The combat assessment facility was brutally functional despite Sparkshire's usual architectural opulence.

Massive training hall with reinforced floors designed to withstand higher -level impacts. Equipment stations arranged in systematic progression—strength, speed, awareness, endurance. Observation platforms where Academy instructors catalogued performance with enhanced perception and recording devices.

This is where theory meets reality, Bright thought, surveying the assessment layout.

The candidates were divided into groups of twenty, cycled through stations in rotating order, their performances measured with precision that left zero room for ambiguity or self-deception.

STRENGTH ASSESSMENT - STATION ONE

A metal sphere sat on reinforced platform, its surface etched with measurement matrices that glowed when activated by soul force. It was a simple test—lift the sphere, hold it steady, let the equipment calculate maximum weight capacity.

Crude but effective, Bright assessed. No room for technique to compensate. Just raw power versus gravity.

His group approached the station with varying levels of confidence.

Noble candidates went first—displaying results that correlated predictably with their core investments and training resources. Most managed respectable lifts in the 200-300 kilogram range for Fledglings, 400-600 for Initiates.

"Bright Morgan," the station proctor called, checking his roster.

Bright approached the sphere, his recently integrated Body Enhancement activating instinctively. The power flooded through muscle and bone, augmenting his natural strength with core-enhanced capability.

He gripped the sphere's handles, feeling the weight distribution, letting his spatial foresight map the optimal lifting angle.

Lift.

The sphere rose smoothly—not with Duncan's style of overwhelming power, but with controlled efficiency that demonstrated genuine strength rather than desperate straining.

The measurement matrix flared—547 kilograms.

Murmurs rippled through observing candidates.

"That's—" someone started.

"—exceptional for initiate rank," the proctor finished, making note on his evaluation tablet.

Better than expected, Bright thought, carefully lowering the sphere. Body Enhancement is pulling more weight than I realized. Literally.

His lanky build had initially suggested a limited strength potential, but core enhancement had transformed his baseline capability into something genuinely impressive for his rank.

Duncan went next—his massive frame and Bone Guard-enhanced musculature producing a predictable result.

587 kilograms.

"First place in this group," the proctor announced. "Excellent core synergy between natural physique and enhancement capabilities."

Duncan nodded acknowledgment, his expression showing satisfaction rather than pride. He'd expected to excel at a strength assessment—it was literally part of his specialization.

Adam approached with visible reluctance.

His lift was… adequate. Barely.

199 kilograms.

"Below average for initiate rank," the proctor noted clinically. "But acceptable for an intelligence specialist build. Your evaluation criteria accounts for specialization focus."

Adam stepped back, his expression showing relief that his poor physical performance wouldn't automatically disqualify him.

Different standards for different roles, Bright recognized again. They're not expecting Adam to match Duncan's strength. They're measuring him against other intelligence specialists.

Mara produced a solid mid-range result—298 kilograms—demonstrating that her combat effectiveness came from speed and technique rather than raw power.

The assessment continued through the remaining candidates, producing bell curve that separated the exceptional performers from adequate ones from those whose strength capabilities suggested they'd struggle in direct combat roles.

-----

SPEED ASSESSMENT - STATION TWO

There was a Linear track with timing matrices. A simple sprint—cover fifty meters, and let the equipment measure velocity and acceleration of the candidates.

Silas destroyed this assessment in relation to his outpost people.

His Speed Enhancement core activated fully, his body becoming a blur of motion that made other candidates look like they were moving through water.

4.2 seconds for fifty meters.

"Exceptional," the proctor said, genuine surprise in his voice. "That's approaching mid-initiate specialist speeds. Your core integration is remarkably advanced."

Silas said nothing, just nodded and stepped back.

Bright's own speed was respectable—6.8 seconds—enhanced by his Body Enhancement but nothing exceptional. Fast enough for combat effectiveness, not fast enough to be a tactical advantage.

Duncan managed 8.3 seconds—slow by specialist standards but acceptable for a tank-focused build where speed wasn't a primary consideration.

AWARENESS ASSESSMENT - STATION THREE

This was Bright's station. His specialty. Where spatial foresight transformed the simple awareness test into a demonstration of capability that few could match.

The assessment used spatial puzzle—objects thrown from random angles, candidates required to identify trajectory, velocity, threat level. Scored based on accuracy, reaction time, and ability to track multiple simultaneous threats.

The proctor activated the system.

Objects flew—weighted balls launched from concealed mechanisms, creating complex three-dimensional threat pattern that demanded exceptional spatial processing.

Bright's spatial foresight sang.

Every trajectory mapped instantly. Every object's path predicted with microsecond precision. His responses were almost casual—identifying threats, calling out velocities, tracking twelve simultaneous projectiles without apparent effort.

"Perfect score," the proctor announced, his expression showing genuine interest. "You didn't miss a single object. Didn't miscalculate any trajectory. Your spatial awareness is—" He paused, consulting reference materials. "—is actually beyond what we typically see from initiate candidates. This is adept-level performance."

That's the fusion, Bright understood. Danger Sense plus Spatial Awareness creating a synergy that exceeds component abilities. That's what myfusion talent provides—capabilities that shouldn't exist at my rank.

Around him, other candidates showed mixed results. Some managed adequate tracking. Others struggled with multiple simultaneous threats. A few failed completely, their awareness insufficient for complex spatial processing.

Adam produced a solid performance—his Enhanced Cognition compensating for lack of specialized awareness cores, his analytical mind processing threat patterns through systematic analysis rather than intuitive perception.

Duncan struggled—his awareness was combat-functional but not exceptional, his tank build prioritizing durability over perception.

ENDURANCE ASSESSMENT - STATION FOUR

Sustained activity measurement. Candidates maintained defensive technique against automated strikes for extended duration, scored on how long they could continue before exhaustion forced termination.

Duncan dominated.

His Bone Guard provided defensive capability that required minimal active maintenance, his natural stamina augmented by core enhancement, his mental fortitude developed through countless survival situations.

47 minutes of sustained defense before voluntary termination.

"Exceptional," the proctor said. "That's genuinely impressive endurance. You clearly understand resource management and sustainable defensive technique."

Bright managed *23 minutes—respectable but not exceptional, his endurance adequate for standard combat but not specialized.

Mara produced 31 minutes—better than Bright despite similar build focus, her combat experience having taught efficient movement and energy conservation.

Adam lasted 12 minutes—below average but acceptable for intelligence specialist whose role wouldn't typically require extended physical endurance.

Bessia unexpectedly lasted a very long time as her soul talent was just healing her back to tip top shape.

-----

After the standardized assessments came the actual sorting mechanism—randomized combat matches that would demonstrate capability, adaptability, and combat effectiveness under pressure.

"These matches determine the specialization assignment," an Academy instructor announced, her Adept-level authority making the explanation feel like command rather than information. "We've seen your physical capabilities. Now we evaluate tactical thinking, combat intelligence, ability to adapt strategy against unknown opponents."

Names appeared on display boards—random pairings designed to create interesting matchups, to force candidates outside comfort zones, to identify who could function under unexpected conditions.

BRIGHT MORGAN vs. JACQUES SHAIR

Bright studied the name, searching his memory for any recognition.

it was a minor noble house, he recalled from convoy gossip. Not a major player like Crownhold or Aurin.

He moved toward the designated combat ring—reinforced platform with barrier matrices preventing attacks from affecting spectators, equipped with safety systems that would terminate matches before lethal damage occurred.

His opponent was already waiting.

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