"Survive"

The Baron led the children even deeper into the laboratory. The hallways grew more complex, and the hum of machinery became louder.

They passed through rooms filled with swirling chemicals, holographic blueprints of impossible machines, and automated robotic arms performing intricate tasks with breathtaking speed. It was a world far removed from the kingdom above, a place built on technology that was both terrifying and alien.

Finally, they arrived at a large, circular chamber with a single, massive console at its center. The Baron gestured toward the console and then to a sleek, circular observatory room with a floor-to-ceiling glass window at the side of the room.

"The tests will begin now. Charolette and I will observe from the control room."

He gave a small, predatory smile, and with a silent signal, the woman from earlier—Charolette—strode into the room. She was wearing the same uniform she wore earlier but with a higher rank insignia on her collar.

The Baron and Charolette entered the observatory room, leaving the children alone. A moment later, a holographic screen flickered to life on the central console, and Charolette's face appeared.

"This is your physical examination,"

her voice was calm, echoing through the room.

"It will be a series of tests to evaluate your physical abilities, beginning with speed. The moment your hear the startung gun fired, you are expected to run as fast as you can. Now, take your marks."

The children took their marks on the designated space for the test, waiting. A starting gun fired, and the holographic timer appeared. The children took off, running with all their might. When they had all finished, a new set of numbers flashed onto the console.

Speed Test Results:

* Corbin Finch: 10 km/hr

* Beatrice Fontaine: 15 km/hr

* Emmett Thorne: 9 km/hr

* Briar Hayes: 25 km/hr

* Rhys Fisher: 13 km/hr

* Felix Vance: 9 km/hr

Corbin smirked, a cynical glint in his eyes.

"Hmm. An impressive number."

Beatrice let out a soft sigh of relief. She had finished last in the IQ test, but her score this time was a small victory.

Emmett and Felix exchanged a brief glance. Their scores were identical, a quiet moment passed between them, an unspoken acknowledgment of their similar physical discipline.

Briar, however, let out a triumphant roar.

"Yes! I told you I was fast!"

She turned to Emmett, a wide, proud grin on her face.

"Did you see that? That was fast, wasn't it?"

Emmett simply met her gaze, his gray eyes devoid of emotion.

"It was efficient,"

he said, his voice flat.

Briar's grin faltered just a bit, but she quickly recovered, her pride still glowing.

The console screen changed to a new prompt. Charolette's voice returned.

"The next test is for strength. Place your hands on the pads to your right and push."

One by one, they strained against the machine, their scores appearing on the holographic display.

Strength Test Results:

* Emmett Thorne: 16 kg

* Felix Vance: 16 kg

* Corbin Finch: 19 kg

* Rhys Fisher: 26 kg

* Beatrice Fontaine: 12 kg

* Briar Hayes: 45 kg

The children stared at the scores in silent shock. Briar's number was impossibly high, almost a full twenty kilos more than the next highest. The others began to whisper, their eyes wide.

"How is that even possible?"

Felix muttered.

Their gazes landed on Briar. She was still grinning, but a few of the children noticed something about her. As she had strained against the machine, the collar of her shirt had shifted, revealing a faint, glowing mark on her collarbone. It looked like a stylized, intricate symbol.

"What is that?"

Rhys asked, pointing at the mark.

"The test results… it has something to do with that mark."

Briar's grin faltered, and she quickly pulled her shirt collar up. The mark disappeared.

"It's nothing,"

she said defensively.

She turned to Emmett, a hint of desperation in her eyes.

"You see?"

she asked, her voice softer this time, seeking his validation.

"I'm strong, Emmett. I'm really strong."

He looked at her, at the raw power she was so desperate to show him, at the proud, hopeful look in her eyes. He said nothing, simply turning his head to look at the scores, his face a perfect mask of neutrality. Briar's shoulders slumped slightly, the triumph fading from her face.

A door slid open, and the Baron stepped back into the room with Charolette by his side.

"I am impressed,"

the Baron said, his eyes lingering on the scores.

"Especially with you, Briar. You are a true prodigy."

Briar's face lit up, and she stood a little straighter.

"Anyways, the tests you just did are two of the three main physical tests,"

the Baron continued.

"But the last will be done elsewhere. Your physical prowess will not be enough for this final challenge. For this, you will need to rely on your wits."

He gestured to Charolette, who pushed a cart holding six identical, sleek, black battlesuits.

"These are light, but strong body armor that will send real-time health and brain signals to our observation room. Put them on. You will be needing them."

One by one, the children donned the suits. They were a perfect fit, their light material conforming to their bodies. The Baron led them through a series of rooms before arriving at their destination. The door slid open, and the Baron waved them through.

"Your final test awaits you,"

he announced with a cruel smile.

The door closed with a loud thud behind them. They were in a massive, enclosed habitat dome. It was a realistic forest, with towering trees, lush bushes, and a flowing stream.

A voice, the Baron's, boomed from unseen speakers above.

"Your final task is to retrieve a cub from a bear in this habitat. Do not be concerned; the bear and the cub are the only animals in this dome. This is a simple test of your teamwork, ingenuity, and ability to…"

The voice cut out, but the final word echoed in the silent forest.

"Survive."

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***