Don't read my mind

Jake followed the map to take his physical evaluation. The evaluation for non-ability users were done separately. For this he had to take a fitness test. When he entered the room, there were several others taking the evaluation.

He walked to the counter and scanned his watch. This was done for attendance. Now he would wait until his turn. The physical evaluation had 3 tests Strength, agility and endurance.

The examiner called the next group, Jake along with nine others moved forward. First was the strength test. For this push ups and sit ups are done. Jake got in position for the push up. The goal was to do continuous push ups until you reach a limit.

Once the timer started the examinee began their push up. The moment you stop the time is recorded and the score is given based on your time. The same is done for sit ups. The combined score should have a minimum of 12 out of 20 to pass. Jake obtained a score of 19.

The next test was for agility. Jake was shown to a platform stretching 50 meters long. The examiner read out the instructions. Each examinee has to run along the platform while dodging the obstacles. Their score will depends on their time. The obstacles are holographic projections that would shoot at you. If it hits you must start over.

Jake managed to complete it on his first try while two others in his group had to start over making their time longer with a poor score. Jake's score was 18. The last person in his batch was a tall girl with blonde hair in a pixie cut. Once the timer started she quickly bolted across the platform swiftly dodging all the obstacles.

"Sera Williams 20 points" the examiner announced

The examiner was awestruck she had the shortest time and scored a full 20 points. Within a few minutes all eyes were on her and the boys kept glancing at her.

"That was amazing" Jake complimented her. Sera turned towards him, gave him a cold stare and just walked away.

Why did she glare at him? He just complimented her and he really did think she was incredible. Suddenly Jake felts sharp glare from behind. He turned to see a few boys whispering and staring at him.

Could it be, are they pissed that I talked to her. Jake made a self-note to not needlessly talk to her.

Jake did a few stretches. He passed the first two tests in flying colours all that's left was the last endurance test. He was quite confident with the strength and agility tests. But the endurance test was a bit of a challenge for him. This test was an obstacle race. All the examinees were out on the field ready. The gun was fired and the whole crowd began to run.

The race consisted of a 3 mile run followed by a stretch of 3 wall climbing placed 20 meters apart, a 100m swim across the lake. Finally, to run 2 miles back to the starting point.

After an arduous run, Jake could finally see the finishing line. He squeezed out the last bit of his energy to sprint towards the finishing line. He was wheezing for air while his whole body ached.

Almost there! Just a bit more…

System: Jake, are you done.

Uhh… He fell flat on the ground.

'Wait'

"13th" an announcement popped

Thank goodness he crossed the line. He looked up at the score board. He was 13th with a score of 16. He got up and got a bottle of water.

System: Jake can you hear me.

'Ah this annoying thing'

System: Don't call me annoying

"Only 16, I expected a higher score from you. "

Jake was shocked. His heart almost jamp out. He was too preoccupied talking to the system that he didn't notice her standing right next to him. It happened this morning as well, the guy who talked to him said he stood behind him at the counter. He's got to fix this habit.

System: Jake, Jaaaaake….

'Ahh… Why is it so annoying?'

System: Don't call me annoying

'Don't read my mind'

"Hey are you listening. You keep spacing out" Sera moved her hand in front of Jake's face.

'Ahhh…. I did it again'

System: Did what?

"Yeah, I'm listening. It's unfortunate but I couldn't score higher." He replied to Sera. She had sharp eyes which naturally made her look intimidating.

She crossed her arms and stood straight "Oh it fine we still have the final score to see. That will be the determining factor"

"I guess…"

"Well see you later" And she walked away.

'What? She just said what she wanted and left'

System: What are you talking about?

'DON'T READ MY MIND!' (　ﾟДﾟ)＜!!

"I'm not reading it, you keep sending your thoughts to me" the system yelled back.

'What?! But it was fine before?'

"No you've been sending out your thoughts for a while now. I'm just ignoring most of them. Why don't you practice to separate them? Figure out what you want to say and what you want to think."

'How do I do that?'

System: Listen carefully. You are talking to me through mana. Mana particles can store a lot of information. The mana particle that resides in your body would automatic record your memory and all information about you. They are called core mana particles. The mana you sent out are normal particles. You should not copy everything from the core particle to the normal particles. Control it.

Before anything Jake wanted to fix this first. He concentrated and tried to talk.

'Can you hear me now?'

"Yes"

Alright that was good. That's the feeling when he talked to the system. Now to think without sending it out through mana…. Concentrate. Jake put his full concentration in it and focused even more than when he studied or played games.

'What about now? Can you hear me?'

"Yes"

'How about n..'

"Yes"

'Wha..'

"This is the tenth time"

He barely said anything. May be he should think of something else. Jake took a deep breath relaxed and calmed his mind.

'That's right just like this. It was time for the evening show...'

"I can hear you"

Damn I just have to practise this. Yes he got this. This time he really got it. Let's think of something else. Now

'Roses are red

Violets are blue'

"I CAN HEAR YOU"