Komi shivered."Monsters... You guys really can't stay calm, huh?"
Seth tilted his head slightly."If you're scared of monsters, you've got no business being here."
Katia stepped forward, arms crossed."Tch. The only monster here is your ego."
The tension between us was sharp enough to cut. But before one more word could ignite the powder keg, Kayne raised his hand.
"That's enough," he said in a calm but firm tone. "Save your fire for the tournament. You'll need it."
He turned and motioned for us to follow."Rest today. Tomorrow, your real training begins. A special program... just for you five."
"The five?" I repeated, surprised.
"You. Katia. Komi. Juan. Seth," he replied. "The academy chose you to represent us."
I blinked."Wait… only us?"
Kayne smiled."In truth, ten including you were nominated because you've shown potential… and more importantly, determination. Now, it's time to forge that into power."
We looked at one another – some confident, others less so – but we all understood one thing: this wasn't just about personal progress anymore. It was a mission. A representation. A trial.
The next morning
The air was freezing, biting through our jackets as we stood outside at sunrise.
Kayne stood in front of us, sunglasses on, in a sports outfit that wavered between serious and ridiculous.
"Today, your true training begins," he said, pacing slowly in front of us. "This program relies on three pillars: mental, physical, and spiritual. You'll push your minds to their limits, break your bodies to rebuild them, and dive deep into the essence of your powers."
Seth cracked his knuckles."Finally, some real fun."
Katia rolled her eyes."You talk like you enjoy suffering."
"I like pain when it leads to strength."
Juan chuckled."As long as we don't have another marathon at dawn, I'm in."
"Oh, but you will," Kayne replied cheerfully. "But this time... through the Black Forest."
Everyone froze.
"The what?" Komi asked, suspicious.
"The Black Forest," Kayne repeated. "Five kilometers of unstable terrain, thick fog, and energy interference. It messes with your powers. It's used to test elite agents. Today, it's your playground."
Katia narrowed her eyes."And if we get lost?"
"You won't," he said, pointing to our uniforms. "You're equipped with trackers. But don't count on help. You're on your own. Reach the end... or fail."
Black Forest – 8:00 AM
The air in the Black Forest was heavier than I imagined – damp, cold… and filled with an indefinable unease.
As soon as we stepped into the fog, everything twisted. Sounds echoed weirdly. Our footsteps didn't seem to hit the ground right. Komi rubbed her temples.
"This place… scrambles our perception."
"Exactly," said Kayne's voice through our earpieces. "Now, run."
We started off. At first, we stayed grouped, a steady pace. The trees passed in a blur, too tall, too warped. The air seemed to pull at our thoughts, slow our movements.
After a few minutes, Juan grimaced."Something's following us."
"Don't be paranoid," Seth grunted.
"No, he's right," I said, turning around. "I feel it too."
A sinister crack sounded behind us in the mist. Not branches. Bones.
A dark figure appeared – humanoid, but too tall, arms too long. Red eyes glowed through the fog.
"What the hell is that?!" Komi screamed.
"Just part of the test," Kayne said. "It won't kill you… probably."
"Probably?!" Juan shouted.
The creature lunged. Instinctively, we scattered.
"Marvens!" Katia yelled.
"I'm fine!" I replied, activating my eyes. The world shifted, vibrated. I imagined an antimatter blade, thin, black-blue, buzzing with energy.
The creature screamed back.
It struck. I dodged, slid under its arm and slashed its chest. The blade went straight through... but instead of falling, it split. Two monsters now.
"Seriously?!" I groaned.
"New rule," Kayne said. "No antimatter in the forest. Bad mix with the fog!"
"You could've said that earlier!"
Katia charged, landing frost-enhanced punches. The creature slowed under the ice.
Seth followed up, smashing the second one with an explosive elbow.
Juan, copying Katia's style, backed her up."I hate this forest!"
Komi stepped back, firing a gust of wind to clear the fog."We need to go, not fight!"
She was right. The creatures wouldn't die. Worse: they multiplied. The more we hit them, the more they appeared.
"RUN!" I shouted.
We sprinted through branches, roots, shadowy arms reaching from nowhere. My lungs burned. My legs screamed. But I kept going.
And suddenly… we broke through the fog.
The sun hit us. Ahead, a massive metal gate. Kayne stood, leaning on it, sunglasses still on.
"Took you long enough."
We collapsed on the grass, gasping.
"Welcome to the first checkpoint."
Checkpoint One – Rest Zone
No one spoke. Just heavy breaths, water bottles, pale faces.
"What were those things?" Katia asked.
"Constructive spirits," Kayne replied. "Semi-intelligent forms that feed on fear and confusion."
"You sent students in there knowing we could get overwhelmed," said Seth, not angry, just... curious.
"Yes," Kayne said. "And yet, you're all here."
"Wasn't meant to be a compliment," Juan muttered.
"Take it however you want. But remember: fear and power go hand in hand. You can't control your gift if you're ruled by fear."
I nodded slowly. That feeling of losing control… it was terrifying. But necessary.
Komi stood up."What's next?"
"Combat simulation," Kayne said. "But not against each other. You'll face projections of real opponents you might meet in the tournament."
"And how real are these projections?" I asked.
"Real enough to kill you if you're careless."
Great.
Simulation Arena – Later
A few days after the inter-academy tournament was announced, the entire school was buzzing. Ten students, including me, were selected to represent our academy. This wasn't the actual tournament yet, but a preparatory simulation to test our teamwork, reactivity, and especially our ability to face the unexpected.
A massive circular room, modifiable floors, pulsing lights. Kayne stood above at the control center.
"Today, you'll undergo a full-scale simulation," he announced as we entered the training hall.
He wore an almost sadistic smile. Not a good sign.
"But be warned," he continued. "You won't be fighting students like yourselves... You'll face possessed dummies, empty shells remotely controlled by a psychic entity. These creatures have been programmed to mimic the techniques and powers of real former warriors. In short: they have no fear, no mercy, no limit."
The mood dropped instantly.
"Wait… we're fighting some kind of power-boosted undead?" Juan blurted out.
"You could say that," Kayne shrugged. "All ten recruits will train. For this first session, the goal isn't to win, but to survive and improve."
—
"First up… Marvens."
I stepped forward.
"Your opponent: Kaito, student from Kyoudai Academy, Japan. Power: gravity manipulation."
The environment shimmered. A boy appeared opposite me. Calm. Thin. Piercing gaze. He floated slightly above the ground.
"You rely too much on your imagination," he said. "Let's see what happens when gravity is your enemy."
"Begin!"
I was crushed to the ground.
Gravity had tripled. My knees buckled. An invisible mountain pinned me.
I clenched my teeth, activated my eyes, and imagined a repulsion core around me. An anti-gravity bubble.
I rose a bit... then he reversed the gravity. I was hurled to the ceiling, then slammed down hard.
"You're not ready," he said, raising his hand.
But something clicked inside me.
No. Not like this.
I reached deeper. A mental anchor. A center of balance. Antimatter pulsed at my fingers – not chaotically, no. Controlled.
I reshaped the space around me through willpower. Gravity gave way.
And broke.
I floated back down gently, eyes glowing."I learn fast," I said, getting to my feet.
Kaito smiled but didn't reply.
End of the simulation
"Impressive," Kayne said as I left the arena. "You adapt faster than expected."
I wiped my forehead."So do the enemies."
He nodded."That's why we train like this. The tournament isn't just about strength. It's speed, instinct, adaptation. Everyone you'll face will be beyond anything you've known."
I looked at my teammates – Katia, Komi, Juan, Seth. Each one getting ready for their turn, silently.
We weren't just students anymore.
We were becoming contenders.
And the world was about to find out.