Ethan adjusted the sleek black training suit Helena had given him. It fit perfectly, hugging his form and accentuating the dramatic changes his body had undergone. The suit’s material was lightweight yet durable, designed to withstand the immense forces Ascendants could generate.
With his Strength, Speed, and Endurance points now far above normal human limits, his physique had transformed into a harmonious blend of power and agility. The increased Intelligence and Charisma added a subtle allure to his presence, making him more refined and captivating.
Even Luciano, watching from behind the glass of the testing chamber, couldn’t help but comment.
“He looks like he was carved out of stone,” Luciano muttered, adjusting his glasses as he observed Ethan. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say we’re testing a cover model, not an Ascendant.”
Maya chuckled beside him, her arms crossed as she leaned casually against the wall. “You’re not wrong.”
Inside the chamber, Helena’s voice came through the intercom, calm and precise. “Ethan, we’re starting with the strength test. Follow my instructions carefully.”
The testing chamber was massive, and its high ceilings and reinforced walls were built to withstand the raw power of Ascendants. In the center stood a towering machine with multiple targets—two on the left and two on the right—each glowing faintly. The design was intuitive, and Ethan immediately recognized its purpose.
‘Two for punches, two for kicks,’ he thought. ‘They’re testing both dominant and non-dominant sides.’
Before he could process further, Helena’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Attack the targets with your full power. Start with your right punch, left punch, right kick, and left kick. We want to see what you’re capable of.”
Ethan smirked slightly, his voice teasing as he replied, “What do I get if I give it my best?”
Behind the glass, Luciano smirked. “I really want to see if his strength could back up his confidence.”
Helena’s tone didn’t waver as she responded, “Impress us first, Ethan. Then we can talk about rewards.”
Ethan chuckled and rolled his shoulders, stepping toward the first target on his right. He shifted into a fighting stance, his golden aura flickering faintly as he focused his energy. He took a deep breath, pulled back his right fist, and punched.
The sound of his punch echoed loudly in the chamber.
Maya, Luciano, and Helena watched the digital display light up: 301.
Ethan’s eyes widened slightly as he saw the number, identical to his Strength attribute in his Status Panel. ‘301 points,’ he thought. ‘That’s the same as my system. Was this machine set to match my stats? Or… does the system know about this place?’
The thought sent a shiver down his spine. Was the Unlimited System guiding him toward Nemesis from the start? He faced a question he could not answer, and it made him uneasy.
Helena’s voice broke the silence, softly and barely above a whisper. “301 points… That’s on par with a Lower Three-Star Ascendant.”
Luciano frowned. “Are you sure he’s a Lower One-Star? That number doesn’t make sense.”
Helena nodded slowly, her sharp gaze fixed on Ethan. “Our senses don’t lie. He’s a Lower One-Star. But his output… it’s not normal.”
Inside the chamber, Ethan stepped back, shaking his hand out. He glanced at the next target on his left, his non-dominant side, and adjusted his stance before delivering another punch. The sound was just as deafening, and the display lit up again: 301.
The three observers exchanged glances.
“Consistent,” Maya remarked. “That’s rare.”
Luciano nodded. “Most Ascendants have noticeable disparities between their dominant and non-dominant sides. This guy’s balanced.”
Helena tapped her tablet, recording the data. “He’s not just balanced—he’s precise. Let’s see how his lower body measures up.”
Ethan moved toward the kicking targets. He positioned himself in front of the first, lifting his right leg and driving a powerful kick into the target. The impact shook the machine, and the display flashed 301.
He shifted to the left target, delivering another kick with equal force. The number remained unchanged: 301.
Luciano raised an eyebrow. “Now that’s unusual.”
Helena nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Kicking power is typically greater than punching power due to the involvement of larger muscle groups and the force generated by the lower body. However, this machine is calibrated to measure output based on energy conversion efficiency, not just raw force. Ethan’s results suggest he’s equally efficient across all limbs.”
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“That’s… unnerving,” Maya said, her tone carrying a hint of awe. “No weak points.”
Ethan stepped back, his breathing steady despite the exertion. He turned toward the glass, his expression calm but curious. “Well? Did I pass?”
Helena’s voice came through the intercom, tinged with something Ethan couldn’t quite place—admiration, perhaps, or intrigue. “For now.”
Ethan smirked, rolling his shoulders. “Good to know.”
He realized that he had successfully impressed them when he received a notification indicating an increase in his Charisma points. This was encouraging, as he needed to consistently improve his attributes. Remaining in a lower rank for too long was not an option for him.
Behind the glass, Luciano crossed his arms and said, “If this guy keeps going like this, he could cause problems for many people.”
Helena stayed quiet for a moment, looking at Ethan. Finally, she muttered under her breath, “He’s already a problem. That's why we should recruit him.”
Both Luciano and Maya nodded. They agreed with what Helena said.
Inside the chamber, Ethan breathed out, feeling mixed thoughts. The test helped him understand some things, but it also brought up new questions. He was determined to find answers to these questions.
He knew that to survive in this world, he must understand exactly what he was. And what he was capable of.
After completing the strength test, Ethan moved to the next section of the massive testing chamber. Helena’s voice came through the intercom again, her tone sharp and precise.
“Ethan, now we’ll measure your speed. The machine is already set up, and I’ll guide you through the test.”
Ethan nodded, stepping into the designated area. This section of the chamber had a circular platform embedded in the floor. The platform contained 100 small buttons scattered across its surface, each capable of lighting up in random sequences. The walls around him were lined with sensors, monitoring his every move.
Helena explained, “This test checks how fast you are, how quickly you react, and how well you see and understand things around you when you are under pressure. When a button lights up, press it as quickly as you can. The sequence will grow more challenging as the test progresses.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow. “How long do I need to do it?”
Helena’s faint smirk was audible in her voice. “Until the system decides you’ve reached your limit—or until you do.”
Ethan rolled his shoulders, stepping onto the platform. The moment his feet touched the surface, the first button lit up. Without hesitation, he moved, his reflexes kicking in as he pressed the button.
Another light blinked on across the platform, and Ethan darted toward it, his movements fluid and precise. More lights followed in rapid succession, each one appearing faster than the last.
From behind the glass, Luciano watched with interest. “He’s keeping up easily,” he remarked, his arms crossed. “I thought the speed test would throw him off a little, but it looks like he’s just getting started.”
Maya tilted her head. “His reflexes are sharp, and his movements are efficient. No wasted energy.”
Helena monitored the readings on her tablet, and her expression was serious. “He’s not just fast—he’s consistent. Let’s see how far we can push him.”
Inside the chamber, the platform’s sequence began to accelerate. Lights blinked on and off in rapid succession, forcing Ethan to move at an almost impossible pace. His golden aura flickered faintly as he pushed himself harder, his body responding instinctively to the challenge.
The sequence reached its peak, the lights flashing so quickly that even seasoned Ascendants would struggle to keep up. Ethan’s feet were a blur as he moved, his reflexes honed to near perfection.
Finally, the platform’s lights stopped, and a digital display lit up with his score: 301.
Ethan stood straight, catching his breath as he looked at the number. The result matched his Speed attribute in the Status Panel, further confirming his suspicions about the connection between the system and Nemesis’s tests.
Behind the glass, Helena’s voice broke the silence. “301 points… That’s remarkable. It’s consistent with his strength—and it’s similar to a Lower Three-Star Ascendant.”
Luciano let out a low whistle. “Impressive. His reflexes didn’t falter once.”
Maya nodded, her expression thoughtful. “It’s not just about speed. His spatial awareness is incredible. I wonder if he was not just reacting. He seemed like he was predicting.”
Helena tapped her tablet, recording the results. “Let’s move on to endurance.”
It was in another massive room and contained a big obstacle course track.
Ethan stood at the starting line of a tough five-kilometer obstacle course. The course included steep hills, narrow paths, and mechanical challenges. It was designed to test his stamina and ability to adapt.
Helena’s voice guided him once again. “This course measures your physical endurance, energy management, and adaptability under prolonged stress. The goal is to complete it as quickly as possible while navigating the obstacles.”
Ethan took a deep breath, rolling his shoulders. “Got it. Let’s do this.”
The starting buzzer went off, and Ethan ran. He took long, strong strides, his powerful body pushing him forward easily. The first part of the course was a steep hill, but Ethan handled it well, his legs absorbing the effort without losing speed.
As he entered the second section, mechanical arms extended from the walls, swinging at random intervals to knock him off balance. Ethan’s reflexes kicked in, and he weaved through the obstacles with precision, his movements fluid and calculated.
Behind the glass, Luciano couldn’t hide his admiration. “Look at him go. He’s not just fast—he’s efficient. Every movement is calculated.”
Helena nodded, her eyes glued to the data streaming across her tablet. “His energy output is stable. He’s not overexerting himself, even under stress.”
Maya added, “This is... another level.”
The final section of the course was a grueling endurance run designed to push Ascendants to their limits. The path was littered with shifting platforms, sudden drops, and bursts of simulated elemental attacks.
Ethan’s golden aura flickered faintly as he powered through, his focus unshaken. His breathing remained steady, and his body responded to the demands of the course with almost mechanical efficiency.
Finally, he crossed the finish line, the digital display lighting up with his score of 301.
Ethan stood still for a moment, catching his breath as the glow of his aura faded. The number didn’t surprise him—his Endurance attribute had been maxed out in the same way as his Strength and Speed.
Behind the glass, Helena, Luciano, and Maya exchanged glances.
“301 again,” Luciano muttered. “This guy is way too consistent. I start to wonder if he could control his output to make it consistent just to play with us.”
Helena’s expression was unreadable as she studied the data. “It’s not just the numbers. The way he moves, the way he adapts—it’s almost like he’s… engineered.”
Maya frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”
Helena hesitated, then shook her head. “It’s just a theory. For now, let’s focus on the results.”
Inside the chamber, Ethan turned toward the glass, a faint smirk on his lips. “So? Did I pass this one, too?”
Helena’s voice came through the intercom, calm but with a hint of admiration. “You didn’t just pass, Ethan. You’ve set a new benchmark.”
Ethan nodded, rolling his shoulders as he prepared for the next challenge, the one related to ascendant power.