Awakening Test II

"Thank you for the generosity." The first walked toward the metal ball, infusing mana into his hand with every step he took.

Together with his last step, his hand crashed down on the ball with all the force he could muster.

Bang!

His fist smashed against the ball and the small squared machine behind it, which had a transparent face lit up with numbers on the surface. The numbers continued to change till they stopped at a certain combination of numbers.

The woman looked at the numbers and nodded while writing in her note. "650… That's a good one. Next."

The next person went and the next after him. One by one she recorded the results.

Obed walked to the front of the ball and stared at it. He looked at the woman and asked. "So I just have to gather all my mana around my fist and punch it, right?"

She nodded without looking at Obed.

Everyone was eager to see Obed's result after what had happened during the previous test. Even Obed himself wanted to see his result.

Fuuu…" He took in a deep breath and started channeling mana to his hand which was now folded into a fist.

He moved back one step when he noticed he was too close to the ball. He kept on filling his fist with as much mana as possible.

He took a quick step forward and with all his might, he punched at the ball. Everyone kept their eyes open so they wouldn't miss any slight part of the scene.

Bang!

The metal ball caved in to fit Obed's fist. The numbers on the machine began to change continuously, rising and falling.

One of them let out a whistle when Obed removed his hand from the ball.

"He ruined the stage once again." The same man who had complained before sighed.

The lady scribbled something on the nite before raising her head and smiling at Obed. "A perfect three thousand. That's the maximum amount of force the ball could take. This alone might be enough to make you a Grade A among the Tier Sevens."

All eyes stared at Obed. All contained different emotions behind them. If looks could kill, Obed would be dead right now.

"Let's just move on to the next one." Obed noticed the looks and urged the lady to continue.

Once again, she began her explanations which seemed to tire everyone in the room. "This one's a test to measure your reaction speed…"

*****

"Give me one thousand reasons why I shouldn't kick you out," Khar yelled at the gang member who had blocked Luke on his way in.

"I'm sorry boss. You said you didn't want any disturbance today and I intended to keep it that way. I was wrong. I should've asked for his name. If I had known he was the famous Luke, I wouldn't have blocked him from entering." The member apologized with his head touching the floor.

Khar looked at the members present one after the other before he shouted at them. "And you guys couldn't warm him?"

Luke was the one to respond. "Just let him go. After I leave, you can decide to kill him and I wouldn't mind."

Khar stared at the member as if he wanted to kill him at the moment. "Scram."

The members all vanished without a second to spare.

Two members brought chairs and placed them behind their boss and Luke. "What brings you here?" Khar asked as he sat down on one of the two chairs available.

Luke didn't wait to be invited before sitting down. He looked around as if looking for something he misplaced. "I only came to ask what the favor I have to repay would be."

Khar immediately understood. "Ah, that's a difficult decision to make so we still haven't decided. I'll just send one of the members to the old man's shop if we've decided. Didn't we talk about this last time?" Khar asked Luke.

Luke nodded while playing with his fingers on his lap. "Yeah, I remember. I'll be leaving for somewhere with a friend. We should be gone by tomorrow and we won't be back for a while, that's why I wanted to find out if you decided yet."

"I see. It can wait. Take as much time as you want." Khar smiled.

"That's great then. You can always leave a message for me through the old man's shop. I'll be taking my leave now." Luke stood up and stretched himself.

"I don't know where you're both heading but we'll pray for your safe return." Khar extended his hand for a handshake.

Luke smiled and shook his hand.

"See you later." Luke walked away, heading for the shop.

*****

Seth wore a shirt and brown trousers. He wore the shop's custom-made apron over his clothes. He was picking items from outside the shop to take inside when he spotted Luke approaching. "You're late." He smiled.

Luke smiled back as he walked closer. "I had to take care of some things."

Luke's reply raised Seth's interest and Seth replied. "Like~?"

"It's not something you'll need to know," Luke replied and Seth grunted. "Where's the old man?" Luke walked into the shop, holding some of the items Seth was meant to carry.

Seth was behind him, walking into the shop with the rest of the items. "He's not here yet. You were thinking he'd be here early just because he came early yesterday, weren't you?"

"Well, I'll admit it. That's what I thought." Luke chuckled.

Seth laughed for a moment before getting serious. "Well, it's the usual. He won't come to the shop within the next four hours. Got something important to tell him?"

"You'll find out when he comes around," Luke replied and wore his apron.

They both sat at the counter chatting and attending to customers until an old man entered the shop. He wasn't here to buy anything. He was the shop owner.

"Pretty sure you both have been talking and talking for the last two hours. Don't you young ones get tired?" Old man Jarod asked as he walked to the counter.

Luke chuckled. "Well, it might be the last time we talk so I had to make it count."

"The hell do you mean by that? Going on a death quest?" The old man asked.

"Something like that." Luke nodded.

"What's it this time?" The old man asked. He was slowly getting used to Luke taking excuses.

Luke answered the old man. "It's something that has to do with Obed. You remember him right?"

"Yeah, I definitely remember that bulky friend of yours. His size stands out so he's easily remembered." The old man smiled.

Luke went on to explain. "He awakened recently. A few days after I did."

"You're awakened?" Seth interrupted Luke's narration.

"I thought you knew that." Luke turned to look at him.

"I just assumed. I never got a yes from you." Seth replied.

"We'll talk about that later." Luke turned back to face the old man. "I have to go with him since I have experience with the place."

The old man scratched his white beard. "Hmm. When are you both leaving?"

Luke rubbed his chin. "Tonight, I think."

"Then, you should get going. You'll need some time for preparation." The old man suggested.

"He'll make the preparations. I'll leave only when the shop closes."

"For how long will you be gone?" The old man asked.

"Probably two weeks." Luke nodded in response.

"Pretty long but I understand." Old man Jarod nodded.

Two hours later, the shop was closed.

Luke hugged his student, Seth. "I'll see you in two weeks at most. I wanna see improvements when I return."

Seth grinned. "I understand."

"I'll bring back a souvenir for you." Luke smiled and waved goodbye to both of them.

The news that awaited him at home was still a mystery at the moment.