Air Hero

Speed and sensitivity

The next test that Max is going to have is a test on his speed. It is a bit vague since the criteria of the speed is how fast your power can travel before hitting the target. Some superheroes might have a mighty finishing move that moves very slowly towards the target, while some have a fast-moving attack with lesser power. What’s being tested is only the fastest speed that the superpower could achieve regardless of the strength.

Some abnormal cases might have both speed and power in one move, just like the attack that Kalina just demonstrated to Max earlier. For this one, the process of checking the speed isn’t using a speed gun. It was done through another piece of equipment.

The equipment itself is like a batting cage. At the length of a bowling lane, and at each side of the wall, it is full of measuring devices.

“Enter the cage and try to hit the target at the end of the lane as fast as you can.”

Max entered the cage and saw floating targets at the end of the lane. It doesn’t matter how he does it or how weak the attack is in the end. What mattered is only one thing, and that is the speed.

Max closes his eye, and undoubtedly, the most powerful attack that he has is the wind bullet. However, that wasn’t his fastest attack. His fastest attack is more of a prank trick rather than an attack.

It was something he practiced out of boredom. As he practiced the make-shift wind telekinesis ability to pick up things around him, he is learning on how to do it quickly.  Rather than summoning the wind to gather around him and send it towards the direction of the things that he wanted to pick up, he comes up with an idea of directly summoning the wind below the target.

This is resulting in the prank trick that at most makes someone annoyed when looking back but realizing that nobody is there. However, it is one of the most suitable for this speed test as it wasn’t about the power but speed.

“You’re ready? I will start the countdown now. 5…4…3…2…1… start!”

As soon as Kalina said start, Max immediately focused and asked the wind to gather directly below the target. It is a bit tricky since the distance is quite far, but in the next second, the target moved a little, and a beep horn sound can be heard, signifying that the test is completed.

“Wow, that was fast. However, you’re barely at C-rank with 3,64 seconds.”

At first, Max is quite satisfied with his result, but when Kalina announced his rank, he is being reminded that being a hero is not a joke. There are people that are more amazing than him. Also, if Max could think of such tricks, how can the other couldn’t?

“Don’t be too sad, Max. This is already a good result. You should know that your score is average among people around your age.”

He didn’t know if it is a praise or not, but at least he isn’t doing too poorly.

“Big sis, can you tell me how the top heroes perform on this test?”

“Well, your idea isn’t bad, but your time to summon the wind is still lagging behind. Some of the top superheroes can instantly summon their superpower even if it was some distance away. Some could even move faster than the blink of an eye and reached the target the moment after they move, almost like a teleport. While some can launch their superpower even faster than bullets.”

After hearing that and imagining the performance of the top heroes, Max feels that his result is satisfying enough.

“Alright, what is the next test?”

“Next, we will test your sensitivity. I think that you will get a good record on this one.”

“Oh? Do you think that highly of me?”

“I am not sure about your other scores, but for this one, I think you are better than most.”

“Now, you’re making me confident out of nowhere, big sis.”

“Haha, let’s proceed with the test.”

Just like the previous two tests, there is a new device used for this one. It is something that looked like a whack-a-mole arcade game. The only difference is from the hole where the mole comes out; there’re clear glass containers instead.

“Alright, we’re going to see how fast you can fill one container. Just put your hands here on the device and channel your power through the plate.”

Max still couldn’t understand how Kalina is so confident in him for this test. He decided not to think much and just do it instead.

“I’ll start now, big sis.”

Kalina nodded, and at that moment, Max tried to conjure the wind to fill the glass container. A considerable gust has been formed inside the glass container in a blink of an eye, and it fills it entirely in the next second. Max could feel that no matter what he does, the wind's amount inside the glass container won’t be added anymore.

“Okay, that’s great. Your sensitivity is at B-rank and almost nearing A-rank. With more training, I believe that you could reach A-rank with your sensitivity in the future.”

So far, this is the best result that Max gets, and he feels highly excited. It shows that he really has a talent as a hero. If all of his test results are of that D-rank, he is too embarrassed to face Kalina since she is the one that is sponsoring him. He wanted to show her his good points in order to appeal to her.

“Okay, for the last test, it will still be using this machine but let me adjust it for you.”

Kalina then tinkered with the machine for a bit and then once again asked Max to step forward and put his hand on the device.

“This time, what we’re going to test is your energy limit or capacity. Try to fill as many glass containers as you can.”

“Oh, wouldn’t that be an easy one?”

“Look what we got here. Someone is getting into cloud nine just because of one good result. I hope you won’t feel too much pain when you fall later. This time, just try your best, and I want to see the result whether you could live up to your big mouth or not.”

After one month of interacting with each other, they are now close enough to joke with each other, and Max is already opening up his heart to her. In fact, whenever Max called her big sis, it was as if he is calling his real sister instead.

“Okay, here I go.”