UNLEASHED COMBAT POWER, ???
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"Sick venom in men and women overcome with pride
A perfect world is never perfect, only filled with lies."
*ੈ✩‧₊𖤓

MUSIC FLOODED AKIRA'S EARS, instantly putting her in focus mode. She was permitted by both Vice-Captain Hoshina and Operations Leader Okonogi to wear comfortable earbuds while participating.

Akira, wearing tight black leggings and a black baggy shirt, her natural curly hair pulled back into a long ponytail, moved through the challenges with grace and strength.

During their endurance workout, Akira jogged with a good lead behind her. She reflected on the conversation she had with Reno and Kafka regarding every facet of the Fitness exam.

—
Reno and Kafka sat on the bench in the empty locker room, Akira leaning back against the empty lockers. Reno wanted to talk to both before the fitness test started, so she stayed mute.

"Since the second section is essentially a wild card, the content changes every year, so it's hard to prepare for it. The second section is all about general aptitude, and examinees are pretty much up against the wall the whole time."

Kafka had a fleeting insight. "So it's crucial that we score points here in the fitness test."
—

"So much for getting the most points as possible." She thought, almost wanting to bang her head up against a brick wall.

"Kafka doesn't seem to be doing so well. He's not catching up, and we're almost done. But Reno appears to be doing well."
Glancing up ahead, she saw a tall, sturdily built, tan-skinned young guy with short, spiky mint green hair ahead of her, crossing the finish line a few seconds ahead of her.

She was a little out of breath, but her physical training paid off when she ranked second out of 226 competitors without any problems. Shortly after Akira, Kikoru Shinomiya, Haruichi Izumo, and Iharu Furuhashi placed third, fourth, and fifth.

"Looks like you needed it. Congratulations on second place. I thought for sure I'd catch up to you," he joked.

She pulled out her phone, closed her playlist, and sat up against a shade tree. Looking up to see a taller male with medium-length dark sea-green hair in a half-bun holding a water bottle out in her direction with a kind grin on his lips.

Akira returned the acknowledgment with a smile, her long eyelashes fluttering as she blinked and took the water bottle from his hand. "Thanks," she said, feeling a rush of relief and refreshment. "You did great out there too."

The young man sat down beside her, taking a swig from his water bottle. "I'm Haruichi, by the way. I've heard a lot about you from the other examinees. You're pretty impressive."

Akira chuckled softly. "Nice to meet you, Haruichi. I'm Akira. Looks like we're going to have some more competition in the aptitude test." Haruichi nodded chugging some of his water down, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Let's give it our very best."

Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion nearby. Akira turned her head to see Kafka rolling on the sand in absolute shame, his face flushed red. Kikoru stood over him, her expression smug as she flaunted her success over his failures.

Akira brushed off any dirt and dust and walked toward the black-haired man, waving farewell to Haruichi.

Kikoru was quick to mock him. "I didn't expect much, but you are truly pathetic," she taunted, her words cut deep. Kafka's face twisted in shame as he rolled across the ground, memories of his former confident performance in the parking lot flashing through his mind, making him cringe even more.

With a pompous smirk, Kikoru marched away with an air of grace. Akira and Reno walked over to Kafka, Reno's face reflecting surprise as he saw the ranks they all placed. "You didn't use your powers, did you? Good job for sticking it out," Reno praised, patting his friend's back.

Kafka looked regretful. "I thought it wouldn't be fair to the others who worked their asses off to get here if I did, but now I wish I had!" His mouth comically foaming while some veins popped on his forehead.

Akira rested her hand on his shoulder, trying not to laugh. "Aww, Don't beat yourself up too much Kafka. You'll get another chance, the final exam will sometime start soon."

—
In the command center, Vice-Captain Hoshina handed Mina Ashiro the list of examinees. "Here are the current examinees Captain Ashiro," he said, his tone casual and carefree. "We've got a few interesting folks in the Lineup..."

"Then again, I doubt you're interested in anything outside of killing Kaiju." Holding up his arms, an amused expression came about—almost as if he wanted to playfully push her buttons.

Mina glanced at the list, her eyes stopping on Kafka's file. Her interest was piqued, so she decided to listen to Soshiro's assessment. "Keep talking, I can work and listen."

"Oh, now this is rare."

Hoshina albeit surprised, began discussing the noteworthy candidates. "Yes, well, as far as noteworthy candidates go, I'd start with.
—

"HARUICHI IZUMO." Reno started describing other test takers. He was standing whilst Kafka and Akira sat next to each other against a brick wall, looking directly at Haruichi.

Beads of sweat gathered on his forehead, chugging down a water bottle as he patted another contestant on the back. Haruichi wasn't all smiles as he did when he approached Akira.

"He's the number one prospect out of this year's graduates, Graduated Valedictorian from Tokyo Neutralization University." Akira's head perked up at the University being mentioned, that was the school she was invited to attend but declined due to family concerns.

"Then there's Iharu Furuhashi." Reno continued, turning his head to look at another eccentric character Kafka and Akira followed suit. It was an athletic-looking young man with messy pink hair shaved on the side, orange eyes, and sharp teeth.

"That's the Powerhouse Valedictorian of Hachioji Neutralization Technical Institute." A cocky, upbeat, and confident aura surrounded him as he walked.

"He doesn't look like someone you'd wanna get in an argument with." Akira snorted, catching Kafka off guard for a quick moment. "And that's not even the half of it." Reno's eyes moved over to the same male that made first place, Aoi Kaguragi.

They're all highly prepared, under normal circumstances these people would be executive candidates, not aspiring field personnel—they're elites. "Despite all of these amazing people, where do you think you stand in all of this Kira?"

Akira was so abruptly put on the spot that her eyes widened and she cleared her throat.

"...Well, In my most humble opinion, I think I'm above them all." A smirk found its way on her plump lips, her amber eyes giving off a gentle glow.

—
DEFENSE FORCE TRAINING: AREA TWO  !

"It's Huge!"

All the examiners gathered around a massive gate, observing towers topped with barbed wire and satellites. This was created by the Third Division as a training facility, or at the very least to contain things if feasible. Vice-Captain Hoshina appeared on top of one Watch Towers, introducing himself to the ones who didn't know of him yet.

"I'm the head of the screening exam's selection committee...Third Division Vice-Captain Hoshina."

Reno guessed as to what it might be. "The aptitude test has included Kaiju disposal for the past two years, presumably to increase awareness of Kaiju body parts. I joined your previous company for that reason."

Akira, on the other hand, was immersed in her thoughts and ignored what they were saying. After Hoshina's brief introduction, he turned his back, typing numbers on a keypad to open the large gate. "For the second section, Your task in the training area will be to.."

The gate opened, showing several Kaiju alive and well. They have a violet human-like body with a long spiked tail and hoofs at the end of their fingers and feet.

Their head features a large mouth with jagged square teeth and no eyes. While the Honju has two bull-like horns, the various Yoju sport an elongated cranium.

"Neutralize these Kaiju.."

Kafka and Reno appeared horrified by those comments alone, which was enough to make him fall on his back. Both of them echoed what he had said, their limbs shaking with anxiety and their eyes widening.

Akira nodded, concentration sharpened. Even though this was her first time acting, she would give it her all.

"This is a chance to see where my strength lies!"