**Chapter 2: The Awakening Test**
**Scene 1: A Dream of Shadows**
*"Shen! Shen! Where is he? He's our last hope!"*
The voices echoed in the darkness, desperate and fading. Shen tried to respond, but his words were swallowed by the void.
*"You can—"*
A chilling smile curled on General Arcane's lips.
*"Oh? So he lied. Then it's just… Shen."*
A sharp pain shot through Shen's ears. The world blurred.
*"Fine. Then I'll destroy this place."*
Kenya's voice cut through the chaos. *"She's back."*
A blinding light erupted from the sky.
Shen's breath hitched.
*What… is this? What kind of form is that?!*
---
**Scene 2: The Morning After**
Shen jolted awake, gasping. Sweat clung to his forehead.
*"A dream…?"*
But the words lingered in his mind.
*Dark Mage Ultra Form… What does that even mean?*
Shaking off the unease, he stretched and headed to the training grounds.
---
**Scene 3: The Commander's Welcome**
*"Hey, friend! How's it— Oof!"*
Before he could finish, the Commander's fist buried itself in his gut. Shen doubled over, wheezing.
*"What was that for?!"*
The Commander crossed his arms. *"Yesterday, my speech fired you up. Today, you're late for training. Balance."*
*"Training? What training?"* Shen groaned, rubbing his stomach.
Eliz sighed. *"You literally told me you were joining the Arcane Drifting Force."*
*"Oh, right! We *can* join, yeah?"*
Kenya flicked his forehead. *"Idiot. The minimum age is 14. We're 12."*
*"And even at 14,"* Ruke added, *"the training lasts two years. No shortcuts."*
Shen grinned. *"Unless we punch our way in?"*
The Commander's expression darkened.
*"You don't understand, Shen. After the Arcane King's sealing, too many young soldiers died. Now, we test *character* before sending anyone to battle."*
A heavy silence fell.
*"So… training first?"* Shen ventured.
The Commander nodded. *"Starting now."*
---
**Scene 4: The Magic Awakening**
Kenya gasped as a glowing orb materialized in the field. *"Whoa! What's this?"*
*"Your first test,"* the Commander said. *"This orb awakens your latent magic."*
Shen's eyes sparkled. *"Finally! I get to see my power!"*
*"Hold on,"* the Commander frowned. *"Who told you about this?"*
*"Books!"* Shen grinned. *"I *may* have read ahead."*
The Commander sighed. *"Fine. Kenya, you're first."*
Kenya stepped forward, placed her hands on the orb, and—
**BOOM.**
Flames erupted, twisting around her like a demonic aura. The Commander staggered back.
*"Fire Demon Power… A *god-level* ability!"*
Shen whistled. *"Just fire magic?"*
*"Fool,"* Ruke snapped. *"Ancient researchers tried merging fire and arcane energy. They failed—and *this* was the result. Hellfire itself."*
Next was Eliz. A pulse of dark and light energy burst forth.
*"Dark Healing *and* Light Attack Magic?"* The Commander's voice trembled. *"An attack-specialized mage!"*
*"So cool!"* Shen cheered.
Eliz blushed. *"S-Stop it…"*
Ruke went next. Electricity crackled around him, golden and fierce.
*"Ultimate-tier lightning manipulation!"* the Commander declared.
*"Ruke, you're insane!"* Shen laughed.
Ruke scratched his head, embarrassed. *"Your turn, genius."*
Shen strode forward, heart pounding.
*This is it!*
He touched the orb.
The wind stirred gently.
Then—nothing.
Silence.
The Commander's face paled. *"No… power detected."*
Kenya's jaw dropped. *"What?!"*
Eliz and Ruke froze.
Shen stared at his hands.
*"…Huh?"*
---
**To Be Continued**