The next day, after the reading lessons, the children were led straight to one of the larger testing rooms. There were seven of them, and the teenager who ran the hand-to-hand combat class stood at the front. He started, business-like, slapping arms and checking their stances and shuffling everyone around. When his hand touched Tom’s elbow, there was a spark, and Tom instinctively made the connection.

He guessed finding another reincarnator in this role wasn’t that surprising; nor was he surprised when he and Kang were placed last in the line.

Then the session started.

The first boy in line was blubbering before he was even called forward. “I don’t need to be tested, I don’t. Please, let me go. Please. You can mark me as failed. Please, we don’t need to fight.”

“No exceptions,” the instructor said sadly. “Show me something interesting.”

Tom’s fury didn’t even stir in response. He had long since come to terms with the fact that it didn’t matter how barbaric these sessions were. Sacrifices required to survive in Existentia were necessary. The child was a sobbing mess before the instructor started the bout, the anticipation overwhelming them. Luckily, once the instructor acted, it was quick.

Then it was Eloise’s turn. She had one of her permanent colds with snot running down from her nose, but she took the time to shoot them a confident look. Then, ignoring her opponent, she ran to the wall and then climbed it as though there were steps on the wood until she touched the roof.

It was impressive.

Her descent was clumsier, and she landed heavily. She picked herself up and stood proudly, her chest heaving in response to the exertion.

“Is that a new use of your ring?”

Eloise looked at her finger in confusion. “No, it’s a skill. How do you know about the ring?”

“It’s not a secret. You’ve used it all the time, and we all keep track of who has useful artefacts. So, if that wasn’t the ring, then what was it? Was it Air Step?”

“No… No… It’s nothing so fun. It’s called Minor Force Platform.”

The instructor looked interested. “Are they only for your feet?”

She shook her head. “Anywhere. I can create them anywhere. Well, anywhere close to me.”

“How far out can it stretch?”

Some, but not all, of Eloise’s confidence vanished under the scrutiny. “Only a few centimetres from my skin. But I’ve only practiced with my feet. I can’t show you elsewhere.”

“No need to get worried about that. I know similar skills and It’ll get better as you level. Did you develop it yourself?”

She fiddled with the ring on her finger. “Well, this helped, and my not-parents gave hints.”

“Is that all you used? You weren’t shown anything that made you feel funny?”

She shook her head. “Just this. I know magic artefacts can help. But mum, I mean not-parents, said no. I’m only allowed to use them when I’m older.”

“They are wise. I’m very impressed both by you and them. I’ll update your folder. You’re free to go.”

He quickly processed the next two kids. The first, Matthew, was a student in the hand-to-hand classes the instructor ran. After seven failed attempts, Matthew managed to impart extra power to a punch. He was excused without taking injuries. Stephanie called up next, and fought valiantly, but it was clear she had no tricks to offer, as she was left in tears.

Their assessor then turned to Briana. “Our resident water prodigy. Do you have anything new that is impressive?”

Briana promptly got a glass of water.

“I know about the razor water. That won’t impress me.”

“It’s not that.” She tipped the cup upside down and nothing came out. Then she put it on the side and a blob of water crawled from it, keeping its consistency for over ten seconds before reverting to its natural state and sent water flooding everywhere.

“Is that all?”

“Yes, but this is good.”

The boy shook his head. “I’m sure it’s an impressive stepping stone to other spells, but it doesn’t impress me.”

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Briana looked at him, her lips trembling. His age and harsh tone had obviously tipped her over the edge. She was too shy to speak and argue, but she slowly raised both her fists and spread her legs, taking up a fighter’s posture.

The instructor took the offer; he bowed, then started throwing punches.

Briana was highly coordinated for her age. She had excellent agility, and all the hours training her dodge meant she was competent at avoiding the telegraphed counterattacks that the instructor regularly launched. However, it was also clear there were no special abilities aiding her progress.

Finally, he stepped back. “That was a good effort, but not good enough.” He blurred forward and Briana went down in tears.

She used the healing crystal and left.

The instructor turned to the two of them the moment the door dinged. “Let’s abandon pretence. We all know we’re all reincarnators” The he glanced significantly at Tom’s badge. “You’re really him, aren’t you?”

“He is.” Kang said quietly and then tugged on Tom’s arm. “Tom, listen, I saw what they wrote about you. And how they signed off. I’m sorry for your loss.”

He didn’t respond. Kang had clearly noticed the tears and worked out why. He appreciated the sympathy, but wasn’t in the mood for it.

“What’s that?” the instructor asked.

“It doesn’t matter.” Kang answered. “It was some wording in the obituary that I felt might have hurt Tom.”

“Oh, that. I never read it, but wished I had. I didn’t know about the name being significant when I re-chose my own. Then someone in the year after me took Tom. They couldn’t shut up about how special you were, so I know everything now. Your team, you, what you all did for the racial trait. Even if we fail, it gives me hope for the future.”

“We can’t fail. If we stuff up, billions will die.” Tom said harshly.

The boy, despite his apparent age advantage, looked cowed. “Well, yes. But because of the trait, every level isn’t so bad anymore.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Tom interrupted. “I know the fact you’re reincarnated means DEUS thought you were worth bringing back. I don’t mean to be harsh. I’m just grumpy.”

“No, you don’t need to apologise. I remember when I got my name, my obituary was from my girl. I cried that night too.”

“Can we talk about something else?” Tom said, tired. “Such as about what happens now?”

The instructor shrugged. “You tell me. From your file, you’ve got two beat ups recorded. It won’t be out of character to show something now. Most kids have impressed the instructor at least once by their third test. How do we play this? And that’s not just him,” the boy clarified hurriedly. “It applies to you too, Kang. I’ll jot down whatever you demonstrate.”

“Put down Static Shock.” Tom suggested.

The instructor hesitated. “That’s a pretty weak ability to qualify. But, I guess, since you failed twice leading into this, I should be relaxing my impressed criteria. If that’s the case and you have more power or control than usual, then yeah. I guess I could swing putting that down.”

Tom grimaced sheepishly. “I don’t actually have the spell yet. But maybe note power and better-than-adequate control. I only started it yesterday, but I’ll get both.”

“Actually, on second thoughts I’m not putting down power. That can only come from extra mana, and that just screams reincarnator.”

“Fine,” Tom waved a dismissive hand. “That’s not important. Anyway, there’s no risk. Judging by everything I’ve seen, I’ll have it mastered within two weeks. It’s safe to record.”

“If you haven’t, in fact, mastered it, then it might be better not to create a paper trail.”

“For goodness’ sake, stop stressing. Just note it down as inconsistent to cover yourself.” Tom clicked his fingers, and the spell form was barely created but it had sufficient accuracy to create a slight crack of a spark. “See, I might even master it by the end of the week.”

“I’m not sure that's enough,” the instructor said doubtfully. “You were a hero. That can't be the only ability you've got! It might be better to pass this one with something more tangible.”

Tom glared at him in annoyance, but he guessed that the reincarnator title made the conversation confidential. “If I had something better, I would have volunteered it, wouldn’t I? I want nothing I can currently do on my permanent record. But, to give you some confidence that I’ll master Static Spark in no time, I’ll tell you I’m most of the way through to Touch Heal, and I have multiple crafting skills. Finally, I possess an Advanced Danger Sense skill. I’m also less than two weeks away from regaining Spear Mastery. But you know who I am. Touch Heal and Spear Mastery are direct links to my previous life. I don’t want those abilities recorded officially, because what kid bothers getting healing spells? Lightning and hammer are going to be what I show the world, so if you’re willing, please put down Static Shock. Otherwise, let’s fight and you can fail me again and leave me as a bloody mess.”

The boy hesitated. “Fine, I’ll lie. Kang.”

“Quick Step.”

“Show me.” The instructor ordered and, when Kang was positioned, he threw a telegraphed punch that was far faster than anything he had used against Briana.

Kang half-blurred as he shifted to the side. The step only took him ten centimetres or so, and it was a long way from instant, but Kang had applied it perfectly, more than illustrating the honed combat veteran in the younger body.

The older boy nodded impressed. “That’s a great skill once you get about ten levels in it. Now, we’ve got five minutes before I have to kick the first of you out. Is there anything you want to know?”

“Just tell us what you know about resources we can access.” Kang suggested.

The instructor launched into an explanation of the coming tournaments and the bonuses. As this was his final year, he was planning on getting a third and snagging a hundred thousand community points rather than one of the more substantial prizes. Then he would use that to hire professional guides to streamline his first six months in the wider world, including an escort to some of the nearby trials.

It was a good plan, and similar to what Tom himself was aiming for. That, and taking the required steps to get all the body titles like Vitality Sprout. One plus to all the physical attributes per level was what he was aiming for. He even had a plan. He would get magic first, then vitality, then strength, and finally finish with agility.

The plan wasn't complete, as he would still need to find biomes to help him get the titles. The important thing would be to have the resources to get escorted to each of the spots he identified as having the best conditions for what he wanted.