"I'll go next." Vander raised his arm.
"Ok, you're up next. Let me know when you're ready." Sarah getting her hands ready on the stone console.
"Vander, are you sure about this? We don't know how this test works yet and your grades aren't as high as mine." Alice warned Vander before he went up the platform.
"Yeah, it's fine. I'll let you know what's happening inside there once I finish." Turning around, Vander went up to the center of the platform.
'Hopefully I'll be fine once this is over.' Vander didn't want to end up like the other two students, not being able to talk. Without being able to speak, he wouldn't be able to describe what happened in the arena to Alice.
Giving Sarah the thumbs up, the cage began to glow blue.
Then an invisible pressure descended on Vander. It almost felt like a weaker version of the principal was there in the arena with him. But this weaker version was still enough to shake Vander to the core and make his mind go numb.
'I could do this. I just need to last longer than the other guys. At least a minute. That's all I need.' Vander was trying his best to endure the pain that was assaulting his body.
Vanders body started sweating bullets. His legs began to wobble because he didn't have enough strength to withstand the pressure for an extended period of time.The longer Vander lasted, the less stable his posture became. After 30 seconds, Vander's vision was starting to blur, so he closed his eyes, counting the remaining time he needed in his head.
But with the constant pressure crushing down on him, he eventually lost track of the time. One moment he was counting in his head, the next moment he blanked out, distracted by the agonizing pain that was assaulting his mind. Not knowing how long he lasted, Vander could only rely on his willpower and last as long as he could.
'It feels like the whole world is on my shoulders now, crushing me. Is the principal actually here right now?' The pressure seemed to increase, causing Vander's knees to start buckling. But he couldn't actually tell if it did. Using all his willpower just to stand, he couldn't tell if the pressure was increasing or if it was just his imagination.
'I could… go… a second… longer.' Vander trying his best to keep standing and not pass out. Losing the feeling on his legs, and getting lightheadedness, Vander knew he didn't have much time left.
'Alice!' Vander forgot he needed to warn Alice about the pressure in the cage, so she could get ready.
Realising his mistake, Vander quickly fell to his knees before he could pass out. But the damage was already done. He couldn't move his body and his consciousness was starting to fade.
"1 minute, 58 seconds. Grade E. Can someone get him off the stage?" Vander could barely hear Sarah announcing his result because of a constant ringing in his head.
On the platform, Vander's body started to fall. While on his knees, he fell to his right side, hitting his head on the platform.
Vanders' eyes were slowly closing, and all he could see was Alice slowly walking towards him.
"Principal's pressure..." Using the last of his energy, Vander tried to tell Alice about the invisible pressure that was crushing him in the cage, not even knowing if she heard it or not.
With his eyes finally closed, Vander blacked out, not knowing what happened next.
…
"1 minute, 35 seconds…"
…
"... Grade D…"
…
"... Grade E…"
…
Vander was slowly waking up. His consciousness going in and out.
"... Grade F…"
…
"... 2 minutes, 8 seconds…"
…
"We have a 10 minute break…"
…
Finally opening his eyes, Vander was fully awake. He was laying down on the ground. Feeling good as new and refreshed, he sat up, seeing Alice right next to him. She was sitting down, resting. Vander could've sworn he heard a snore from Alice.
"She looks fine. Thank god." Vander was relieved after seeing Alice's condition. "Hopefully my warning made sense and helped her out."
Looking around, Vander saw some people getting treated by medics. Most of the students were sitting cross legged and resting. While some people that were like Vander, who were laying down unconscious, were slowly beginning to wake up as well. Two students in his group that were on the ground unconscious had someone tending to them.
These people were some sort of hero medics. Holding both their hands in front of them, a green glowing bubble would surround the patient, healing them. In just a minute, they started to regain consciousness. These medics would then go towards the next person that needed help.
Sarah was the only one standing up. She was constantly checking her watch, while sometimes pulling out the tablet from the void. A few swipes later she would throw the tablet away.
Seeing that there was no rush, Vander scooted over to Alice's side, sitting right next to her. Moving her head to rest on his shoulder. With nothing else to do, Vander then rested his head on Alice's head.
…
"Yyyaaaawwwwwnnnn." Hearing Alice waking up, Vander raised his head that was resting on Alice.
"How are you feeling?" Seeing Alice open her eyes, Vander asked the question.
"I'm fine. How bout you? Didn't you get hurt in there." Alice questioned back.
"Yeah. I feel good as new. Those medics must've healed me."
"You should've went down quicker still. That must've had a toll on you."
"I'm telling you, I feel perfectly fine. Those medics are amazing. No wonder there were none at Fluxis. They might be high tier heroes." Vander was amazed at the medics.
"By the way, how did you do on the test? Did my warning help you?" Vander continued.
"Got a Grade C. Lasted only 4 minutes and called it quits. Didn't want to end up like you. And what warning are you talking about?" Alice replied to Vander.
"Oh. Nothing. I'm just glad you're not hurt." Vander hid his disappointment with a smile.
"Alright everyones ready. Let's head out to the next arena. We'll be testing your Intelligence next." Sarah yelled at the group and started heading towards the exit.