"Hey, are you even listening to me? You look completely lost in your thoughts. Are you scared of dying during the first test? Don't worry—if you die, it just means you wouldn't have lasted long as a warrior anyway."
- "Sorry… when I walk, I tend to think a lot. Yes, I'm stressed, and it's getting to me. So I'd really appreciate it if we could just keep walking without talking so I can focus."
"That's pointless, because we've already arrived. I'll take you to the cafeteria, and your new group should come meet you later. Maybe you'll even take Enette's test today, so this might be your last day alive. But you know what? I honestly don't care anymore, because I find you extremely arrogant for a kid. Don't forget I'm your superior."
"Huh… um… right. Sorry. I hope I'll see you again soon…"
Sebastian entered the cafeteria and served himself some food. He chose what looked closest to poultry and some kind of starch, then sat down to eat while waiting for his new unit to arrive. The room was almost empty only a few people eating quietly here and there.
« I wonder what they look like… And that unit leader is a real jerk. Why would he make me take a test that might kill me? I'm already a rare gem for their teams. Maybe I can avoid his stupid test and ask Madame Van Hauban to move me to another unit one that doesn't try to kill me. Yeah, that's what I'll do. I'll head back and talk to her. »
Sebastian stood up, looked around, and slipped away like a thief, not even clearing his tray. He climbed over the bench to escape.
"So you were planning to run away?!"
Sebastian jumped. Behind him stood a tall young man with black hair tinted with navy blue. His hairstyle resembled a short curtain fringe parted cleanly in the middle, framing his eyes with airy, tapered strands. Two longer locks extended down on each side. He looked nothing like the warriors Sebastian had met so far.
"Uh, sorry but… who are you? I'm waiting for people, and since they weren't coming, I decided to leave."
"Who do you think you are?! You were supposed to wait for me, no matter how long it took. And you wanted to leave? Today, I'm supposed to give you the test that will prove whether you're worth anything. And looking at you now, you seem weak and stupid, since you don't even realize how lucky you are to join my unit. I'm considered a genius, and Anastasia herself told me I'm the greatest potential in the Silver Needle troupe. She said I could become her Tribune someday, maybe even the Praetor once I surpass her. So be grateful you're in my unit especially since we're two of the only five members capable of Assimilation."
"Pfff, you brag too much. I never wanted to join your unit anyway. Madame Van Hauban assigned me to yours. And if you're as strong as you pretend, why aren't you a Centurion already? A 'genius', sure…"
"Hahaha!! Idiot. I haven't reached the age of the Immortals yet 22 years old. I'm only 17, but I've already beaten several Centurions in the troupe. Don't judge me by rank alone. And remember you're just a damn subordinate for now."
« Tch… that bastard isn't wrong. I probably won't be able to get rid of him, since he's got huge potential and everyone considers him a genius. He acts like such an ass… I bet everyone in his unit hates him and for good reason. Damn, I…»
"They love me in my unit, idiot."
"Huh?! What?!"
"Pfff. I can read people's minds. No one can hide anything from me it's one of my Qephraï abilities. It's extremely powerful because it's passive, unlike other abilities. I can use it constantly without relying on major veins or even minor ones. And since I can read your mind, I can see you don't understand a word I'm saying."
He continued walking, explaining without even slowing down:
"The body has four important types of veins. Deep veins are the most important. The Qephraï take control of the entire category, not just one vein. For example, if you're interested in a Qephraï's power, you ask him to take control of your deep veins. You can then use his ability however you want but don't overheat, or you'll faint or die. Unless you're a genius like me, of course. I practically have no limits.
Next are the superficial veins. Despite their name, they're extremely important they allow you to use a Qephraï power up to ten times a day.
Then the concomitant veins. They let you use a power five times a day. Not great, not terrible.
And finally, the cutaneous veins. They're basically useless. You can store several Qephraï powers in them, but once you use one, the power disappears permanently.
I'm incredibly lucky my mind-reading power was in the cutaneous veins, but for some miracle it never vanished. As you can see, you finally understood what I explained. But my ability has limits I can only focus on one person at a time, and I must be within three meters to read their thoughts. In combat, it only helps during close range exchanges. Anyway, I'm not going to explain every detail. I don't even know if you'll survive today's test. If you do, then I'll teach you the rest. For now, let's go meet your new teammates. You'll love them."
They walked through the gigantic, maze-like corridors of the Silver Needle troupe's main building. Everything felt impossibly large bigger inside than outside. After climbing three floors and crossing a long hallway, they entered a room.
Inside were three people: one boy and two girls.
The boy had brown hair in a Caesar cut and wore small dark blue glasses.
The first girl had long, straight black hair down to her mid back, blue eyes, and a beauty mark above her lip.
The second girl had dark chestnut mid-length hair and deep brown eyes.
Sebastian walked closer as Enette stepped out to file a report.
"Hello, my name is Se… Abel Verdalys. I'm 8 years old, though I feel much older. I'm ranked subaltern in the Silver Needle troupe, finished 75th on the exam, and I can use Assimilation."
The black haired girl stepped forward.
"I'm Anaïs Goata. I'm 15, ranked vanguard in the Silver Needle troupe. I finished 423rd on the exam, and unlike you, I don't use Assimilation."
The second girl curtsied lightly.
"My name is Agathe d'Aubreciel. I'm 12, from a noble family just like you, I think. 'Verdalys' sounds like a noble name, but I might be wrong. I'm a subaltern in the Silver Needle troupe, finished 675th on the exam, and I can't use Assimilation either."
« She's weird… Why say I'm from a noble family? I don't even know myself. If I survive that bastard's test, I'll ask them. »
Finally, the boy stepped forward.
"I'm Quentin Dulit, 12 years old. I'm ranked vanguard in the Silver Needle troupe. I can't assimilate, and I finished 17th on the exam."
« What?! HIM?! He placed above me?! Damn it… he can't even assimilate and he doesn't look strong at all… »
Enette returned and leaned against the doorway.
"I see you all introduced yourselves. Good. As for Abel, I'll introduce myself again. I'm Enette Yushitachu, 17 years old, top ranker of the exam, and I can assimilate. Anyway, I'm your leader. Got it, kid? We're heading out now. A Tartare type Qephraï has been spotted in a nearby plain. We'll arrive in two hours."
« Two hours?! Seriously? Couldn't he find one closer? »
"Two hours go by fast, and no, there weren't any closer. And I'm not letting you relax, Abel, so stop thinking so much. Just listen to me."
The unit departed. The trip passed quickly. Enette explained that daytime Qephraï avoided humans, but this one had already been spotted so they had to hurry before another unit got to it first.
They eventually reached a vast plain. Under the only tree in the entire field lay the Qephraï, sleeping peacefully. The tree seemed grown specifically for it.
"Whoa… so that's a Qephraï. It's gigantic… five meters long at least. I've seen something similar before, though less monstrous. But seeing it this close only ten meters away is incredible."
"I get it. The first time you see a Qephraï's shadow is always impressive. Imagine seeing its real body instead of just a projection… Anyway, this is a Tartare type. Its power is unknown. It might be rank 1 or 2 if you're lucky. Powers don't always match their rank some low rank ones turn out stronger. But it's still a weak class overall. Now go. Fight that lazy beast."
Enette pushed Sebastian forward.
Sebastian approached slowly. His breathing trembled. His heartbeat hammered violently against his ribs. He tried to think of a strategy anything but before he could form a plan, a loud whistle echoed behind him.
He flinched.
The Qephraï stirred.
A deep, rumbling growl rose from its throat.
« That bastard!! Why wake it up before I even have a plan?! I'm dead. I'm SO dead…»
"What do you want, human? Did you not notice I was sleeping?"
« …Huh? It… it spoke?! »