Have your lungs ever been on fire, because that was our next test, and well it sucked. We all were standing in a round stadium, with round track 400m long for sprints.

Butterflies wrestled inside my stomach for what was to come up. Me and 245 other children were selected. Already my mind was exhausted from the first test.

I looked around; I was not alone, most of the children had puffy eyes.

"Congratulations to everybody for passing the first phase of the test" the monotonous voice said "But to my grief, Only a hundred out of you 245 students will be selected from this Exam centre to qualify for 'S.P.O.R.E'." the tedious voice blared from the speakers.

A tsunami of nervous words flooded through the crowd. Only 245 have been selected from the first phase and now they are saying they will only select 100 students.

I was confident in the beginning but now I was overwhelmed.

"So, the second phase or the last test will be conducted right here in the stadium", the monotonous voice said.

A tornado of dread formed inside me as I understood what the second test was. Why I haven't thought about it before? I silently cursed myself for studying ancient history.

I haven't exercised from the past few months and now this pain in my ribs. I looked at my legs angrily. They were lacking the experience, as I haven't practised.

A race was going to happen.

xxx

Seven groups of 35 students each were formed. I was in the team were everyone seemed athletic. I used to be one of the fastest kids in the class, but right now I wasn't feeling like one.

Some lab coat people were sorting the students and making them ready for the race.

"Everyone has to maintain decorum," said the voice from the speakers, "no one should use any unfair means to win the race", it completed.

My team had to race after 2 other groups. 

"14 students will be selected from every group" said the dull voice.

I was so nervous that I was breathing heavily even before reaching the starting line. After 2 races, my team was called; all of us took our places.

The whistle blew, I was good at the start but as time went on I was getting behind.

Sadness took over my heart as I thought that I would fail in this race, each step was feeling heavier than the previous one, at least 18 boys were ahead of me, but then I remembered my father's words-"Will you son, live my dreams?" they echoed through the emptiness of my heart.

Every time, the words got louder and I got faster. Pain was pumping my muscles; it was the only thing that kept me focused. "Will you son-", the words were so loud this time that they forced me to scream "Yes! Dad, I will!"

Everybody's eyes were in my direction. This time I increased my speed 10 times. I could not feel any pain. I was only running on adrenaline, speed was spewing out of me.

I didn't stop till the end. I crossed the finish line and my shirt dripped sweat. I was 4th to complete the race. Adrenaline was slowly draining from my body, leaving only pain that will not let me sleep tomorrow.

I sat down, I saw other kids, crossing the line. One by one all the races were completed.

XXX

"Now the results will be shown to you, they will contain your average performance from both the tests," the monotonous voice said.

A feeling of calm settled inside me, as I had cleared the test.

I stared at the billboard as my name appeared in the second place just after a girl's name Dextera Serien. She had got 99.98% on the test, and I had got 93%.

In the third place was Helcy Ardour (sounds like helcy's odour; I almost laughed after reading it) with 92.97%. Soon all the names were announced, a total of 98 students were passed.

"All the candidates who have not been selected don't feel sad, after all; we need people here on Earth too." The monotonous voice paused

"The selected students shall remain here while those who are not shall leave." Children left the stadium with their sad faces leaving only the 98 students.

Nobody talked, giving the place a serious shade.

After a couple of minutes a person appeared, he was tall, almost 6 feet. He had a pale, clean shaved face, although he had powerful eyes, his face looked like he hasn't smiled in years. He had long hair falling over his pale face.

"Congratulations to you all", he said in a monotonous voice,

Oh! So he was the person behind the speakers.

"You all have succeeded in the first phase of the test, now you are all eligible for the school. There will be 1000 children from all over Castalia. The organisation 'E.A.R.T.H' is working day and night for making the new school that will train you for the program SPORE. Any queries?" he finished.

"What is this SPORE thingie? Sir-umm." a girlish voice asked raising her hand.

"My name is Strane Gerish, miss-umm thingie", he scowled as if he didn't like his own name.

"And SPORE stands for Special Program fOr Remaking Earth." He finished.

I wondered how these people come with these acronyms; there must be a genius behind all of it ;).

"What kind of school will it be, and how much time will it take to build it," said a kid with a very low voice though his body was big as a bull.

His voice was like he was under an elephant and speaking with full force.

"You will get to know soon, and it will be ready in 1.5 years" he said looking at his watch "and yes a maths and science test will be conducted in a few minutes, after that you all shall leave, further instructions will be mailed to you, for the next one and a half year you all have to study in your normal school" he finished again looking at his clock.

Mr Strane Gerish left, everybody received a test booklet to complete, it was pretty basic stuff, almost everybody finished in the first 15 min and then we had to leave.

xxx
I went outside the examination centre where my father was waiting with a smiling face for me.

End of chapter 5

A question for the readers-
When was the last time you did a pushup or went for a run, are you taking care of your body in this hectic world?
Stay healthy.
Peace