บท 5: Chapter 5 Test

Finally, Liam and the others were called forward and told to go inside the room. It was a gym-like room with various instruments that none of them had ever seen before.

Standing in front of the group was a woman dressed in a black military uniform, and by her side was another hooded man.

There was not another person in sight.

The woman held a tablet in her hand, and it looked like she was currently busy inputting some information. Once she had finished, she looked up at the group and started to speak.

"Hi, everyone, my name is Seraphina, and I will be in charge of your test today. Once the test has been completed, I will update your information, and your rank will be reflected on your wristwatches."

Seraphina then looked at the tablet and said, "Joey, would you please step forward?"

The nervous small Joey stepped forward, looking even worse than before.

"Would you please put your hand on this orb?" Seraphina said with a gentle smile, showing a crystal-like orb.

Joey nervously nodded his head and weakly put his hand on the crystal. He felt a bit hot in his hand, and the crystal glowed a dim white light.

As Joey retook his hand, suddenly, a blue holographic screen appeared above the orb.

[ Cultivation Rank: Mortal ]

[ Ability level: 0 ]

As everyone saw his result, they understood why Joey was so nervous. Having no ability wasn't rare. Due to the war, many children had become orphans like Liam and Joey. This meant if they didn't awaken an ability normally, then there was no chance for them to buy an ability book.

But because Joey had no ability, he was afraid of the treatment he would get from the others.

"Don't be afraid, Joey," Seraphina said, "Here, take this."

The hooded man standing by Seraphina's side suddenly teleported a book into his hand. Seraphina then handed the book over to Joey.

"Wow, seriously, you're giving this to me for free!" Joey said in excitement. "Thank you."

"Alright, now that this is done, it's time for the next test! Please follow me."

Seraphina then took Joey a little further from the other students, where Joey noticed many instruments that he hadn't even seen before.

"Let the testing begin. First up, punch strength test."

Joey stood in front of the punch testing machine, which was a huge rubber pad. Students were required to hit it with their full force in just one punch.

"Start, use your maximum strength, left hand first!"

"Hah!"

Joey let out a roar and threw a punch.

The Mercury Pillar beside him shot up, and the electronic screen immediately displayed the number.

"164kg!"

Here the minimum strength of an average male with no cultivation base is around 150kg. So even though Joey looked weak, he was stronger than some average humans. And that was because after he awakened, his physique increased a bit by the influence of star energy.

After his left hand was done, he used his dominant right hand and punched with all his might.

Bam!

"176kg!"

"Next is the punch speed test. Start, hit the target continuously at your fastest speed for one second."

"Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!"

"167kg, 153kg, 169kg, 155kg, 170kg!"

"Five punches per second, testing complete. Now let's test the nerve reaction."

Joey then walked over to the nerve reaction test area, looking ashen. He was surrounded by countless infrared attacks that completely enclosed him.

The attacking speed simulated that of an automatic rifle firing from a hundred meters away, and the students were required to dodge the attacks. The bullets were made of a material softer than cotton, so even if they hit someone, there wouldn't be much damage.

As the testing began, countless "bullets" flew at Joey from all directions. He couldn't make any effective dodging reactions and could only roll and crawl without any strategy, hoping to dodge just a few more of the attacks.

However, the bullets seemed to be guided and launched towards his movements, making it almost impossible to dodge them. At the end of the minute, the test results came out.

"One minute, sixty bullets fired, hit fifty-nine times; dodged one time, made three effective dodging movements, overall result: nerve reaction 0.42/s."

As soon as the result was announced, Joey looked at his hand in amazement. He never thought he had this much strength, even though it was weak compared to the vast majority, but still, he was stronger than average people.

"Alright, your results will soon be updated. You can go back," Seraphina said, and Joey just nodded his head and went back to the group. Now he wasn't as timid as before.

After he finished his test, five more students also finished their tests one after another, but unlike Joey, they all had abilities, but it was just level 1 or 2. And as they used their ability during the test, their results were much higher than Joey's.

After those five finished their tests, it was finally Liam's turn. Like everyone else, he also put his hand on top of the crystal. As he did, a blue holographic screen appeared on top of the crystal.

[ Cultivation Rank: 1-Star Bronze rank ]

[ Ability level: 0 ]

As soon as the result was shown, everyone was shocked. In their eyes, Liam was a genius who awakened as a 1-star Bronze rank cultivator, so his future achievements would also be higher than theirs.

Seraphina was also amazed and said with an excited smile. "Student Liam, you are gifted, here take this ability book."

Just like before, the hooded man standing by Seraphina's side teleported a book into his hand. Seraphina then handed the book over to Liam.

Liam then took that book and carefully examined it first.

It was a super-strength ability book. It helps the user gain strength far above their cultivation. And even help them fight someone above their level. The military gave all students who had no ability this ability book. Everyone got the same book.

The reason they did this was so students who didn't have an ability before would suddenly feel indebted to the military.

Not only that, but the military also had a hold on nearly all of the Super strength type ability books.

Meaning if you ever wanted to increase your strength, you would have to be loyal to the military, and in return, they would give you more power.

Before his awakening, Liam naturally thought that this was the best option for him, but now that he wasn't a human anymore, he wasn't sure if he could learn any abilities of humans.

"Umm, miss, I'm sorry, but I don't want it," Liam said as he handed the book back to Seraphina.

The students watching and the instructor stood there, both shocked. Seraphina hadn't experienced anything like this before. In her seven years working as an instructor, it was the first time someone with no ability had rejected the book.

"S-Student, are you sure? You might not know, but this book is a top-class book, only below those Original abilities. You are talented and have a bright future, so please reconsider." Seraphina warned him with a concerned look on her face.

Since in her eyes, Liam has a bright future and without an ability book, his future achievements would be limited. And even if he reaches the peak of cultivation, his strength would be way below that of other cultivators of the same rank.

And in the later stage, if he tries to learn an ability, it would be too late, since the earlier one learns an ability, the better.

Hearing this, Liam hesitated for a moment but quickly shook his head and said with determination, "Thanks for your concern, but it's alright. I don't need this book!"

Seeing his determination, Seraphina just let out a deep sigh and decided to let it be. If someone wants to ruin their future, she can't just forcefully stop them. All she can do is just warn them, which she did, and if the other party doesn't listen to her, then it's their fault.

"Alright, you can go back. Since you are already a 1-Star Bronze rank cultivator, there is no need to test your strength, as the machines might not be able to handle your strength. And your rank will be updated soon after everyone takes their test," Seraphina said with a dissatisfied look on her face, and Liam just nodded his head and went back towards the group.

Liam inwardly felt relieved that he didn't have to take the test because if he did his strength would have been shown way weaker than all the students present. And that might cause suspicion.