Psychokinetic Eyeball Pulling

Chapter 21: Water and breath.

"Couldn't you at least leave the base of the poor dummy?" The major shook his head at the display of power.

"My mother always told me if I'm to do something, do it properly." Astrid said.

“That’s some fine advice.” Jacob said. "Alright, now I've got your power levels, we'll start with the fun part. Survival training. First up, swimming."

The major ushered them into a separate room. Astrid stepped foot into the new room and was hit with a pungent, irritating smell. Behind a large pair of glass doors shimmered a crystal-clear pool. I was expecting to be swimming in the ocean or something.

“The most common way of reaching the Forgotten Cities is by swimming with breathing apparatus. Therefore, Wayfarers need to be excellent swimmers.” Jacob said. “Can everyone swim?”

Everyone nodded.

“Alright, pick a room and get changed into the provided uniform.”

Nodding, Astrid rushed into the changing room. They hung a uniform up on a peg. With her mind, she lifted it. The weight of the clothing was surprising, as she could feel it tugging at her mind.

What the hell is it made of? Stripping off her clothes, she changed into the swimwear provided, then clambered into the heavy uniform. The material was thick, clearly made for a harsh winter day.

I’m getting a bad feeling. Shaking her head, she scrambled out of the changing room and rushed to the side of the pool. Her eyes lay on Gloria as she looked back at Astrid, with a victorious glint in her eyes.

Childish. Astrid scowled back.

Gloria being first, and Astrid second, it took only a few more minutes before the other examinees joined them.

“Alright, now jump.” Jacob guided his hand to the water.

Astrid looked around. Soldiers were already in the pool wearing lightweight swim wear.

Gloria and the other non strength users looked hesitant. However, a boy from the Lower District walked forward. Dense muscle visible even through the thick uniform. He was about to step forward into the pool when Astrid took over him and leapt in.

Oh shit, it’s freezing! I thought it was a heat treated pool, dammit! Astrid’s teeth immediately started chattering. Thanks to her recently upgraded strength stat, she could wade in the water, but the water rapidly absorbed into the uniform's thick cotton. It felt like her arms were trying to force their way through soggy sand.

Change to the You’re not a fish title!

Title: Mind Scrambler -> You’re Not A Fish

| You can hold your breath 15% longer.

| You can swim 10% faster.

With the faster swimming buff, she felt the water resistance lessen. With a splash, the others joined her. Those that had added some stats to strength found the swimming no problem, while there were others that had neglected it entirely. Gloria, for example.

She coughed and spluttered, her arms and legs thrashing around like a puppy's first attempt at swimming. Astrid connected to the matter within her body, just like what she did with the Spawn. She hoisted her up only a few centimetres to reduce the struggle.

Her head spun around, looking at everyone, but Astrid wasn’t even paying attention to her. With no one to yell at, she stopped her struggle. Her eyes peered over at the major.

“Astrid, stop that. This isn’t a team building exercise. She either fails or passes.” Jacob looked directly at Astrid.

Shrugging, her mind disconnected from Gloria, the sound of her frantic arms slapping the water continued.

“Your first test is to gauge your ability to stay calm in a difficult situation. When I say go, you will dive under the water and take off your uniform. It’s more difficult than it sounds.” Jacob crossed his arms and nodded. “Go!”

At the words, the examinees dove under the goosebump inducing water. With it washing over Astrid’s head, she felt a slight buzz to her head. However, with her increased constitution, it quickly dissipated. She stopped for a second. All the sounds were muted. A strange sense of concentration overcame her.

Gloria was panicking. Already having taken off her out layer, she was struggling with the t-shirt. It was tight, and it was only made worse by the constricting, wet material. Astrid could sense her lungs were straining as the matter within her constricted. Giving up on the normal way, her daggers flashed into view.

So that's how… I thought it was a skill. The moment Gloria’s daggers appeared, Astrid felt the matter flare up within a ring that hugged her finger.

With her daggers in hand, she sliced at the uniform, freeing her from sinking. She shot up to the surface.

Astrid also found it difficult to move. The uniform was like a constricting snake, even with the swimming buff and added strength. She connected to the matter of her uniform and raised it upwards, reducing the weight. It allowed her to slide out of the saturated cotton.

Slipping out of the clothes, she only had the remaining second skin-like swimwear that the Wayfarers had provided. Being able to hold her breath for longer was incredibly useful. Joining Gloria only a second slower, she resurfaced. Looks like her constitution and strength are even lower than mine. Gloria’s family is known for being heavily specialised, but to think it was to that extent. It’s a little suicidal, no? Astrid shook her head.

“Well done everyone, climb on out.” Jacob said.

Pulling her clothes with Psychokinesis, she hoisted herself out of the water. It looked like a crane had pinched the corner of her swimming bra, lifting her. Stepping onto the tiled floor. She looked at everyone else. Gloria was huffing. The strength users had no problem at all. The more patient ones used their enhanced constitution to hold their breath for longer. While the impatient just ripped their clothes off entirely.

“Destroying your clothes is a lot better than drowning. You need to do what is necessary in order to survive. Next, we’ll be undergoing something more difficult.” Jacob brought the examinees into a dimly lit room. It was another pool, but this one was smaller, and a large object took most of the space within.

“We call it the Void Panic. Well, I’ll leave it to your imagination." Jacob said.

The metal object rose out of the water, hoisted up by metal cogs that groaned. It looked like a large shipping container.

“Pick a seat and put on the collar. It will save you in case of an emergency. The doors will close. Once inside, figure out a way to open them. Enjoy the ride.”

Astrid was the first to move. Gloria took a deep breath and followed closely behind. Whether it was intentional, they ended up sitting next to each other. With Froderick on Astrid’s side. She locked the collar around her neck with a click. The soldiers slammed the large metal doors into the container as the light within vanished. Astrid placed her hands in front of her. But there was nothing but the miniscule specks of matter.

I will pass. Astrid steeled herself as the enormous box suddenly jolted. The entire weight of the solid metal container crashed into the water. The sudden assault of water and metal jostled her body. With it happening so quickly, Astrid only filled half of her lungs with air.

Then, the entire box rotated with them on it. Spinning in every direction. When it stopped spinning, the only thing she could hear was the muffled groans from the other examinees through the water.

It was pitch black, but Astrid could see everything. The surrounding people, the dense water, and the metal container that encased them. She immediately headed toward the door as everyone scrambled around, trying to make out their surroundings.

The specks of matter formed around a lever next to the door. Grabbing hold of it she yanked it downwards but nothing happened. Straining her muscles, she placed all of her weight onto the lever. But it didn't budge. Quickly thinking, she grabbed hold of a warrior user’s hands and placed it onto the lever.

Thankfully, he hadn't lost his head in the panic. His highly condensed muscles tensed and then jolted. Astrid watched as he completely ripped it off of the wall.

Damned brute. Astrid pulled his hand to the other lever on the opposite side. The same happened. With a crunch, the lever was snapped.

Is this another part of the test? She could feel her lungs becoming strained, even with the title buff. Her vision turned to Gloria. She was clasping at her throat. Astrid swam to her and held her shoulders still. Placing her thumb to Gloria’s mouth, Astrid leant forward and locked lips. Blowing into Gloria’s mouth, her panicking soon stopped as she sucked in the spare air Astrid had.

You greedy bitch! Her head was becoming light-headed. She connected to the specks of matter–the water–and gathered it all into where the metal hinges were located. Using Crash, the surrounding water ruptured into an explosion. The door’s hinges shattered, sending the door hurtling through the water.

The intense need for air struck her. Clutching at her throat, she willed her mind to last longer. Grabbing hold of anyone that was nearby, Astrid launched herself up and breached the surface. Gasping for air, she coughed and spluttered, having swallowed a cup’s worth of water. Scrambling to the pool's edge, she just lay there, breathing heavily within her arms.

Those that weren’t invested in strength or constitution struggled. Some had passed out and were being healed to the side. They pumped their stomachs, emptying the water contents within.

“Well, how was the first part of your training?” A light smile covered Jacob’s face.

“You enjoy this job, don’t you?” Astrid took her last catch of breath and raised herself out of the pool.

“Ah, of course, it reminds me of the good old days. Finish training with the team and venture into the shopping district. Losing my entire month's allowance on a single damned pastry.” Jacob said with a sight of longing. “Quick thinking in there, Astrid. Looks like you have skills befitting a Sinwen after all.”

“Chloe, you have failed. Your intense panic caused you to lose all of your air supply, activating the collar.” At Jacob's words, the girl welled up in tears. With a nod, she left the hall.

“Next it’s survival training. Follow me.”

Astrid and the others followed closely behind. Their group was one short.

Astrid turned her head. Gloria's eyes attached her eyes to Astrid's face.

“What are you looking at?” Astrid frowned.

“Was it you who gave me mouth to mouth?” Gloria touched her lips.

Frederick's, and the others' eyes opened wide.

“Will you guys stop staring at me?" Astrid looked away. "Anyway, thank me for saving your ass, otherwise, you’d be joining that Chloe girl.”

Froderick broke out into a grin, his cheeks flushed. Astrid’s mind twitched as she sent a crash to his ankle, sending him tumbling to the floor.

“Keep to your feet, soldier.” Astrid said.

“Thank you, Astrid.” Gloria’s lips twitched as she watched Froderick scramble back to his feet.

“For the kiss?” Froderick chuckled, despite eating a face full of concrete.

Gloria and Astrid both sent death glares his way as he quickly ducked his head and continued to walk.

“For keeping me in the examination.” Gloria said. “But, from now on, I’ll be first in all the tests. I’ll show you where my expertise is at.” Her pace quickened.

Just try it. Astrid ran to catch up.

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