Seperate Personalities
Out of excitement, I discussed my sight abilities with Kyrie hoping to forge a strong team with him. We clapped our cheeks as an act of encouragement and backed each other smiling.
The voice kept going, assigning numbers to every individual. After each name call, there was a deep gasp that was sourced by the teenagers.
Everyone separated from each other except a few strong friends who stuck together like Kyrie and I. As Kyrie went on making unfunny jokes about soccer, there was a sudden pause.
'What just happened?' I thought, staring up at the screen.
[Levi... Assigned Number: 91]
It was a momentary pause that stirred the emotions of everyone just like a cinematic environment. I smiled, feeling proud as everyone turned towards me; isolated from the others.
Soon after my name was called, the gasping commenced and I could see the suspense that welled up in Kyrie's mind as he waited for his name to be called.
A few minutes passed, and finally, Kyrie's name was called out with his respective assigned number. The names were called at random which explained the lengthy time it took before Kyrie's name was called.
[Kyrie... Assigned Number: 101]
[Axel... Assigned Number: 05]
"Uhh, it's not as flashy as yours and what's worse is that they called my name along with that creepy boy's name," Kyrie sighed.
"So that's his name. Axel. Got it!"
I looked at Axel as he stood strong, staring blankly at an empty corner of the room - as usual. I wondered what his motive was, why he came, and even what he was staring at. As I was filled with confusion he harshly turned his head towards me in an unusual manner.
I immediately shifted my gaze at the sight. It was so unusual, enough to make me nauseated but I held the feeling as I hardly got sick.
How he knew I was looking at him, I didn't know but I was sure his strength was unparalleled, amidst the strongest if not the strongest.
Kyrie looked at me as we both moved on, retaining our formation as sweat dripped from our faces. The room was large but the amount of oxygen wasn't enough for the multitude of teenagers in the room. They were about 200 and almost all of them were busy gasping or emitting an unbearable odour.
Then, I heard a pause from the voice once again. Previously, I was too distracted that all I could hear was a muffled female voice but the sudden silence brought back my attention.
Everyone, including those who were running away in fear, looked at the screen as a white light shone in the center. Following it was a dim blue light.
[All the numbers assigned to each individual have been given according to the strength of their skills.]
All I heard after that was gibberish. I was too busy thinking of my position that I completely blanked out.
"91... I can't believe it. I'm in the top hundred!" I told myself, satisfied as almost the least of the top hundred.
"But then, doesn't that make Axel the 5th strongest? If he isn't the strongest, who could it possibly be? He must be really strong."
I felt anxious and excited at the same time. My eyes changed and my perception differed as well. I didn't feel like the mediocre person I knew I was, rather, I was exhilarated knowing there was someone stronger than Axel.
"What's this? Why am I happy? I should be scared right now." I was aware of my behavior change and for some reason, I was satisfied with it.
I knew my goal was to get stronger but I had no clue why. Kyrie on the other hand was completely overwhelmed by the results - being below the top hundred.
"So I'm below Levi?" I heard him murmur as he stood straight.
He walked towards me and pushed me away. I fell to the ground in agony, feeling the extensiveness of his strength.
"I'll kill you, Levi!" He shouted in envy.
I knew it was an external effect had made us this way, maybe the serums, but I too was under its influence. I felt our hearts pulsating, mine hungry for a battle and his engulfed in bloodlust.
He stormed off and we both displayed huge grins that made us stand out of the crowd.
[As you've already noticed, you have awakened a different character within you. It is a side effect of the serum and will wear off in three days. For most people, it will help them during this training by developing bloodlust, anger, and other destructive characteristics. But for others, it is the opposite.]
'At least it will wear off and I'll be back to normal,' my inner mind thought to itself unharmed by the side effects of the serum.
I looked around trying to spot anyone who acted "odd". My definition of the word had changed, and any odd person was one who did not exhibit destructive characteristics.
[However, even with that side effect, you all are worthless, just like prey in its predator's territory waiting to be brutally butchered.]
"Butchered?" I said smiling. "Let me see you try, bastard." I didn't realize the word that I had said but whatever it was, at the time, it made my heart beat even faster.
[That being said, you'll be given a 12-hour break starting now. You all are advised to use the time to discover your second ability because, without it, you all will die. Your first ability won't suffice.
Now, 7 separate doors will open tagged with a range of numbers and leading to a hallway. Choose the door that your assigned number fits in and enter your corresponding door in the hallway.]
Two doors opened at three sides of the room with one side having only one door tagged [1-10].
"I wanna go there and see all the people I can fight." I staggered over to the door and eventually started running like a dog without a leash.
My hands and legs were stronger and my heart started racing even faster as I approached the door. I felt like a cheetah, as time seemed slower than ever.
My gaze shifted towards a corner on the walls and I had seen a small opening. Before I was able to realize it, a small needle-like object struck me and my body ceased movement, stiff as a dry log of wood.
[A gas will be released into the room to cure you from your destructive and constructive characters to prevent any rebellious activities.] The voice continued, its attention solely on the crowd.