Mr. Halden let out a quiet sigh as he tapped the final key.
The simulation lights dimmed across the room, and a soft chime echoed through the chamber. The monitors went black one by one, then shifted to standby mode.
The test was over.
"All right," he said. "Class dismissed."
Students all across the hall began to stir. Some were slow to move, still processing what they'd just been through.
Others stretched, yawned, or rubbed at the backs of their necks where the simulation gear had connected.
A few were silent.
The serious ones.
They'd taken the test personally.
Ethan stepped down from the platform with no rush in his stride. His eyes scanned the room once before relaxing.
Mei and Sera gave him small nods as they headed toward the back to grab their things, muttering something about comparing notes later.
Meanwhile, Everly and Evelyn stood near their own stations, finishing brief chats with their respective teammates.
