Pan Soomin stepped into her designated arena, clutching the small pearlescent seashell charm her mother had given her. The circular room stretched out before her, stark white and gridded with black lines. No hiding places. No shelter. Just her and whatever was coming.
"Cadet Pan Soomin. Aspect: Kitsune. Provisional Threat Level: D-Rank, with anomalous potential."
A floating HUD materialized before her eyes, displaying her vital signs in harsh red numbers.
"Biometric readings indicate extreme distress. Heart rate: 160 BPM. Cortisol levels critical. Respiration is shallow and irregular." The AI paused, letting the words sink in. "Your body is already failing you, and the test hasn't even begun. Are you certain you're in the right place, Cadet Pan?"
Soomin swallowed hard, her throat dry. She wasn't sure. She'd never been sure.
