Accident during Training

The test was indeed tough, halfway through, they were already panting hard. Esther has already given up, and was asked to rest for a while. Saki was cursing in his mind, wondering who it was that came up with the test. His eyes moved to gaze at the huge imposing wall that have long ropes that fit with their number. 'And we're not even there yet… this feels like forever,' he thought to himself.

"Saki! Your turn. 200m dash, starts now!" the researcher in charge started to time Saki as soon as he took the first step. And they repeated the same thing for ten times before they moved on to the next test. This test of endurance is killing Saki slowly. He's sure that they will be sore by tonight.

"Right, take a 15-minute break. The last test will be scaling up that wall," said the scientist as he pointed at the wall with his thumb. "Esther, you have rested enough. You will be joining them later."

"Finally!" El exclaimed. "Finally the end line…"

"Indeed. I almost thought we will be doing this until dinner time…" Tobias chimed in.

"No way! I'll escape if that happen!" Loreno said jokingly.

They continued to chat around as they rest while Saki just kept quiet. He eyed the wall with worry. He just can't shake off this bad feeling that he has. For precaution, Saki wore his spatial ring which he created with the help of his father few years ago, though, he had upgraded it a few times since then. The ring was, in a way, a good luck charm for Saki. He even created few equipment for himself without anyone knowing, except his father and stored them in his ring.

"Saki, are you alright?" came his father's voice which made him turn his face. "I see you're wearing your ring, worried?"

"Yes, father. I just can't shake this bad feeling I'm having. Maybe I am just too tired," he replied to his father. The older man then pats Saki on his head in an affectionate gesture. "Thanks, dad…" Saki mumbled as he had calmed down. Whenever they are in the presence of others, Saki will always address him as 'father' and only when he knows no one will hear will he address him as 'dad'.

"You will do well. Based on your data, you have improved quite exponentially. Once this is over, I'll make you a curry. You liked them, don't you?"

Hearing what his father said, Saki beamed up. "Yes! I'll do my best, so that curry will taste better!"

"Good, go get them 'tiger'!" his dad replied with a grin.

Not long after, there were few researchers who had gotten on top of the walls via the lift. Their job is to time their arrival as they scale up the wall. Saki is fully motivated, so he got to his position earlier than the others. Tobias saw this and couldn't help but smile.

"Did Mr. Atsuhiko say something? You seemed to be more motivated than before," he pointed out, to which the Japanese replied with a huge grin.

"Yes, father is making Japanese curry later. You guys should come and join! I'm sure he wouldn't mind making extra," Saki then turned towards his father and gave him a coded gesture, telling him that he's inviting the whole team.

"Very well, since you offered. Everyone! Tonight's dinner is on Saki! Let's finish this quick, clean up and crash at Mr. Atsuhiko's place tonight! If we finished early, we might be able to buy some beer before night curfew begins!" Tobias yelled out and almost immediately, the desired effect came. The whole team seemed to be rejuvenated and their morale increased. Saki's father only shook his head in disbelief before taking out his phone and asked his friend to send the ingredient for curry to his place.

"Alright, everyone ready? Your time will start as soon as you grab hold of the rope in front of you. The fastest among all of you will be rewarded with the new spatial ring we have created," the scientists in charge of the final test informed them. "It has larger storage area compared to the one you have now, and all of us had taken in ourselves to put in few surprises for the winner. So, have a start whenever you are ready."

Saki weren't really interested with the ring, nor its content. So, there is no competition from him but as he watched the rest of the team, their eyes burned with desires to win. Even Veronika, who is always cool and rational wanted the ring. It is to be expected since spatial ring are rare for their organisation. Even with their current technology, they cannot produce a spatial storage ring at whim.

The five of them started almost at the same time. They knew it will be easier to compete when they start at the same time. As soon as they grabbed the rope, the timer above the wall started to count. Saki, on the other hand, took his time to start. He still hasn't forgotten the bad feelings he had from before, so he was being extra cautious. Five minutes since they started, other than Saki who is taking his time, and Esther who got tired up, they are reaching the top with El leading. Tobias is right behind him, followed by Veronika. El was winning the race, until Tobias decided to go all out. As a final spurt, Tobias exerted all his strength and took the win.

At the same time when Tobias reached the top, something unexpected happened on Saki's end. The rope broke and Saki was a subject to gravity. He didn't even notice he was falling until he heard his father screamed out his name.

"SAKI!!"

As if a switch is being turned on, Saki quickly took out his magnetic grappler and shot it towards the wall. Luckily, the wall is made of iron. Saki dangled around for a few moments, waiting for his adrenaline rush to calm down. His breathings were ragged as he thought how close he was to plummeting down to the ground.

"Saki! Are you alright?!" his father yelled out from below him. He took a deep breath before replying, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"I'm alright, just a little shocked."

"Alright. Everyone, come down now! Test is over!"

Saki frowned at his father's decision, but he didn't say anything. Tobias, El and Veronika had already reached the top, so they used the lift that the scientists had used to come down. Meanwhile, Loreno and Esther scaled back down. Saki also went down by expanding the length of the wire.

As soon as Saki reached the ground, his father immediately went to hug him. Clearly, he was moments away to losing his only son earlier. If Saki did not trust his guts, he would lose his life. Even if he's lucky, he would not be able to escape heavy injuries. Tobias and the rest also came running towards him as soon as they reached the ground. Although they noticed it later, they are still worried for him.

"Geez, guys. I said I'm fine… I'm still alive, aren't I?" he finally said in an exhausted tone.

"We can't help it, we've known each other for ten years. You are like our little brother!" Tobias replied and the others nodded in agreement.

"Fine… let's just get this wrapped up. Then we'll go have a bath before going to my father's place. That is acceptable, right, father?"

"Of course, get yourself cleaned up. I'll be waiting with dinner," the older man replied with a small smile before finally letting go of his son.