When the light faded away, everyone felt the same thing - like there was nothing beneath them. As they opened their eyes, they saw a desert-like ground far below. Screams filled the air, including from Joey and Riven.
"Riven!!" Jordan yelled, whipping a piece of paper from his pocket and crafting an ink parachute. He hurled it toward his brother.
Riven caught it, but before he pulled it, he shouted, "Joey! Grab my hand!"
They didn't really know each other well, but Riven couldn't just let someone fall to their death. Joey, snapped out of his panicked yelling, saw others using their abilities to survive and reached out toward Riven.
'Damn. I didn't think they'd actually try to kill us during the entrance exam. I mean, I heard rumors, but still...' Joey thought.
Suddenly, he felt himself being pulled toward Riven.
Riven was using his gravity ability - finally getting some real practice. All the training had paid off. Before, he couldn't even pull an apple.
Now, he was pulling a whole human. It was slow but steady.
Jordan, noticing his brother hadn't pulled the chute yet because he was trying to save Joey, started to panic.
Stress.
rear.
Anxiety.
These emotions surged through Jordan. His dark ink aura expanded slightly - not by much, but enough to notice. Then, out of his back, a black tendril of ink shot out and wrapped around Joey. In a flash, a parachute bag formed on Joey's back.
Seeing this, Riven pulled his own chute and shouted to Joey, "Now!" Joey did the same, and the two of them floated down slower, while many others hit the ground-only to phase through it. It became clear: the desert floor was intangible.
Those who had managed to remain midair landed safely. Riven spotted the red-haired girl from The Ascension gliding down, her flames controlling her descent.
"So that's her evolved ability," Jordan muttered, walking over to his brother and Joey. Riven and Jordan clapped hands.
"Thanks for the save," Riven said.
"No problem," Jordan replied.
"Thank you so much!" Joey said with a bow.
Jordan told him it wasn't necessary, but Joey kept bowing anyway. As they talked, something caught Riven's eye:
[Jordan Harlow]
Level: 5
Ability: Ink
Class: Natural Evolver
Awakened: 1
'He shot up two levels?! He was level 3 on the bus and still level 3 when we were falling. What happened? And this "Awakened 1" wasn't there before either...'
Then the system spoke again:
[Awakening is the process of reaching a new stage of your power. Both Natural and Forced Evolvers can awaken. It depends on emotional state and deepened understanding of one's ability.]
'No wonder, Riven thought. 'Jordan's always had a strong grasp of his powers. And now that he's learning to apply them in real situations - like creating medical supplies or parachutes - it makes sense.
Riven was snapped out of his thoughts by Joey whispering, "Hey, you zoned out."
"Yeah, sorry," Riven whispered back.
Then he saw him - Damian, the Dean.
"A lot more of you passed than I thought."
Only ten students had made it through.
"We've never had to do a second exam before... but hey, we're still a new academy," Damian said, laughing.
'Is this guy even qualified to be a dean?' everyone wondered silently.
"Okay, I've made my decision," Damian smiled, spreading out five fingers. "We'll do a 5-on-5 match. Brown-haired boy and red-haired girl-you're captains. You've got five minutes to choose your team. Everyone else, head to those rocks."
Everyone moved, except Jordan and Nico.
"Now then, introduce yourselves," Damian said.
"My name's Nico Grey. Nice to meet you all. I'll lead us to victory."
"Confidence. I like it," Damian replied.
"M-my name is Jordan Harlow. I'll do my best."
"You know what? You tried. That counts. Now pick your team."
"Can I go first?" Jordan asked.
"Go ahead," Damian nodded.
"I pick Riven."
"Of course you did," Nico muttered.
"I'll take him," Nico replied, as a green-haired boy stepped forward.
After a few minutes, the teams were formed:
Team Jordan:
• Jordan (M)
• Riven (M)
• Joey (M)
• Harkel (M)
• Wren (F)
Team Nico:
• Nico (F)
• Luka (M)
• Tessa (F)
• Skye (F)
• Jude (F)
Riven was already excited, but then a new system prompt appeared:
The stage is set. These party members - whether you like them or not - may one day save your life. Keep them close.]
[Questline Updated: Make Your Party - 1/4
members recruited.]
Riven tried to add them to his party, but nothing happened. Then he realized - "I need to make them Bonded Party Members."
He did so, and the system dinged:
[Party Formed.]
Reward: Trait Unlocked - [Party Up]
This trait gives you and your members a 10% stat boost.
Then another notification appeared:
[New Quest Received: Your party is in its first battle. Win without losing a life.]
→ Reward: System Reward
→ Penalty: Loss of one of your own abilities and one teammate's ability]
Riven was confused. 'That's a heavy penalty... must be because this is a party battle!'
Still, he grinned. His old quest was still active, meaning if they won, he could get two system rewards.
Damian began the countdown:
3...
2...
1...
BEGIN!