CHAPTER 4: The Speed and Endurance Test

"Ok that's enough" the sergeant said, his voice overbearing and domineering. "The next test is about to begin, let me see who will have the mouth to talk after this." The sergeant ended with a sadistic smile on his face that sent shivers down the student's spines

.….

The students gathered in the training room, their eyes fixed on the sergeant standing before them. The walls, once a dull gray, now shimmered with a metallic sheen, and the air hummed with the quiet whir of machinery. The sergeant's voice boomed through the loud speakers, "Listen up, recruits! This test will push your physical limits to the breaking point. You will be required to run a 300-meter race, but this will not be an ordinary race. You will be tested on your speed and endurance. The top 50 students will advance to the next round.

"As the sergeant spoke, the room around them transformed. The walls slid open, revealing a vast field that stretched as far as the eye could see. The ground was covered in a soft, silver grass that seemed to shimmer in the light. The sky above was a deep shade of blue, with clouds that seemed to be made of a glittering metal. The air was filled with the hum of machinery, and the recruits could see strange, technological devices scattered across the field. The scene left an expression of exhilaration on the recruits.

The sergeant continued, "You will start at the far end of the field. The finish line is marked by a large, glowing arch. You must reach the arch before the time runs out. But be warned, recruits, this will not be an easy task as you are only given 10 minutes."

The students nodded, their eyes fixed on the field before them. They knew that they must overcome this challenge to enter the academy. This was just one of the rough paths they must go through.

The 100 students gathered at the starting line, their eyes fixed on the finish line 300 meters away. The sergeant's voice boomed through the loud speaker, "Let me remind you once more that only the top 50 will advance to the next round. Begin!"

The starting gun was fired, and the students sprinted forward like a pack of wild animals. Aria, with his white hair and blue eyes, shot forward like a bullet, his crimson aura blazing behind him.

As the race progressed, the students began to clash, their fighting skills on full display. Aria found himself surrounded by a group of five students, their eyes fixed on him with a mixture of fear and aggression. They had all seen his prowess in the last test, as his results was on par with the top geniuses of their set. He smiled, his blue eyes glinting with cold amusement, and charged forward. His fist flew in rapid succession, each punch landing with precision and power. The students stumbled back, their faces bloody and bruised.

Aria's next opponent was a recruit wielding the ability to manipulate water to his will. The recruit unleashed a wave of water that Aria dodged with ease. He countered with a release of his crimson aura which engulfed the student and caused him to faint. And expression of fear could be seen on his face.

Kael, with his black hair that previously turned into a blazing orange and group of recruits. He charged forward, his fists blazing with power. His opponents stumbled back, their faces scorched by the intense heat. Flames engulfed his feet as he hot forward with a charming smile on his face.

Elara, with her red hair and piercing red eyes, unleashed a wave of crimson energy made from her blood that sent the students flying. Her long legs carried her effortlessly across the terrain, her blood energy burning brightly. She kicked and punched with precision, her movements swift and deadly.

Lirien on the other hand, with his blonde hair and ethereal light, moved in a quiet grace yet fast in such a way that his feet nearly touched the ground. His light energy pulsed with a gentle power, but his eyes shone with a fierce determination. He summoned a shield of light that deflected the attacks of his opponents, his movements swift and precise.

As the race neared its end, the students began to tire, their breathing heavy and labored. Aria, Kael, Elara, and Lirien showed no signs of fatigue, their auras burning brighter with each passing moment.

In the final stretch, Aria found himself neck and neck with Elara. The recruits locked eyes, and unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks, their auras clashing in a spectacular display of power. Aria emerged victorious, but as he was about to cross the finish line, a bright light suddenly whizzed pass him at an unreasonable speed, crossing the finish line first.

Aria followed closely behind, his aura dimming down. Elara and Kael finished shortly after, their faces set in determined expressions.

The sergeant's voice boomed through the loud speaker once more, "Lirien, Aria, Elara, and Kael, you have all passed the test. Congratulations." The students where left shocked at the speed which they had finished. Slowly some of the others finished until 50 recruits had finally passed the finish line.

The sergeant then continued, "Congratulations, on passing the second test" he addressed the 50 students who had passed, all of them carried tired expressions. "The remaining should go back and wait in the starting area, while those who passed will be sent to the lounge to rest and await there next test"

The students that failed carried heavy and sad expressions as they walked to the waiting room, some even ended up shedding tears at the thought of them being too weak to pass through this stage. While those who passed, nodded, their eyes locked in a fierce stare with each other. They knew that the real challenge lay ahead, and they were ready to face them head on.

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