The Assessment

Chapter 2

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The assessment began with the strength test to which Vynn muscat was the first to take the test.

Vynn stepped forward to take the test, he stood in front of the drum like thing and was wondering what to do.

"For this part of the test," Lee said. "You have to punch the drum as hard as you can. You can punch it anyhow you want to but make sure your fist hits the center. Then the drum will display a number from 1 to 50. Remember you must score 20 and above."

Knowing what to do, Vynn decided to move back a few feet and then got his hand ready.

Then he ran forward and punched the drum with as much strength as he could muster. The drum rang out a bit and then the numbers started shuffling until it got to a particular number then it stopped shuffling.

"Hmm, strength 22." Lee said while recording the score on his tablet." "Quite a good score. Unto the next test."

Vynn moved forward towards to the treadmill and got on it awaiting instructions.

"Okay, so for this test you have to run as fast and hard as you can for a minute. After the time is up, the machine will record your score. And remember again you must not score below 15." Lee explained again.

And Vynn readied himself to take the test while breathing in and out.

"Are you ready?" Lee asked waiting to start the machine.

"Yes I am." Vynn answered.

To which Lee started the machine and then vynn started running as hard and fast as he could maintaining his breath so as not to quickly run out of breath.

After one minute, Lee stopped the machine and allowed for Vynn to get down so as to record his score.

"Interesting. Speed 16. Not bad." Lee commented. "Now you can move aside, you're qualified for the final test that will determine whether you will get accepted into the academy. Next!"

This time Sophia decided to step forward to take the test. Since Lee explained the rules already and Sophia had already seen someone take the test before her.

she decided to go for it without any further delay. Sophia confidently strode forward, her eyes fixed on the drum.

"So do you think she can do any better than the other guy?" Peter asked Jake who was standing beside him.

"Huh!? Am sorry are you talking to me?" Jake asked.

"Yes of course. Who else is beside us?" Peter asked again.

"Am sorry, it's just I have been considered a waste of space for so long and I had no one to call a friend that's why I was confused earlier." Jake explained.

"That means we went through the same thing then." Peter said dejectedly.

Jake looked at his face and saw a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"I wonder what he went through." Jake thought.

After the initial talk, there was no further discussions between them because they were focused on Sophia's test.

Sophia decided to step forward to take the strength test. She didn't bother to move back or anything, she just went ahead to punch the drum with as much strength as possible.

The drum rang out again but this time louder than the time Vynn punched it. The drum shuffled rapidly before stopping on a particular number.

The instructor and Sophia's temporary team were shocked by the number they could see on the drum.

"This is remarkable!" The instructor said amused. "Sophia, strength. 49."

Without saying anything Sophia moved onto the next test. Her face wasn't that of someone who was happy by their strength, it was more like she was disappointed.

Sophia got on the treadmill and waited for Lee to start the machine. Snapping out of his daze, Lee went to the machine and started it.

After the one minute was over, Sophia got down and her score was recorded again.

"Really impressive. Sophia, speed, 29." Lee said again while recording. He directed her towards where Vynn was standing.

"Okay so who's coming next?" Lee asked.

They were all feeling nervous so they didn't volunteer themselves.

"I think this instructor is really serious about the pass mark." Jake thought. "I didn't think about this before, it's now that reality is just dawning on me. No matter what, I must get into this academy."

Seeing that no one was volunteering, he decided to pick someone himself.

"Alright. Kate Blake, step forward to take the test." Lee said.

Kate stepped forward, her heart racing with anticipation. She gazed up at the drum, her mind focusing on the task ahead. She took a deep breath, and walked towards the drum.

"I must get into this academy." Kate thought while a distant memory pooped up In her mind but she pushed it away trying to focus.

Kate went towards the drum and took a stance like she was about to battle.

"You said we could hit the drum anyhow we wanted to right?" Kate asked.

"Precisely. Just make sure to hit the centre." Lee said.

Hearing this, Kate moved back a bit and then readied herself. Then Kate swung her legs so fast, strong and precisely that it hit the drum right in the center.

The drum rang out again but not as loud as when Sophia hit the drum the other time but it was still louder than when Vynn hit the drum.

The drum shuffled rapidly again and then it stopped on a number.

"Hmm quite an impressive score you got." Lee commented. "Kate, strength, 26."

"Darn it." Kate cursed. "Am still weak even after all the rigorous training I went through." Kate thought sadly.

Next was the speed test. Kate did as the rest of the recruits did. And after a minute, her score was being recorded by Lee.

"Hmm, not bad. Kate, speed, 18." Lee commented.

"Are you for real." Kate asked feeling annoyed by the bad score she just got.

"That is what the machine says not me. So go to the other side and wait for the final test. Okay?" Lee said.

"Why am I so weak even after everything." Kate grumbled while walking towards Vynn and Sophia.

"Peter Chuck, please step forward for your test." Lee said.

Peter stepped forward but not without saying something to Jake.

"Wish me luck." Peter said smiling towards Jake.

Jake didn't say anything and just continued watching peter take the test.

Peter approached the drum, his eyes fixed intently on Lee's hand, waiting for the signal to begin. To which Lee nodded signalling him to go ahead.

Peter then stood one feet away from the drum and swung his hand very fast that his fist connected with the drum in less than a second.

The drum echoed out again like it always does but this one was louder than when Kate and Vynn struck the drum.

After a few seconds of shuffling, the drum finally displayed a number. To which everyone was shocked again for the second time.

"Wow. Very impressive I must say." Lee commented. "Peter chuck, strength, 49."

Peter didn't say anything to this, he just smiled and went for the next test.

"This guy, is quite strong to get a score of 49." Jake thought now feeling worried about himself.

"Are you for real!" Sophia almost shouted but kept it in. "He got a score of 49. Hmph, I guess I have a competition now."

Lee gestured for Peter to move on to the treadmill, his expression a mix of curiosity and expectation. Peter started the machine and ran on the treadmill, his feet jogging out a steady rhythm for a full minute.

And then when he got down, Lee was surprised by the score but he regained his composure and announced Peter's score.

"Peter chuck, speed, 28." Lee announced.

To which peter smiled and went towards the other side.

"I have three kids I want you to keep your eyes on. They are quite impressive I must say. They might prove very useful in future." Lee said quietly into the earpod in his ear.

"Okay, I believe we have one more recruit on this team. Jake Lucas, please step forward for your test." Lee said.

And Jake stepped forward feeling much more nervous but determined to get into the academy. With that, Jake's assessment was underway. TBC…