One week after the events of the orientation, Navar, Miri, and Jax lay in their hotel room beds, the sunlight streaming through the window warming their faces. Jax opens his eyes, a loud yawn escaping his lips as he stretches his arms out. When he looks at the clock and sees it's 8:17 AM, he feels a panicked dread as he realizes they had overslept. "Shit, guys, we overslept! Wake up!" Jax nudges Navar and Miri.
Navar and Miri open their eyes, see the time, and their bodies tense with the same dread as Jax. "Oh shoot, how in the hell did that happen?!" says Navar.
"No need to worry about how! We're gonna be late for our exam," says Miri.
After they finish their morning routine, Miri and Jax step out of the bathroom and see three packages of varying shapes and sizes, all tinted orange. "Hey, who put these things on our bed?" Miri whirls around to face the door, but the click of the latch is the only thing she hears before it closes with a thud. "Dammit.."
Once Navar turns the corner, his gaze is immediately drawn to the package. "Woah, a package! I wonder what it is," He scuttles from the doorframe and snatches the orange box with his name printed across it. "Now, let's see what's in here."
"Wait, Navar, don't!" says Jax and Miri.
Navar opens the package and becomes overtaken by the smell of metal, revealing many armor pieces and a sword with a polished blade. "Yes! Our armors finally came!"
Jax and Miri share a sigh of relief, the tension in their shoulders melting away. "Thank goodness that wasn't some sort of bomb," says Jax.
Miri opens her package and meets the glint of four 14-inch daggers and the feel of the cold, intricate black armor pieces. "Yes, four daggers, as requested."
Jax opens his package, inhaling the smell of fresh fabric as he unveils the navy blue Academy uniform. "Woah! My Academy uniform!"
Navar, Jax, and Miri take turns changing from their loungewear into their new clothing. Miri's warrior armor comprises a sleek, black, half-topped sleeveless breastplate, black metal shorts, long black metal boots that reach her thighs, and two 18-inch metal wristbands. On her wristbands and boots, she has two slots per limb to securely hold her daggers for fighting. She feels the daggers fit snugly into the four slots on her waist, two on each side. Miri's lips twitch with excitement, forming a sly smirk. "Just as I imagined my armor."
Navar's armor style is a short-sleeved golden chest plate with white lines running through its crevices and a sword sheath slot on the back. His armor also contains a set of gray metallic shorts, shimmering golden wrist gauntlets, and short brown steel boots.
Jax's outfit consists of a navy blue shirt with a row of silver circular buttons running down the middle, feeling relaxed and smooth. He also has long pants of the same color, and black dress shoes are made of high-quality leather. As soon as everyone is finished, Jax hastens to the main door of their room. "Ok, guys, let's get going!"
Miri slams her hand on the door and pushes Jax back with a gentle nuzzle. "Wait."
"What do you mean wait, Miri? We're running late!"
Miri adjusts Jax's collar, ensuring it's properly aligned with his uniform. "I was trying to fix your collar, silly."
"Oh wow, thanks for that, Miri. Now, let's get the hell to the main building."
Navar, Jax, and Miri leave the hotel and arrive at the building they were in for orientation. As they meander through the building, they gape in confusion, trying to decide which way to go. "Um, where do we go?" asks Navar.
Miri examines the area until her gaze is drawn to a glowing sign that says, Warrior Entry Exam. "Look right over there. I think that's where you and I are supposed to go, Navar."
Jax also sees a sign that says Cadet Entry Exam across from the Warrior one. "Seems like I'm supposed to go there."
"Guess we're going our separate ways again, guys," says Navar.
"Yeah, this time it'll be a lot more challenging than before since we have a full-fledged exam to take," says Jax.
Navar extends his fist, his eyes twinkling brightly as he gestures for a fist bump. "Let's rock this thing and see each other as Cadets and Entries for Ozania!"
"Yeah!" They all fist-bump each other, then go their separate ways. While Navar and Miri walk through the corridor, Navar feels a sense of anticipation at the thought of the entry exam. "I wonder what the entry exam is like?"
"Whatever it is, I'm sure we'll be fighting some of those other guys we saw during the second phase of orientation."
Their brief excursion ends when they step into the bright room, the walls gleaming with the reflection of the white-tiled ceramic arena in the center, shaped like a square. On those white tiles are Juyon, Seiju, Denkei, Astran, and 499. As they venture into the room's bright light, Navar and Miri encounter an intimidating glare from 499. "You two need to work on your punctuality. Get in line so I can brief you both on the exam."
Miri and Navar head toward the line. Navar leans in towards Miri. "That guy gives me the creeps."
"Agreed."
"Welcome to the Warrior Entry exam. My name is 499, Captain of the Training Division for the Ozanian Army, and I will be your examiner for this year's Entry Exams. The test will go as follows: You will fight one match, and your opponent will be a rookie among you. Victory or defeat will not decide whether you pass; rather, a thorough examination of your performance during the test by my superiors and me."
"The rules go like this: If you fall out of the arena, you lose. If you attempt to kill your opponent, you will be disqualified. If you can no longer fight, raise your hand if you can't continue.
Juyon raises his hand. "Permission to speak, sir?"
"Granted."
"Permission to speak, sir," says Seiju, imitating Juyon.
Navar chuckles, causing 499 to give him a stern look that silences him. "Something funny, Navar?"
Navar lets out a soft, nervous laugh that quickly dies away. "No, no, no, not at all."
"Good," 499 refocuses his gaze back on Juyon. "What was your question, Juyon?"
Juyon points to a red circle with a black number beneath him. "What exactly are these numbers for?"
"Those numbers determine who you will compete with for your exam. The fights will go as follows: 1 will fight 4, 2 will fight 5, and 3 will fight 6. Look at your numbers to see who you will fight."
They each check their number and take a glance at their opponent. Navar's number is 1 Juyon's is 4. "Dammit, of all people, I have to fight that big guy. Although Dad never told me to fear anyone, he sure looks like he'll be a challenge. But it's not somethin' I can't handle," Navar thinks to himself.
"Seems that Navar is my opponent. He may not look like much, but underestimating your opponent is not smart," Juyon thinks to himself.
Seiju's number is 2, and Denkei's is 5. "So, that pretty boy is my opponent. This shouldn't be too much of a challenge," Denkei thinks to himself.
"I've never fought a magic user before, so I don't know what to expect. Eh, as I care, the only thing I want is those two hotties to watch my moves out there," Seiju thinks to himself.
Miri's number is 3, and Astran's is 6. "She's that star wielder from orientation. They're a race with very tough skin and physical strength, so that's one thing to look out for. Another thing is that she couldn't use JōKai during her orientation, but it's been a week. So I should always be on my toes and act as if she can use it," Miri thinks to herself.
"My blade is thick enough to deter any weapon and counter any offensive. However, that four-dagger style can be lethal if she attacks me long enough to wear down my stamina," Astran thinks to herself.
"The first fight will involve Navar and Juyon, starting immediately. Will the other rookies in the room please take a seat so they can start their fight?"
While Navar readies himself for battle, Miri stands at his side, her expression grim. "Hey Navar, this guy has been in legitimate fights, unlike you and me. Don't take him lightly."
Navar's face lights up with a cheerful smile as he peers over his shoulder at Miri. "It's all good. I got this," Navar confidently strides into the arena, chest puffed out, and a satisfied smile stretched across his face.
"Good luck, Navar," Miri ascends the stairs and sits in the stands, her eyes widening at the prospect of the battle.
Navar and Juyon walk to the center of the arena and face each other, with 499 in between them. "Are both parties ready to begin?" asks 499.
"Yes, sir!" says Navar and Juyon.
499 raises his hand and lets it down. He shoots out of the arena, and the air is filled with the smell of sweat and anticipation as the battle begins.
Navar draws his Great Sword, the surrounding air filled with the sound of steel, as he barrels towards Juyon. He holds his blade steady, the metal glinting in the light as he lifts it above his shoulder. He grips the hilt with both hands, then brings it down forcefully with a loud whoosh following it. Juyon's breath quickens as he crosses his fists, ready to fend off the attack. "Charging without thinking, this will be an easy counter-attack," Juyon invokes Hard Terrain JōKai on his fists, then opens them wide to block Navar's slash.
Navar stumbles back, feeling the ground beneath his feet shift with the force of Juyon's counter. "Darn it! I should have thought that through better!"
Juyon barrels back at Navar, the Hard Terrain JōKai clattering in his grip. "Bellowing Bison!" Juyon throws a right hook, his knuckles grazing Navar's stomach with a dull ache. He swings his arm up and strikes Navar's chin with a powerful uppercut, launching Navar meters in the air.
Miri cringes and covers her face with her hands, embarrassed at Navar's reckless battle antics. "What is he thinking? Charging in like that with no plan will result in failure!"
Navar, his face bloody from the fall, wipes the trail from his mouth, and then he meets Juyon's emotionless gaze. "That didn't hurt," Navar's lips curl into a smirk as he grips the hilt of his blade.
"Maybe I outta look at the way he fights before goin' in like that," Navar charges toward Juyon, the air buzzing with anticipation as he pulls his blade back over his shoulder. Juyon squares his shoulders and assumes the same protective posture he had used before. "Wait for the moment he uncrosses his arms then," Once Juyon's arms uncross, Navar catches a glimpse of possibility, and his eyes widen in anticipation. "There," Navar quickly retracts his slash, and Juyon's midsection is exposed as he unfolds his arms. "What?" Juyon thinks to himself.
Navar bounds forward and unleashes a powerful kick into Juyon's chest, sending him stumbling back. "Ha! I got you that time, you big-headed jerk."
"That was a clever tactic. He faked a sword slash, which caused me to uncross my arms and leave my chest vulnerable to attack. Now It's time to stop taking him lightly," Juyon thinks to himself. Juyon remains still, his fists tightly clenched as he invokes Hard Terrain JōKai at wrist level.
"He's waiting for me to attack him! Guess I'll give him what he wants," Thought Navar. He clutches his sword tightly in one hand as he sprints toward Juyon, the sound of metal reverberating in the air. Navar holds his blade above his shoulder, the bright steel glinting in the light as he prepares for another long slash.
Juyon strikes his palms together, the sound echoing in the room. The force of the clash hardens the Hard Terrain JōKai on Juyon's fist. Navar's arm swoops in an entire arc, the wind whooshing behind his blade as he aims it squarely at Juyon's arms.
Navar's Great Sword clanks against Juyon's Hard Terrain JōKai coated arms, resulting in a shockwave that sends Navar back considerably. "Horns of Taurus!"
Navar looks at Juyon with a worried expression, still shaken from the counter. "The attack he did just now felt way more powerful than the one he did earlier. What in the hell did he do?"