The candidates stood in line, the early morning chill clinging to their clothes as silence stretched across the training grounds. Breath misted in the air. Some fidgeted. Others stood stiff as statues. Kalen and his group remained calm, their expressions unreadable but a faint curl of amusement tugged at the corners of their mouths.
At the front, Sergeant Drake stood with a datapad in hand, scanning through participant numbers and final arrangements. His usual grin was absent, replaced by a look of exaggerated concentration. Then, as the clock struck 3:15 AM, he clapped his hands together with theatrical flair.
"Well, well, well," he said, voice booming across the field. "Look at all these bright-eyed little brats. Today's your first test day. I'm sure you've all read the instructions, right?"
He paused, eyes scanning the crowd. "Anyone here who didn't read them? Come on, don't be shy. Raise your hand. I'm hoping for at least a few of you to make my job interesting."
No one moved.
Drake sighed dramatically. "Tch. Disappointing. I was really looking forward to the panic."
A few nervous chuckles rippled through the crowd. Kalen and his group exchanged knowing glances, their smiles barely contained.
"Anyway," Drake continued, "the first exam is simple: running. Lots of it. I'm going to enjoy watching your faces melt."
A wave of groans and wide-eyed stares spread through the candidates. Drake grinned wider.
"Oh, and I bet some of you are wondering, 'What kind of insane test is this?'" He cupped a hand to his ear. "No one? Really? Don't be shy now. Raise your hand. Come on, come on—fast-fast!"
A few hesitant hands went up.
"Excellent," he said, eyes twinkling. "The answer is: Because I want it that way."
That broke the dam. A few kids blurted out, "Why?! What did we ever do to you?" and "Do you have a personal vendetta against teenagers or something?!"
Muffled whispers and laughter spread like wildfire. Drake threw his head back and laughed heartily. "Relax, relax! I'm kidding. Mostly."
Some candidates began to exchange uncertain glances, now genuinely unsure if this was a test or a prank show in disguise.
Once the noise settled, Drake's expression shifted. The humor drained from his face, replaced by something colder sharper.
"If it were up to me," he said, voice low and steady, "this test would be harder. Much harder. I'd give you all a proper reality check something to snap you out of your little fantasy bubbles. Because out there, beyond these walls, no one cares about your dreams. Only survival."
He let that hang in the air for a moment.
"I heard about the little drama in the hall yesterday. If it were me, I'd have shown you the truth you're not ready for. But alas…" He shrugged. "It's not my call. This test is only for those with the potential to awaken. So if you want answers if you want to know what's really going on then pass the test."
He turned, already walking away. "And do it fast. I've got a nap scheduled at sunrise."
With Sergeant Drake stepping back, another officer took the helm and motioned for the candidates to follow. The group moved behind the main hall, where a large open area had been set up part dining zone, part information center. Neatly stacked piles of uniforms gray T-shirts and black training pants were arranged by residence numbers.
"Pick your set based on your residence ID," the officer instructed. "Boys to the left tents, girls to the right. And don't forget your watches. They track your performance, not your fashion sense."
The candidates shuffled into the tents, changing quickly. Some grumbled about the cold fabric, others about the early hour. Once dressed, they reassembled in lines, just as before. The officer gave them a final once-over, then led them to the test ground.
At exactly 4:00 AM, the whistle blew.
The candidates surged forward as the whistle blew, feet pounding against the packed earth. The cold morning air quickly gave way to sweat and steam. By the halfway mark, most were panting, legs aching, and questioning their life choices.
As they passed near the canteen, a warm, savory smell wafted through the air eggs, toast, and something suspiciously buttery. Heads turned mid-run, and there he was: Sergeant Drake, seated comfortably at a folding table, munching on a golden croissant like he was watching a morning parade.
"Oh, don't mind me!" he called out between bites. "Just enjoying breakfast while you all reenact a zombie apocalypse. Smell that? That's what success tastes like!"
Several candidates groaned. One nearly tripped from trying to sniff the air too hard. Kalen glanced at Tang Yu, who muttered, "I swear, if he starts sipping hot chocolate, I'm changing sides."
After the run, the candidates were given a short break before the strength circuit began. The push-ups were first. Some collapsed after ten. Others flopped like fish. Sergeant Drake walked among them, occasionally poking someone's shoulder with a stick.
"Push-ups, not nap-ups!" he barked. "This isn't a spa!"
Next came sit-ups. Xia powered through with quiet focus, while Yu counted loudly mostly to distract himself. "Twenty-one, twenty-two, emotional damage, twenty-three…"
Squats were the final hurdle. Michael moved like a machine, steady and precise. Leo grunted through it, muttering something about leg betrayal. Kalen kept pace, his breathing controlled, his form sharp.
Tang Yu, however, squatted halfway, paused, and whispered, "I think my knees are filing a complaint."
By the end of the day, the candidates were wrecked. Some lay flat on the ground. Others stared into the void. A few still had enough energy to complain, while most were too tired to speak.
Day 1 Scores:
- Kalen: 372 points
- Michael: 375 points
- Xia: 370 points
- Leo: 365 points
- Tang Yu: 360 points (barely, thanks to Xia's motivational threats)
- Lowest scores: Hovered around 220–250 points, with several candidates failing to complete the full circuit
As the final run approached, Tang Yu clung to Kalen's shoulder like a lifeline.
"Please drag me," he whispered. "I'll pay you in compliments and emotional support."
"You already owe me three compliments from the last break," Kalen replied.
"I'll double it. Just don't let me die dramatically."
Sergeant Drake, watching from the sidelines, burst into laughter. "You people are the best entertainment I've had in years! If you survive tomorrow, I might even share my croissants."
With the final whistle echoing across the test ground, Day One came to a close.
Candidates slumped to the ground, some groaning, some silent, others too tired to even blink. Muscles ached. Minds fogged. For most, it felt less like training and more like surviving a small slice of hell.
But it was only the beginning.
As the sun crept higher and the officers began herding them back toward the dorms, one thought lingered in every mind Let's hope tomorrow doesn't kill us.
Kalen glanced at his group. They were battered, sore, and half-delirious but still standing. Tang Yu was muttering something about croissants and betrayal. Michael was already stretching for recovery. Xia and Leo exchanged quiet nods.
They had made it through the day.
As night began to settle over the Sanctuary grounds, the candidates moved like shadows—slow, sore, and silent. Dinner was served quickly, but no one linger. Most barely touched their food before retreating to their dorms, driven by a single, desperate desire: sleep.
No one wanted to take another step. Legs had betrayed them. Muscles screamed. And the thought of doing it all again tomorrow felt like a cruel joke.
Some tried to convince themselves it was just a bad dream. Maybe when I wake up, it'll be over, they thought. Maybe this was all a mistake. But dreams are just dreams. And reality, unfortunately, doesn't care how tired you are.
The dining hall emptied in quiet waves. No laughter. No chatter. Just the soft clink of utensils and the shuffle of feet. Kalen and his group ate quickly, exchanging tired glances and half-smiles. Despite the exhaustion, they moved through the crowd, offering quiet encouragement to those who looked ready to collapse.
"Just one day down," Michael said.
"Only a hundred more to go," Tang Yu groaned.
"Don't say that," Xia muttered.
"I already regret it," Yu replied.
The cold wind picked up as they stepped outside, brushing against their skin like a whisper of the trials still to come. The sky above was clear, stars scattered like distant promises.
Kalen looked up for a moment, then turned toward their residence.
Day One had ended.
And tomorrow, the storm would begin again.