Chereads / Path Of Knights / Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: The Exam Begins!

Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: The Exam Begins!

"So you've finally arrived...you're persistence in being fashionably late can be very annoying...Daisuke..." Someone spoke with an extremely stern and strict tone, this man's hair was styled down and his eyes we're crimson in color as he stared at a giant Monitor, their we're over a dozen people working on computers within the same room, all preparing for the Knight Entrance Exam set to take place. "As Advisor to our Director I'm sure I can speak on her behalf when we say...you should practice your attendance a bit more"

"You have kids of your own Ibuki?...if not. I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself. I'm here now that's all that matters..." Daisuke replied in a knife like tone, as he had entered the room and looked up at the monitor to check out what was happening "So. Over 9,500 citizens have come to watch the next generation of Knights. That's a New Record."

"It's actually 10,000 as of right now. We reached limit capacity..." A Smoothly voiced female spoke as she sat on a Chair in the very center keeping her Crystal Blue eyes on the screen, lit Cigar in her hand "I don't need you to speak for me Ibuki. I can handle Daisuke all to well. You had us hold off the Exam for a half day...this candidate your so adamant about better be worth the time wasted..the Captain's have become Restless.."

"You know me. Clara...I like to show off .." Daisuke suddenly glanced at the Director of the Order acknowledging her mystique presence as his eyes turned back to the screen "Now that I'm here you can start whenever..."

"Hn....You better not disappoint me. You have a Habit of letting me down.." Clara said with a sassy tone, clearly there has been a bit of rocky past between them both. Her hair was exceedingly long and Orange practically hovering over the ground, she wore an all Red Suit that complimented her already hourglass figure, a military jacket draped over her shoulders with hundreds of medals but her face had a large burn mark covering the right side down to her halfway opened chest "Now that we're all here. Let the Exams Begin! Control! Have the Competitors enter the Arena, we've kept the people waiting long enough.." taking a hit of her cigar and puffing out a large amount of smoke.

"H-hai!! Narukami-sama!..." one of the various computer techs in the room outwardly expressed in respect as they announcement was finally made "The Entrance Exam for Knighthood! Will now commence! I repeat! The Entrance Exam for Knighthood will now Commence! All Candidates make your way to the Exam Field Immediately!..."

"Oh-...I hear you're allowing your Daughter to take the Exam as well Clara. I haven't seen a Narukami in action since the Last war. I'm certain however they fight will be unique as always..." Daisuke commented causally making Ibuki grunt grabbing his shoulder annoyed by his familiar tone "You will address the Director! With formality...Am I clear?"

"Unhand him....Ibuki. Enough. You can't teach an old Dog new tricks...." The Director sighed sitting back in her chair, as the Monitor pinpointed the entire group of competitors entering the Arena "What my daughter does is of her own choosing. Narukami blood runs through her veins she will pass with precision and elegance. I wonder about the one you've brought Daisuke...tell me- how exactly did you discover him?...you haven't revealed a single detail and I allowed it to pass but if it turns out to be a disappointment I won't refrain from laughing in your face..."

"You've gotten quite the Set of balls on you ever since you've become the Director's pet..Ibuki-San...if you have a problem with me. Challenge me to a duel sometime! Heh! I'm fairly certain that's what you wish. Though...that's only if your willing to die..." Daisuke raised his eyebrow at Ibuki, he didn't feel threatened at all by the overprotective assistant and was more so amused by his consistent back talk "maybe your just upset Clara favors me over you.."

"H-huh?!...listen here yo-..." Ibuki became speechless at his accusation and stepped back, gritting his teeth at Daisuke's ignorance. He hated how spiteful and lacking in proper etiquette "Maybe I shall-..."

"Ibuki.....don't pick a fight you very clearly cannot win. Why don't you go and proctor the Exam?.." Director Narukami said sighing getting a headache by the constant back and forth, it was best to keep them separate after all. "Seems your brother was a no show yet again...Daisuke.."

"Is he?..I didn't notice. You did send him to clear out Aragoto Footholds at the Eastern Borders. I wouldn't blame him for wanting to skip this..." Daisuke replied softly arms crossed, and shook his head "It's not like I can control where Sozen is going to be."

Ibuki shook his head, practically cussing under his breathe as he walked off toward the Exit of the Observation Room "As you wish. Narukami-sama..." he exited the room though reluctant at first but he would never disobey them woman, he respected her over everyone else.

"Why do you constantly pester him....You know he's no match. But his loyalty to me will be his downfall if you continue..." The orange haired leader questioned suddenly as she started to take note on the competitors entering the Arena specifically her daughter which gave her a hint of pride.

"At this point. It's a challenge Clara...if he gives in and tries to fight me for real. He loses...and he understands that fully...A Knight must always know when to fight or back out. That's Basics 101.." Daisuke responded wisely as he stood watching the exact same Monitor though his eyes we're on Dante 'sorry to throw you to the wolves so early..but Show them what you can do..kiddo...'

———————————————————————

"Woah!!..look at all these people.." Dante spoke in bewilderment and awe, his eyes sparkled in wonder "I've only ever seen like sports games on TV! I never thought I'd be in a place like this. It awesome."

"D-Dante...your thinking out loud you know.. you've really never been too the city huh?...I can understand not knowing certain things but. This is common knowledge around here. Everyone here's been preparing for this Exam for a long time now. I-I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that didn't mean to be here" The Shy Cole responded as he also took in the view of the very vast Arena like environment and the crowd cheering at their very entrance "E-everyone's here rooting for all of us to pass someway somehow, the More Knights the better...But the E-exam isn't that simple. From what I know it's a way to weed out the ones that don't belong..and-...D-Dante-San?!!..what are you doing?!.."

Dante cluelessly looked up and behind at Cole whom was staring at him in utter shock, as he kneeled down and picked at the flowers practically causing property damage by tearing out the roots "What? Their so pretty! I've gotta send some back home as Souvenirs!"

"A-are you insane?...this is military property you can't just take those out without permission!.." Cole walked over walking away from the crowd of candidates and to the white haired apprentice taking some of the flowers from his hand to stop him "We can get into trouble for this-.." he suddenly froze as he felt a destructive glare making him shiver all over, as he glanced several feet away was The Proctor of the Exam, Ibuki boring holes into the back of their heads "Just what are you two doing?!...are you trying to get disqualified early! Get back in line and drop it before I see you both Imprisoned for damaging property!"

"H-hai!! Gomen'nasai! GOMEN'NASAI!!..." Cole stood up straight at attention and grabbed Dante's hand and practically dragged him back with the others a red tint on his cheeks from being chewed out "Look what you did..."

"B-but..my flowers..." Dante anime cried softly, dramatically reaching for them as they got farther and farther away before sighing and standing up when Cole came to a Stop and all 30 Contestants stood in a line.

'Morons left and right...' Ibuki grimaced rubbing the back of his neck as the Camera's we're now on him, and he cleared his throat the Man had gotten his hands on a headset mic and turned it on speaking into it "The Time has come...The Entrance Exam will begin Now! My name is Ibuki Sullivan...Advisor to the Head of the Knight Order. When today ends many of you will have successfully become a part of the Order and many of you will not. Be grateful you have been chosen for such a honorable opportunity at all.." he finished his monologue and snapped his fingers; as he did so the field behind him began to shake and tremble and a Gargantuan hatch opened revealing a Catacombs beneath the Facility "Now I shall Explain the first part of the Exam...Precision, Navigation, and Timing. Underground is a vast complex Racing Stage...the objective is clear, reach the finish line in under 15 minutes. Be wary, their will be close encounters I promise you that.."

"What?! A Race?! What is this Pre-school? What do you gain by watching us Race on foot..." The Mountain Sized Regis spoke angrily, an anger mark on his head as he stood there in disbelief "you can't be serious! We could just use Mana to boost us. This isn't even a contest...clearly whoever has better Mana control will win"

"I'm glad you asked..because it won't be on foot.." Ibuki replied pointing to his left on the far side of the field dozens of double seated hover bikes we're brought out swiftly "You won't be racing as individuals..but as Pairs of two. On these Hover Bikes the driver must focus their Mana to keep the Bike Accelerated and even boost in speed but to much and they can overheat, potentially crash meanwhile their partner will have to fight off the other drivers.." His stern eyes then looked up at the Titantron overhead that had all of them on live which then showed a List of Pairing's "your all in the registry of the Exam. And have been paired accordingly. One of you will drive the Bike, while the other...tries to take down the other pairs close to them. Whichever pair that does not reach the finish line. Will result in an automatic Fail! Am I understood? If I am. I will begin calling your pairs forward one by one.."

"Now your talking..." Regis smirked mischievously it seemed the idea of actually racing on a vehicle within a dangerous environment excited the large brute "pair me with whoever you want! It doesn't matter! I'll be the first to reach the finish line!..."

"Huh? A Race! That's Awesome!...Hmm...how do your drive those things?..." Dante Asked Cole suddenly with a clueless expression on his face making the shy male Sweatdrop "What?! You don't know that either!...did you never learn how to ride a bike?"

"I just walked everywhere! I'm from a small village what did you expect?....We Don't have the luxury of flying machines!" Dante Chuckled nervously as he felt maybe like the dumbest guy in the room. He supposed Regular bikes had become Hover bikes long ago, but that didn't change his conviction of wanting to pass. "Even so! If you and me are paired you can just drive and I'll-.."

"Dante Kudo.....Kira Narukami...step forward...." Ibuki announced the first pairing, hearing the Second name caused the crowd of citizens to roar in cheer clearly her family name was famous for a reason; you could heard dozens of them cheer her name 'Narukami-sama!!!....we love you!!!'

"Huh?..." Dante paused suddenly as he heard his name get called with someone other than Cole, whom was technically the only one nice to him this whole time made him gulp as he looked over at the rather Tall blonde Girl; her expression was calm and collected, Eyes like two Sapphire gems she simply glanced at the white haired male unamused as her first impression of him was that of a reckless Warrior. The young apprentice softly whispered to Cole "C-Cole the crowds going nuts! Just what is she famous for?..."

"S-she's won every Dueling Tournament all over the Nation...didn't lose once, she has went to the most prestigious fighting academy in the Human realm a-and on top of that she's daughter of the most fearsome woman the Knight's have ever seen...The Director and head of the  Order Clara Narukami...." Cole explained frozen in fear as he was hoping to be paired with Dante 'N-now who am I going to be paired with?....oh no!...I hope I get someone N-nice!'

Dante took in the Information of this girl, and processed it into his head 'The Daughter of the Top Commanding Officer...Wait! The head of the Order is a Woman?! That's news to me!..' he thought suddenly feeling anxious as he stepped forward and made his way; stopping beside her "W-well! This is a change of pace! Let's pass this part of the exam no problem!"

"Do not speak to me. Clown..." Kira spoke in a disgruntled tone, not even looking at her partner "As far as I'm concerned your just an obstruction in the way. A Nobody, piece of trash that needs to learn their place...follow my directions and pay attention to detail. I won't fail because of a loose end such as you.."

Dante hung his head, digging his hands into his pockets and turning forward in the direction of the Hover Bikes 'That's hurtful. Why's everyone gotta be so grumpy?...they don't know what Southern Hospitality is up here....Daisuke wants me to try and make friends here. But how can I do that when everyone's got a knife to my throat. At least Cole's good but he doesn't Even want to be here..' He thought feeling slightly hurt by her words but brushing it off as they only had to be in pairs for this part of the Exam, he hoped. "H-hai..." was all he could respond, not wanting to get on her bad side.

"Cole Young...Regis the Ogrekiller...." Ibuki announced Cole nearly had a heart attack when he heard the name he was paired with as he trembled and glanced over at the brute 'N-no way...' he thought the scaredy cat was about ready to cry until he felt a hand on his shoulder, he looked back and titled his head "Y-yuma-San?..."

"That's a tough one to be paired with...he's probably he meanest jerk here. But he's strong..crazy strong...more than likely he's going to wanna drive. So all you have to do..is hold on and make sure nobody gets in the way...reach the finish line. That's all you have to do..don't let yourself get scared." Yuma spoke reassuringly, he chuckled at Cole's cowardice and spoke once again "Reach the finish line. Because at some point I know they'll make us all fight each other...I'll make sure you get to go home in one piece, okay?"

"O-okay. Arigatou Yuma-San..." Cole bowed his head feeling a bit reassured as he walked forward and his trembling became a bit stable, he didn't utter a word to the brute whom simply pointed at himself "I'm drivin! You get everyone off my back! You get that! You little shit!"

"Yuma Lionheart....Rose Atarah...Step Forward.." The Proctor Announced, as he read off the list above him. The Brown Haired Yuma smirked confidently as he looked around for his Pairing with no luck before he saw a girl step forward in a black and purple hoodie, she was mysterious; cold and shrouded in Unknown which made him curious as he could see the strands of red hair walking over to her he bent his head a bit to try and see her face "Konichi'wa Rose-Chan!...let's work well together...though I feel odd not being able to see a pretty girls face. Why not take the hoodie down?-"

"Yum-kun!!!!!~.....You can Win Yuma-kun~!....Don't let that witch trick you!" We're some of the things, the army of Fangirls we're cheering and yelling as his name as announced by the proctor, making most of the contestants Sweatdrop at just how the heck did so many girls get in here to watch him only.

"I heard what you told that boy. Your a Liar and a Playboy....and don't call me 'Rose-Chan.' Rose is enough...I'm not one of your Fangirls..." The girl named Rose spoke with a rather emotionless and uncaring tone, turning her head a way and even making sure her hoodie was even further pulled on "I will work with you..if that's required. But mess with me...and I'll kill you....try to see my face and I won't hesitate to blind you.." she threatened menacingly, clearly she was untrusting of everyone here especially mister Swag player.

Yuma sweatdropped at her response, which actually left him speechless for the first time. The most charming guy in the room couldn't even respond "huh? You heard from that distance. Hehe, take it easy. No need for the hostility. Besides...I'm leveling the playing field. I've got inside info on this exam I know for a fact we're all going to face each other someway somehow...so why not make it easy?...a coward like that will be easy pickings and besides. The guy clearly does not want to be here...if I can face him, beat him quick and become a Knight then it's a win win for me and him. so what's the big deal?.."

"Just because someone's weak. Unable to fight...because their scared of the Dark. Doesn't mean you should use your own Desires to hurt them...isn't a Knight supposed to help people?.." Rose questioned wisely like an experienced person, as she made sure to stand in the direction of the Hover bikes. "On top of being a selfish prick your also manipulative. As I said before...don't. Mess with me.."

"Yare, Yare. You made it loud and clear...but by the end of this I'll definitely get to see that pretty face...believe me. I may be selfish but when I get determined..I don't quit. I think I'll call you Lycoris instead of Rose. It's a much more fitting flower..." Yuma said with a small chuckle, shrugging his shoulders at being read so easily. As he stood beside her ready to dash to the Bikes at a moments notice "I suppose I'll drive while you...do whatever it is you want to do.."

Ibuki continued to read the list, all the way down to the final 30th pairing and he sighed pinching the bridge of his nose 'I need a stiff drink after today..' he thought annoyed before pointing at the bikes "on the Count of three....the Race starts. Then you can rush to Any bikes you choose and begin...Ride down into the Catacombs..follow the path. make it to the Finish line...be wary of obstacles. Am I Clear?..."

"HAI!!!!" They all yelled in Unison, everyone was fired up to get through this first part and revving to run too their Bikes.

Ibuki cleared his throat as he formed the numbers with his right hand fingers and began the countdown, glancing at all of the Candidates one last time 'more than half won't make it...' he thought before nodding and counted "3.....2....1...GO!"