"Anybody want to go next." Sarah looked around, ignoring the dejected Vander.
Leaving the surrounding area of the cube, he went back to Alice's side.
"It's ok. Cheer up Vander, you'll do better next time. I know you will." Alice tried to console him while patting his back like he was a child.
Hearing Alice's words of comfort, he remembered his new found determination to get stronger, he eventually returned to normal.
'This is just a minor setback. I knew my strength was my weakest attribute. Now I just need to do better in the other tests.' Hope returned into Vanders eyes.
"Thank you Alice. I can do anything if I'm with you." Vander thanked Alice with a kiss on the cheek.
"I know." Alice smiled back.
While the strength test continued, no one else was able to get close to Alice's grade in their group. Not taking to account the other groups that were in the arena.
With Alice the only one getting a Grade B- or higher, their group had the weakest overall students. Most of Vander's group were given Grade E.
The three other groups excluding Eric's group, all had two or more students with a Grade B. Most of the students in their group were also able to receive Grade D.
But none of the groups could compare to Eric's group. With Eric getting the highest grade in the arena and having an additional five students with Grade B, that group was unnatural. Even the other students of that group managed to all receive a grade D+ or higher. No one in that group failed like Vander.
"How is that group so talented? This can't just be a coincidence right? Excluding Eric, that group would still have an extraordinary amount of talent." Vander was questioning Eric's group with Alice.
"It does seem weird."
After finishing all their tests, Sarah started to lead her students out. "We will now be going to another arena to test your Endurance."
While leaving with Sarah, Vander's group passed by Eric and his group. Being real close to Eric, Vander with Alice in hand, went up to him to ask a question.
"Eric, how's your group so talented? Didn't everyone just pick a random seat in the ceremony?"
"Did you guys both pick a random seat in the ceremony? Of course not. If you did, you guys wouldn't be in the same group. All I could say is, I formed this group myself before the ceremony because I needed to. I can't say anything more." Eric explained to Vander and Alice. Then he pointed to the exit doors.
Looking to where he was pointing at, Sarah and their group were waiting for them, not looking really pleased at them. Letting go of Vanders hand, Alice rushed back towards their group.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to hold up the group." Alice bowed while apologizing.
Vander also followed right behind Alice and quickly apologized.
"I'm also sorry." Vander bowed
"Don't delay our group again." Turning back around, Sarah led the group out to the bus.
…
The bus drove them towards their next arena. Another extra arena just a couple blocks down from the strength test. Instead of being the first one there this time, four other groups were already leaving their bus and going inside.
Seeing this, Sarah gave Vander and Alice a glare.
"Alright let's head inside right away. We are already late as it is."
Heading inside the arena, four platforms were already being surrounded by students, leaving only the closest platform to the exit for Vander's group.
The platform looked exactly like the dexterity test cage. The platform had stone pillars already erected and the stone console was already set up as well.
Sarah walking towards the stone console asked. "Does anyone want to go first?"
No one raised their hand or spoke up. Not everyone was like Alice, who was very confident in her strength with a matching [Record] to amplify her abilities.
"Ok then. You can go." Looking around at the group, Sarah chose someone at random.
Going up on the center of the platform, the student took his time. He was looking around at the other platforms to see what kind of test this was going to be. But all he could see were people standing in the to be formed cages. They weren't moving at all, just shaking.
Right when one person fell to their knees, Sarah spoke while glaring at the student who was taking his time. "Are you going to delay us any longer?"
"Sorry professor. I'm ready." The student hurriedly bowed to appease Sarah's anger.
Holding her hand onto the console, then pressing a button with her other hand, the platform glowed to life. The four pillars glowed blue and the blue walls appeared surrounding the platform.
Vander didn't know what was happening on the platform. The student that was taking his time was only standing still. Then he started to shake just a little. Before long that boy's body was jittering like crazy. Not even a minute into the test, the student dropped to his right knee. Somehow knowing the student reached his limit, the cage immediately turned off.
"41 seconds. Grade F."
Once the blue lights disappeared from the cage, Sarah already had her tablet in her hands. Finishing up with the result, she tossed the tablet back into nothingness.
"What do you think is happening in there? I couldn't tell what happened to him." Vander asked Alice.
"I don't know either. We might have to just find out when we're up there. Or ask the dude." Looking at the student that was laying down on the ground sweating and breathing heavily, they crossed off that option. There's no way he would answer them, when he could barely breathe.
Sarah once again asked if anyone wanted to go up. With no one volunteering like usual, she had to pick a random person.
The student that was randomly picked got up to the stage and told Sarah she was ready. She lasted a little bit longer than the first student. Falling on one her knees, the cage once again knew to stop.
"58 seconds. Grade F." Sarah recorded the result into her tablet.
With the student getting help from others to get down, Sarah started to choose her next victim. Waving around her finger, she was about to land on Alice.
"Y-"
Before she could finish, Vander raised his hand up and yelled.
"I'll go next."