The clang of the training arena faded as Echo and Rook stood side by side, sweat dripping from their brows. The pain in their limbs had subsided somewhat, but the exhaustion from the last few days of non-stop training still weighed heavily on their bodies. Their mentors, Sentinel and Gladiator, stood before them, a faint trace of approval in their eyes.
However, despite their achievements, neither mentor seemed ready to offer congratulations just yet. The air was thick with anticipation as the mentors gave the signal for the next phase of their training.
"Now, we measure your progress," Sentinel said, his voice calm but firm, as always. "The AI will assess your performance based on the data it has gathered."
Echo glanced at Rook, who shrugged with a determined grin. Both of them had given their all during the past trials, and the AI’s results would reveal just how much they had improved—or how much they still had left to go.
The ground beneath them hummed with energy, and from the center of the arena, a shimmering, holographic display flickered to life. A translucent blue square materialized in the air between them, just like the one they had seen before in the AI’s interface. The square’s edges glowed softly, and a smooth, electronic voice echoed in their minds.
“Initializing results… Please stand by.”
The voice was calm, clinical. It was the same voice that had walked them through their previous AI customizations, but now it felt more authoritative, as if it had a deeper understanding of their capabilities.
The holographic display expanded, shifting into a grid of numerical values. A series of measurements appeared, flashing one by one—each representing their current status across various metrics.
The first column showed Echo's stats, followed by Rook's in a second column, both with neat, precise data points.
Echo’s Results:
* Strength (STR): 18 → 22
* Dexterity (DEX): 17 → 21
* Constitution (CON): 19 → 23
* Wisdom (WIS): 18 → 22
* Intelligence (INT): 16 → 20
* Charisma (CHA): 15 → 18
Rook’s Results:
* Strength (STR): 20 → 24
* Dexterity (DEX): 16 → 21
* Constitution (CON): 20 → 22
* Wisdom (WIS): 17 → 21
* Intelligence (INT): 15 → 19
* Charisma (CHA): 18 → 20
Both of them had made progress in every area, but there were distinct differences in their growth. Echo had gained the most in Wisdom and Constitution, while Rook’s Strength and Dexterity had surged forward faster, with his Charisma seeing a slight increase as well.
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The display flickered and began to break down the results further. Charts and percentages appeared, comparing their progress against the average human and peak human benchmarks. Echo’s heart skipped a beat when he saw the numbers for “Peak Human”—the elite physical and mental standards they were striving toward.
Peak Human Benchmark:
* Strength (STR): 32
* Dexterity (DEX): 32
* Constitution (CON): 32
* Wisdom (WIS): 32
* Intelligence (INT): 32
* Charisma (CHA): 32
"You're still far from Peak," Gladiator’s voice cut through, his tone neutral, not disappointed but matter-of-fact. "But these results show significant improvement. You have the potential, Echo. Rook, you’re closer than you think in some areas, but you still have gaps to fill.”
The numbers, though impressive, showed how far they had yet to go. Echo’s strength was still a far cry from the 32 that represented the peak of human potential. His intelligence was similar—showing a solid increase but still lagging behind the mark. Rook, while stronger, still had room for growth in his Wisdom and Intelligence.
Rook crossed his arms, looking at the results with a satisfied grin. "I’m close enough," he said, his voice full of cocky confidence. "Just need to keep pushing."
Echo nodded, but his focus was on the numbers next to his Intelligence. It was clear that while his physical stats were improving, his mind still needed more sharpening. This was a challenge he could not ignore.
“Data analysis complete,” the AI’s voice interrupted their musings. “Status: Transitioning to next stage. Please prepare for continued training.”
The results screen flickered one last time, showing an overall progress percentage—fifty-seven percent for both of them, a solid starting point but far from what would be required to pass the upcoming trials.
Sentinel stepped forward, his expression unchanged. “These numbers are a reflection of your current capabilities. They’re not the end, just a snapshot of where you stand. The real challenge will come when we push you beyond this threshold. Are you ready?”
Echo met his gaze with quiet resolve, his mind still processing the numbers but focused on the goal ahead. He wasn’t going to let these statistics define him. He had more to give.
“I’m ready,” Echo said, his voice steady.
Rook grinned, cracking his knuckles. “Let’s do this. I’ll beat that peak.”
Gladiator, ever the realist, raised an eyebrow. “Good. But remember, pushing your limits will not be easy. Only through perseverance will you unlock your true potential.”
Echo turned to his friend, nodding. “We’ll get there. Together.”
With that, the mentors stepped aside, and the AI’s holographic display vanished, leaving them alone in the training ground once again. Echo’s pulse quickened as the next phase of their training loomed before them. The real test was just beginning.