The world had shifted violently the moment the steel-clawed robot ambushed them. One second Shinitsu and Xavier were walking alongside Virat through the simulation field, the next, a magnetic pulse separated them with a quake that cracked the earth. The terrain around them shifted like puzzle tiles rearranging mid-battle.
Now they stood back to back, surrounded by dense metallic structures under a blood-red sky—an arena entirely different from what they were just in. Neither Jax nor Ayush were in sight. No Virat. No Ali.
Just... silence.
Then came the rumble.
Xavier, the telekinetic from Sweden with blond hair and a faint blue aura, narrowed his eyes. "This place isn't just a terrain shift… it's a trap."
Shinitsu Yahara, the calm Japanese boy with gravity manipulation powers, adjusted his gloves. His sharp eyes studied the surroundings while his black jacket fluttered in the electric breeze. "I feel it too. Something… wrong is approaching."
CLANG.
CLANG.
A slow, methodical sound echoed through the mist—like armored feet against iron.
Then they saw it.
A towering humanoid construct emerged, almost three stories tall. Its armor looked like rusted knight plating fused with mechanical enhancements. Two glowing red eyes locked onto them like targeting lasers. Between its gauntlets spun saw-blade generators, pulsing with unstable energy.
Above them, the sky screen flashed text:
"Phase 2 Opponent: Omega Drone Variant X-89. Bonus points granted if defeated without support."
Xavier tilted his head. "They want us to fight that?"
The machine charged.
Without hesitation, Xavier threw his hand forward. Dozens of iron scraps from the surrounding debris flew like bullets toward the construct. But as they struck the armor, they merely clinked off harmlessly.
Shinitsu clenched his fist. "Its mass is too dense for a quick takedown."
"Then we chip it apart," Xavier said, his voice calm but focused.
The drone launched its first attack—its saw blades rotated outward, sending a shockwave of compressed air. The ground split. Shinitsu raised both arms and focused.
BOOM!
A gravitational dome formed around them, neutralizing the wave just in time.
Xavier nodded. "Perfect timing."
Shinitsu's boots skidded slightly. "Can't hold that defense long. Let's go offensive."
Xavier raised both hands and pointed toward a massive metal pole leaning in the distance. With a flick of his wrist, it tore from the ground and flung forward like a javelin. The drone intercepted it with one hand—crushing it into dust.
"No good," Xavier muttered. "It's anticipating me."
"It's learning," Shinitsu said. "We'll need synchronized attacks."
The drone moved again—faster now. It zipped forward and swung a blade at Xavier. Before the blade connected, Shinitsu's foot slammed into the ground.
"Gravity Field: Shift Pull!"
The robot's trajectory suddenly bent, as if caught in a whirlpool. It missed its strike and staggered sideways.
Xavier seized the moment. "Psy Lift: Multi-Pin!"
Using raw telekinesis, Xavier summoned over thirty small metallic rods from the terrain and launched them like needles into the drone's left leg joint.
CLANG! CRACK!
Sparks burst from the impact site. The robot stumbled, but didn't fall.
Shinitsu narrowed his eyes. "We're barely scratching it. At this rate…"
"Then we escalate," Xavier interrupted.
He closed his eyes. His aura began to glow brighter—a blue psychic wave surrounding him.
"You've been holding back," Shinitsu remarked.
Xavier smirked slightly. "I don't like to go all out unless my friends are in danger."
The drone roared forward, emitting a sonic screech. Energy began charging in its chest—a beam attack.
Shinitsu's eyes widened. "Xavier, now!"
Xavier's eyes snapped open—his iris glowing violet. He stretched out his hand.
"Psy Grip: Inversion Core!"
The air twisted, the very space trembling under pressure. Telekinetic force surrounded the robot, locking it mid-air. It fought back hard, joints thrashing—but couldn't move.
"Shinitsu!" Xavier shouted.
"On it."
Shinitsu's aura began to shimmer, his hair lifting as if caught in anti-gravity. He slowly raised one hand, fingers spread.
"Gravity Well: Collapse Descent!!"
Suddenly, the gravitational pull in the robot's chest area multiplied tenfold. The weight crushed inward—metal groaned. The core beam began to destabilize.
"Push harder!" Xavier grunted, sweat pouring from his brow.
CRACK! BOOM!
A massive implosion erupted. The robot's chest cavity caved in. The energy it had been charging backfired—exploding from within.
BOOOOOM!
The shockwave sent both boys flying. They hit the ground, rolling hard.
Everything went silent.
Smoke rose.
Metal debris rained down.
Xavier coughed, pushing himself up. "Did… we get it?"
From the dust, the massive drone fell to its knees. Then, slowly, it collapsed—deactivated.
Above, the sky screen changed again:
"Phase 2 Complete. Shinitsu Yahara and Xavier Lehnberg: Victory Confirmed."
They both exhaled deeply.
"Not bad," Shinitsu said, standing up and brushing dust from his uniform. "We didn't die."
Xavier chuckled. "Always a win."
Then, from the distance, another tremor rumbled beneath their feet.
"No rest?" Shinitsu asked.
"Doesn't sound like it," Xavier replied.
But instead of an enemy, two small drones descended. They scanned the area and projected a path in front of the boys.
"Final phase begins soon," said a robotic voice. "Meet with other surviving teams."
Xavier blinked. "So it's not over yet."
Shinitsu turned toward him. "Then let's regroup. Virat may have survived. And… I want to see how much he's grown."
Meanwhile… somewhere deeper in the exam facility…
A hidden observer watched the footage of Shinitsu and Xavier's battle through a dozen monitors. This figure wore a military-grade suit with multiple insignias, including the emblem of the International Hero Agency.
"They did it," the woman said. "These two are already functioning like elite partners. Gravity and mind—such a rare combination."
Another agent stepped forward. "Shall we place them on the high-priority list for recruitment?"
The woman nodded. "Absolutely. Shinitsu Yahara's gravitational control is nearing Tier 3. And Xavier Lehnberg's psychic finesse and calm under pressure… they may be the ones who help shape the next generation."
She tapped a button.
"Pull the footage for the final phase. The real test begins now."
Back at the student safe zone…
Shinitsu and Xavier walked through a tunnel of artificial stone and flickering lights. Their clothes were scorched, and their bodies ached, but they stood tall.
As they turned a corner, voices echoed ahead.
"—and that's how we won!" Virat's familiar voice boomed.
They stepped into a wide rest bay where Virat and Ali were sitting on benches, sharing battle stories.
"Virat," Xavier called.
Virat spun around, eyes lighting up. "You guys are okay!"
Ali stood. "Looks like everyone made it."
They all exchanged quick nods, then sat together on a long bench.
"I fought a guy named Jax," Virat said. "Fire user. Crazy strong. Couldn't hit him until I unlocked aura."
"Ah," Shinitsu said with a small smirk. "So your awakening began."
"Ayush was his partner," Ali added. "Ice powers. Chill personality, but dangerous in combat."
"What about you two?" Virat asked.
Xavier stretched his shoulders. "They threw a giant death machine at us."
"And we broke it," Shinitsu said casually.
Virat blinked. "Seriously?"
"You'll see the footage later," Xavier smiled.
"Guys…" Ali said, glancing at the far wall screen. "Looks like the next phase is about to start."
The screen blinked to life.
> "Final Phase: Team Combat and Strategic Conquest. Qualified Candidates: 12. Begin Formation Now."
Virat stood slowly, determination flaring in his eyes.
"We've made it this far. Let's win this… together."