The strength test had taken place on the first day of Evaluation Week.The agility test on the next.Then reflex.Then endurance.Then power control.
One trial after another…one chance after another for students to prove their worth.
And now—on the final day—only one test remained.
The Combat Examination.
A stillness settled over the arena as instructors stepped forward, their voices echoing across the steel walls.
"Each student will face two humanoid combat robots," the lead examiner announced."Height: Five meters. Reinforced frame. Adaptive attack algorithms."
A murmur spread through the students.
These weren't training toys.These were the same robots used to test second and third-year heroes.
"They may use any handheld weapon suited to them," another instructor continued."However—No explosives.No heavy artillery.No long-range destructive Nexas."
The rules were clear—and terrifying.
"Your goal is simple:Defeat both robots… or survive for thirty minutes."
Everyone swallowed hard.
These weren't ordinary machines.Their armor could withstand high-caliber artillery.Many pro heroes in active duty had struggled to destroy a single one.
And today, first-years had to face two.
Astra Noire — The Effortless Monster
Because she had ranked first in every test except theory, Astra Noire was called first.
The moment her name echoed, whispers rose:
"She's going first?""This'll be good…""Is she even trying this week?"
Astra stepped forward silently.Golden hair glowing faintly in the arena lights.Expression calm—almost serene.
The timer buzzed.
Then she vanished.
No—she flew.
A blur of gold and white wind pressure blasted downward as she shot toward the first robot.
CRUNCH—!!
The robot's torso caved inward as though struck by a falling star.Gasps erupted through the stands.
"She broke it in one hit—!""She didn't even charge the blow!""How strong is she!?"
Astra didn't pause.
She turned midair with elegant precision, letting the second robot swing at her.
She tilted her head slightly.The punch missed by a hair.
She caught its massive arm—and tore it off like it was paper.
BAM!
The robot toppled.
Time taken: Less than ten seconds.
Astra dusted her hands and exited the stage quietly, as if bored.
Bam Relic — Power vs Speed
Next was Bam Relic.
He cracked his knuckles, rolling his shoulders, trying to look confident—but his legs shook slightly.
"Let's do this…" he muttered.
The moment the test began—
BOOM!!
Both robots charged him at once.
"Fast—!!"
He barely raised his arms in time.One steel fist slammed into his guard, the other kicking him sideways.
But Bam didn't fall.His feet dug into the ground, cracks forming beneath him.
"I'm not losing to machines!"
He grabbed one robot by the leg—SLAM!SLAM!SLAM!!
Until the core snapped.
The second robot was faster, more adaptive.It took longer, and Bam's breathing grew ragged—but he endured and finally crushed it too.
He dropped to one knee.
"Holy crap… that was harder than I thought…"
But he had won.
The cheers shook the arena.
Zack Kreiger — Flames of Chaos
Zack strode up next, fire already flickering in his palms.
"Let's heat things up."
The moment the signal rang—
FOOOOM!!!
A fiery tsunami engulfed both robots.
Metal glowed red.Circuits popped.Heat shimmer distorted the air.
But their armor didn't melt.Only softened.
Zack growled, frustration leaking through.
"C'mon… just burn already!"
It took everything he had—dozens of blasts, multiple dodges—but eventually the robots sparked violently and collapsed.
Zack fell backward, gasping.
"Ugh… I really need more control."
But the crowd roared for him anyway.
Roger Castellan — The Trickster of Momentum
Roger cracked his neck, slipping on his reinforced gloves.
"Alright. Time to dance," he grinned.
The signal rang.
He sprinted—
FWSSH!!
Momentum Shift activated.
But instead of charging straight—
he veered left, then right, then up the robot's arm like a parkour master.
He leapt off its shoulder, letting gravity pull him.
In midair—
Momentum Shift: Reapply.
He redirected the falling speed sideways—turning himself into a human bullet.
BAM!!
His fist dented the robot's head.
The crowd exploded.
"He's using gravity as acceleration!?""That's genius!""He's insane!"
For thirty minutes, Roger danced between the robots, untouched.
Not a single blow landed on him.
When the timer beeped, he collapsed in sweat and laughter.
"Whew… that was fun."
Raze Arcwell — The Powerless Challenger
Finally, only one name remained.
The arena fell silent.
Even the robots seemed to loom taller… as if curious.
Raze Arcwell stepped forward.
No aura.No glowing Nexas.Nothing.
Just two short swords at his waist.
Whispers rippled:
"He's really going in with just that?""Is he serious?""Does he want to die?"
Raze inhaled deeply.
He touched the hilts of his blades—steady, calm.
His eyes hardened.
(This is everything I've trained for. Every bruise… every night. This moment.)
The signal buzzed.
Raze charged.
Straight at two monsters designed to crush ability-users.
The arena held its breath.
And the real fight began.