Chapter 29: Chapter 29:
Viper's eyes scanned the field with a keen, assessing gaze. He nodded in satisfaction as he took in the expressions of the trialists - faces that had once been filled with innocence now contorted with determination and fear.
But Viper paid little heed to the dwindling numbers; there were still more than enough trialists to meet his needs. Compared to previous years, the quality of this year's crop was high, and he was pleased to see that there were still over 120 left.
Glancing at the man beside him, he gave a subtle signal to the grunts, signaling the start of the second test.
The second test, like the first, was designed to measure the attack value. Though this test alone could not accurately reflect a trialist's overall strength, it was still a necessary benchmark.
But as the trialists listened to the explanation of the test, they learned of a new, sinister rule - the last place in this and all future tests would be eliminated.
Panic and confusion erupted in the square, as the trialists grappled with the implications of this rule. Many feared that their journey would end here and that their lives would be forfeit.
Although only fifty people were able to pass the final trial, not all those who failed would be doomed to death. Team Rocket would not participate in such a costly endeavor. As long as the trialists survived until the end and met the standard of strength, they would be given the opportunity to start as low-ranking grunts. Though their resources would be limited, they would at least have their lives. And with the right connections, their journey might still not be over.
But with the addition of this new rule, the plans of those who had hoped to survive until the end using this loophole were now in jeopardy. Each step forward could be their last, and one misstep could mean game over.
Like a herd of sheep being pursued by a lion, the slowest among them would always be the first to fall. And so the flock would have to run faster, for no one wanted to be the last.
This was the law of survival, the law of the jungle.
Team Rocket had become the lion and the trialists the sheep. And those who fell behind would be devoured.
The voices in the square grew louder, filled with the panicked cries of the weaker trialists.
"Silence!" Viper bellowed, his frown deepening in anger. As a man who had risen from the ashes of countless battles, he despised the weak and their feeble cries. "If you don't want to take the test, don't take it. But know that you will be treated as last place."
Under Viper's fury, the panicked discussions were silenced. No one wanted to be on the wrong side of a man who held their life and death in his hands.
Under the direction of the Team Rocket's grunts, the trialists braced themselves and began to form a line, but no one wanted to be the first to take the test. The delay only served to darken Viper's mood further.
The grunts, sensing their boss' displeasure, glared at the trialists with fierce eyes. They knew all too well the terror Viper was capable of.
"I'll go first," a voice spoke up, belonging to Xander, who stepped forward with a disdainful look on his face, Ekans following closely at his side, exuding an aura of danger.
With someone taking the lead, the rest slowly lined up. Under the arrangement of the Team Rocket grunts, Cain was placed at the back of the line.
"Begin the test!" The proctor shouted, standing next to the trial stone.
Without hesitation, Xander stepped forward, Ekans by his side, ready to prove his worth.
"Ekans, use Bite!"
With a fierce hiss, Ekans coiled its body like a tightly wound spring before striking out with explosive force. Black light glowed at the tips of its fangs as it bit down on the trial stone with a single, powerful strike, before quickly retreating.
Ekan's execution was meticulous, showcasing Xander's skill as a Pokemon trainer.
"Attack value: 258!" The proctor announced, recording the result with a look of astonishment.
An uproar erupted among the crowd. "As expected from Boss Xander, the attack value is an impressive 258 points, almost three times higher than the 98 points in the first test," one of Xander's subordinates exclaimed in awe.
"Holy shit, that's huge!" Another trialist exclaimed in shock.
"This is not good," others muttered, feeling the pressure mounting.
Xander's lips curled into a smirk as he strode off the stage, basking in the admiration of his peers.
One by one, the trialists stepped forward to take the test, some leaving the stage elated and excited, others sad and dejected.
Whenever a trialist learned that they were in last place, their faces would turn ashen, sweat pouring down their foreheads, their hands clenched tightly together as they stared at the other trialists, their hearts crying out for someone with a lower attack value to appear.
And when that person finally did appear, they would almost collapse in relief, as if a great burden had been lifted from their shoulders. And the new last place trialist would repeat their actions, always hoping that someone with a lower value than them would appear.
One by one, the trialists were put to the test, and in first place, as expected, was Xander with his impressive score of 258 points.
In second place was Jasmine, the young girl with the gigantic Zubat, scoring 227 points.
In third place was a loner, with chiseled good looks, and his Poochyena scoring 225 points, just two points less than Jasmine, a surprise to many.
In fourth place was none other than the young man who had previously been branded as a "smiling tiger" by Cain. A young man who always wore a sunny grin, yet hid a dark heart underneath. His name was Soros, and he scored 215 points with his Koffing.
And finally, it was Cain's turn to take the test.
Xander, who had been watching from the sidelines, wiped away his contemptuous smile and grew serious.
Even Viper and the mysterious man sitting next to him leaned forward in interest. What kind of result would this kid, who always seemed to surprise others, achieve?
As Cain stepped onto the stage, several of the other trialists recognized him.
"It's him, the one who came in second place last time!" Someone shouted immediately.
"I wonder what his score will be today." Another said curiously.
"Che, what can his score be? Those little tricks are useless now," a third said sourly. In the first test, because Cain used a trick to get second place, he fell from tenth to eleventh place, missing out on 100 Team Rocket points.
"That Murkrow isn't weak." Of course, those with good judgment could tell at a glance that Murkrow was definitely not weak, based on its size alone.
Ignoring the chatter around him, Cain calmly said, "Murkrow, full power, Wing Attack!"
With a powerful flap of his wings, Murkrow let out a scream and flew straight at the Test Stone. The surging flying energy was under his control as it gathered on his wings.
"Boom!" Without the slightest pause, and without using any tricks, Murkrow's Wing Attack made firm contact.
After a few moments, a single line appeared above the trial stone: "Attack value: 265."
The proctor, unable to contain his surprise, swallowed hard and took a deep breath before shouting, "Attack value: 265 points, currently ranked first, next!"
Immediately, gasps could be heard throughout the silent crowd.
"265 points! Damn! Could the Trial Stone be malfunctioning?" One of the trialists cried out in shock.
Their impression of Cain had always been that of an opportunistic second-place finisher in the first test, and his true strength was only on par with theirs. But this test had proven them all wrong. They knew that Cain was a loner, with no help or resources, yet he had managed to achieve such a score.
Xander, too, was stunned. He had met Cain once before and knew that he was not the opportunist that others had claimed, but had real strength. However, he had never expected Cain's score to be higher than his own.
"Could it be that the wilderness can make people grow so fast?" Xander began to doubt his own approach. Was gathering a group of people better for his growth than practicing in the wilderness?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone