Two silhouettes are walk down the hall, talking about academics and the evaluation exam which will be taking place later that day.
"You think we'll see someone cool this time?"
"It doesn't matter if it's cool, it only has to be useful and controllable"
"Yeah, yeah that's always what you say Rhydan. I respect you but have fun little man, imagine a technique that's as fast as lightning or one that's as fierce as a lion. I would love to teach someone like that!"
"They'd probably die under your teaching but I get your point regardless."
"You're really annoying y'know that?"
They continued walking, passing 4 doors and leading to the one at the end. The 5th and the room with the best students in the district.
"You go tell the others, they gave me this class for a reason."
"Sure, sure Mr. all balancing.."
They separated into their designated rooms and began their already written thematic same as always (or that's how Aras had deemed it) speech.
"Dear students and potential protectors of humanity, please wake up and remember to make your bed, brush your teeth and shower if necessary although you will get sweaty in the following hours. Report to my office for the evaluation exam at 9.00. The exam will start at 12.00 and we wish everyone good luck with their tone awakening."
Aras and Miran were still sleepy but understood everything that was said by their mentor. The evaluation exam had finally arrived!
"Read to make a name for yourself Miran? Man, I hope I get a cool tone like my brother! That bastard always gets the bigger plates at family dinners, it's about time I changed that and ate the bigger portion of meat."
"Really that's why you need this for?"
Aras didn't even have to turn around or guess who it was
"Calm down Kael, we're just goofing around."
"Shut up and get ready for you two, I hope we get matched for the physical, Aras."
As the 3 and 17 more kids got ready wearing their uniforms and joking around with each other, Rhydan watched them from the door waiting and not showing but enjoying this warm place the kids had. It was a blessing these kids were this far better compared to himself when he was a student, it made him feel like his efforts of a better tomorrow were actually successful.
"Aras, tie your shoes"
"Oh I forgot, thanks Mir!"
As they headed off to the corridor, Aras couldn't help but hide his excitement. He couldn't forget the times he watched parades and hung posters back when he was at home. He would look up to those posters and actually talk with them like war heroes, telling stories of how great of a soldier he'd be in sleepovers ruining Mirans and his sleep in the process.
He could feel the static of excitement as he ran down the hall, hearing his own shows hitting the ground and classmates talking around. He was passing and running as fast as he could, imagining himself in a battlefield saving civilians and dodging Veils left and right, feeling like a blitz.
"Slow down Aras!" Miran shouted as he catched up and bumped Aras's shoulder, cutting his static and bringing him back to the big and echoing halls of the institute.
"My bad! Can you blame me though, it's the biggest day of our lives man! Be lively and have a little energy." Aras said smiling, shining the brightest among the crowd of students
"I mean yea-" Miran was going on with his words but a student made a weird coughing/gaggling sound behind Miran
"You alright dude?"
"YEAH YEAH JUST A LITTLE NERVEOUS. AREN'T WE ALL? COME ON WE ALL FEEL THAT WEIRD FEELING IN OUR TUMMY RIGHT? WHAT IF WE WON'T AWAKEN ANYTHING AND JUST LIVE REGULARLY LIKE A JANITOR HAHAH JUST IMAG-"
He then threw up onto Aras and a few drops on Miran before passing out (probably out of stress) on the floor fight then and there
"EEEWWWW COME ON REALLY?"
shouted Aras, getting the attention of a few teachers and guards who cleaned up the place and took the kid back to his dorm room a few moments after.
Aras and Miran also went back to their dorm and cleaned up, changing their clothes.
"I can' t believe we mixed breakfast because someone was too nervous they didn't get a Tone. Even if you don't get one, you could just be masters of other basic techniques and be strong like "The Wall Without Shadow" He's so cool yet has no techniques right!"
Little did he know Rhydan was right at the door watching the 2, seeing his fingers crackle longer than it actually should've, catching his eye
"Aras, please be quick or we will be even more late. I bet the line for the office is at least 2 corridors long"
"I agree, Aras. Stop talking about me and actually get a move on."
"YES SIR" 2X
The line was like a highway that had no end. Students whispered, some even cried close to the office. They were partially correct to do so because this program was specifically built for awakening talented and potential soldiers for humanity. They were the first generation of the program on paper but the expectations were higher than any other. People were debating tones, jumping to conclusions or symptoms they showed when they were kids and such.
The lines got smaller, and smaller. They were finally at the entrance and it was Aras's turn before Miran. The time was close to 2PM so he knew after he entered the office, the exam would start in the next room.
"I'm heading to Miran, see you on the other side and don't let me fight those veils alone."
"I won't Aras, go before you're late."
As Aras made his way into the office, he could see the posters he had hung up in his very own room, reminiscing and feeling a static of joy. The excitement and stress he felt was unreal, it was like he could jump around the room infinitely or run until he couldn't anymore.
"Aras, hand me your paper please" said the instructor as Aras handed him his student report.
"You're from district 7? That's where my niece died, I'm sorry for what happened kid."
"Yeah, thanks. Where is the exam room again?"
"Just follow the stairs"
As Aras walked through the circular stairs, going down he couldn't even count how many floors he was moving through. Was this place always this big? I mean sure they were only living in a small area but THİS was not on his mind from a single facility. He walked and walked, feeling the static and fingers jumping in excitement.
He then came into a room.
A big room with light and many guards, including Ryhdan at the middle front.
Another student Aras knew from her facial features was standing on a platform in the middle, standing in a praying position and eyes closed wishing for success.
"Raya Frud, please don't make any sudden movements and keep calm during the procedure. If you do, you will get the attention of our personnel. Focus your mind on an event that makes you mad or excited, or just any general emotion you feel is enough for your awakening. Do not be afraid of failing, if you let it fuel you. Stand on the platform when ready"
Raya wasn't on the platform but a few inches away from it, Aras was a little disappointed he had seen the wrong thing but still.
Failure here meant joining the Iron Wall, not bad but it would suck if you were a low ranking infantry member and such. Aras prayed for Raya as she took a deep breath and stepped on the platform;
"The evaluation is being done as we speak, please do not make any sudden movements for they will be your last. You have 30 seconds, give it your all and prove you have what it takes."
The platform was lit up by various lights, Fracture lights that boosted Abilities and general Tone power, enabling it to find awakenings much easier.
Obelisks started to move, the ground started emitting lights but Raya remained still, breathing like her life depended on it shaking a little, after nearly 30 seconds everything stopped. The rumbling, the turning, the noises it all stopped.
"SUCCESSFULL AWAKENING, CONGRATULATIONS. ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE IRON CORPS FOR NOW YOUR POSITION MIGHT CHANGE DEPENDING ON YOUR FUTURE MISSIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS. PLEASE WALK OFF THE PLATFORM ONTO THE YELLOW ROOM, GOOD LUCK."
Her simile was the biggest one Aras had seen in a long time. It was now his turn, it was like the biggest pressure he had felt. The ground was trying to eat him whole, urging him to fall; he could feel his head and whole body twitching. Static went through his entire body like his muscles were burning as he walked. When he was a few meters away from the platform, he heard the voice again:
"Aras Viral, please don't make any sudden movements and keep calm during the procedure. If you do, you will get the attention of our personnel. Focus your mind on an event that makes you mad or excited, or just any general emotion you feel is enough for your awakening. Do not be afraid of failing, if you let it fuel you. Stand on the platform when ready"
Aras didn't say a word, he stepped on the platform and thought of everything he had been through. District 7, the veils, Miran, Kael and his other classmates along with his family. The principal and all those times they got busted for taking food illegally from the cafeteria, then.. It happened.
A sudden bolt of light shattered an obelisk, burning Aras in the process. İt hurt like hell. He wasn't even moving yet glimmers and bolts of light were shooting around; Aras saw guns aimed at him and yelled although he couldn't make anything of it. He was just standin- was he gliding? It felt that way at least? It hurt like hell, it kept hurting as hell. It was like he was being burned alive, skinned alive. He screamed but it didn't stop. The obelisks were now spinning with his static, not control.
Then it stopped.
He felt many sharp pains he couldn't even start to count.
He fell as his face hit the ground shattering his nose.
The noise had stopped.
The platform was burnt.
Guards were on him.
it hurt like hell.
Miran had just arrived confused about what was going on.
It hurt like hell.
Aras wasn't even conscious but still breathing.
It hurt like hell.