'Damn it, how's he going to react when I tell him I'm not from any bloodline?' Raze thought. He hesitated but then said, "I'm not from any bloodline." It was the truth. There was no point in hiding it since Felix would find out either way.
Felix's eyes got wide. "No bloodline? Seriously?" He leaned closer, whispering. "That's rare. Normally, people here either have powers or come from families that pass them down."
Raze stayed quiet, at a loss for words.
Felix smirked. "Well, I guess that makes you interesting." He leaned back and yawned. "So, what's your name?" he asked, grinning.
Raze stared at him and then said, "It's Raze… Zaden."
He didn't say anything else, wondering what he should even say.
Raze looked Felix over. His blonde hair was messy, and his green eyes were bright. He didn't seem nervous like the others. Instead, he was excited, like he was waiting for something cool to happen.
Felix smirked. "Raze, huh? Not bad. I guess we're stuck with each other for a while."
"So, Raze," Felix said, tapping his knee, "what do you think military school's going to be like? Hard training? Constant fighting? Or maybe they'll just feed us and call it a war camp."
Raze looked out the window before saying, "Probably hard training. They're not bringing us here to chill."
Felix laughed, "Straight to the point. I guess you're right. He grinned and leaned back. Still… I'm looking forward to it. I want to test myself, you know?"
Raze gave him a glance, then turned back out the window. Felix's excitement was a world apart from what he felt.
'For me… this isn't fun. I never wanted this,'
The vehicle slowed down, the engine quieted, and everyone shifted as it braked. There were tall steel walls that went up into the sky, surrounding the complex. Guard towers were at each corner, soldiers visible. The gates were huge, made of reinforced metal, and they started to open for the vehicle.
Felix leaned over to look out the same window. "Damn… this place is serious," he whispered, his eyes wide. "We're like, entering a fortress."
Raze stayed quiet, taking it all in. "So this is the military."
The vehicle stopped, and the engine faded. For a moment, no one spoke. Then the military school came into view. Training fields stretched out endlessly, obstacle courses, sparring zones, and squads of soldiers scattered about.
Felix leaned in, his breath fogging up the glass. "Whoa… check that out. This is no joke, he whispered," grinning.
Even if Raze wanted to hide it, he couldn't help being impressed. As the vehicle went through the gates, more came into view. Drones circled overhead, machines lined the fields, and the tech was like anything he'd seen before, even compared to the advanced gear his parents once owned. Soldiers walked around, drones flew above, and machines lined the training fields. This was cutting-edge military design. Dangerous stuff.
"Alright!" an officer barked from the front. "We're here! Everyone out! Line up and follow me. Training starts now. First test: Strength, Speed, and fighting. Each of you will break three robots. Move!"
Raze grabbed his bag and took and exhaled. 'So it starts now.''
He stood, joining Felix in the Felix did the same, stretching and then joining the line of teenagers leaving the vehicle.
"Excited?" Felix whispered, grinning, his eyes excited for the tests.
Raze shook his head, keeping his thoughts to himself. 'I don't even have an awakening. And this system...useless. A whole week with nothing. No levels, no hints. Like it's asleep, waiting for something to trigger it.'
Stepping outside, Raze joined the flow of teens that were gawking at the massive training grounds. Groups whispered and many sized each other up, some confident, while others pale with fear.
Obstacle courses stretched in every direction. Sparring arenas stood ready. Rows of humanoid robots waited for combat testing. The scale was overwhelming, but Raze forced himself to focus.
Felix leaned close again, whispering, "This is crazy… they're not holding back, huh?"
"Yeah…" Raze muttered.
The officer stopped them in an open area. "This is where the tests begin. Strength, speed, and robot combat. Everyone goes one at a time. Stay in line until your name is called."
The teens were whispering to one another. Some from bloodlines, confident in their abilities. While others from normal families looked scared. Raze felt a mix of excitement and worry.
The first name rang out. "Beatrix Emberfall. Step forward," the officer said.
Gasps and murmurs spread through the teens. The Emberfall bloodline was one of the strongest original bloodlines. Their flames could burn through steel like butter.
Beatrix walked forward with a calm grace. She had long red hair, trailing behind her, pale skin, and a tall figure.
"Damn, she's hot," Felix whispered.
Raze pinched the bridge of his nose. "Really? Already?"
Felix grinned. "Hey, not my fault she's beautiful."
She stepped onto the field.
"Alright, first test. Destroy three robots in under two minutes," the officer ordered.
Beatrix's eyes went to the targets. Suddenly, a robot came up from the ground and went straight for her.
She just stood there and with a wave of her hand, a wave of fire went out, hitting the machine. The metal melted instantly, dripping to the floor.
"Hm. Weak." she said flatly.
Two more robots showed up, coming at her from both sides. Beatrix raised her hands, moving smoothly. Two flaming slashes went through the air, cutting them in half before they got close.
The officer smirked a little. "Very good, Beatrix. You completed the first test in ten seconds." He noted her results on his tablet. "Next is the strength test."
Beatrix brushed her hair back and went to the strength-testing station. It was a pillar of steel with a panel in the middle that showed impact force.
"Whenever you're ready," the officer said.
Beatrix made a fist. Flames roared around her fist, and she punched forward.
BOOM!
The sound echoed through the grounds as her punch hit the pillar. Fire came out from the impact, and the panel went straight to the max before breaking.
The teenagers gasped, and some stepped back. Even Felix was shocked. "Holy hell… she broke it!" he whispered, his voice cracking.
Raze watched her shake the embers off her hand, his eyes narrowing slightly. He couldn't help but feel amazed to witness such power. 'So this is how strong the Emberfall bloodline's strength. Impressive.'
The officer glanced at the broken device, a small grin tugging his lips. "Another record Strength test completed."
He turned back to Beatrix. "The next test would be the speed test. Take your mark."
All eyes followed her as she moved to the track, soldiers at either end ready to time her run.
She took her stance. Flames sparking underneath her feet, the air around her rippling with heat. Then she vanished from the starting line.