Three days flew by in a flash. By the time November 18, 2023 arrived, the atmosphere inside the high-tech training lab was buzzing with nervous energy. The squad stood in a neat line, their brand-new silver Officer Badges pinned proudly to their uniforms.

Aditya walked into the room, checking a digital clipboard. "Alright, change of plans before we head out to the official mission. Because Hope officially graduated early from the academy, the high-level officers upstairs want immediate proof of his capabilities. They want to see if he's actually mission-ready."

Hope adjusted his collar, his expression completely unbothered. "I’m fine with that. How do I prove it to them? Through my new attack?"

Leo, Miller, and Perry all turned to look at him, their eyes wide. "Wait, did you actually master the Vector Flux in just three days?" Leo asked.

"Not fully," Hope admitted calmly. "I don't have perfect, microscopic control over the flux flow yet. But I managed to trigger a massive, high-release burst. I call it Vector Splash."

Aditya chuckled, putting his clipboard away. "Alright, save the chatter. Hope, your test is going to be simple, but a little harder than what you're used to. You’re going to be fighting a live Vector ranging from C-tier to B-tier."

The squad gasped, but Hope’s eyes just locked onto the combat floor.

🎯 "Try? No. I don't try," Hope said, his voice dropping into a cold, absolute tone of certainty. "I will defeat it."

"That's the spirit," Aditya grinned. "But before you go, I need to check everyone else's homework first. Let's see what you guys learned during our three days off."

Leo stepped forward eagerly. "Who is going to check our work? Are you going to spawn a Vector for us to test our new attacks on, Sir?"

Aditya’s playful expression instantly vanished into a deadpan stare. "First of all, a Vector is a lethal biological threat, not a toy. Second of all, I am a specialized vanguard commander, not a babysitter. Stop talking like a crying baby."

Miller and Perry instantly burst out laughing, while Leo’s face turned bright red.

"Don't look so upset, crying baby," Aditya laughed, tapping a button on the main console. "We are doing this safely inside the containment lab. Three D-rank Vectors are being released from the holding cells. They will arrive exactly one minute apart. Leo, how are you feeling?"

Leo cleared his throat, his voice dropping into a nervous whisper. "Uh... I feel good, Sir."

"Good. Now, play Rock-Paper-Scissors to decide who goes first."

The three older teens immediately clustered together, throwing out their hands in a rapid-fire match. Within seconds, the order was locked in: Miller was first, Leo was second, and Perry was last.

"Excellent," Aditya said, stepping back behind the reinforced safety glass. "They are only D-rank Vectors, so they should be perfect targets for a one-shot execution. Miller, the floor is yours. Go!"

Miller leaped down onto the metallic fighting ground just as the heavy iron gate slid open. A snarling, shadow-like D-rank Vector charged out, its claws scraping against the steel floor.

"Super Greeny Attack!" Miller roared, slamming his palms flat against the ground.

The system's synthetic soil instantly fractured. Massive, thick emerald roots erupted from the earth like giant serpents, wrapping tightly around the Vector's limbs. The creature shrieked, but the roots didn't just hold it down—they glowed with a brilliant green light. The roots were actively absorbing the Vector's raw flux energy and transferring it directly into Miller's body. Within seconds, the drained Vector turned to dust.

"Perfect execution," Aditya called out over the intercom. "You passed the exam. Well done, boy."

Next up was Leo. Aditya couldn't resist one last jab. "Alright, your turn. Let's see if the crying baby can carry his own weight."

Leo marched onto the field, his eyes burning with a desire to prove himself. The second gate opened, and another D-rank Vector sprinted out.

Leo spun on his heel, gathering a massive swirl of superheated orange and red energy into his palms. "Big Volcanic Ball!"

He hurled a massive, roaring sphere of molten energy straight at the creature. The impact was devastating. The intense heat didn't just strike the Vector—the kinetic force completely blasted its cellular structure apart, leaving absolutely nothing behind but a scorched mark on the floor.

"Well done, crying baby! You pass the test," Aditya shouted with a proud laugh.

Leo jogged back up to the platform, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and walked straight over to Hope. "That shot... it was completely inspired by your fighting style in our last duel."

Hope looked at the scorched ground, giving Leo a rare, genuine nod of respect. "Well done. In fact, your Big Volcanic Ball actually carries better destructive force than my raw attack did."

Leo beamed with pride.

"Alright, Perry, you're the final anchor," Aditya announced. "Show us how strong your fundamentals are compared to these two heavy-hitters."

"Yes, Sir," Perry said nervously, stepping onto the field. "I hope you like it."

As the third Vector rushed into the arena, Perry took a deep breath. He didn't summon fire or wood. Instead, a perfectly smooth, vibrating ripple of kinetic energy began to coat his arms.

Leo’s jaw dropped. "Wait... look at his stance. Is he using... Vector Flux?!"

Jeena stood next to Aditya, a proud smile on her face as she explained to the shocked boys. "I taught him how to utilize the core fundamental pathways of Vector Flux. Perry doesn't have Hope's massive, explosive raw power, but he knows exactly how to regulate the flow—switching seamlessly between high and low power outputs. That is the true essence of fundamental control."

"Incredible," Hope muttered, watching intently.

On the battlefield, Perry moved like liquid. He unleashed the Vector Flux beautifully, displaying absolute mastery over his speed. He would accelerate to high speed to dodge a claw swipe, instantly drop to low energy to conserve his stamina, and then deliver a perfectly compressed, high-frequency kinetic strike directly to the Vector's core. The creature collapsed instantly.

Perry stood tall, breathing perfectly normally, having demonstrated flawless, rock-solid fundamentals to his commander.

Aditya clapped his hands together, the sound echoing through the lab. "Brilliant! Every single one of you passed. Now..."

Aditya turned his sharp, testing gaze directly onto the 12-year-old prodigy.

"Hope. The board is watching. Step up to the plate."