also programmed to each individual, and required the Organization to recode it.

His back account had 10 silver credits given to him. Not a lot, but enough that he won't be broke. He was also given a strange vial he had never seen before. Several actually in a small case.

"I'm sure you have heard of Evol Crystals. These vials are similar to them on a much smaller scale. The Organization has produced thousands and are giving them to top students in the Academy." One of the instructors explained.

The vials are similar effects that were on a much smaller scale. These allowed quicker muscle growth, and strengthening of the body.

"Does that mean I'm one of the top students?" Zhao Lin said jokingly

"All students who were selected and sent a letter were all high level students. If we compared you to some senior students, it would be very close in results."

"But how could you know I'm good enough?"

One of the instructors who was messing with a terminal, also had a dossier on Zhao Lin, if it wasn't for the first talking to him, he would have seen the other was fewing clips of Zhao Lin.

"The Organization has its ways. While we can grade your potential, your current prowess will need to be tested."

Zhao Lin took his things into his storage ring and went up to one of the testing machines.

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The machine he stood at was a punch gauge. These machines were able to measure the weight of any hit. This allowed the Organization to have an accurate analysis of a Warriors abilities, that way, the Organization could send them missions that would be in their abilities. He had seen one at his old school which was a lower model for students.

Zhao Lin took a ready stance, and punched the machine. The place he punched did not even leave a mark. Nor did the machine budge. What was also strange was that he felt his punch feel a bit faster for some reason. Zhao Lin before had never tested his strength since entering high school. He never even attempted, the days that would require him to do so were days he would leave the city.

The terminal gave the results to the instructors.

"..." one had a strange look while he looked at his co worker who was by Zhao Lin. When the other came back over to check the results he also had a strange look.

Zhao Lin could only see the back of the terminal so he couldn't see his results. He was hoping he would get a decent score. He heard most students could unleash 250 kgs of strength, and that the top students could get a 500 kg score. He would find it decent to get at least 400.

But Zhao Lin was also shocked when the instructor announced his results.

"570 kgs!"

Zhao Lins strength had surpassed what he thought it was. Even the Instructors were shocked. The Dossier had a very accurate measurement of strength of each individual, examined by very special officials. The fact that Zhao Lin exceeded their expectations means that what they wanted to give him had to be revalulate them.

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When Zhao Lin took all the other test, he felt he was in better shape than ever. Precision, strength, speed, endurance, and the ability to think on the spot, he passed them with flying colors. The two Instructors were shocked with each results. One of them even left with a copy of his report.

"Alright, we'll stop here. Now that we have a measurements of your strengths, we'll be sending you a mission."

"A mission? Already?" Zhao Lin had just been admitted and did all these test. To get a mission so soon would exhaust him.

"Yes. The Examination is a big importance to the Warriors Organization. We would like to keep the resource we obtained within the Organization." The Instructor said while escorting him out.

The examination was an open examination, meaning many members that weren't fully part of the Warriors Organization could enter. There were many other private fractions within each cities that would collide with the Warriors Organization. Large Families, Companies, and etc, they all played a part in keeping humanity alive. The only thing was the Warriors Organization had the Founder and his top executives. They weren't only respected, they were adored, and feared. Thus was most likely the reason why they wanted to gain the trust and favor of the students to allow more resources to stay within their own.

Zhao Lin prefered the Warriors Organization for how free it was. Compared to if he joined a large family or business, where it was more cruel and strict.

The day was starting to set when he came out. Besides the things he already got, he was free to use the facility to train. He decided walk around and check the Academy out. There was a running course, sparing court, large scaling platforms, and even a deep pool to stimulate water fights. He was quite impressed at what it had to offer, at the very least, many of the courses were more advance.

He soon saw a crowd of students that was watching one of the Sparring arena. Two individuals were going at it hard and used weapons even. They were each decently skilled in movement but one of them was greatly stronger. This one was large and bulky, he used a large hammer like weapon and swung hard at the other. His head was shaved and his eyes were fierce like a tiger.

While the other was a more slim boy who had a spear. He had green hair and light green eyes. His hair was short and hanged loosely. They both wore a uniform jersey with the Academy's symbol. Looking at the fight, it was clear who was toying with who. The large fellow was swinging as he laughed at the green haired boy.

"Dahahahaha, whats wrong freak? Where's all that energy from before?" He then swung hard enough it knocked the other slightly in the air, throwing to the end of the arena. The green haired boy was obviously hurt and the crowd cheered as they watched them beat each other.

"Ha! See? I told you, your just a mutant, you won't make it as a warrior. You should leave, you Variants aren't meant to be Warriors. You're just leeches."

It was then from what the large one said that Zhao Lin understood what was going. Variants, a type of person in humanity. They were different from humans, containing another trait that made them vastly weaker than humans. They could grow stronger as fast as most humans. Their bodys required them to train for a much longer period in order to reach the strength that most. On average the student who reach the age of 16 should have reached 200 kg or so of strength. In order to reach that same level in the same time, Variants would train twice at hard or use three times the resources.

Thus, almost all Variants were regular humans. Living out their days until they die. It was rare to find a Warrior among them. With the discrimination in class nowadays, their lives haven't been well.

Zhao Lin felt somewhat disgusted by this group. The fact the boy was willing to be here showed he had more courage than the group. Zhao Lin wasn't going to step in though, for it was not his fight. He wouldn't jump in to save someone he didn't know. He wasn't some savior, at the very least, he would go warn a faculty member.

That was his initial thoughts. But the words and actions of the larger boy soon stopped him.

The green haired boy was able barely sit. One would think he would be in fear and pain. But he merely looked at the other in contempt. That was then the larger boy pushed him back down.

"Still not giving in? Hmph, I'll show you the difference between us." He raised his hammer and aimed at the green haired boys leg. At this point the crowd behind the larger boy soon became worried.

"Hey, aren't you going a bit far."

"Yeah, that's a bit much don't you think?"

"Shut up!" The larger boy roared.

"I'm going to show these peasants, the difference between a Warriors Family and a Variant!" One could see the boy red in rage.

Just as he was about to swing down, the hammer was suddenly knocked from his hand, and landed behind him. Someone had thrown a rock at his hands. When the crowd looked toward the direction it came from, they found Zhao Lin had started walking towards them.

"Enough. Go any further and the Academy will have locked up before you know it." He said coldly. At this point, the crowd had already find it a bit overboard. The larger boy merely sneered at him.

"Don't butt into something that's not your business." He said as he glared at Zhao Lin.

"If you do anything more, You can bet you won't get away walking free. There are still laws and rules." Zhao Lin said back. The two were having a stand off as they stared each other down. The crowd, although know sure how Zhao Lin would do, did not dare jump in.

It was only after a while did the larger boy start to leave himself.

"Tsk. Fine. It was getting boring anyway." He said picking up his hammer and leaving. As he left the crowd soon followed, some glanced back at Zhao Lin who soon went up and helped the green haired boy.

"You alright?" He asked.

"I'm fine. Thank you. But you should have left me alone, now you're implemented into this because of me." The green haired boy said while his face was full of regret. It seemed this person was actually sorry for Zhao Lin, who laughed at the thought. It was rare to see such a nice person, and such people were good to keep close with.

"It's fine, he was smart at least." Zhao Lin didn't feel bothered. He knew from the way the larger one moved, he could take him on. Even if he was out matched in strength, he could easily knock out the others legs or any other soft spots.

"I'm Wei Jiao by the way. And thank you. If your available, let me repay with a dinner later." He said. But Wei Jiao looked pretty beat up, and it looked like one of his legs was limping.

"Maybe some other time, come on. Let me take you to the medbay." Once again, Zhao Lin lent his should for Wei Jiao and the two went.

——————

In one of the offices within the Academy was a Middle aged man was signing many documents. He wore a regal looking military uniform, and had many medals on his chest. His hair had small gray lines running through them. The most unique feature was his rugged face with a scare from his right upper lip down to his chin.

Soon a knock was heard at the door.

"Vice Headmaster."

"Mmm." The Vice Headmaster grunted. In came in one of the instructors that was part of Zhao Lin's testing. He held a folder that had the picture of Zhao Lin on the front.

"Sir. I feel the need to let you see this for yourself." He handed it to the man.

The Vice Headmaster took the folder and began reading it page per page. Making comments here and there. When he was done he looked back up at the instructor.

"And? The kid seems like simple enough. He's good, better than most of the students we have. But he's not unique."

He then waved the instructor away who then left feeling somewhat awkward. As the man was once again alone, he took a glance at the Zhao Lins file one more time. He soon started calling someone on his computer and it started ringing.

"Hello?" Answered the call, it was a man whose voice was quite deep.

"Hey. Its me." The Vice Headmaster said.

"Oh. What is it."

"I've got a kid who's a lot like you. You've been looking for a protege right? Well here's one to take a look at." He said while sending some images. The man on other call was silent for a moment, looking at the documentation of Zhao Lin.

"He's decent. But not exactly what i want."

"He is only 16."

"Doesn't matter. Maybe in a few months we'll see."

The Vice Headmaster only sighed as he leaned back.

"This is the 10th one this month. Keep getting picky and you'll find no one."

"Hmph. Thats my business."

"Yes yes." The two then chatted away about other issues.