The Platform of Trials
Nathan observed from the edge of the platform, watching over the crowd assembled before him. Hundreds of faces, each filled with varying degrees of excitement, anxiety, and curiosity, stared back at him. His eyes scanned them with the precision of a seasoned mentor—each expression, each twitch of a shoulder, each subtle glance was noted. Today, he had to administer two tests, both designed not merely to challenge the candidates but to reveal their true potential.
Using the CNC station controls, Nathan had prepared two chambers, each tailored to the specific tests. The first, a puzzle chamber capable of accommodating around 200 people at a time, was simple in design yet deceptively complex in challenge. The second, a combat simulation chamber, required a much larger space—almost half the platform—to accommodate the intensity and scope of the trial. For this, he had released 100 crystals, which floated gracefully toward the candidates, generating protective dome-shaped shields around each participant. These domes were not just physical barriers—they were sanctuaries, allowing each individual to focus entirely on the test before them.
Nathan divided the candidates into ten batches, assigning each a number. By staggering the start times, he ensured a smooth transition between groups, allowing each batch to engage with the puzzle chamber without overcrowding or interference. The first batch was instructed to begin immediately. Nathan stepped back, letting them move into the chamber as the doors slid open. For now, his role was purely observational.
Meanwhile, he turned his attention to the combat simulation. The crystals hovering over the platform released the domes, and within each, a candidate would face a projection of a two-horned monkey—a creature infamous in the 13th realm for its speed, intelligence, and irritability. Nathan explained the scenario clearly: the battle was a simulation, but the monkey's attributes were drawn directly from reality. Candidates had five minutes to prepare and ten minutes to endure the encounter. The simulation would stop if they gave up, but Nathan had designed it to push them to the edge, revealing their innate traits and adaptability under pressure.
As the first encounters began, chaos erupted in a controlled fashion. Many candidates were thrown back by the simulated monkeys, some barely avoiding injury, others stunned by the sheer force of the attacks. One of the participant Raghu, who was standing among the observers, was particularly focused on one of the candidates he had met previously at Enbo Emporium. She moved with the grace and agility of a gazelle, evading every strike with astonishing precision. Nathan, too, observed her closely, recognizing potential that went beyond raw strength—intuition, timing, and mental acuity all shone through.
Yet it was another candidate who drew Nathan's attention. Unlike the others, he engaged the simulation with a peculiar joy, taunting and challenging the monkey as if the fight were play rather than trial. Nathan recognized this trait immediately: someone who fought for the thrill, who thrived under pressure, could be invaluable. Both candidates who lasted the full ten minutes left a lasting impression, their skills and dispositions marking them as unique among the hundred participants.
As the combat simulations concluded, the puzzle chamber became the next focus. One batch after another entered, emerging with dejected expressions as the logic-based challenges tested their limits. Nathan had anticipated this outcome. The puzzle, while designated as intermediate-level, was crafted to separate those with exceptional reasoning from the rest. Only a handful of candidates solved it successfully, demonstrating intellectual dexterity and an ability to navigate complex problems under stress.
Nathan allowed the crowd to gather afterward, observing the mix of disappointment and curiosity on their faces. With a wave of his hand, he distributed healing potions and vitality elixirs, designed to ease both mental and physical strain. He then pointed to the projected board displaying each candidate's points, grades, and evaluations, highlighting not only their achievements but also their weaknesses and areas for improvement. Nathan believed that no one was inherently incapable; every candidate had room to grow, and feedback was as much a reward as it was a lesson.
He addressed the candidates, emphasizing the rules of the upcoming journey. The train, he explained, scanned individuals for their levels upon boarding, restricting access based on rank and progress. Tokens allowed for temporary disembarkation but came with strict regulations, ensuring that only the worthy could attempt the next challenges. Nathan stressed caution: attempting trials beyond one's capacity could result in death, and even spiritual consequences in the case of failure.
With the formalities complete, the candidates were ushered toward the train. The first group, including the standout puzzle solvers and combat survivors, entered the 13th compartment, while the remaining participants, including Raghu, boarded the 14th. The process was precise: a blue light enveloped each individual as they stepped onto the stairs, transporting them seamlessly into the train. Nathan monitored the boarding carefully, ensuring that all adjustments and protocols were completed before activating the teleportation portal that would return the station to invisibility until the next train arrival.
As he left the platform, Nathan reflected on his dual objectives: identifying extraordinary talent and building trust in the CNC system. Both were achieved. The candidates had experienced challenge, observation, feedback, and reward, all under the careful oversight of an organization that valued potential as much as current ability. He had found a few noteworthy, but making a report to CNC still gave him headache. "At least he wont have to work for the next few days" the thought giving him some respite. His eyes lingered on the train as it prepared to depart, already calculating the next steps, the next trials, and the hidden potential of those he had observed.
As Raghu and the remaining candidates prepared for the journey ahead, unaware of the true scale and danger of what awaited them. The platform, silent now, would remain invisible for days, waiting to reappear for the next set of trials, ready to test, challenge, and reveal the extraordinary among the ordinary.