Alex rushes into the field, using his chains to grab civilians and send them to the simulated shelters. Rika follows suit, using combustions to propel herself.

A: Don’t get in my way, random.

R: Wasn’t planning to! And who are you calling random?!

Rika hears a call from a robot-civilian.

R: I’m on my way! she tries to lift the large boulder crushing the bot, but she isn’t strong enough. 

R: Fine then. She puts her hands to the boulder and blows it up, accidentally burning the robot 

R: Uh oh.

Rika receives minus 5 points 

cut to Akkari. she walks with her head down,  clutching her injured arm.

Akkari lets out a series of roars and yells, then she collapses, crying.

a low growl is heard. Akkari turns around to see a giant Malurea resembling a centipede behind her. She snarls and her eyes glow. She stands up and rushes at the Malurea, killing it. she grabs a part of the Malurea and eats it. she throws up.

A (voiceover): My demonic side overpowers my human side. My body rejects all normal food. Which is why i need human blood to survive. 

she sits down in the snow. she sighs and puts her head in her hands.

cut to Rika blasting falling debris and carrying robots to safety. Alex does it but more aggressively. They both gain points. cut to Caspian’s sector where he uses gadgets to schield robots. Alex and Rika both spot a group of robots trapped in a falling building, they both rush to the scene. they crash into eachother. 

Alex: Move it!

they enter the building, Rika grabs robots and Alex snatches them with his chains. The timer shows 5 minutes left. Alex is first with 75 points. Rika is last with 10 points.

Alex: You should just quit while you’re ahead, last placer.

Rika: Shut it, pompous chains! 

Alex scowls and launches a chain at her

he swings her into a wall

Rika: Guh! 

Rika shoots an explosive blast at Alex, who grabs a robot to shield him. Rika loses 5 points.

R: Why’d you do that!

A: YOU did that, not me.

Rika growls, propelling herself at Alex and launching both of them out of the building. Rika and Alex trade blows. Rika charges a powerful blast but the timer goes off. Alex chuckles. 

Rika: You….

Alex scoffs and walks away

Voice: Your first test has now concluded. Please proceed to the next room through the door at the back of the room.

Rika: sigh

Random: Didn’t get many points, huh?

Rika: Did you just come here to insult me?

Random: Partly.

Rika: Wow.

Random: The name’s Caelus, you probably saw it on the leaderboard.

Rika looks up to see Caelus as second place 

Rika: Hm.

Caelus: Say, even though you did pretty bad, your powers are pretty cool. Why don’t we team up?

Rika: …

Caelus: Alright, i guess it’s difficult to trust someone you barely know. But the offer still stands if you change your mind.

Rika: Yeah.

They enter the room where they will complete the Malurean Trial.

Marcello: Alright, now for your first battle related trial. I will begin to release different types of Malurea-Imitations into the arena. They will be categorised into three different ratings based on the marking on their body. 1★ Malurea are worth 5 Points. 2★ are worth 10, and 3★ are worth 20. The trial will now begin. Many gates open, releasing dozens of robots made to look like Malurea. 

Many competitors look nervous. Rika charges in almost immediately, charging at a large Malurea. Alex and Caelus both follow.

Caelus: Don’t think you can get in on all the fun by yourself!

Rika: You can try to keep up with me, but this time i’ll come first. After all, blowing stuff up.. is my specialty! she crashes down from the sky onto a 2-star robot, earning 10 points. Competitors watch in awe.

cut to ~6 agents pulling up to snow forest. they exit car. A pink-haired one with an Aegistar exits.

Pinky: So.. this is the place huh?

Marcello (phone): Yeah.

Pinky: Seems fitting. So what’s the plan?

M: Use the vial of blood collected by (Agent 1). Put it inside the Malu-Radar to match the girl’s energy signal. You should be able locate her through that.

Pinky: Got it, boss.

M: Remember not to underestimate her, Rozato. She may be untrained, but she still has extreme power.

R: Don’t worryyy, besides, when have i failed one of your missions before? This’ll be fast.

M: Right. Call me when you finish the job.

hangs up

Agent 1A: Commander Rozato! Are you sure we shouldn’t come with you?

R: No need, i’ll make quick work of her.

1A: If you say so, sir.

R: You all just wait back here and watch the car. He unveils his Crystalline Aegistar, and proceeds further into the forest. camera zooms into his glowing pink eye