Chapitre 8: Test
Step by step, Ren continued moving his legs, running across the vast field. The sun was bright, emitting its intense heat. The cool wind carried swirling sand across the airstrip. In the middle of the field, Sasaki sat on a chair with a large umbrella blocking the sun from touching his skin. He wore sunglasses while sipping on a refreshing ice drink.
"Keep running!" he shouted.
Ren, who had been running for quite a while, felt his legs heavier than before. Additionally, thirst and fatigue had taken over part of his mind. He could only rely on his strong will to keep running, ignoring these conditions.
As the test progressed, Ren finally decided to use some of his genomancer power. The reason was to prevent Sasaki from suspecting him. If Ren didn't use any genomancer power at all, Sasaki would wonder why he was weaker than when he worked as a railway construction worker.
Therefore, Ren used a bit of his genomancer power. It created a consistent impression in Sasaki's mind. Ren would be considered a kid with extraordinary physical abilities still within the normal range.
Although borrowing a bit of genomancer power, after running for so long, Ren was still exhausted. He fell to his knees, gasping for breath. He tried to regulate his breath gradually.
"Have you reached your limit?" Sasaki asked.
"Yes, chief," Ren replied shortly. He still struggled to control his breath.
Sasaki stood up, approached Ren, and handed him a new bottle of water.
"Drink, let's take a break in the shade first."
Ren grabbed Sasaki's hand and stood up. He then followed Sasaki to take shelter at Suzaku station. Sasaki invited Ren to the cafeteria at Suzaku station. There were dozens of people working at this station, mostly tasked with moving goods from trains to the station or vice versa. Therefore, there was a specific cafeteria here for those working at the station.
Ren and Sasaki then sat near an empty table. Thirsty, Ren quickly opened the water bottle and drank until a quarter of the bottle was gone in one gulp. Meanwhile, Sasaki ordered food from the cafeteria caretakers.
Sasaki then returned and sat in front of Ren.
"You've run 55 laps. One lap is equivalent to 400 meters. The distance you've run without stopping is 22 km. That's an impressive record," praised Sasaki.
Well, it was indeed a good record. However, without genomancer power, at most Ren could only complete a distance of around 7 km. Therefore, Ren wasn't amazed by Sasaki's praise.
"Looking at the test data we've done since yesterday, it can be concluded that you have high speed and agility, followed by endurance and strength. Although the endurance and strength you possess are not as high as speed and agility, I believe both will increase as you age.
Honestly, I almost don't believe the data I've seen. You're almost as good as a genomancer, you know? This is the second time I've seen a person with physical talents almost matching a genomancer."
Ren raised his eyebrows hearing Sasaki's talk. "The second time?"
"Well, haven't you already seen Mizuha? Before she became a genomancer, her physical strength was already very strong, surpassing the data of all people in Enzo city. Researchers once said that people like Mizuha with excellent physical talents are very suitable for monster gene fluid. It was said that at that time Mizuha's success rate in becoming a genomancer was 85%."
85%? Ren remembered that the average success rate for humans to become genomancers was 10%. He didn't expect exceptions like Mizuha. However, it seemed Sasaki had mistakenly thought Ren was similar to Mizuha, someone with strong physical talent.
"Enjiro-boy, your order is ready," the old cafeteria caretaker brought two trays of food.
"Uh, let's continue our conversation later; let's eat first."
After lunch, Sasaki and Ren proceeded with the remaining tests. All the tests were finally completed in the evening. Then, Sasaki took Ren back to Enzo city by train, of course, in a more luxurious carriage.
Initially, Ren thought the train would stop at Arakawa station. However, he saw the train turning into a tunnel and gradually moving further down, leaving the surface behind. Shortly after that, the train finally stopped.
Ren walked out of the train while observing the surroundings. He was now far from the surface and arrived at an underground station. However, this place looked like inside a building, with thick gray-painted walls, clean white tiles, bright lights, and many pipes that seemed to be used for oxygen flow.
Four people welcomed Sasaki and Ren.
"Chief Sasaki, you're finally back," said a tall, thin man wearing glasses.
A short and slim girl added, "Right, we've been waiting for you, Chief."
Meanwhile, the second woman, who had a lazy face, seemed interested in Ren's presence. "Chief, who is this you're bringing? Is he your illegitimate child?"
Finally, there was also a man who looked younger than the others. "Chief Sasaki, did you bring us a souvenir?"
Sasaki didn't respond to his subordinates' questions; instead, he patted Ren's shoulder and introduced the boy to his subordinates. "Let me introduce him, his name is Ren Kanazawa; he will be part of us. Of course, he has to intern for a year before further decisions are announced. But at least for the next year, he will be with us."
Ren saluted the four of them. "Hello, everyone, my name is Ren Kanazawa; you can call me Ren. Nice to meet you all."
"I'm Ichika, leader of the first squad. Nice to meet the new kid," the short girl introduced herself.
Ren was surprised to hear that. He didn't expect this young-looking girl to have such a surprising identity.
"Togashi, leader of the second squad. I hope you can survive here," said the bespectacled man coldly.
The woman with the lazy face yawned. "Ah, my name is Hana, leader of the third squad. Nice to meet you, kid."
"You can call me Akihisa; I'm the leader of the fourth squad. By the way, I'm 28 years old this year," finally, a mature-looking man who seemed like a teenager introduced himself.
"Ren, from now on, you will join the fourth squad; Akihisa is short of subordinates. Akihisa, please take him to your dorm," ordered Sasaki.
Akihisa nodded; he then signaled Ren to follow him. The two of them walked away from the others.
"Do you have a family?" Akihisa glanced at Ren, breaking the silence.
"I've been alone since I was five," Ren replied briefly.
"That's good," Akihisa said without explaining the meaning of his words further.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone