53 Evaluation Test: Part One!

Shawi walked down the quiet hallways of the dorm house, as everyone was still asleep. She woke up a little early than everybody, so that she could help with kitchen duty. When she entered the foyer of the dorm house, a smile lit on her face when she saw Shiro sitting at one of the couches. He's wearing a serious expression as he reads a book. He was so engrossed on the story that he didn't even noticed Shawi approaching him until she was already standing in front of him. When he felt her gaze on him, a slow grin appeared on his face. He lifted his head from the book he was reading, to be greeted by Shawi's bright smile.

"Whatcha readin'?" Shawi asked, looking very intrigued as she bent over to take a closer look on the contents of the book.

"It's just something that I found interesting while waiting" Shiro said

Shawi just nodded her head, because let's just say that the book is not really her cup of tea.

"So who were you waiting for?" Shawi asked, lifting her head.

When Shawi lifted her head, her face was just inches away from Shiro's that he suddenly forgot how to breath in that moment. His heart started beating dangerously fast as the room around Shrio seemingly ceased to exists, as he gazes into Shawi's face. Shiro felt his whole world stop, when he was suddenly snapped out of his trance by Shawi's voice.

"Shiro? Are you okay?' Shawi asked, turning concerned as she put a hand on Shiro's forehead.

As soon as her hand touched Shiro's forehead, Shiro immediately pulled away and faded out, only to fade in, standing behind Shawi. His face still hot as he could still feel Shawi's lingering soft touch on his forehead.

He cleared his throat and said "Who do you think I was waiting for? What took you so long? I was getting bored of waiting." He started acting annoyed, but it was obvious that it was clearly just a cover to hide his embarrassment, as he was still blushing hard.

Shawi knew that Shiro was feeling embarrassed, so being the good person that she is, she just played along.

"Sorry, It won't happen again" Shawi apologized, with a sweet smile.

Seeing Shawi's smile made Shiro blush even more, but he turned his face away from Shawi just in time for Shawi to miss it. "Le-let's just go" he said as he started walking towards the front door.

Shawi cheerfully followed and caught up to Shiro, playfully bumping him lightly with her shoulder. Shiro chuckled as he shook his head, finding Shawi very adorable and endearing.

Being in Master Egor's Guild for so long, almost all the girls that Shiro met there are either really barbaric or really savage (Which doesn't really have any difference at all), but just being with Shawi felt very refreshing to Shiro.

They both walk side by side as they both headed for the main door of the dorm house. Shawi was saying something to Shiro, but as soon as Shiro opened the door, her words faltered. They were both greeted with the sight of a very trashed and destroyed garden. Flowers scattered everywhere, the landscape was in ruins and the marble fountain in the middle was cleanly cut into shreds. It's like they slept through a very strong storm. It was safe to say that both Shawi's and Shrio's jaws stayed on the ground for a good couple of minutes before Shiro finally snapped out of it.

"Stay here!" Shiro told Shawi as suddenly faded out, leaving a still baffled and stunned Shawi staring at the mess, that was once call a garden.

Shiro suddenly busted through the doors of their room, startling his roommates who were already awake and was already preparing for the upcoming evaluation test.

Coming from Master Egor's Guild, they were also trained in waking up early at the crack of dawn but that day, they actually woke up later that what they used to, but still woke up earlier that the rest. That was the first time that they got to actually rest and enjoy sleeping without worrying about punishment if they woke up late.

All his roommates simultaneously turned to him, instantly turning alert just from Shiro's expression.

"What happened?" Chen asked as he, Nadet and Ji Soo rushed over to Shiro.

"Come outside!" Shiro said urgently, then immediately faded out.

The three didn't waste time and all rushed outside of the dorm house.

When the three arrived outside, Shiro was already there standing beside Shawi. Then when they saw the trashed garden, it was also safe to say that they were as baffled and stunned as Shawi and Shiro.

"What happened?" Nadet asked in disbelief.

"We don't know. We were just leaving the dorm house when we saw this." Shiro explained.

"Did we got attacked?" Ji Soo blurted out, suddenly getting nervous.

"Attacked?" A voice said from inside the dorm house.

Everyone turned to the source and saw Minerva heading their way.

"What are you guys talking about?" Minerva asked the rest, but when she saw the messed up garden, that was the only explanation she needed.

"We have to inform Lady Maria about this!" Minerva said in urgency as she ran towards the main Guild house.

Chen immediately followed but the rest looked at each other of a second first before following Minerva and Chen to the Guild house.

As the group busted through the doors, it just so happen that Maria was heading the kitchen with Charlie when she saw the group rushing her way.

"What's all the rush?" Maria asked as the group neared her

"Lady Maria, you have to hurry and look outside, we might have been attacked last night" Minerva said with urgency

"What makes you say that we're under attack?" Maria asked with a furrowed brow, clearly confused but then she remembered what happened last night. "So this bunch thought that we were under attack" Maria thought.

"You don't have to worry, we are not under attack." Maria said calmly "I will explain everything that happened once everyone is gathered for the evaluation test. Now, I suggest that you remove all unnecessary thoughts from your heads and focus on the upcoming evaluation test." Maria said, making no room for further questions.

Everyone nodded in understanding. Minerva still wanted to know what happened, and if what happened had something to do with her father, but alas she'll just have to wait. She actually had no complaints, since she also wanted to focus on the upcoming evaluation; wanting to impress Lady Maria.

So everyone headed to the dining pavilion, while Shawi and Shiro headed to the kitchen only to be shocked at how much food Cameron had already prepared by himself.

"Hi! You guys are up early" Cameron greeted when he saw Shawi and Shiro enter the kitchen.

"You've already prepared so much" Shawi said as she marvelled at the feast that was prepared.

The center island was filled with plates that has bacons, hams, english sausages and muffins, eggs, pancakes and a whole lot more in them.

"What time did you wake up?" Shawi asked curiously.

"Me? 4 AM why?" Cameron said, while shifting from pan to pan.

Hearing Cameron's answer made Shawi's eyes widen. She use to work as a housekeeper and used to also waking up at 4AM, but never in a million years could she cook the amount of food that Cameron just did.

"It just looks like you already have everything under control. Do we even have anything to help you with?" Shawi asked, looking very impressed.

"Don't get too impressed, this only happens in the morning" Cameron said, with a smile.

He then walk over to an opened leather bound journal that was laying on the center island. He closed the journal then put in his belt pouch along with his pen. Then Cameron noticed that there were already people at the dining pavilion.

"Wow, Everyone's early today. Must be excited with the upcoming evaluations test" Cameron said, looking very excited as well.

"Alright, you guys can help me with serving the food to our hungry guildmates" Cameron told both Shawi and Shiro, clapping his hands once, looking very ready to sever their hungry guildmates.

As Shiro and Shawi started bringing out the breakfast to the dining pavilion, the dining pavilion slowly started filling up with the other guild members. When June arrived at the Dining pavilion, he saw Jordan sitting by himself, chowing down on a plate full of pancakes and bacons. June was glad and relieved to see Jordan is alright and still acting like his old self. Jordan might just be hiding it really well, but he knew that what happened the night before affected them greatly.

After getting his breakfast, he headed straight to where Jordan was sitting. Jordan noticed June approaching and waved, looking happy to see him.

"Hey" June greeted as he placed his plate on the table and took a sit, "I'm glad you're okay."

"I'm glad you're okay too." Jordan said with a full mouth.

After greeting one another both of then continued to eat quietly, but after some time, June spoke.

"What happened last night, needs to stay between the both of us, just until we tell Maria everything" June said, deciding to stay cautious about the recent events.

Jordan just nodded but the enthusiasm that he had a while ago was now completely gone.

"You okay?" June asked, concern lacing his voice

"I don't know" Jordan said, putting down his fork completely.

"I understand what your feeling. We literally faced death last night, and we survived. I know it won't be easy but you have me. We'll get through this one together, Okay" June said giving Jordan a soft smile.

Jordan nodded once again but this time his mood seemed slightly better, even managing to smile back at June, even it was just small.

June and Jordan continued eating breakfast and chatted about other stuff that doesn't involve the Gifted world, when Pan saw them. Pan was looking for a place to sit, when she saw both Jordan and June sitting at the corner table of the pavilion. Every new Guild member was already bonding and chatting over breakfast, that Pan felt like she didn't fit in with them, so when she saw June and Jordan, she took a deep breath, gathered all her courage and walked up to them.

Believe it or not, Pan is a shy girl. She grew up as a single child and was always moving houses when she grew up, so she didn't have many friends. She might be very bright and bubbly, but making new friends is still very challenging for her.

"Hi!" Pan greeted both June and Jordan with bright smile

Startled, June and Jordan turned to Pan.

"Hi" June greeted back, while Jordan did a little wave as his mouth was still full with food.

"May I sit with you guys?" Pan asked, which made June and Jordan look at each other then turned back to her.

"Sure" June said with a big smile, as he makes room for her.

"Thanks" Pan said excitedly as she placed her plate on the table and took her sit.

"You guys are really strong" Pan said, while taking her first bite

"What do you mean?" June asked in confusion.

"You guys can stop hiding it. I saw everything that happened last night" Pan said

June and Jordan looked at each other once again, but this time with worried expressions.

When Pan saw their worried expressions, she said "Don't worry, I promised Lady Maria I won't say anything" assuring both of them.

"So Maria already knew?" Jordan said, feeling a mix of nervousness at the same time relief.

Before Pan could answer, Maria stood and asked for everyone's attention, just in time for the rest from Crystal Mist to enter the dining pavilion.

"At exactly 10 AM we will be starting the Evaluation test." Maria announced "I wish all of you well and perform excellently!"

And with that, everyone erupted in cheers. The mood in the pavilion was on a high. Everyone felt very motivated and excited. Also just as Cameron expected, the breakfast that he prepared was quickly scarfed down by his hungry new guildmates, leaving no leftovers.

While everyone was still eating, Maria called Isabelle, Pearl and Alex over to talk to them. Then after talking to them, the four of them left early, leaving the rest of their friends with a big question mark on their faces.

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The much awaited time has arrived and everyone was led to the underground training facility of the Guild by Minjae. As the new members entered the training facility, they all marvelled by how big it was. Coming form Master Egor's Guild; Minerva, Chen, Nadet, Shiro and Ji Soo has seen a much bigger training facility. But Lady Maria's training facility is the complete opposite of Master Egor's. Mainly what really stuck to them was the cleanliness of the training facility. Every equipment was very well kept and taken care off, unlike the rusty and blood scented training facility that Master Egor has.

Everyone was led to the wide blank square space in the center of the training facility. Fancy looking bleachers were located on the right side of the square space and a room with glass walls was located on the left.

June and the others from Crystal Mist were shocked when they saw Isabelle, Pearl and Alex already inside the room, sitting in front of the futuristic looking computer and tech.

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Earlier

"Maria, why'd you bring us here?" Isabelle asked as they enter the glass room in the training facility.

Miayaka's already at the room, sitting in front of one of the futuristic computers, typing away.

"I brought you here, because I want the three of you to help with the upcoming evaluations" Maria explained

"Okay, but....." Isabelle said unsurely as she looked over at her friends, who's equally as flustered

"But?" Maria asked, waiting for what she wanted to say.

"You know, we're just normal human beings. We don't have superpowers. I'm not sure if we're even qualified to be here at all, much less help with the evaluations" Isabelle explained

Maria let out a soft laugh then said "You silly girl. You'd be very surprised what you 'normal human beings' could do" lifting both hand, doing air quotes for emphasis.

"There was a person who once told me this 'Sometimes you need someone with a different perspective to help you in order for you to understand things that you normally wouldn't understand on your own'. And to us Gifteds, sometimes that someone are 'normal human beings' such as yourselves" Maria said with a soft smile.

The three didn't know if Maria's encouraging them, but they took it as one anyway.

"Okay! I'm in!" Isabelle said, suddenly getting very excited.

"What she said!" Both Alex and Pearl said at the same time, agreeing with their leader.

"Marvelous!" Maria said happily, "Now, Miayaka will teach you three with how to operate some of the computers here; but most likely with your skills, you three could probably learn how to operate this thing by yourselves."

And Maria wasn't wrong. The moment they sat in front of the computers, they immediately went into work mode and started working like the team that they are.

"These kids are terrifying" Miayaka said in amazement as both her and Maria witness Isabelle, Pearl and Alex's team work.

They worked as one, understanding each other without even speaking to each other. The years of friendship and working together at the school magazine was really evident on how they work.

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"Those guys are definitely on work mode" Fleur said when she saw her friends.

Sophia nodded when she also noticed the expressions on their faces and how they move as team.

Being with the school magazine, Fleur and Sophia has definitely seen Isabelle, Pearl and Alex in action as they work through impossible deadlines after impossible deadlines.

"Alright guys!" Minjae clapped, getting everybody's attention. "Everyone go take a sit and I will explain how the evaluations work"

Everyone took a sit on the bleachers. When everyone's already settled, they all focused on Minjae who's already standing at the center of the free space.

"Welcome everybody to your evaluation test!" Minjae announced with an excited smile. Also making everyone erupt in cheers of excitement.

"This space is what we call our mini arena, everything from simulated battles to real training battles are done in this space" Minjea explained, as he spreads his arms to both directions gesturing at the black square space (Although the real Arena is circular in shape). "The purpose of this evaluations is to help us understand what we are working with and how we can help you grow more as Gifteds."

"Alright, so what will happened is that when your name is called, you stand here inside the mini arena and show us what you got, plain and simple. So without further formalities, here we go!"

After Minjea explain how it works, it might sound simple but they can never know until their actually up there. Some were cool as a cucumber while some are a nervous wreck from anticipation.

Then suddenly a portal opened beside Minjae, with Miayak coming out of the portal.

"Hi, honey!" Minjae greeted his wife cheerfully which Miayaka returned with a loving smile. It's like every time he sees his wife, he always becomes excited.

Miayaka handed a clear glass tablet to Minjae which Minjae took gratefully.

"Don't be to hard on this kids" Miayaka warned then gave his husband a quick kiss on the lips.

"Don't worry, I won't" Minjae replied with a cheeky grin.

"You better keep your word!" Miayaka said before passing through the portal once again.

Once Miayaka's back inside the glass room, Minjae turned back to their new recruits whose all giving him a knowing smile.

"Isn't she great!" Minjae said, boasting his wife for a quick moment before returning back to the business at hand.

"Alright, let's see who's first!" Minjae said as he tapped the clear glass tablet. The glass tablet's kinda like a normal tablet but more futuristic and more high tech.

As Minjae scrolled through the information that's in the tablet, Jordan whispered something to June's ear "This look reminds me of when he's studying my chart"

June chuckled softly because he does see Jordan's point. Being a doctor and all, Minjae looked like a doctor studying a patient's chart.

"First up, Kai Alika!" Minjae announced the first name up to be evaluated.

A young man stood up and descended down the bleachers and walked up to Minjae. It was already established that being a Gifted, that means the looks comes with it, but by Gifted standards of looks, the young man was above the rest (*Writer speaking* That means, if Gifteds are already handsome, then he's more handsome than the normal Gifted). The young man was tanned to perfection and has a toned body of a surfer and athlete. He has short brown hair and sea green eyes. When June saw his eyes, he was mesmerize by the fierceness in them. It's like he's gazing upon a strong and powerful storm happening at the sea.

"Do you want targets or just by yourself" Minjae asked Kai

"Just by myself" Kai answered respectfully

"Okay then" Minjae said

Minjae stepped out of the mini arena, then pressed something on the glass tab, activating the barriers around the mini arena.

"You can start whenever your ready" Minjae told Kai

Kai didn't waste time. He removed his shirt revealing his body full of Polynesian tribal tattoo. He has tattoo on his arms, shoulders, side torso, some on the chest and his back as well.

"Oooohhhhhhh chaw! that's one fine specimen right there!" Fluer said, delighted by what she's sees.

Kai closed his eyes, then concentrated. Out of nowhere, water started swirling on the ground around Kai.

"He's gathering energy" Pearl said noticing the changes inside the mini arena.

The water around Kai, started swirling faster and faster, and then all at once Kai let out a powerful roar. The water around him created a powerful gigantic wave that surged forth in all directions.

Everyone was stunned at the display of power that Kai has shown. It's like they're literally witnessing a powerful storm at the sea, raging in front of their eyes as the waves crashed against the barriers. Since the waves couldn't get out, the water was trapped in the mini arena. Kai stood calmly as the water level raised at an uncontrollable rate, turning the mini arena into an gigantic aquarium.

As the arena filled up with water, Kai still stood in place, still looking calm and without a trace of fear on his face.

"What do you know, he can also breathe underwater" Alex said in amazement. He was the first one to notice, when he saw the soft even rise and fall of Kai's torso. They were so soft that it was barely noticeable until Alex pointed it out.

Kai wasn't finished, he slightly squatted then surged upwards, stopping at the very center of the aquarium that he created. He then raised both arms to the side with both hands wide open. He then let out a powerful roar once again, creating a powerful water vortex.

"Amazing!" Isabelle said in amazement. And to think that this was just the first one, she started getting more and more excited.

When Miayaka gave the signal that Lady Maria has seen enough, Minjae nodded and tapped his finger on his glass tab. Small holes opened on the floor of the mini arena, quickly draining off the water inside it. Kai landed on the ground skillfully, then shook his head making the water on his hair spray off. This view looked so sexy to Fluer that she started swooning animatedly over Kai, which just made her friends laugh, including Minjae.

"Thanks Kai, you can get back to your sit" Minjae said as he handed Kai a towel which he got from who knows where.

Kai gratefully thanked Minjae, took the towel and walked abck over to the bleacher, while drying his body.

"Ohhhhhh that's so sexy! Mhhmhhh!" Fleur said, admiring Kai as he walked up to the bleachers.

"Control yourself!" Sophia hissed at Fleur, scolding her.

"What? I was just stating facts!" Fleur said in her defense.

Sophia just shook her head because she knew she would never win if she argued with Fleur, plus she does also think that Kai's sexy as well.

"Did you guys get the needed information?" Isabelle asked Pearl and Alex

"Yup!" Pearl answered

"Affirmative!" Alex answered seconds after.

"Alright, we're ready for the next one!" Isabelle said, giving a thumbs up to Minjae

Taking the initiative to signal Minjae herself, made Maria and Miayaka both chuckle from her evident excitement.

"Alright, up next to go is..... Charlotte Nightingale!" Minjae called up the next one up.

At the very corner of the bleachers stood a tall young lady. She had long flowing blond hair and is wearing a long white elegant dress and a white big sun hat. She's also bringing a parasol with her. As she walks to the mini arena, she walks with utmost elegance and grace, but she kept her head low so her large hat was covering her face.

Charlotte's sense of style didn't go unnoticed for June as June has a knack for people with unique fashion sense. Upon reaching Minjae, Charlotte lifted her head, finally showing her face, which mesmerized almost everyone. Her beauty was other worldly and very ethereal. She was literally dazzling, making everyone actually hold their breaths as they gaze upon her.

"Okay Charlotte, how do you want to go? Do you want targets or just yourself?" Minjae asked, not at all affected by her beauty.

"I would like to have some multiple attacking human like targets please" Charlotte said politely, with so much grace and elegance, and very in detail too.

"Very well" Minjae said, then walked out of the mini arena. He then tapped a few keys on his glass tablet, activating the barriers. After the barriers were lifted up, five realistic human projections appeared across the field.

"Give me a signal when you're ready" Minjae said

Charlotte gave Minjae a nod and said "Ready"

Once Minjae tapped his finger on his glass tablet, the human projections immediately pounced on Charlotte. Charlotte just stayed her ground calmly not seeming to be affected by her attacker. Suddenly a thick mist started appearing covering everything inside the mini arena.

"What happened? I can't get a sense on her!" Alex told Isabelle and Pearl.

"Me too! Heat vision is also not detecting her" Pearl said

"Are the other detectors also not working?" Isabelle asked

"No! I've tried everything that's available" Alex replied as his fingers typed furiously.

"How bout trying to be in the projection's point of view?"

"No use! I tried it, but I can't see a thing in there. My hearing also seemed to lessen. It's like my sense are being blocked or something" Pearl said

"It's like she just.... vanished in thin air" Isabelle said in amazement.

It wasn't long before the mist subsided, and what everybody saw stunned them once again. But what they felt this time was different from watching Kai. They felt chills run down their bodies as they saw the five human projections, laying and flickering on the ground as Charlotte still stood where they last saw her.

"How did she do that?!" Pearl said, trembling at the sight of this elegant dainty young woman who turned out to be very fearsome.

"Lady of the Mist!" Isabelle blurted out

"Huh?" Everyone in the room turned to her in confusion.

"'Lady of the Mist', It's the title I came up for her" Isabelle explained, but her curious and excited eyes were still on Charlotte.

"Good job 'Lady of the Mist!'' Minjae praised Charlotte as he walks over to her. He saw the title that Isabelle gave Charlotte on his glass tablet and decided to use it.

"Lady of the Mist?" Charlotte turned to Minjae in confusion.

"Our evaluators gave you that title" Minjae explained, gesturing at everyone inside the glass room.

"Hmmmm....'Lady of the Mist', I like it!" Charlotte said with soft smile. She turned facing the glass room and did a courtesy to show her gratitude for the given title.

"Alright, Charlotte please return to your sit" Minjae instructed after Charlotte thanked everyone in the glass room.

Charlotte gave Minjae a courtesy as well, which Minjae returned with a small bow, then walked back to the bleachers.

"Now I feel bad for acting so improper a while ago" Fleur said, feeling a little ashamed of her actions.

"You should be" Jordan mutters as he rolls his eyes

"What was that?!" Fluer hissed, who apparently heard what Jordan said.

Jordan's body tensed when he was caught, and quickly replied "Nothing"

"Good, coz you better not be talkin behind my back" Fleur said, returning back to her feisty old self.

Jordan said a silent prayer, thankful for dodging the bullet.

"Up next to come up is........"