The test continued with Layla being the next one to step forward. She was the only one among the group who had a weapon on her back. Her weapon didn't look like a regular bow, but it was completely different from the ones that many people had used a long time ago. Her bow was carved using the bones of a beast. It was polished into a shiny bronze, which glittered in the light. As Layla walked forward, Quinn gaze immediately latched onto her bow, temporarily forgetting about the brief conversation he had with Ken. Quinn had heard about beast weapons, but this was his first time seeing one. He would have not recognized it if it weren't for the whisper from Ken and Vorden beside him. When the human race had been attacked by the Dalki, human technology had quickly advanced by seizing and replicating their invaders' technology, and by replicating their technology, the humans had gained the ability to travel to other planets using portals.
These planets would often contain different levels of beasts. As usual the stronger the beast, the better the weapon. Only if you managed to kill the beast first. It was unusual to see someone as young as Layla, who had most likely never been to another planet, wielding a beast weapon. Layla stood in the center of the field and waited for the test to start. Unlike when it was Quinn's and Ken's turn, Jane waited until the girl was ready before starting.
Quite the unfair treatment. When the test started, 5 targets appeared in different areas of the wasteland. Layla immediately took out 5 arrows and placed them in her bow, shooting them all off at once in the same direction. The arrows shot out fast and strong but then suddenly, the five arrows split, each in their own direction, each of them heading to a different target. "That's a good combo," Vorden praised. Although telekinesis is considered weak, but when paired up with a bow its ability to control the arrows movements were quite useful. Simultaneously, all five targets were hit, and the first test was completed just like that. On the strength test, Layla didn't do so well.
She tried to use her powers to move her fist even faster while punching the drum, but in the end, her score was only an 8. Scoring better than Quinn, but falling short at Ken's score. On the last test, Layla had attempted to use her ability on the spikes that were coming at her, but she was unaware that they were holograms and were not real, so her attempts were unsuccessful. This led to her nearly being hit at the start of the test. After that attempt, Layla started to rely on her body to avoid the spikes, in the end she ended up getting the same score as Quinn. "It looks like you have the power of a level 2 ability user," Jane informed her. As soon as the instructor typed it in, the number 2 appeared on Layla's wrist. Layla was not happy, she was red in the face as she stomped back towards the group.
Next up was Erin. She walked forward confidently while not looking at anyone. She stood in the center of the testing field waiting for the test to start. Five random targets appeared across the wasteland. Erin had quickly formed an ice spear and shot it at the first target hitting it right in the center. She continued this at an incredible speed, nearly clearing them all just as fast as Layla did, but around the same time as Ken did. For the strength test, Erin's performance was even more impressive, as she raised both of her hands. Frost began to gather in her palms, swirling and crackling.
The temperature around her dropped sharply as the buildup intensified. Then, with a sharp exhale, she thrust both her hands forward. A massive column of ice erupted from her hands, slamming into the center of the drum with a devastating force. A deep boom echoed across the field. Everyone watched as the number displayed above the drum flickered– 38… 42… 47… then finally settled. 50. Ken's eyes narrowed. He clenched his jaw without meaning to. Fifty. He remembered his own result– 49.7. Close, but not quite. Still, he smirked to himself. That's impressive, Erin. But if you took a punch from me at full charge…you'd feel it. Badly. Ken thought.
"No wonder she's so confident," Vorden noted, a thoughtful expression on his face. Finally on the last test, Erin managed to do well moving swiftly avoiding each spike, but in the end, the machine had gotten too fast and she ended up getting hit. "Congratulations, you're the third first-year student with a power level of 5." Jane said, in a monotone tone. Erin walked back to her group, her face expressionless and clearly unimpressed, it's like she didn't really care about the test. Finally, the last person to take the test was Vorden. Vorden cracked his knuckles and grinned. "Time to show you what I got, wish me luck." Ken blinked, who was he talking to Ken thought. Suddenly Vorden shot a wink directly at him. "What the-" Ken said out in confusion. As Vorden walked past Quinn, he threw him a wink too–two for two. Quinn just raised an eyebrow.
Vorden strutted to the center of the field, casually stretching his arms as he waited for the test to begin. When the test began, no one expected what happened next. Everyone's mouth was left wide open at what they were seeing. On all of the tests, Vorden copied everything Erin did. On the final test Vorden raised his hands, and ice began to swirl in his palms. Exactly like Erin. He mimicked her stance, her charge-up time, and even her motion. A second later, a massive column of ice burst forward, slamming the drum just as Erin had. The number display flickered, then locked in 50. Everyone stared, mouths hanging open. Ken's eyes widened, "He copied her… perfectly?" Ken said in disbelief.
"See? I told you I could be strong!" he pointed proudly at the number 5 that appeared on his digital watch. Then at Ken and Quinn who were apparently his new best friends.