Chapter 14: Result 2
Ella, exuding confidence, moved forward with purpose, her gaze fixed straight ahead, seemingly uninterested in the gazes of those around her. Every step she took was measured and graceful, a testament to her poise. As she reached the center of the testing field, her posture exuded a quiet assurance, a prelude to the upcoming demonstration of her abilities.
Across the wasteland, five random targets materialized, scattered strategically. With a poised yet swift motion, Ella executed a hand slash through the air, conjuring a wind slash that cut through space with elegance. The first target fell, cleanly severed. The display of power was formidable, leaving an indelible impression on onlookers.
Alex, observing the spectacle, couldn't help but marvel at the potential danger of Ella's ability. He mused on the notion that, if honed to a certain degree, such prowess could cut through a human being effortlessly. The air ability user's proficiency in manipulating the wind hinted at the possibility of becoming a lethal force with the right training.
Undeterred, Ella continued her performance, replicating the wind slash four more times with astonishing speed. The targets fell like dominoes, a testament to her mastery over her abilities. The subsequent test unveiled a more substantial manifestation of her power—she gathered wind in both palms, culminating in a colossal wind column that struck the drum dead center. The resonance echoed louder than ever, the numbers on the display escalating until it reached an impressive 60.
Alex, caught in his contemplation of Ella's prowess, couldn't help but acknowledge her competence. "No wonder she's so confident," he thought, a silent acknowledgment of the immense strength demonstrated.
As Ella walked back to her group, her expression remained impassive, as though she had foreseen and expected every outcome. Her demeanor conveyed either a deep understanding of her capabilities or an utter disregard for the opinions of those around her.
The spotlight shifted to Luis, a figure with a smaller frame. Positioned in the center of the wasteland, he raised his hand, summoning five pieces of earth that sailed through the air. The precision was lacking; two targets succumbed to the onslaught while the other three evaded by a considerable margin.
Observing Luis's earth abilities, Alex couldn't help but judge, noting apparent weaknesses. His assessment included the inference that Luis might be a rank 2 or 3, based on the evident energy expenditure and lack of accuracy akin to a third limb.
Luis persisted, hurling more rocks until four more targets met their demise. The subsequent strength test revealed a vulnerability—he formed rocks around his fist, emulating Jade's approach. However, upon impact with the drum, the rocks crumbled, exposing a lack of strength, resulting in a modest score of 15.
The final challenge mirrored Alex's own struggles. Luis, relying on his physical agility, dodged holographic spikes with varying success. As the intensity increased, he succumbed to the overwhelming speed of the spikes, ending with a score matching Alex's own.
Erin, the instructor, conveyed the outcome. "It looks like you have the power of a rank 1 ability user," she stated with an expected frown, seemingly dissatisfied with Luis's performance. The perceived bias in favor of stronger students elicited a silent curse from Alex.
The stage was now set for Zac, the last participant in the group. Confidence radiated from him as he declared, "Time to show you guys what I got." Alex, growing weary of the apparent egotism among the academy attendees, couldn't help but wonder if Zac's confidence was warranted.
As the test commenced, Zac's unusual ability came to the fore. Bending down, he touched the ground, and a transformation ensued. His hand solidified, the effect spreading along his arm, chest, and eventually enveloping his entire body in a stonelike texture. The orange hue mirrored the desert ground, rendering him almost indistinguishable.
Spectators, including Alex, were left in awe as they witnessed this unexpected and captivating ability. Zac, appearing like a stone sentinel, prepared to demonstrate his capabilities.
With a gesture of readiness, Zac slammed his fist into his palm, causing five targets to emerge from the ground. Shattered rocks, remnants of the transformed hand, soared through the air with astonishing speed, obliterating the targets in their path. The rocks not only hit but seemingly incinerated the targets, leaving the audience astonished.
A similar level of proficiency was displayed in the strength test. Zac, now with a rock-hard fist, delivered a powerful punch to the drum. The resounding impact echoed loudly, and the dial on the display climbed steadily, halting at an impressive 80.
Alex, unable to contain his admiration, marveled at Zac's strength. The reactions of the onlookers varied—Luis expressed amazement, Jade watched with genuine interest, while Ella maintained her unflinching expression, seemingly indifferent to the spectacle.
However, the last test revealed a chink in Zac's formidable armor. Reverting to his human form, he struggled to evade the holographic spikes, eventually succumbing to their increasing speed. Speed, it seemed, was not his forte.
The narrative concluded with Zac, despite the setback, leaving a lasting impression on the observers. His unique abilities, combined with the unexpected twists in the evaluations, added a layer of intrigue to the unfolding story.
*****
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