The first phase of the examination was simple—raw physical strength.
Rows of first-year students stood before towering digital weight stations—machines designed to measure exact lifting force. For those gifted with strength-based Nexas, this exam was practically made for them.
Among the crowd, one name drew every eye:
Bam Relic.
A brute known for monstrous durability and overwhelming strength. Some whispered that he once crushed an iron dummy with a single hand.
But this year brought another rising star—
Astra Noire, the Child Blessed by the Gods.
Flight. Speed. Strength.A terrifying trifecta.
And yet, Astra remained calm, polite, almost distant.Power didn't make her loud—it made her serene.
Bam Relic Steps Forward
Bam cracked his neck and approached the weight station.
His hands wrapped around the bar.
GRNNNK—!
Metal strained.The ground vibrated.
Then, with a steady breath—
He lifted 2000 kilograms.
The bar hit the floor with a thunderous clang.
"That's my limit for today," he said, smirking confidently.
Whispers erupted:
"Amazing…""He made 2000 look easy.""That's why he's one of the top guys."
Astra Noire Shows Why She's Feared
Then came Astra.
No tension.No theatrics.
She simply placed her hands on the same bar.
1500 kg…1700…1900…2000 kg.
She lifted it with perfect control.
Not a tremor.Not a bead of sweat.
Every student froze.
"She's not even using her full power…""Is she even human?""Two thousand looks like a warm-up for her…"
Astra stepped away, expression unchanged—as if she had lifted nothing more than a schoolbag.
Then Came the Boy Born With Nothing
All eyes shifted as Raze Arcwell stepped forward.
No aura.No Nexas.No supernatural spark.
Just a boy with disciplined muscle and unshakeable resolve.
He gripped the barbell.Took one steady breath.
And lifted.
100 kg…125 kg…150 kg.
A clean, controlled, efficient lift.
Not flashy.Not spectacular.But undeniably impressive.
Whispers rose again:
"He did that without any ability?""No enhancement? Nothing?""That's actually… kind of insane.""He beat several ability users without Nexas!"
Some students who had mocked him earlier now stared with subtle respect.
Raze stepped back, silently satisfied.
Not victory.But proof.
He belonged here.
When the instructor checked his tablet, he raised his voice:
"Strength assessment complete.Agility test is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 8 AM.All students, prepare yourselves."
A wave of excitement swept through the hall.
Agility.Speed.Movement.
Tomorrow, abilities—both physical and supernatural—would truly shine.
Roger nudged Raze with a grin.
"Well, buddy… looks like you made some people nervous."
Raze smirked.
"Good. Tomorrow, I'll make them even more nervous."
And with that, the students dispersed—some confident, some anxious, some hungry to prove themselves.
For Raze Arcwell…
Tomorrow was another battlefield