After their first day of playing 3v3's, they had won most of their matches.
As the months passed, the boys would continue to play games together when they had free time. In little time they collectively advanced to the silver rank.
However after reaching the silver rank, Kaden and Chet got slightly bored with the game, dedicating most of their time to training instead.
Damien was different, usually spending all the time he could playing Combat Arena. It got to a point that Kaden and Chet were both kind of worried for him.
But Kaden had to focus on himself, he couldn't waste time trying to convince someone to do something they didn't want to. As they neared the mid terms, he entered the 13th level of Body Tempering.
Raphael had continued glaring at him all the time, even trying to create problems for him on some occasions. Kaden didn't understand why, and it wasn't really an issue so he just ignored it. The provocations of a mouse wouldn't bother a tiger.
In that manner they finally reached the end of the first semester. Now it was time for all the tests that came with it.
…
Inside of a big hall in the academy.
It was almost pin drop silent. Only a rare cough or a snort broke the silence and reminded people that they weren't alone.
All of the first year students in every class were gathered in the hall, sitting alone at tables with plenty of space in between. Currently they were taking one of the many written tests to come.
Kaden sat at a table, hopelessly lost as he read over the information on the screen in front of him.
Physics definitely wasn't one of his strong subjects, the further he read, the less he understood.
Looking around he saw people leisurely working, tapping away on their screens and solving the problems. He had the impression that everyone but him was having an easy time.
Kaden eyed the test in front of him, not sure if he could solve more than just a few of the problems on it.
But he knew he had to solve some. If he couldn't solve any, his ranking might fall so far that he would be pushed out of the elite class.
During the entrance test he could get in because the extra tests were only for higher level and non-mandatory subjects. Since he didn't take a test, he was just allocated the default amount of points for physics.
But if he failed this test horribly now, his points would no doubt fall to a lower level than the default amount.
He had to admit that it would've been a good idea to pay a bit more attention in class. Most of the time he had just sat in the back, daydreaming as he thought about other matters.
Taking in a deep breath, he encouraged himself mentally and began attacking the first question. To him this question was the most formidable opponent he could imagine, tougher than anyone he had ever fought.
"Uhhh, let's see. What if I, no… That's not right. But then… Arghhh I don't understand!" Kaden was having a fierce battle inside of his head.
However as it was right now, he was severely losing that fight.
Feeling completely lost, Kaden looked over at Raphael to see how he was doing, hoping to find some enjoyment in another's misfortune.
Yet…
He didn't find what he was seeking, even that annoying guy wasn't fazed by the test. He just sat there calmly, looking like he was solving the problems without any difficulty.
Luckily for Kaden, seeing Raphael was just the provocation he needed, motivating him to keep working on the problem. If that tactless moron could solve this, Kaden felt like he could do it too.
If Raphael had known this was the only time he had managed to provoke Kaden, and that he had even helped him out, he probably would've coughed up blood in frustration.
With newfound inspiration, Kaden continued attacking the problem. His mind explored in different directions, trying to solve it from a multitude of perspectives before finally figuring out a solution.
With one question down, he released a breath of relief and slumped back in his chair.
However taking a look at the time, he immediately felt his heart sink. Half of the test's alloted time had already passed, but he had only managed to solve one problem so far.
"I need to solve at least one more." Kaden thought as he perused the test for the easiest question he could find.
He had to stay in the elite class no matter what. Only this way could he get the best martial arts training possible and also the status that came with it.
Looking through the test from top to bottom once again, he finally found a problem he thought he could solve.
Without getting distracted this time, he began another fierce battle, trying to slay the vicious beast.
It was a little bit harder than the first, but with his concentration at full power, he managed to defeat the problem with five whole minutes left.
He knew there was no way he could solve another problem in that time. Instead of struggling futilely, he leaned back and relaxed in his chair, watching the other students slaving away at their tests.
After the five minutes passed, an announcement played over the speakers, "The test is over." The message from the cold robotic voice was short and to the point.
With the announcement, the test on the screen immediately disappeared, preventing the students from continuing to make changes past the permitted time.
Standing up from his seat, Kaden wasn't very confident in the results. He hoped that he had at least gotten just one problem correct.
Well, to him this just meant that he would have to perform even better in the combat tournament. If he dominated and defeated everyone effortlessly, the academy would have no choice but to give him a few bonus points.