After some time, the interior of the testing ground, which had been reduced to scorched earth, was restored to its original state,
and the test resumed as Candidate No. 15 entered.
“We will begin the test.”
If the ability leaned more toward offense, the test proceeded by having them strike targets,
and if it leaned more toward movement or defense, it proceeded by having them block or evade attacks.
“Next candidate, please enter.”
The test progressed faster than expected,
and while I kept watching on the monitor to see how it was done,
my turn arrived before I knew it, and I slowly rose from my seat.
“Please place your hand on the device you see beside you.”
Before entering, I slowly placed my hand on the device beside me, and an unexpected situation occurred.
As if some kind of problem had arisen, the machine began blaring a warning sound,
and the proctor took a moment to sort out the situation before speaking to me.
“Ah, yes, candidate. We will continue.”
“It seems there was a brief error.”
I steadied my nerves again and entered the testing ground,
and the moment preparations were complete, the starting signal rang out.
‘Beep—’
As the targets appeared, I immediately used my ability and began destroying them.
I raised my firepower a little to enlarge the spheres, then launched them toward the targets,
and as the attacks landed, the targets were destroyed.
‘Wiiing’
‘Clank’
If I raised my firepower sharply and sprayed flames in every direction,
I could probably destroy the targets all at once like that man earlier.
However, since this test evaluated how well one utilized and controlled their ability,
recklessly using power alone would not earn a good score.
‘Beep—’
Fortunately, I destroyed all the targets before the end signal rang,
and the moment I stepped outside as the test ended, my eyes met those of the silver-haired man.
I thought it was just a coincidence and sat back down,
but until I took my seat, that man’s gaze remained fixed on me.
Was it because of the machine error earlier?
While I sat there thinking about the remaining tests,
the first test ended, and a thirty-minute break began.
“Phew… I wonder if I did well.”
The test scores were not announced on the same day, but would be revealed later on the day successful applicants were announced.
Even if I had done well on the first test, I had no idea what would happen in the next one, so I had to stay tense.
“I’ll wait while doing some stretches.”
For the next test, I replenished my fluids a little and slowly loosened up my body.
The second test was a physical fitness test. What I had to be careful about in this test was that if my stamina fell below the standard,
points would be deducted according to that amount.
“We will move to the next testing ground in five minutes!”
A short while later, after following the guide to the next location, we arrived at a large auditorium.
We were instructed to step onto the mats with our numbers written on them, so we searched for our numbers
and climbed on, and I could see a sensor device right in front of me.
Since they could hardly check more than a hundred people one by one,
it seemed they were using this method to conduct the test.
“First, we will measure push-ups and sit-ups.”
“The standard is 200 each, and you must complete them within five minutes!”
If the time limit was exceeded, points would be deducted little by little for each missed repetition.
That was why it was important not to simply go as fast as possible, but to maintain a suitable speed and tempo.
“Get ready!”
After taking the ready position, when the proctor pressed the button along with the starting signal,
people began doing push-ups at high speed.
I, too, moved my body diligently in order to clear it within five minutes,
and around the time I reached 180, my arms began to go numb, but I did not stop and kept moving them.
‘Beeeeep—!’
“Time’s up!”
I had thought that if someone was an ability user, this much would be easy,
but after actually trying it, I realized once again that it was not.
“(Is my stamina lacking…?)”
Thinking that, I looked around, but the others also seemed a little exhausted.
“We will proceed with sit-up preparations.”
The moment to catch our breath was brief; the sit-ups began right away,
and with the determination that I absolutely would not fall behind, I moved my body diligently once more.
===
“Wow~ As expected, he’s a talent worth Team Leader 2 keeping an eye on.”
“He’s on his 150th lap and still running. Impressive.”
During the 100-meter shuttle endurance run, several people dropped out around the 100th lap,
but I Suhan was still running while dripping with sweat, and the three team leaders watched him.
“He wouldn’t have had much time to prepare, yet he’s exceeding expectations.”
Gang Suhyeok looked at I Suhan, who was running with all his might, and smiled.
When he asked the colleague beside him, who was busily moving her pen, how he looked, she answered.
“I thought he’d give up around the 100th lap, but this is unexpected.”
“More importantly, he’s seventeen… Are you truly thinking of bringing him in?”
When she asked whether he really intended to bring I Suhan in,
Gang Suhyeok answered seriously that they absolutely had to bring him over.
“As for the reason, I’ll explain it slowly later.”
When he added that she would surely understand, she grew curious about what the reason could be,
and began to take an interest as she watched I Suhan running his 190th lap.
‘Beeeeep—!’
After some time, the second test ended.
About thirty people had dropped out midway, and I felt like I was dying,
but thanks to the fact that I did not give up and ran until the end, I was able to complete the test safely.
“Huff… huff… Can I do well on the final test…?”
As soon as the test ended, lunchtime arrived,
and when we all headed to the cafeteria together, a large amount of food greeted us.
Because I had pushed my body too hard, I had no appetite and wondered if I would even be able to swallow,
but contrary to my expectations, food kept entering my mouth.
“(Right, I should eat a lot for the next test, too.)”
After finishing the meal and spending some time resting, Team Leader Gang Suhyeok came to find me.
“You worked hard on the second test.”
“Ah… I feel like I’m completely dying…”
The team leader bought me a drink and said that the test just now was basic training,
so I would have to get used to it.
“But… is it okay for you to be beside me like this?”
If handled poorly, it could be misunderstood as special treatment,
but the team leader replied that it was fine as long as he did not disclose anything related to the test.
“Then there’s something I’d like to ask. Would that be all right?”
When he nodded, I asked what kind of ability he had.
At my question, the team leader took a short metal rod out of the inner pocket of his clothes,
then used his ability to change the rod’s form as he spoke to me.
“My ability allows me to manipulate metal and change its form.”
“However, the metals I can manipulate are limited.”
The team leader said that the metals he could currently handle were aluminum, iron, silver, and stainless steel, four in total,
and that he either could not handle the remaining metals properly yet or could not handle them at all.
“That’s an incredible ability.”
“But if I handle it incorrectly, I can harm myself as well, so it’s an ability I must control carefully.”
While I was talking with the team leader, the final test arrived before I knew it,
and the team leader rose from his seat and said to me,
“Do your best on the final test. It will be quite a hard and difficult test.”
“Yes, I’ll do my best.”
After parting with the team leader, I immediately moved to the final testing ground.
“Has everyone gathered?”
After checking that no one was missing, preparations for the test began immediately,
and we put on the suits we had been provided and tucked weapons at our waists.
“We will now deliver the test instructions.”
The test would proceed with four people randomly assigned to a team.
You could move separately from your teammates, but if you did not help the team in an emergency, points would be deducted.
Interfering with others would also result in deductions. Use of abilities was free, and injuries would be checked by the proctors through monitors.
The test would proceed under the assumption that you were acting as members of the Tigers in various situations, such as civilian rescue and combat.
“If you are ready, we will begin the test.”
“I wish everyone strength in the final test.”
When the test staff smiled and pulled the lever, light burst up from the floor,
and we entered the virtual space.
“(So this is… a virtual space…?)”
I had only a brief moment to be surprised by the scene before my eyes when a transmission came through the radio at my ear.
‘Chh—’
“Multiple C-rank entities and B-rank entities have appeared in the city center.
All personnel are to prioritize civilian evacuation immediately.
If you discover an enemy, engage according to the situation. Over.”
The moment the transmission ended, a tremendous roar rang out from far away.
The sound of monsters and enemies rampaging, and even the screams of people crying for help.
Though it was a virtual space, a sense of tension hung in the air as if we had been deployed to a real battlefield.
“Pardon me, but may I give the orders?”
When one of the team members asked politely, the rest of us and I nodded and answered that it was fine.
“Thank you. Then let us all do our best together.”
He seemed like someone who would lead the team well. We followed behind him and began running toward the scene.
The final test would last over three hours. In this test, I had to pour out everything I had.
===
Gang Suhyeok looked at the monitor and spoke inwardly.
“(Do your best, I Suhan. This test will force you to face difficult situations in many ways.)”
The final, third test would absolutely not be ordinary.
It had been created based on the data the Tigers had accumulated over time,
so those taking the test would come to learn what was contained in that data.