ZEROZEN – Episode 2: “The Test Begins”

Here's a fully written and polished version of Zerozen Episode 2: “The Test Begins” — with clean dialogue, action, pacing, and emotion. This episode shows Takumi's struggle in the brutal Zerozen testing, highlighting his weakness… and his spark.

ZEROZEN – Episode 2: “The Test Begins”

[Scene 1 – Morning at Zerozen HQ]

Takumi stands nervously in the grand white hallway of the testing center. His heart is pounding. Suddenly, a calm and sharp voice calls out.

👩‍💼 HANA:

"Takumi Raien?"

👦 TAKUMI (turning quickly):

"Yes, that's me!"

👩‍💼 HANA (soft smile):

"I'm Hana, one of Ego’s assistants. I’ll escort you to your test zone."

👦 TAKUMI (nodding):

"Okay. Thanks."

They walk through sterile corridors, surrounded by screens and hidden cameras.

[Scene 2 – Testing Room]

Takumi enters a giant white room with high-tech lights. Hana stops at the booth and waves.

👦 TAKUMI:

"Thanks, Hana!"

👩‍💼 HANA (muttering to herself):

"What an idiot."

A smooth robotic voice echoes across the room.

🤖 AI SYSTEM:

"Welcome, Takumi Raien. Begin: Drill One – Heading Accuracy."

🔷 Drill One: Heading

A series of metallic launchers begin firing balls toward Takumi from random angles and heights. He jumps, misses, stumbles, and even gets hit in the face once.

⚽ Attempts: 20

✅ Successful Headers: 1

Takumi pants, hands on his knees, sweat dripping.

👦 TAKUMI:

"One… out of twenty. I… tried, right?"

🤖 AI:

"Conclusion: You are not built for football. Recommendation: Give up."

Takumi spits on the ground and clenches his fists.

👦 TAKUMI:

"Never."

[Booth – Observation Room]

👩‍💼 HANA (watching through the glass):

"That’s… some determination. But honestly, he's terrible."

🔶 Drill Two: Defending 1v1

An AI humanoid in a white jersey dribbles at Takumi with frightening precision. It performs sharp feints, elastico, nutmegs. Takumi lunges but is always too slow, too off-balance, or tricked.

⚽ Attempts: 20

❌ Successful Defends: 0

🤖 AI:

"Conclusion: Defensive instincts – nonexistent."

Takumi winces, clearly embarrassed.

🔷 Drill Three: Ball Control

A sequence begins: first touch tests, mid-air ball stops, trap-and-release routines. Balls fall from high angles, spin weirdly. Takumi struggles but manages a few soft controls.

⚽ Attempts: 20

✅ Successes: 3

🤖 AI:

"Your control is below developmental level."

👩‍💼 HANA (sighing):

"Okay… this AI might actually be right."

[Scene – Takumi’s Eyes Narrow]

But Takumi doesn’t back down.

👦 TAKUMI (gritting teeth):

"I’m not giving up. Not now."

🔴 Final Drill – Shooting

The atmosphere shifts. Red lights activate. 40 balls appear, and different zones on the goal light up randomly. The AI speaks:

🤖 AI:

"Target-based shooting. Difficulty: Adaptive. Precision Required."

Takumi steps back, breathes in. The first shot — top corner. Goal.

Second shot — another goal.

Third — off the bar.

Fourth — rebound.

Fifth — GOAL.

The booth goes quiet as Takumi unleashes precision, power, and purpose. He channels everything — his dream, Joãozinho, Louise, Axel.

⚽ Attempts: 40

✅ Goals: 28

👩‍💼 HANA (surprised):

"Wait… What?!"

[Scene – Final Score Appears on Screen]

📊 Test Score: 32 / 100

📄 Assigned Rank: 5 (Lowest Tier)

Takumi stands, breathing heavily, tears at the edge of his eyes.

👩‍💼 HANA (softly):

"You barely got into Rank 5… But you're still in."

👦 TAKUMI (tearing up):

"I still have a rank. I’m not out. Let’s go!!"

[Scene – Hallway Outside Test Center]

Takumi walks out. He spots a familiar figure — Shinobu, the boy with glasses.

👦 TAKUMI:

"Shin! Hey! What rank did you get?"

🤓 SHINOBU (adjusting glasses):

"Rank 5."

👦 TAKUMI (smiling wide):

"Yes! We’re in the same rank!"

🤓 SHINOBU (nodding):

"Yeah. But if we want to rise... we’ve got to be monsters."

💥 End of Episode 2

Next Episode: “The Real Battle Begins – Team Trials!”

Would you like the next episode to introduce Team Z and show the first scrimmage match where Takumi starts to awaken his potential?

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