After completing the punching power and speed tests, only three candidates remained. The two women had been eliminated during the speed assessment. Now, the third evaluation awaited them—the Neural Reaction Speed Assessment.
"Follow me," Chief Instructor Peter Jons instructed, leading the remaining trio and a small group of martial artists toward the Neural Reaction Test Room, located adjacent to the main training hall.
The room was spacious, covering nearly a hundred square meters. However, compared to the massive training hall they had just left—spanning several thousand square meters—this space felt much more compact and enclosed.
At the centre of the room stood a tall, high-tech device. Its base was anchored firmly to the ground, and at its front were dozens of small openings resembling the barrels of a six-barrelled Gatling gun—but with significantly more nozzles. The design gave off an intimidating, futuristic vibe.
"First, Jimmy," Chief Instructor Jons called out.
The bearded man stepped forward without hesitation, entering a circular zone marked on the floor—a ring with a diameter of 3.6 meters, positioned directly in front of the test machine.
Click!
The machine's switch was activated.
Immediately, a soft red glow rose from the boundary of the circle, forming a hazy, translucent veil of light that surrounded Jimmy. It gave the impression of being encased in a protective yet unforgiving barrier.
"Listen carefully," Peter Jons announced, his tone firm. "No matter what happens, you are not allowed to step outside the circle. Leaving the circle will result in immediate disqualification. Touching the red boundary light will cause point deductions."
With that, he turned to the control panel of the neural reaction test machine. His fingers moved swiftly across the buttons, adjusting the machine's intensity level. The assessment ranged in difficulty—from intermediate student level all the way up to challenges meant for elite fighters.
"Begin!" he commanded, pressing the glowing red button.
Du~~ Du~~!
The large barrel at the front of the machine began to spin rapidly. In an instant, dozens of beams of red light shot out from its openings. Each beam varied in speed, angle, and trajectory. The patterns were unpredictable—chaotic and disorienting—as they darted toward the circular zone like serpents of light.
The bearded man's eyes were locked forward, sharp and focused. His body moved rapidly—darting back, forth, left, and right—nimbly weaving through the chaotic barrage of red 'bullets' flying toward him from all directions.
"Puff! Puff! Puff!"
He was struck three times in quick succession.
Fortunately, the projectiles were designed for training: tipped with rubber, low in power, and moving at moderate speed. Though the impacts were noticeable, they didn't inflict any real pain or injury.
Time ticked by—ten seconds, twenty, thirty...
The man gritted his teeth, sweat forming on his brow as he desperately dodged the incoming beams. The chaotic patterns left no room for rhythm; every movement had to be instinctive, every dodge precise.
Finally, the sixty-second mark arrived.
"Click~~"
Chief Instructor Peter pressed a button on the console. The rotating barrel of the machine began to decelerate, the lights fading as the spinning slowed to a halt. A moment later, a flurry of numbers appeared on the screen above the machine.
Peter Jons glanced at the data and announced without emotion, "Duration: 60 seconds. Hit: 59 times. Red boundary touched: 5 times. Not qualified. Eliminated."
Without another word, he tossed the man's ID card back toward him.
The bearded man caught it silently, his expression dark and unreadable as he stepped aside.
"Next, Lily," Chief Instructor Peter Jons called out.
Rudra offered her a few encouraging words. "All the best, Sister Lily."
She nodded slightly, her expression calm but determined, and stepped into the red circle.
As she entered the ring, the soft red light once again rose from the circle's boundary, creating a glowing perimeter. Lily took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a second to steady her nerves.
"Remember," Peter reminded, his voice firm, "you must not step outside the circle. Doing so results in immediate failure. Touching the red boundary light will deduct points."
With that, he pressed the red button.
"Du~~ Du~~"
The machine roared to life. Its barrel spun faster and faster, until it became a blur. Then—Shoop! —dozens of thin beams of red light erupted from the rotating openings. Alongside them, rubber bullets began firing out in chaotic patterns, mimicking the unpredictable nature of a real battlefield.
"Humph!" Lily exhaled sharply, her eyes sharp and unwavering.
In the very next instant, her body sprang into motion.
She moved with the grace and precision of a cat—quick, flexible, and instinctive. Her feet barely made a sound as she danced within the circle, weaving and ducking, twisting her torso mid-step to avoid bullets. She reacted to each threat in the moment, her mind racing to calculate the trajectories of the red beams.
Still, no one could dodge them all. A few projectiles struck her body with soft puffs, but she endured them with clenched teeth and didn't break her rhythm.
Click!
Chief Instructor Peter pressed the button, and the neural reaction test machine began to slow down. The spinning barrel gradually came to a halt, and a string of numbers appeared on the screen above.
"Duration: 60 seconds. Hits taken: 35. Red boundary touches: 0. Good!" Peter smiled, nodding in approval. "Not bad, Lily. Congratulations."
"YESS!" Lily pumped her fist and cheered for herself, unable to hide her excitement.
"Congratulations, Sister Lily," Rudra said with a bright smile.
Hearing his words, Lily's eyes lit up, her face glowing with happiness.
"Hehe, it's okay," she giggled softly and leaned in close, whispering in Rudra's ear, "I'll congratulate you in advance too."
A slight blush touched her cheeks as she stepped back.
Among the observing group, a young man watched silently—his expression darkening slightly.
He was Lily's older brother.
From her earliest memories, he had always been there for her. Raised her, protected her, taught her everything. For Lily, he was more than a brother—he was like a father.
And now, seeing her whispering and laughing with another boy, the warmth in his chest was tainted by a twinge of bitterness.
He didn't say a word, but deep in his heart, he felt a quiet sting.
"Last one—Rudra Singh," Chief Instructor Peter Jons called out.
At once, all eyes turned toward him.
There was a quiet shift in the atmosphere, a subtle tension. Unlike raw strength or explosive speed, Neural Reaction Speed couldn't be improved overnight. It required relentless training, sharpened instincts, and countless hours of practice. And now, everyone wanted to see if Rudra—who had already impressed them in power and speed—could live up to expectations in this final test.
"Go ahead," Lily said, her tone brimming with pride. "Show them who you really are."
She wasn't just being encouraging—she meant every word. Even before today, she had witnessed Rudra's reaction speed with her own eyes. His ability to perceive and move at the right moment was far beyond what someone at his level should be capable of.
"Of course," Rudra replied with a confident smile, meeting her gaze for a moment before stepping forward.
He walked calmly into the red circle, the glowing boundary lighting up around him once more.
The murmurs in the crowd faded into silence.
Now it was his turn.