Mira sighed, already anticipating what was coming.
— You have to wait for the test to finish, Kay. You can't make coffee here! — she said.
Ravena looked at Kay with disdain.
— All this fuss just because of coffee?! He's all weak, like jelly! Not fit for the army. Get him out of here! — Ravena said, dropping Kay to the ground.
Mira took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.
— Usually, he can last the whole day... but I think it's because... he's sleepy — Mira said hesitantly, trying to justify him.
— I don't care! If he's not going to take the army seriously, he has no right to stay! — Ravena yelled angrily. — I doubt he'll pass, but if he does, make sure he refuses!
— You're going too far with your words! It was his idea that got us the win! — Thais said, trying to defend Kay.
— Mind your own business! I didn't ask you anything! — Ravena snapped back, even angrier.
— What did you say?! — Thais exclaimed, stepping forward, her face flushed with anger.
Kratos stepped between them.
— Enough! No need to argue. Whether he joins the army or not depends on the test results — he said, trying to restore order.
Ravena snorted and walked away with heavy steps.
— I'll get him kicked out, even if he's accepted! — she shouted before disappearing from sight, followed by Fiona.
Thais watched Ravena leave, clearly annoyed.
— I don't like her. She thinks she's so great! — Thais said, crossing her arms.
Slayer, who had been watching calmly, spoke thoughtfully:
— While we were in the forest, we faced many competitors. I understand her frustration. I don't care for the method she uses, since it brought us victory, but it must be hard for her, trained by a soldier.
Kratos nodded and sat down, crossing his arms.
— It's a risky but honorable job. That's what we were taught from early on — he said, looking toward the horizon.
Mira approached, curious.
— Are you staying on our team, Kratos? — she asked.
Kratos smirked.
— Yes. I have to keep this guy in line — he said, pointing at Kay.
Mira laughed.
— Got it — she replied with a smile.
After a few hours...
— Next! — Aurion shouted, calling the participants for the next test.
— Finally! — Thais exclaimed excitedly.
— Are you okay? — Sarah asked worriedly.
— Yes, I can keep going! — Yuri said, staggering slightly.
— When we get home, I'll make coffee, but take these next tests seriously! — Mira said.
— I am taking them seriously! — Kay answered firmly.
"You really overdid it, Mom," Mira thought.
They moved forward to the next area.
— Split up and stand in front of these four machines, spaced out! We'll measure the strength you have with the suits. Punch the machine like you want to destroy it! — Aurion ordered.
— That's it? Seems simple! — San said.
— Any ideas? — Thais asked.
— It's just a strength test. Just punch the machine, no secret — Kay said.
— I thought you'd say something else — Thais murmured.
— Tenth competitor, 500 points. Proceed, next! — announced the soldier in charge.
— Ravena did well! — Dan said.
— Showoff! — Thais muttered, irritated.
— One hundredth competitor, 300 points. Proceed, next! — the soldier continued.
— Fiona did well, too! — Thais complained, even more irritated.
— 50 points, next. 90 points, next. 20 points, next. — the soldier reported.
— So weak! — Thais said.
— Quiet, they'll hear you! — Viviane warned.
— One hundred fortyth competitor, 215 points. Proceed, next! — the soldier reported.
— Slayer did well! Ravena has the highest score. I think above 100 is good! — Sarah commented.
— First competitor, 600 points. Proceed, next! — the soldier said.
— As expected! — Thais said.
— Now it's your turn. Take it seriously! — Mira said, releasing Kay.
Kay punched the machine.
— One hundred sixth competitor, 15 points. Proceed, next! — the soldier reported.
The girls tried to hold back their laughter.
"I told you to take it seriously!" Mira thought, annoyed.
Mira punched the machine.
— One hundred fifth competitor, 280 points. Proceed, next! — the soldier announced.
— She really got mad! — Thais commented, preparing herself.
— One hundred eighth competitor, 150 points. Proceed, next! — the soldier said.
— One hundred ninth competitor, 190 points. Proceed, next! — the soldier reported.
— I did well! — Viviane whispered, smiling.
— One hundred forty first competitor, 40 points. Proceed, next! — the soldier said.
— I did poorly! — Sarah lamented.
— Eighty fourth competitor, 220 points. Proceed, next! — announced the soldier.
— Yay! — San cheered.
— Eighty fifth competitor, 190 points. Proceed, next! — said the soldier.
"Not too bad after all," Dan thought.
— I told you to take it seriously! — Mira argued with Kay.
— But I did! I swear I punched with all my strength! — Kay defended himself.
— And what was that ridiculous result? — Mira exclaimed.
— I don't know! — Kay replied.
— I'm not sure you deserve the coffee! — Mira said, calming down.
— Is it over? — Thais exclaimed.
— Sounds like a sibling fight! — Viviane commented.
— Before we move to the last test, I have something important to announce — Aurion said, his deep voice echoing through the hall. — All this recruitment is being watched by the captains. All of them. This time, they're all here.
Silence fell heavily. The impact of those words made the air feel heavier. The participants exchanged incredulous looks. Gathering all the captains to watch a recruitment? It was almost impossible. Their schedules, always packed, made such an event unthinkable.
— All the captains? You mean the First Division captain is here too... — Slayer murmured, trying to process the information.
— That's obvious, isn't it? — Thais replied, trying to ease the tension. — After all, it's the vice-captain running the tests.
But Slayer, usually so confident, seemed shaken.
— Captain Julius... himself? — He said the name with unusual reverence, his voice slightly trembling.
Kay, watching Slayer's reaction, frowned.
— Is this really that rare? — he asked casually.
Slayer slowly turned to him, as if Kay had just asked the most naive question in the world.
— Rare? The captains are the busiest and most powerful people in the army. They coming here for a simple recruitment... it's unheard of. And now, all of them are here — Slayer said, eyes wide.
Kay remained indifferent, arms crossed.
— What difference does it make if they're here or not? — he asked, indifferent.
— What difference? Usually, we have to wait weeks to find out if we passed. Now, the captains can pick us personally! We won't have to wait. It's a unique chance! — Thais said, her enthusiasm almost palpable.
Mira smiled, sharing the excitement.
But Kay... Kay just shrugged.
— Whatever — he muttered, walking away without caring.
Thais watched him leave, surprised.
— Did he get angry? — she asked, confused.
Mira looked at Kay, concern clouding her face.
— I don't know... — she replied, biting her lower lip.
Aurion cut the conversation with an authoritative tone:
— Next!
Ten more competitors advanced to the next test. The atmosphere grew tenser, and minutes seemed to stretch as if time itself slowed down. With each group that passed, anxiety grew.
— In tens... at least it's moving faster now — San said, a hint of restlessness in her voice.
— Isn't it too fast? Could they be choosing who will join already? — Dan asked, doubt in his tone.
Kratos nodded, eyes fixed ahead.
— Probably — he answered curtly.
— Next! — Aurion called again, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.
Thais looked toward the next area and suddenly her eyes widened when she saw a strange structure on the wall.
— What is that? How does it work? — she exclaimed, pointing to the machine they would use next.
Before they could discuss more, Mira interrupted with a light smile.
— He fell again... Are you sure Kay didn't drink before coming? — San joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Mira chuckled quietly.
— With the amount of coffee he drank, I thought he'd stay up late — she replied, amused.
— He runs on coffee? — Thais joined the joke.
Mira shrugged, still smiling.
— Almost that — she said.
Meanwhile, Kay, his eyes half-closed, seemed in another dimension, his mind drifting.
What's happening to me? I feel more tired than usual... What kind of sleeping potion did you give me, aunt? he thought, fighting off sleepiness.
— Kay, it's our turn! — Mira called, bringing him back to reality.
Entering the next area, the group faced the imposing machine that would measure their compatibility with the suits.