Chapter 2.

- Erdz's students will line up on the left, Eastcryl's students on the right, and those I've chosen in the middle. - When the order was carried out, Hiro continued, - You are not officially our students yet. If we see potential, we will recognize you, but if not, you are free to go. Each of you will be put to the test. Mine for strength and resilience.

- Mine for focus and attention. - Isa's voice was calm.

- Mine for speed and endurance. - Er said coldly, studying the applicants with a grim look.

- If you realize you are not suitable, you may leave now. - After waiting for a couple seconds, Hiro continued. - Follow me.

At the entrance to the forest they split up, Hiro and the three youths and one girl advancing to the west side. The foliage was still green in the forest, though it was already starting to turn yellow in the city. After a while, the company found themselves at a huge stone cliff. The only girl, shuddered slightly, realizing what awaited them. Taking the bag hanging on a tree branch, Hiro handed it to the closest guy. The black-haired boy with blue eyes took the bag and abruptly raised his head, looking at his mentor with wide-open eyes.

- This bag contains fifty pounds of weights. You must carry it up this steep slope and down the path to us. On the way you will have many obstacles. You must overcome them with the weight on your shoulders.

- Is it even possible... - the girl with golden hair and bright green eyes said quietly, growing paler with every word of her mentor.

- I do it almost every day. It's a great workout. If you can't even do that, there's no place for you under my wing. - Hiro pulled out four small glass squares from his pants pocket. Inside was a living fog of red color, which moved without interruption, becoming brighter and then faded, as if there was nothing in the box. - It's a beacon. I will give one to each of you, and if you realize you have no more strength, smash it under your feet. I'll find you and help you.

- What if one of us falls off the slope? - A boy with brown wavy hair and green-brown eyes asked. Heero only grinned.

- You go first,- the hunter gave one of the squares to the blue-eyed boy who was holding a bag. - You go second, - Hiro walked up to the boy, whose question he didn't answer, and put the beacon into his hands. - You will be the third, - the girl took the object from the hands of her mentor. - And you are the fourth. - The last glass box went to a silent guy with blond hair and black eyes. - Here we go.

The young man with black hair smiled strainedly, securing the bag behind his back, tying a lot of drawstrings on his shoulders and chest. Watching the uncertain movements of the young man as he tied the weak knots, Heero couldn't stand it and walked over to the guy. Untying whatever the lad had already managed to do the hunter secured the bag himself. The blue-eyed recruit looked at his mentor bashfully, the strained smile trembling slightly.

- I advise you to calm down, if you're so nervous, you'll pass the test much worse than you could. I couldn't even tie the knots properly. - The boy froze in place, and Hiro only grinned. - Now let's go. Don't lose the beacon.

With a sharp sigh, the blue-eyed young man headed for the stone wall. Grabbing the first ledge, he carefully began to climb up. Hiro calmly watched every action of the guy, putting his hands behind his back. The other recruits stood nervously to the side, trying to adjust.

The first guy being tested climbed up the stone wall and further down the uneven path. He was no longer visible, but Heero kept looking up, waiting for the red cloud. But it wasn't there, and neither was the guy himself, those waiting for their turn started to get more nervous, because the first one had climbed the wall almost an hour ago and still hadn't returned. But the hunter was calm, continuing to look up at the sky on his right side.

Hearing the intermittent breathing and heavy slow footsteps, Heero smiled. Lowering his amber eyes to the forest, the hunter noticed the hunched silhouette of a young man. His legs trembled, his hands gripping the knots tightly around his shoulders, easing the pressure on his back. Sweat dripped down his red face, his hazy gaze staring at the path beneath his feet. This was how he walked until he saw his mentor's shoes. Lifting his head, the blue-eyed man encountered a kind look and an approving smile.

- Next. - Said Hiro after taking the bag off the barely standing boy. The hunter was approached by the young man who was to be tested second. Hiro secured the bag on him.

The first passerby sat down by the nearest tree with his back against it and closed his eyes. The second one was already climbing up the slope. It took him a little longer to climb than the first, but he was twice as fast for the rest of the test. The view was much better than the black-haired man's. Calm footsteps, clear eyes staring ahead, only his confused breathing gave away his fatigue. Heero muttered with a smile on his face.

- Why did you ask if you knew your strength?

- I wanted to look even better in your eyes, when I will do the task perfectly. - Answered the boy, looking with his green eyes with a brown tint. He removed his own bag and held it out to Heero.

- Approach. - The hunter glanced at the pale girl, she timidly approached. Carefully securing the bag, trying not to touch her if possible, Hiro looked into the emerald eyes. - How are you feeling?

- H...okay. - In a quiet voice, almost a whisper, she spoke. - I'm just nervous, don't worry about me.

- Are you sure you're going to be okay? - An attentive gaze studied the girl's face. She only nodded. Taking a step back, Heero began to watch the climbing girl. Slowly and taking occasional breaks, the girl still managed to climb up. But after half an hour, a bright red cloud appeared above the trees of the forest. She was able to walk a little more than halfway up the road. - Wait here.