The surrounding students stood up except me. It puzzled me for a moment until I remembered we have to pick 3 trials out of the 6 today. Austin just finished his speech several minutes ago. Honestly, I forgot some of it other than important ones. Everyone took their time to pick which trial they should do. I'm guessing the majority went to the easiest while the others who were the minority but are brave and capable enough went to the hard ones.
I still don't know which is hard or easy and worst of all, I'm getting shoved all over by this dense crowd. Augh, They irritate me! They gave not even a single sorry. I blindly walked to wherever fate brings me. I kept my head down through the narrow path. My arms brushed at the people beside me.
Why is it so hard to navigate here! Can this damned crowd spread out?! I'm going to suffocate.
I kept changing my formation to fit in. My small body profile allowed me to slip past them. I felt my head hit something. I opened my eyes to see the floor has changed from boring plain grey floor to pale brown wood. Have I finally escaped the predicament? I lift my head to see an amphitheatre 8 feet away. The room isn't that decorated other than chairs, desk, and a chalkboard? Weird, I thought they wouldn't have this simple yet effective technology. Seems like I totally underestimated them.
Though there is this black-haired man wearing grey and white trunks, his plain fashion style reminds me of my old self. He's been staring at me for a while now. I tilted my head like a confused dog. My hair gently veered left. He strained his throat and looked at me deadpan. It felt weird.
Did I do something wrong? The man still locked his eyes with mine. A brief second, he let out an exasperated sigh.
He took out a book below his desk and opened it. "What's your name?" He asked, taking me off-guard.
"Eh, uh, o-oh?" I kept stuttering still amidst the confusion. I reassured myself and answered firmly, "Fleisher Fortes."
He gently nod after saying my name and wrote something on his notebook. I can see his mouth murmur something, though I can't hear it. "Well Fleisher take a seat. We will be waiting for 10 more minutes and once 10 minutes have passed we will start the test."
Test?! Well it is a trial but I never actually know what test we will be taking. I want to go back but I remembered if we enter a gate we can no longer walk back. I REGRET NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO MY SURROUNDINGS! I released an awkward laugh and scratching my temple. A voice called out to me.
"Please take a seat." His voice, it sounded like annoyance. Could he be annoyed of me? I took a short glance to see him pointing his pencil at the amphitheatre. I slowly walk towards the empty chair just next at the gate.
There's only 8 people inside including me at the room. It's strange there's barely any people that went here considering the amount. I can still hear their chatter from here. This room is very lit even though there's no windows or light able to match this lighting level, suspicious. I ignored such trivial thoughts and patiently waited for whatever this test to start.
I roughly count more than 5 minutes have passed and still no one have entered. The man keeps tapping his finger at his desk and it's very annoying! The chattering is long gone outside though I can tell the other room are lively than this room. Seriously, the atmosphere is the same of a funeral! Aaaaahh—A light moan slipped from my lips; my eyelids keeps closing. Out of all times why do I have to feel hazy right now.
My head feels like a boulder. Maybe I'll ease myself and massage my aching temple. And so I did for 3 minutes, the results? My shaky breathing is gone but not the hazy feel. The people here are very tense. I'm so anxious right now! I ground my teeth and gave up on soothing myself. The man's tapping turned to coarse groaning. It doesn't help I'm next to him. I want to at least take a nap but the pressure won't let me!
I turned around and looked at them. They sat firmly without any extra-movements at all. They're like statues. Their faces are stern as always. The character of a well disciplined soldier fits them very well, unlike me.
One man at the very left, second level of the amphitheatre released a annoyed sigh. He pounded his fits at the table. I shrieked a bit. The others looked at him, confused. The man was no exception too.
"Why are we only 8?! I observed before and more than 20 went to the other gates! What's the meaning of this?!"
"That's right. There's barely any challenge right now." Said a girl. The others then began to talk to each other even though they are like few seats away. Now that I take a closer look they are dressed much elegantly and sophisticated than Crystal. Are these people perhaps nobles? The expensive garments and accessories sure gives it away, though their attitude makes them hard to approach, at least from my perspective.
For a noble her clothes isn't that expensive or complex, just a mere grey sweater. It tightly clung to her exposing—if I estimated properly, D-cup breast.
"You've been staring at me for too long. You have a problem?" My gaze is cut off by her sudden question. She tried to act stern though I heard a minor voice crack. Man, being forced to be in character is very annoying sometimes.
"S-sorry. I wanted to ask what class this is? I kind of got thrown in here, hehe." Her posture broke, I can see her eyes widen. She immediately leaned at me and shouted, "HUH?!"
The other nobles seemed to overheard our conversation and began to murmur to each other or themselves. Why do I always make trouble....
I gulped at her intense glare and grinding teeth. I laughed the nervousness off and was about to say sorry and turn away, but I kid you not, just as I was about to turn around, she explained it to me,
"This class is about displaying your military knowledge and theories. It's supposed to be the hardest one and the second is the magic power evaluation." Even though I'm glad she actually told me that, her pace makes it inaudible.
She went back to her seat and averted her gaze. "I see, thank you. Hehehehe." After sending my gratitude too averted my gaze.
So magic evaluation, also one of the important trials is actually not the hardest? Well it does make sense since military knowledge and theorizing can be hard than learning magic. The military technology here isn't that broad; same goes with their tactics. If I can possibly ace this test then my position is secured! All of that months talking in Discord about military tactics and theorizing surely won't be in vain now.
A huge smile emerged. I cannot contain my excitement to answer and unleash my knowledge and creativity. I clenched my first and squealed.
"Your papers are here." I heard.
"Alright, let's do this."