"The memory you took from the captive is with us," Xera pressed her nails into her palms. The doctor rubbed his hands together and nodded.
Lui squinted as he nodded back. Whatever document they were talking about, these two must already be aware of it if they were familiar with the system. It would've been nice if Lui could've taken a look at the flash drive himself. After all, capturing that man hadn't been easy.
But for now, he let it go.
"What kind of room is this? The light from the ceiling is almost blinding me! And these pendulum flowerpots swinging everywhere! Ugh!" Lui glanced sideways at the doctor sitting across the table.
Xera Raun had decided to attend the exam with a special permission request. No matter how hard Lui tried to understand the intentions of this young woman, he couldn't succeed. In the end, he decided to remain in a more passive mode, just an observer, to make sense of what was going on.
"Are you ready?" asked the doctor, tugging at his beard. His bright, curious eyes were fixed on the patient whose forehead wound had completely healed.
Lui nodded, albeit a bit nervously. Hiding a curiosity he didn't want to reveal outwardly, he asked, "How will the exam begin?" This had to be different from the education and exams he experienced back in the palace.
"Don't be impatient," the doctor said with a mocking tone.
Xera was sitting on a red, round chair just to his left.
"If you prefer, I could explain it instead," Xera offered.
The doctor replied uneasily, "That won't be necessary, Miss Raun," and laughed like a child who had just cheated in a game.
"I'll have plenty of time to explain the rules to him. First, let's start with this," he said, rising to his feet and taking a deep breath before continuing.
"When attacking the enemy, the first task is to analyze their frequency. This is not as easy as it sounds. Theoretically, a 10 MHz wave represents anger, 15 MHz hope, 20 MHz compassion, 30 MHz joy, and 7 MHz fear. These are general ranges that allow you to analyze your opponent's emotional state. Once the analysis is complete, you must match the enemy's frequency to read their mind, surpass it to counter their moves, or go lower to deceive them. Is anything unclear so far?"
The doctor opened his arms and waited.
Lui placed a hand on his chin. "So, am I supposed to do all that with just the power of thought?"
"It's not that simple. There are techniques. The first is the electric circuit method. Metaphorically, it means this: the enemy and you are a whole. The flow of the circuit depends on both of you remaining in the game."
"So, I shouldn't kill the enemy?"
"You need to test their frequency range first, to determine whether you can learn something from them. Often, the main current fueling your hostility is shared between you. It must be used properly. To put it simply: you must benefit from your enmity. Don't aim to kill your enemy, aim to take something from them."
"I think I get that. What's the next one?"
"The other tactic," said the doctor, while Xera crossed her arms attentively.
"The second tactic is the short-circuit method. You must choose a path the opponent cannot access. In other words, find an area where they can never outmatch you."
"I get it," said Lui. "So I'll confront them in the area where I'm strongest, most confident." He didn't even realize he was clenching his fists.
"Exactly," the doctor replied. Xera gave a slight nod in agreement.
"Now that you've learned these two tactics, we must send you to the battlefield of the Lightning Council for the exam."
So the battle would take place in an active war zone. Thinking about it, Lui recalled all he had recently endured. The weight on his shoulders tightened every muscle in his body.
"So I'll be fighting our enemies directly?" he asked, trying to remain calm.
The doctor clasped his hands together, grinning a bit wider. "Correct."
Lui chuckled. "Very well."
His inner voice whispered: You couldn't even hold your ground against a mere C-level prisoner.
He smiled once more, this time to reassure himself.
"I'm determined to go."
The doctor turned to the computer and logged into the system. His fingers drummed across the keyboard like a snare drum. While waiting for the typing to stop, Lui noticed Xera looking at him. She was flexing her fingers as she watched him with an oddly intense gaze.
Then he spotted something. A number. Like a digital hologram projected on her fingers.
"56."
Fifty-six?
Lui burned with curiosity to know what it meant but didn't move a muscle.
"Well, if you're ready now, I'll press the button," said the doctor.
A receipt came out of the printer.
[Gate 1: Level A – Entry Approved!]
As Lui saw the ticket, his face went pale.
Gate 1 — the front line, and Lightning Council members at level C? If this wasn't a nightmare, it was something just as terrifying: a trial in the shadow of frequency.
Can I do this?
Reflected in his pupils were Xera's fingernails. Her fingers slowly curled inward as the doctor prepared to send him off.
"Two missions are waiting to be completed! Say yes if you want to obtain your certificate."
"Yes," Lui thought.
Ding!
[Thought frequency approved]
[Certification exam: 48 hours]
A 48-hour-long exam? He had never taken an exam this long in his life. But now... he had to do it for the fate of his people.
There was no room for jokes here.
He etched the number 56 into his memory—echoing in Xera's silence.
Who are you? I'll find out soon enough. But right now, I need that certificate!
My people need me!
I can't just sit still.
The printed ticket trembled between his fingers. His breath quickened as if he'd run a long race.
Lui noticed the doctor was now staring at him, eyebrows tightly furrowed.
He's focusing his energy on me.
He remained still. Dark curtains surrounded him.
[The exam chamber's lock has been lifted. To enter, open the curtains!]
Curtains? Of course!
Rippp!
"Surrender!"
Huh?
Someone was pointing a gun barrel at Lui under the dim light.