Cherreads

Chapter 16 - Ability Test

"Go back into the virtual class, you still have an hour left." Rowin heard Mr B's voice adressing him. Rowin wore the IR headband and was back in the empty class. The holographic copy of Mr B appeared again with a friendly smile.

"You've returned? Is there something you wish to know?" The hologram asked.

"Are there any rules that powered have to follow that don't apply to normal people?"

"There are a few indeed." The hologram replied. "Since you are part of The Sleeper Association the rules you follow are a bit different from the others. Here are three of the most important ones. 

"You are forbidden from killing or harming other members of society using your ability. As a powered the laws are stricter for you. 

You are forbidden from using your ability in public unless when inside a designated area. All nano watches are equipped with the ability to tell apart designated areas and are programed to inform you when entering an ability restricted area.

As a member of The Sleeper Association you can choose to ignore official summons that are below or above your ability level. It's mandatory to attend summons of your ability level.

"You are showing signs of fatigue, this is not condusive for proper learning. I will terminate the lesson and allow you to rest for the time that remains." The hologram said before the world turned black for Rowin.

"Hey, wake up. It's time for our next class." Chris shook Rowin awake and they headed for the next lesson. The Power Testing facility looked smaller than Rowin expected. "Most of the building is underground. This place is almost as large as the school."

"How did you know what I was thinking?"

"That's the first thought most people have when they see it."

The instant Rowin stepped into the building he heard Zain speaking to him. "Sir Rowin, kindly follow my instructions and head to the testing site prepared for you."

"See you later bro." Chris said as he walked away. Rowin followed Zain's directions and he was soon in a large hall with a hologram showing multiple names floating close to the ceiling. 

"Welcome Rowin to the Ability Training Facility. Before we begin, let me give a brief introduction. This facility has fifty training halls each designed to handle ability usage within certain parameters. You are currently inside a training hall that has been updated to measure telekinetic abilities. On the hologram are the names of the ten most powerful telekinesis users to attend our academy. If you can beat their test scores you will get a chance to replace their names on the list. 

"The test is comprised of four major components, the last of which is not a determining factor for your final score. We will test your telekinetic output, the amount of control you have over your ability, the effective range of your ability and the colour of your ability. The colour test is merely used to determine the characteristics of your ability.

"The first test will begin when you are ready." The A.I of the training hall said and waited for his reply.

"I'm ready." Rowin said casually.

"The ceiling above you will be lowered, use your telekinesis to push against it. Say 'stop' when you reach your limit. The test will begin in 3.....2...1...Start." The ceiling slowly descended and Rowin resisted it quite easily. A hologram showed up in front of him with a number steadily rising from 500.

"What does this number represent?"

"That's the number of kilograms you are currently holding up." The A.I responded. The number was rising quite fast but Rowin barely felt the increase. Before long, He was holding more than five tonnes above him but the weight felt no different from before. At around eight tonnes, the weight suddenly felt much heavier than before. Rowin was planning to give up when the weight was close to ten tonnes when he suddenly felt it lessen by a large degree. He looked beside him and noticed what looked like heatwaves surrounding him. 

"Zain, are you seeing this too?"

"Yes Sir Rowin. It seems that exerting strength beyond a certain amount causes your ability to become visible." Zain responded.

"How are you seeing this?"

"I'm using the surveillance systems of the testing hall to monitor your surroundings. From my perspective, light is retracting around you forming a vague image of two hands holding up the ceiling."

"Stop." Rowin ended the test even though he wasn't at his limit. He felt that something bad was going to happen to him if he went any further. A few minutes of rest later, Rowin was ready to begin his next test.

There were ten light weights with short chains tied to each of them. "For the next test, your control and multitasking capabilities will be tested. Follow my instructions carefully. Pick up the highlighted weight with your telekinesis by holding the end of the chain."

A laser from the wall marked a weight that Rowin easily lifted. "Spin clockwise." The weight spun at a stable pace. Another weight was highlighted. "While maintaining the movement of the earlier weight, spin the highlighted weight counterclockwise."

Loud whistling filled the hall. Rowin stood calmly, his arms folded. Ten weights spun around him at different speeds. From time to time, a laser would mark a weight and the AI would issue instructions to either speed up or slow down. This kept up for thirty minutes before the AI asked him to stop. The weights were put down and the floor swallowed them.

A metal ball rose from the ground, "Lift the ball at a fixed height and slowly push it away from your body." Rowin did as instructed but frowned soon after.

"How much does the ball weigh?"

"Precisely five kilograms."

"Then why does it feel so much heavier than the ceiling? Are you increasing gravity?"

"This room is does not contain gravity adjusting technology." The AI answered then continued, "The sudden increase in perceived weight is a sign that you are approaching the limit of your telekinetic range."

Rowin finally couldn't push the weight farther and let it fall to the floor. He could feel it again, the fear he felt when he pushed his ability to its limits. Rowin glanced around and couldn't see anything that would cause it. 'Maybe I'm just too tired. I'll need to skip lunch to rest.'

"Next is the color test. Kindly compose yourself and we will begin when your heartrate stabilizes."

"Telekinesis is colorless how do you even conduct a color test?" Rowin asked.

"Let me explain this in greater details. When the hatching first began, there was a geographic phenomenon that went entirely unnoticed due to the discovery of abilities. This phenomenon caused some elements to undergo changes that are normally undetectable until the element interacts with an ability user. Different elements produce different effects when interacting with different abilities. For telekinesis, silicon dioxide, commonly known as volcanic glass, will change color and glow between one of four major colors. The colors are brown, blue, green and red. Kindly note that there are exceptions since abilities tend to differ.

"Brown telekinesis is considered to be average. It is the most common color and has the most balanced capabilities with no apparent weaknesses. The blue telekinesis is not as common as brown. It excels in range with average strength and control. The red telekinesis is rarer with only one in every three hundred telekinesis users having it. It excels in strength with average range and control. The green telekinesis is the rarest and excels in control with the rest being average. There are also varying colors that are more unique meaning that the user has to discover the characteristics on their own.

"You are sufficiently rested, let us begin." The AI completed its explanation and the lights in the room dimmed considerably. A hatch opened from the floor and a polished black rock could be seen on the platform that rose from it. "Place your hand on the volcanic glass and wait for the results."

Rowin placed his hand on the rock and immediately noticed that it turned mirror like. He knew that if the room was brighter, he would see his reflection clearly. The room suddenly brightened as a white light shone from the volcanic glass. "You can release the volcanic glass." Rowin did as instructed and the volcanic glass block was lowered into the ground.

"Give me a moment to quantify your data." The AI was silent for some time before announcing the results. "Your telekinesis is silver, a unique color that requires a unique path to progress. You display very high strength and control with your telekinesis. The biggest weakness is the short range of effectiveness. Most beginners will have an average range of fifty meters.

" You are ranked 76th on the telekinesis users list. You can measure your abilities again when you feel an improvement. I'll arrange for you to meet with other telekinesis users currently in the school. You are free to leave early or use this room to train your ability."

Rowin didn't bother to wait flying straight back to his room and falling into a deep slumber.

More Chapters