"Alright, students, listen up!"
The commanding voice of the deacon rang across the field, instantly drawing every student's attention.
"The first three assessments should be familiar to all of you from the trials."
A tense silence settled over the crowd.
"The first is the Test of Fire – a test of strength measured through weightlifting."
Some students clenched their fists in anticipation.
"The second is the Test of Wind – where your speed is assessed in a 100-meter dash."
A few of the more athletic students smirked confidently.
"The third is the Test of Lightning – evaluating your reaction speed, precision, and control through the bouncing ores."
Several students tensed at the memory of that notoriously difficult trial.
"But the last two assessments are different – ones you did not face during the selection trials."
That revelation immediately grabbed the students' attention.
"The fourth test is the Test of Water – where your flexibility will be measured. One of the deacons will demonstrate ten stretches, and you are required to mimic them to the best of your ability."
Murmurs spread throughout the crowd as many students rarely spent time training their flexibility.
"The final test," the deacon continued, "is the Test of Earth – a test of endurance. Each of you will stand on one of ten platforms within the inscribed formations.
Once activated, the inscriptions will gradually increase the gravity acting on your body."
A ripple of shock and unease spread through the students.
"For every 30 seconds you remain standing, you will earn one star."
Some of the students swallowed nervously, while others – like August – remained completely indifferent.
The first group to step forward were the present-seeded students.
Under the sharp gazes of their fellow classmates, the deacons, and the Elders, they took their positions.
As they did, the crowd couldn't help but notice a particular change in one of the seeded students…
Malia.
A month ago, she had been frail, malnourished, and ghostly pale.
Now, though still on the slimmer side, she looked significantly healthier – her skin had a slight glow, her posture was stronger, and…
She was actually clean.
Though she wasn't nearly as stunning as Chantelle, some of the boys found themselves doing a double take.
Malia, however, was far too nervous to notice.
Her fingers twitched, her heart raced, but then…
Her gaze landed on him.
Standing among the Elders was Amari, her mentor.
He was watching her with what could almost be considered a smile.
To anyone else, that scarred face twisting into an expression of encouragement would have been terrifying – his jagged scars moving as his lips curled upward.
But to Malia, who had spent the last month training under him, she had come to understand that beneath that rough, battle-worn exterior, Elder Amari was unbelievably warm.
For a brief moment, she wished Jabari was here so she could thank him because she knew, had she chosen anyone else, she wouldn't have found a mentor quite like Amari.
Unfortunately, Jabari had vanished. A ghost, rarely seen in the last month.
Shaking the thought away, Malia took her position on the platform, standing beside the other seeded students. Patiently waiting for the assessments to officially begin.
…
With every test, the progress of the seeded students sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Their growth over the past month was nothing short of astonishing.
The first to take the stage was Chidi, the former slum resident from the Nuwanu Tribe, whose lightning-fast reflexes had earned him no small amount of recognition among his peers.
By the end of the assessments, he had managed to achieve a total of 16 stars.
Test of Fire: His strength had only marginally improved, moving from 85kg to 90kg, still earning a three-star rating.
Test of Wind: He improved his 100-meter dash time by 0.11 seconds, finishing in 11.89 seconds, upgrading from three stars to four stars.
Test of Lightning: His greatest asset remained unchanged at four stars, although he had improved by four seconds, lasting 3 minutes and 45 seconds.
Test of Water: His flexibility was average, earning him a three-star rating.
Test of Earth: His endurance – his weakest attribute – only earned him two stars, lasting 1 minute and 15 seconds, though it was still a respectable score for someone of his build.
Next up was Azurian, the perpetually calm dual swordsman of the Ashura Tribe. He outperformed most of his peers, scoring a total of 18 stars.
Test of Fire: His strength progressed slightly, moving from 95kg to 100kg, retaining his three-star rating.
Test of Wind: He improved his 100-meter time by 0.08 seconds, clocking in at 11.38 seconds, still maintaining four stars.
Test of Lightning: His reaction time remained at the four-star standard, despite lasting two seconds longer, now at 3 minutes and 20 seconds.
Test of Water: Here, he truly excelled, earning a four-star score and proving to be the most flexible among all the students.
Test of Earth: Like Chidi, he struggled with endurance, only managing 1 minute and 27 seconds, earning two stars.
Following him was Danso Musa, the young master of the Musa Tribe, who secured a total of 17 stars.
Test of Fire: His pure strength was impressive, increasing from 110kg to 120kg, inching closer to the five-star minimum of 130kg.
Test of Wind: He improved by 0.03 seconds, running 11.86 seconds, maintaining four stars.
Test of Lightning: His precision and reaction time were better than before, barely crossing the three-minute mark, just enough to secure a four-star rating.
Test of Water: As expected of his power-focused physique, his flexibility suffered, scoring only two stars.
Test of Earth: His endurance, however, proved decent, lasting 1 minute and 58 seconds, earning three stars.
Next was Chantelle Marley, the young prodigy of the Shura Tribe, who also finished with a total of 16 stars.
Test of Fire: Though she improved by 5kg, lifting 65kg, she still retained a two-star rating.
Test of Wind: She displayed one of the biggest improvements, shaving 0.29 seconds off her time, finishing in 11.79 seconds, pushing her from three to four stars.
Test of Lightning: Her already five-star performance improved further, adding six more seconds, reaching 4 minutes and 11 seconds.
Test of Water: She was only second to Azurian, earning four stars in flexibility.
Test of Earth: As expected for her slender frame, her endurance was her weakest aspect, scoring only one star after 51 seconds.
The most anticipated performance, though, was August's – and he did not disappoint.
He secured a total of 20 stars, cementing his dominance among the first years.
Test of Fire: He casually lifted the 130kg weight, not bothering to push further since he had already maxed out with a five-star score.
Test of Wind: One of the biggest improvements of the day – he cut his time by 0.42 seconds, clocking in at 12.70 seconds, earning three stars.
Test of Lightning: His reaction time improved slightly, moving from 3 minutes and 32 seconds to 3 minutes and 37 seconds, maintaining four stars.
Test of Water: Despite his immense physique, he shocked the crowd by earning three stars in flexibility, performing better than some of the more agile students.
Test of Earth: This was where he truly dominated. Despite only needing 2 minutes and 30 seconds for a five-star score, he lasted a full five minutes before succumbing to the gravity, astonishing everyone.
Finally, there was Malia.
She had the lowest total score among the seeded students – eight stars. Yet, no one looked down on her.
It wasn't just because her frail malnourishment had transformed into something healthier and more refined, earning second glances from her peers.
It was because she had demonstrated the greatest improvement out of anyone.
Test of Fire: She had jumped from 30kg to 50kg, just 5kg short of a two-star score.
Test of Wind: Despite only scoring one star, she had improved her 100-meter dash by over five seconds, finishing in 15.96 seconds.
Test of Lightning: Her reflexes and control had increased significantly, improving by over 45 seconds, lasting 1 minute and 4 seconds, just barely scraping two stars.
Test of Water: Her flexibility proved to be above average, earning three stars.
Test of Earth: This was where she truly moved the crowd.
She had collapsed after 31 seconds, barely securing a one-star score.
But it wasn't the result that caught everyone's attention.
It was the effort.
She had coughed up a mouthful of blood, yet she refused to quit – pushing herself beyond her limits so as not to disgrace her mentor, Elder Amari, a Beast Warrior of the Earth Element.
Her determination and spirit resonated through the crowd, leaving a deep impression on all who witnessed it.
As the assessments for the seeded students came to an end, the rest of the first-years looked at them with a mixture of respect and envy.
It was undeniable just how much each of them had improved, and everyone knew that having personal mentors played a significant role in their progress.
The contrast was striking. While the ordinary students trained under Deacons in a classroom setting, the seeded students had one-on-one guidance from Elders and experienced Beast Warriors. The results spoke for themselves.
The presiding Deacon stepped forward once more, his gaze sweeping over the assembled students.
"I would like to commend each of you for having the courage to take part in these assessments, especially those of you who knew you hadn't reached the five-star level in your chosen paths."
The words were neutral on the surface, but the undertone was unmistakable. It was a thinly veiled jab at Jabari.
Although he wasn't present, his absence hung over the assessment like a shadow.
No one said anything in response, but many silently agreed. Even if he hadn't reached the necessary standard yet, shouldn't he at least have come to see his own progress?
The Deacon continued, his tone shifting to something more pleased.
"It is gratifying to see the overall improvements in all of you. This proves that you are taking your training seriously. Unfortunately, the vast majority of you have not yet reached the required level to become Beast Warriors…"
A hush fell over the students. Some clenched their fists, already knowing what was coming.
The Deacon's lips curled into a small smile.
"However, two of you have."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Two?
The Deacon turned his attention toward one of the seeded students.
"Chantelle Marley, you have once again achieved a five-star score in the Test of Lightning. As such, you are still eligible to receive the resources required to become a Lightning Elemental Beast Warrior. Do you accept?"
The crowd turned their attention to Chantelle, waiting for her response.
She remained stone-faced, but the slight clench of her jaw revealed her frustration.
"My goal is to become a Wind Elemental Beast Warrior," she replied, rejecting the offer without hesitation.
A tense silence followed.
The students were shocked – who in their right mind would turn down such an incredible opportunity?
But those who knew her understood.
Chantelle's ambition was clear-cut. While Lightning Beast Warriors were fast and precise, Wind Beast Warriors had the highest top speeds – and she had no intention of settling for second-best.
The Deacon nodded in understanding before shifting his focus toward the tallest and most imposing figure among the seeded students.
"August Owusu, you have achieved an impressive five-star score in both the Test of Earth and the Test of Fire. This means you are eligible to receive the resources required to become a Beast Warrior of either element. Do you accept? And if so, which element?"
A heavy silence filled the air as all eyes turned to August.
Without hesitation, he replied in a tone as indifferent as ever:
"Earth."
The Deacon sighed helplessly at August's complete lack of enthusiasm, but there was nothing he could do.
Despite his dismissive attitude, August's background made it impossible for anyone to rebuke him. He was the nephew of Grand Elder Nala, one of the most powerful warriors in the Western Branch. His status was on par with a prince.
No one dared to question his decision.
"The resources will be available for collection immediately through Grand Elder Nala. Congratulations in advance, August, on joining the ranks of us Beast Warriors."
The announcement sent shockwaves through the assembled students.
Even the other seeded students – many of whom had worked tirelessly – felt a pang of jealousy.
The difference between them was stark.
Most had barely reached four-star levels, while August had mastered two separate attributes to perfection.
It was almost unfair.
The Deacon then addressed the remaining seeded students.
"As per your rights as seeded students, you may now choose whether you wish to remain and watch the rest of the assessments or take the rest of the day off."
The moment those words left his mouth, August and Azurian didn't hesitate.
Without so much as a glance at anyone else, they simply turned and walked away, leaving the field without another word.
The rest of the seeded students, however, chose to stay.
Though they had already finished their assessments, they were curious to see how the ordinary students would fare.
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