The cell was too bright.
White lights were disturbing Kael's closed eyelids. He stirred slightly on the narrow bed. His breath was slow and his body was still heavy with exhaustion—but something felt different.
His body felt lighter and healthier.
But before he could think further—
CLANG.
A sharp metallic sound slammed into the room.
Kael jolted upright with a gasp. His heart started hammering violently. His eyes snapped open just as another sound rang out—
CLANG.
Steel striking steel.
Kael's breath came fast as he scanned the room.
Jake Clinton stood near the bars of the cell, long coat hanging loose as always. In his hand was the metal staff. He again struck it once more against the steel rods of the cell and produced a harsh echo that rattled through Kael's skull.
"Morning, Kid" Jake said calmly.
Kael pressed a hand to his chest and breathed hard. "What the hell—are you trying to kill me?!"
Jake lowered the staff. "You were asleep."
"That was the point!" Kael snapped, then paused.
He blinked.
His body felt… fine.
No pain. No dizziness. No weakness. His head was clear. His breathing steady. Even the soreness from the elixir was gone.
Kael slowly clenched his fingers. Then his fists.
"…I feel okay," he muttered.
Jake nodded once. "Elixir worked."
Kael swung his legs off the bed and stood up. His balance was perfect. Too perfect. "You healed me completely."
"Temporary enhancement," Jake corrected. "Your body hasn't adapted yet."
Jake reached into his coat and tossed a folded bundle of clothes toward Kael. "Put these on."
Kael caught them instinctively. He unfolded the fabric—
A black T-shirt.
Blue jeans.
And a red jacket.
"…Now?" Kael asked, confused.
Jake met his gaze. "Here."
Kael hesitated. "In the cell?"
"Yes."
Kael sighed, and then turned away awkwardly and changed his clothes quickly. The clothes fit him unnervingly well, like they were made for him.
As he zipped the jacket, Jake turned toward the bars. "Open it."
A guard stepped forward immediately and unlocked the cell.
"Yes, Lieutenant Clinton."
Kael's eyes widened slightly. Lieutenant.
They stepped into the corridor together, they entered in the elevator. Jake placed his palm against the scanner. The panel lit up, then he pressed a single button.
G.
Kael glanced at it. "What's G?"
"Ground floor," Jake replied. "We're leaving the building."
That made Kael's stomach tighten.
The elevator descended smoothly. When the doors opened, the space beyond was wide and alive—reception desks, guards, holographic displays, people walking with purpose.
They exited the headquarters.
A sleek black car waited outside.
Jake opened the passenger door. "Get in."
As the car moved, Kael finally spoke again. "So… what kind of test is this?"
Jake didn't look at him. "First is Survival and second, you'll know"
Kael frowned. "That's not supposed to be an answer, wait so how many I have to give?"
Kael was about to argue when he noticed the city outside.
He froze.
Aerin stretched endlessly beyond the glass—towering buildings of steel and crystal, glowing pathways, people walking openly with energy shimmering faintly around them. Children ran past hovering platforms. Some mechanical and some normal animals followed their owners. Creatures Kael couldn't even name moved alongside humans as if it were normal.
Kael pressed his face closer to the window.
He had never left his village.
Never seen anything beyond dirt roads and quiet nights.
"…This place is real," he whispered.
Jake glanced at him once. "Focus."
The car slowed.
They stopped before a massive wide building reinforced with thick walls and glowing runes.
Jake stepped out. "This is the Examination Building."
Kael followed him, staring up. "Examination for what?"
"To become an Aeri."
They entered.
The interior was enormous. Open halls. Observation decks. Armed personnel. Training chambers sealed with transparent barriers.
Jake led Kael into a large combat arena.
A sign hovered above the entrance:
Combat Inequality Test
Kael swallowed.
Inside, an examiner was stood on the ground floor—tall, muscular, wearing combat armor. His eyes scanned Kael with disinterest.
"Candidate," the man said. "Step forward."
Kael obeyed.
The examiner handed him a gun.
Kael stared at it. "I've never used one."
"That won't matter," examiner replied flatly.
Jake took a seat in the audience section above, arms folded, watching silently.
The examiner spoke again. "Rules are simple. Low-class monsters will appear from the Mirror World."
Kael's heart pounded. "Wait—how many?"
"Random."
"…What?"
"You either kill it," the examiner continued, "or survive for five minutes."
Kael opened his mouth. "No, wait—"
The examiner raised a white cellphone and pressed the call.
Then immediately cut it.
The air split.
A transparent portal opened in the center of the arena, shimmering like broken glass.
Something moved inside.
Kael tightened his grip on the gun, breath shaking.
Two creatures stepped out.
Two Hollow Hound.
Having four legs. A skull-like head. No eyes. Its rib cage was empty—hollow—and with every step, echoes rang from inside its body like footsteps in a tomb.
It sniffed the air.
And turned toward Kael.
From the stands, Jake's eyes narrowed.
The test had begun.