The Test of Strength

Chapter 15: The Test of Strength

On the morning of the test, Hussam woke up feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the Test of Strength, the culmination of all the hard work he had put in. Sunlight streamed through his room's windows, filling the space with a radiant glow as if granting him extra energy. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.

When the students arrived at the training grounds, the place buzzed with anticipation and tension. Everyone stood with different expressions—some whispering strategies, while others looked visibly anxious. Mirai and Ivan approached Hussam, drawing confidence from his presence.

"Ready for the big day?" Ivan asked with an encouraging smile.

"More than ever!" Hussam replied, his eyes gleaming with determination.

Moments later, one of the instructors shouted, "Today is the physical strength test! Everyone, head to the training area!"

The students moved toward the massive hall, with Hussam and his two companions leading the way. At the front of the hall stood Instructor Leo, an imposing figure with a stern expression. Breaking the silence, he declared, "This test is not just a physical exercise; it is a test of your resilience and endurance. Combat requires more than just magical skills—it demands a strong and unwavering body."

Then, with a faint smile, Leo announced, "Today's test will focus on punch strength. You will strike the evaluation stone, and anyone scoring below 2,000 points will need additional training."

Hussam felt somewhat relieved; he had been training diligently to strengthen his punches for months. However, Mirai and Ivan, who had only recently started physical training, looked visibly concerned. Hussam placed a reassuring hand on their shoulders, saying confidently, "Don't worry. Just do your best. I believe in you."

The two smiled faintly, feeling a bit more at ease. Once inside the testing room, the students were divided into groups of three, and fortunately, Hussam's team included Mirai and Ivan. The trio stood before the massive evaluation stone, glowing with a faint blue hue.

"Hussam, you're up first!" called one of the instructors.

Taking a deep breath, Hussam focused all his strength into his fist before delivering a powerful punch to the stone. The room echoed with the impact, and the stone glowed brightly before displaying the numbers: 5,000 points. The students stared in astonishment, and even the instructors smiled in surprise, impressed by his exceptional score.

The impressive result fueled the students' enthusiasm, easing the tension and inspiring confidence.

Mirai stepped up next, slightly hesitant, but she gathered her courage and struck the stone. After a brief pause, the score appeared: 2,100 points. She smiled softly, relieved at the result.

Finally, it was Ivan's turn. Gathering his energy, he focused his strength into his fist and struck the stone with determination. The numbers gradually appeared, reaching 2,300 points. A look of relief spread across his face as his teammates congratulated him.

The first test concluded successfully, with many students passing, but some stood out for their exceptional performance. Among them was "Brooke," who scored 4,500 points, and "Lila," who achieved 3,500 points. However, "Alexander" was the standout, scoring an astounding 10,000 points, the upper limit for a mid-tier body, impressing the instructors and earning their pride.

Alexander approached Hussam with a smirk and said mockingly, "Weak."

Hussam ignored his words, focusing instead on the upcoming tests as the instructors gave further instructions.

"Well done on the strength test, but the day isn't over yet! Next, we'll have a test of endurance. You'll need to run a long-distance course over rough terrain to evaluate your stamina and resilience."

As the students set off on the course, Hussam quickly realized the challenge ahead. The path was filled with obstacles, with slippery and thorny ground. Still, he started running with determination, keeping pace alongside Mirai and Ivan. They overcame hurdles with difficulty, but their resolve never wavered.

While some stumbled along the way, Hussam kept encouraging his friends, helping them tackle the tougher obstacles. Hours of grueling effort passed until the trio finally reached the finish line, exhausted but proud.

At the finish line, Instructor Leo praised their perseverance and teamwork, saying, "You've successfully passed the test and demonstrated the strength of your team spirit."

He then paused, looking at them seriously. "But don't always rely on your teammates. In the battles of life, you may find yourself alone. What will you do then? When facing a life-or-death opponent, you won't always have others to assist you. You must build your own strength to stand alone against challenges."

Hussam and his companions exchanged glances, realizing what they truly lacked. Hussam spoke with determination, "It seems we need to train separately to improve our individual skills. I'll undergo solitary training in the forest for a while."

Mirai and Ivan nodded in agreement, saying enthusiastically, "We'll do the same! We'll work on enhancing our own abilities."

The friends agreed to meet again after their training period, bidding each other farewell as each set off on their own path, determined to return stronger than ever.

To be continued...