Chapter 3 - Gatez Academy II

The evening sky above Gatez Academy was tinged with purple, casting a glow over the vast military complex now filled with the 4,000 trainees who had successfully passed the first test. The air still carried the remnants of tension from the three grueling trials, but there was no time to celebrate.

The remaining participants stood in the middle of a wide field, their breaths still ragged. Some wore expressions of pride after overcoming the rigorous selection, while others stood in silence, suppressing their exhaustion and aching bodies.

Ezie stood among the crowd, his eyes scanning the faces around him. He had reached this stage without drawing too much attention. By carefully balancing his performance, he ensured he neither stood out too much nor appeared weak. But he realized something—this test was far from over.

Gaze, the chief instructor of Gatez Academy, stepped onto the podium once more. His sharp eyes swept over the remaining trainees, ensuring none showed signs of weakness.

> "Congratulations, you have passed the first test."

A few trainees let out small cheers, but they quickly died down as Gaze continued.

> "However, do not think you can rest."

Gaze stepped forward, the mechanical sound of his prosthetic leg echoing across the silent field.

> "Now, you will be divided into groups."

An assistant instructor stepped forward, holding a tablet, and began reading out names in a firm voice.

> "Listen carefully! Gatez Academy divides trainees into eight groups, from Group 1 to Group 8. These groups are based on your performance in the three previous tests."

Ezie narrowed his eyes slightly. This meant their rankings had already been determined, and now all trainees would see where they truly stood.

> "Group 1 consists of those with the highest scores—exceptionally talented fighters with extraordinary potential."

> "Group 8 consists of those who barely passed—the ones closest to elimination."

Murmurs spread among the trainees.

"Group 8? Doesn't that mean they almost failed?"

"Yeah, but they still made it. That means they still have a chance."

Ezie remained silent. He knew he wasn't at the top, but he also wasn't among the lowest.

And sure enough—when his name was called, he was placed in Group 4.

Each group consisted of 500 members, and the higher the group ranking, the better the training and access to advanced equipment. Group 1 was filled with people like Leon, Reyna, and Drax, while Group 8 consisted of those on the verge of failure.

Once all the trainees had been assigned their respective groups, another instructor stepped forward—a slender woman with short hair and piercing eyes.

> "My name is Kael. I am one of the senior instructors at this academy. And I have bad news for you."

Her voice was sharp, cutting directly into the trainees' nerves.

> "You might think that after three grueling tests, you'll finally get some time to rest. But you're wrong."

Some trainees swallowed hard.

> "We have no time to waste on weaklings."

> "So before you officially become trainees of Gatez Academy, there is one final test you must pass—a dexterity trial."

A wave of unease spread through the trainees. Some hadn't even fully recovered from the previous trials, and now they had to face another one?

Kael smirked coldly at their reactions.

> "Don't worry. This test isn't as physically demanding as fighting monsters, but it will determine your true standing within your group."

"So the groups can still change?" one trainee asked.

> "No. You have already been placed in the group that matches your previous performance. But this is a chance to prove yourself."

> "The rules of this test are simple. Each trainee will be given a sensor wristband."

Assistant instructors began distributing small black wristbands to every trainee.

> "Your task is to collect as many points as possible within one hour. Points can be earned in various ways—completing dexterity challenges, avoiding traps, or stealing points from other trainees."

Ezie's eyes narrowed. This meant the test wasn't just about physical ability but also strategy.

> "And one more thing," Kael added. "There are no rules on how you obtain points."

The atmosphere shifted dramatically.

No rules meant chaos.

Some trainees began eyeing each other warily.

> "The test begins in five minutes. Prepare yourselves."

---

The Dexterity Trial Begins

A loud siren blared, signaling the start of the trial. In an instant, trainees scattered in all directions.

The test arena was a massive complex filled with various obstacles—tall walls, narrow corridors, and even areas with hidden traps.

Ezie moved quickly but cautiously. Unlike some trainees who immediately engaged in fights to steal points, he avoided unnecessary confrontation.

On the other hand, Leon from Group 1 attacked without hesitation. He moved swiftly, dodging obstacles with ease and snatching points from careless trainees.

Reyna used her speed to steal points from slower opponents.

Drax, with his brute strength, smashed through obstacles, using his physical prowess to dominate the field.

But Ezie remained composed. He observed the movement patterns of other trainees and started collecting points through a more strategic approach.

Rather than engaging in direct combat, he searched for hidden challenges—specific spots in the arena that awarded points without requiring fights.

Some other trainees soon noticed his tactics and followed his lead.

However, this test wasn't just about physical dexterity—it was about reading the situation.

As the trial neared its end, Kael, who had been observing from a distance, noticed something.

> "Interesting..."

She watched as Ezie managed to survive without drawing too much attention while still securing enough points to maintain his position.

> "He doesn't want to stand out. But he's no ordinary trainee."

Standing beside her, Gaze gave a faint smile.

> "This is just the beginning."

---

End of the Dexterity Trial

After an hour of intense competition, the trial finally ended.

Some trainees lay on the ground, exhausted. Others looked satisfied with their results, while a few were frustrated over lost points.

Ezie glanced at his wristband—his score was high enough to remain in Group 4.

He had passed the test without drawing excessive attention, yet he ensured he didn't fade into the background either.

When the final rankings were announced, there were no major surprises. Leon, Reyna, and Drax remained in Group 1.

Meanwhile, some trainees from Group 8 were eliminated, proving that Gatez Academy had no place for the truly weak.

Gaze stepped forward once more, his voice carrying across the field.

> "Congratulations. You are now officially trainees of Gatez Academy."

This time, there were no cheers—only the realization that their journey had only just begun.

And among them, Ezie remained silent.

He was not a star in this academy.

He was merely a shadow among them.

But in the darkness, shadows were the hardest to predict.

And Ezie's adventure in Gatez Academy had only just begun.