The fragrance would linger throughout the lines and some of the teenage boys would get attracted to it. As it gets their attention they would look around and find the person responsible for the smell. The teenage girls would also want to find where the smell would come from.
Soon a group of teenage girls and boys would enter the lane all of the other examinees would look at them. Some would start to gossip that they are the "Tell heaven generation" which is the generation that will lead the empire to another peak of its glory.
Artirian would look at the group and as he looked at the group he saw Clara. As he noticed Clara he would be startled a little as he knew that Clara was not that famous back then. And they would both look at each other but Clara would ignore him. Artirian would almost raise his hand for a wave but Clara tilted his head and continued to walk with the group.
There could be seen the gap between the council and the common nobles around the Empire. The 4th year and 3rd years would then lead each group of 30 into a building that is near the south wing of the campus. As they marched towards the building Artirian would feel the breeze of the wind changed.
It looks like he was being watched by someone. When they entered the hallway of the building it looked like an abandoned building inside the campus some of the noble examinees would be a bit impatient and not comfortable with hat kind of setup. Once they entered the room was like a classroom but it looks like an old type of classroom each group would be given 1 seat and the seats would be 1 seat apart.
While they all entered Artirian would be seated near the window. The dusty chair was still on there and the 4th years and 3rd years would be seen smirking. As they look at the nobles, teenage girls and boys who look disgusted. Their faces would be also furious but they cannot look at the 4th years and 3rd years because of seniority but Artirian would feel aggrieved feelings they give.
Soon the 3rd year and 4th years would order us to take seats. Soon they would hang us a pen and a piece of paper with a set of questions. Artirian would then look at the questions and the questions were set of questions who he had read from the book General Thornwind gave to him back then at the outpost.
Artirian would easily answer the test papers that were given to them as soon as that ended all of the teenage boys were separated from the girls and then formed into lines. From what the head 4th year said, the headcount was 100 teenage boys and 50 teenage girls. Are counted and take the exams. Some were shocked as the 4th year cadet student said that it was the entrance exam. Some people beside Artirian would see their faces utterly devastated. They would just stare blankly. Soon after 4 hours of standing in the formation the announcement of passers was declared. The passers for 1st year batch 1 of cadets are only 50 combined both genders.
The 150 examinees would be shocked by the numbers that they have heard. Half of the people that are near Artirian was demoralized and looked depressed as their bodies would slowly weaken Artirian would notice that. Then the top 10 names would be said by the 4th year cadet that is standing on the podium. The first name was "Arkanian Argus who had aced the exams" All of the examiners and proctors were shocked.
They were all shocked because it is not a name from one of the "Tell heaven Generation". "Where is Arkanian Argus please come forward." Artirian would walk forward and face the 4th year cadet. The 4th year cadet said "Well done new fresh meat the eyes of the seniors will be on you" The 4th year cadet would then pitch a pin of gold and said, "Wear that and it signifies your outstanding performance on the given test today."
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Artirian POV
I have taken the exam but what is this feeling earlier and even now I felt very uncomfortable answering those questions. I felt like I was being watched from afar. Hopefully, I know I get all good because I have read what the General gave me. The book was very important at this exam and almost all questions are said in that book. And I was amazed while my other peers were not able to grasp the questions and other types of forms that were asked in the examination.
After we took the test all of us would be formed in front of the podium then we waited for a certain command. The heat was giving us the warmness on our skin and the sweat would be dropping from our faces. I could feel the excitement and jolly faces of the peers that I am group with. But I also see faces that are felt broken because they either did not answer correctly or they don't know the answers.
Soon a 4th-year upper-class man would walk to the podium and shouted "The names are the ones who passed the entrance examination and the first name I would call would be the Ace of the batch of examinees" From those words I would feel the excitement that lingers throughout my body.
Then the 4th year cadet would then say my name "Arkanian Argus" I hid my real name for the reason that the Cartelan family is said to be cleansed. As he said my name I became nervous my hands would shake and my sweat would be more visible.
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When Artirian received the pin all eyes were on him. Their gazes are like demons who gaze on their prey and trying to eat him alive. But Artirian doesn't give any attention to those kinds of gazes as he felt that he succeed one of his plan he only needs to be one of greatest strategist in the empire known history and redeem the name of being a Cartelan.