~YOU~ pangwave

10

The training weeks passed in a whirlwind of physical exertion and mental strain. The gifted students found themselves pushed to their limits, each day more demanding than the last. As the first Challenge Day approached, the exhaustion was evident on their faces, but an air of determination lingered beneath the fatigue.

Mon, Time, Jack, and Joe emerged as the physical powerhouses of the group, forming a camaraderie with Trainer Pruk. Meanwhile, Wave despised every moment of the grueling physical training, earning the disdain of the relentless trainer. Pang couldn't help but find it amusing, secretly reveling in the irony of seeing the usually composed Wave struggle.

Pang and the bespectacled Korn formed an unlikely duo in evading Trainer Pruk's exercises. Pang took delight in teasing Korn, who, in turn, found creative ways to escape the more arduous activities.

On the intellectual front, Grace, Claire, and Namtarn were captivated by the knowledgeable Doctor Tawan. Their sessions were filled with awe and admiration as they absorbed medical insights and training tips.

The quartet of Punn, Third, Korn, and Wave developed a keen interest in Analyst Coates' assessments. Analyzing their powers and strategizing became a mentally stimulating challenge, pulling them into the analytical side of their gifted abilities.

Pang and Tee, however, focused on honing their abilities under the watchful eye of Professor Pom. Pang noticed Tee's efforts to surpass him, but it felt like a one-sided rivalry as Pang grappled with the growing strength and unpredictability of his own powers. He kept this concern to himself, not wanting to raise unnecessary alarms.

The culmination of the training weeks arrived with Challenge Day. The usual training equipment had vanished, replaced by a massive arena suspended from the ceiling. Professor Pom gathered the students in the center, revealing the day's challenge.

"The arena has been laid out for you. There will be three rounds of 30 minutes. 2 vs 2 only four of you will be challenged today. each team had three flags of their color, and the objective was to capture all the rivaling team's flags. The arena was riddled with traps, and stepping outside the platform resulted in the loss of a flag. Violence and the use of powers is allowed."

They all took turns taking the metal screens Professor Pom held out to them. Once all of them had one they turned on, Pang's screen was white and so was Wave's he lifted his gaze to see the rest of results when his eyes landed on Punn's screen that was bright blue and read Active player. Punn and Tee looked at each other but didn't say anything. His gaze lingered more and he saw Tee shinning the same blue while Mon and Claire shared red screens. The two girls were the other team.
A voice came from the speakers, they had never heard it before "The players have been selected, please go to the right preparation wing in order to get ready, talking between players from this point forward is prohibited until the challenge begins." Doctor Taiwan took the four players away towards the changing rooms without uttering a single word. Everyone of the students seemed confused. The rest of them followed Pom onto a series of seats behind a glass right in front of the arena that resembled a theater on a curgical hospital.

As the players disappeared into the changing rooms, the rest of the gifted students settled into the theater-like seats behind the glass, their eyes fixed on the expansive arena. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

The arena below, with its sandy terrain, rubble, and ruins, presented a post-apocalyptic landscape. The flags stood stoically on each side, awaiting the clash of the teams. Pang couldn't help but feel a surge of nervous energy as he surveyed the battleground.

Pang and Wave, seated side by side, exchanged glances. Wave's whispered revelation about the monitoring clothes and the potential for injury underscored the seriousness of the challenge ahead. Pang mulled over the implications, realizing that this wasn't just a test of their strategic abilities but a physical and mental trial.