Aries and Maika headed towards the Training Area.

Aries could see more people moving around than usual. It was very noisy and bustling. Aries pulled Maika along without saying a word.

Those who finished training were leaving, while those preparing to train were entering. Aries glanced at the people around her, those exiting had different expressions. Some were overjoyed, others looked like they had just been tortured, and the worst...were those being assigned to the base's patrol team.

"I'm so worried..."

Maika whispered softly, sticking close to Aries, afraid of getting lost.

"Don't let their expressions affect your mindset, don't look anymore."

Aries said softly, just enough for Maika to hear. Maika nodded slightly and lowered her head a little, following Aries. The path leading into the Training Area was planted and decorated with trees and flowers, forming a rather beautiful arch. Aries could smell the fragrance of roses.

"Phew...!"

Once inside the Training Area and out of the flow of people, Aries sighed in relief. It was so stifling. Maika rubbed Aries' back and looked around.

"Ari, I think we're supposed to gather over there."

Aries looked in the direction Maika was pointing, seeing a large group of people gathered in an area of the courtyard. The two of them headed towards the group. As they got closer, a young man turned to look at them, looking surprised.

"What Ability System are you two in?"

"Ah, I'm looking for the gathering place for the Darkness System."

"Ah, they're gathering over there."

The young man pointed towards a group of people standing under the trees near the building.

"Well, thank you."

"No problem, good luck."

"Yeah, good luck to you too."

Aries nodded in thanks and led Maika away. That young man seemed friendlier and more open, Aries frowned slightly as she recalled the events that had occurred from yesterday until now. If only the people in the Darkness System were a little friendlier.

A cold chill ran through their skin as they approached the group. Everyone was quite silent, with only a few gathering and whispering judgmental comments to each other... Everyone's eyes were filled with murderous intent, not wanting anyone to approach. Aries stepped back slightly, pulling Maika behind her.

'What is this Arctic-like cold atmosphere...?', Aries thought to herself. She looked around, seeing people from other Systems backing away, avoiding the Darkness System group. Aries sighed softly. These people really don't know how to restrain themselves...

"Line up!"

A middle-aged man called out. He must have worked a lot because he was a bit bald. He wore a simple outfit, a white t-shirt and athletic pants.

Aries looked at the other groups, seeing that each group had two people. There must be one more person coming later, so there's only this man.

A girl stepped towards the man, the girl who had caused trouble with Aries earlier.

"Old man, who do you think you are, ordering us around?"

Aries frowned slightly in exasperation, not understanding why she was so foolish. 'This isn't your home, why are you so bold...', Aries looked at the people in the group. They seemed surprised and confused by her audacious actions.

"Noera Frederic, please return to your position."

"Ha! I'm asking you, old man. If you know what's good for you, just approve me."

...A rather long silence ensued. Aries wore a calm expression, while Maika stood behind her, watching the tense situation unfold.

"Ari, is she going to..."

"Just ignore her, the worst that could happen is she'll be put on patrol duty."

Suddenly, Noera collapsed, gasping for air as if someone was strangling her. Everyone in the group was surprised and startled, those standing nearby covered their noses. Aries was also a little surprised, then she looked at the man. Her eyes widened as she saw how much toxic and cold energy was emanating from him.

Aries covered her nose and pulled Maika back a little. She looked at Noera struggling to breathe, her face pale and sweating.

[Skill Lever 2 Activated: Nebula Toxicum.]

Each Ability System, even those who have reached Lever 3 or 4, can still use the skills of lower levers.

Aries looked at the man, who was looking at Noera with cold eyes. The toxic gas gradually dissipated, everyone sighing in relief from holding their breath for too long. Aries glanced at Maika, seeing that she was only slightly tired.

"Noera Frederic."

"Failed."

Noera was surprised and stiffened, she gritted her teeth slightly, unable to say anything. Finally, she stood up and walked towards the exit of the Training Area. Aries could see the eyes of the people in other Systems looking at Noera, the first person to be eliminated at this point.

The man cleared his throat and everyone in the group looked at him.

"Anyone else have any objections?"

Everyone looked at each other in silence, saying nothing.

"I am Harish, the one who will be testing your abilities. Sir Clause has already talked about the testing regulations, so I won't repeat them."

With that, he glanced at the paper in his hand before sitting down in his chair.

"I will read from the bottom up, when your name is called, come forward, being 10 seconds late will result in disqualification."

'Strict indeed'. Aries felt a little glad, because her name started with the letter A.

"First, Vanessa Heazone."

Aries was surprised, she looked at Maika standing behind her. Maika looked at Aries, she nodded slightly and walked to the marked line. A mannequin stood 4 meters away from her.

"You can use abilities or support weapons."

Mr. Harish looked at Maika, who nodded slightly. She extended her hand forward, a black mist appeared and gathered into a black orb. Once enough energy was gathered, the orb shot towards the mannequin at the speed of light, leaving a long black trail of fire that gradually dissipated along its path.

[Skill Lever 1 Activated: Dark Fireball.]

Everyone was astonished to see the mannequin almost completely incinerated, but then it transformed back to its original state, as if nothing had happened.

"Vanessa Heazone, Approved."

Maika sighed in relief, she nodded in thanks and quickly walked back to Aries. Seeing Maika's happy face, Aries felt happy too. She looked at the mannequin, even though the Lever 1 skill was nothing special, for Maika to incinerate the mannequin like that, she must have put a lot of force into it.

"I did it, Ari...!"

"That's good, your forehead is sweating."

"Yes, I was a little too nervous."

Maika reached out and wiped the sweat from her forehead, Aries placed her hand on her shoulder to comfort her. Aries glanced at everyone, their moods varying. But they were all quite tense but also a little motivated because Maika had completed the approval.

"Next, Vance Bridge."

...

About 30 minutes later, almost everyone had been tested. Some were approved, some were eliminated. Only Aries was waiting for her turn. She and Maika sat in one place, watching everyone test. Aries looked at the other groups, they were almost finished.

The Chaos System and Aqua System groups were gathered with the Darkness System group.

Aries yawned softly.

"It's taking so long..."

"It's almost to the letter A, please wait a little longer, sis."

"Mmm..."

Aries glanced at the girl who was testing. She was also using a similar ability to Maika. Almost everyone used Lever 1 or 2 abilities, because they were easier to control.

"Bianca Cessaron, Approved."

The girl named Bianca sighed in relief, she turned to hug her friends. Aries looked at them and then turned away, her fingers impatiently tapping on the brick floor.

"Last one, Aries Sor Gremory."

Aries was slightly startled when she heard her name. She was the last one, which meant she was the only person with a name starting with A in this group. Everyone looked around to see who it was. Maika was surprised when she heard her name.

"Your name is so long..."

"Who knows..."

Aries stood up and walked towards the line. She looked at the mannequin, then looked at Mr. Harish. He looked at her and jerked his head towards the mannequin, meaning "Start."

"..."

The murmurs of everyone rang out and their curious eyes looked at Aries. Why?

The problem was... Aries didn't know how to use skills. She stared at her hand, confused and bewildered. How come everyone else made it look so effortless, but when it came to her turn, she couldn't do it. Aries felt like a toddler, truly, she didn't know how to use it.

'How do I use it...?', Aries was confused and a little worried. She looked at Mr. Harish, who was patiently waiting for her.

"Um... can I use a support weapon...?"

"...Okay, what will you use?"

"A handgun."

Mr. Harish stood up and walked towards the box nearby. The box contained many weapons and equipment, including swords and high-powered guns.

Mr. Harish turned around and handed Aries a handgun. Aries felt the cold material of the gun through her hand, and it was quite heavy. It looked quite new, without a scratch or feature to indicate it had been used.

Aries checked the bullets and pointed the gun at the mannequin. She closed one eye, aligning the barrel straight...

Bang!

The mannequin fell down, a small hole burned black by the friction of the bullet in its chest.

Aries looked at Mr. Harish, who was looking at the list, stroking his chin as if thinking. Aries felt a little worried, maybe her not knowing how to use skills would cause her to be eliminated and have to join the patrol team. Her hand tightened slightly on the gun, Aries could feel everyone's eyes on her. Maika looked at Aries worriedly, she prayed softly, hoping Aries would be approved.

Suddenly, another man walked towards them, he whispered something to Mr. Harish.

Everyone was surprised and curious, Aries felt herself calm down a bit. She didn't know what the man had said that made Mr. Harish nod, his eyes glancing at her.

"Aries Sor Gremory."

"...Approved."

Aries was surprised, she sighed softly in relief. Maika happily ran to Aries and hugged her tightly, causing her to stagger a little.

"Thank goodness...! Thank goodness...!"

"Yeah...Thank goodness..."

Aries smiled softly and hugged Maika, gently stroking her head. Some people in the group collapsed, they seemed to have been very tense and nervous but had extremely happy expressions.

After the Chaos System and Aqua System groups finished testing, everyone began to disperse and leave the Training Area.