_____Status_______
- Name: Zero
- Age: 13
- Level: 32
- Rank: N/A
- Title: Hobo Hunter
- Class: N/A
- Health: 350/350
- Mana: 480/480
______Attributes_____
- Strength: 46
- Intelligence: 41
- Sense: 41
- Agility: 43
- Vitality: 46
___Skills_____________
- Passive: Cold-Heart [LV: 01], Mana Core [LV: 01]
- Active: Rage [LV: 03], Observe [LV: Max], Golden Heal [LV: 01]
______________________
[ Fatigue Bar: 00% ]
Afternoon, 4:00 PM
"Man, I had to eat before I could move again. Now, let's see what the training course holds," Zero thought as he walked, glancing at a paper in his hand. "So this is where they train. They start at 4:30 PM, so I only have 30 minutes left."
He quickly ran along the road, following the directions. He climbed a small mountain and reached a point where he saw some kids gathering.
As Zero approached the kids, he spotted Naime standing alone by a tree. He walked over and shouted, "Hey Naime, what's up?"
Naime looked surprised but happy to see Zero. "Zero, why are you here? Are you here for the training class?"
"Yes. Are you here for training too, Naime?" Zero stood by his side and asked, "What's this training class about?"
Naime explained, "This training started when Mr. Song came to the island. He appeared one day and got permission from the Village Chief to use this remote mountain, inside the Derwol forest, where no one usually comes. Initially, it was just a normal training course, but over time, kids who took it went to the mainland for academy exams. The academy teaches magic and other skills, and students from here actually enter various magic academies. As more people moved to the island, the training expanded. In the past, it was free, and Mr. Song taught self-defense. Now, he and Mr. Noh teach both physical and magical classes."
"Who's Mr. Noh?" Zero asked.
"Oh, you don't know? He's the second-best mage on this island and used to be an adventurer on the mainland," Naime replied with a smile.
While they were talking, a kid came up and shouted at them. He was about the same height and age as Zero, and from his clothes, he seemed wealthy. Four other kids followed him. "Hey, are you the one who beat up my friends?" the kid demanded, glaring at Zero.
"And who might you be?" Zero asked, unfazed.
"You've got guts to beat up my friends, right, guys?" the kid replied, looking at his group.
Zero recognized them as the ones who had bullied Naime before. "Oh, it's you guys. Are you here for revenge? If so, I'm more than ready to beat you up again." Zero clenched his fists.
A loud voice interrupted them. "Everyone gather up and make a line!"
As the instructor's voice carried over, everyone started to gather. The kid and Zero joined the line, with Naime standing behind Zero.
A man stood before the students. "Listen, I can't teach all of you. Today, there will be an exam. If you pass, you can attend the course; otherwise, you're out. Understand?"
Naime whispered to Zero, "That's Mr. Song. He's strict about this training course."
Zero whispered back, "An exam? I thought you just had to pay."
"In the past, there was no exam, but now there's one every year," Naime replied.
Mr. Song asked loudly, "Before we start, does anyone have anything to say?"
Everyone was silent until Zero raised his hand. "I have something to say."
Mr. Song looked at Zero and said, "Come forward and speak."
Zero approached Mr. Song and handed him the paper. "Doctor Kaila gave me this paper and asked me to show it to you."
Zero thought, "This paper isn't just the location; it's a recommendation letter." He felt relieved that he wouldn't have to pay for the course. But then, to his shock, Mr. Song ripped the paper in half.
"Wwh_what the why did you...?" Zero stammered, but Mr. Song cut him off, shouting, "Go back to your place."
Zero was too shocked to argue and returned to the line. Naime whispered, "Man, Mr. Song doesn't take recommendations from anyone. Don't be shocked."
Everyone laughed at Zero's expense.
"Silence, everyone! If anyone else has a paper like that, rip it up yourself. This is no charity. If you don't have money, get out," Mr. Song said sternly.
He added, "If you want a free course, get into the top five positions in this exam or pay 200 gold."
Zero whispered, "Just wait, Mr. Song."
"Today's exam is simple. The first test is called mana testing. Mr. Noh, bring it up here," Mr. Song instructed.
Mr. Noh brought forward a football-sized crystal ball.
"Sir, can I explain?" Mr. Noh asked. Mr. Song nodded, and Mr. Noh stepped forward.
"This is a mana measurement device," Mr. Noh explained. "Touch it and insert your mana. A number will appear, indicating how much mana you have."
A blackboard appeared beside the crystal.
Mr. Noh used magic to write on the blackboard. "Here's the point system. Based on these numbers, you'll get a rank."
___Exam 01: Mana Measurement:__
- 100 - 299 -> F Rank Mana Core
- 300 - 499 -> E Rank Mana Core
- 500 - 799 -> D Rank Mana Core
- 800 - 2999 -> C/C+ Rank Mana Core
And More....
_____________________
"I don't think anyone here has beyond an E Rank Core. By the end of the exam, only 30 students will get into the course. Understand? Let's start the exam," Mr. Noh announced.
Mr. Noh thought, "There should be 85 participants, and only 30 will pass."
"Now, come forward one by one and measure your mana," Mr. Noh instructed.
Naime said to Zero, "Are you ready, bro?"
Zero replied, "Yeah, let's aim for the top five."
Before the exam, everyone received a number sticker. Zero was Number 45, Naime Number 46.
"Number one, come forward."
The first was a girl. She approached the crystal, touched it, and a glow appeared, revealing 610 points.
Everyone whispered, "Ohh, she's already got a D Rank Core."
"Silence," Mr. Song commanded. "What's your name, kid?"
"Maya, sir," the girl replied.
"Okay, return to your place."
"Next," Mr. Noh called.
Zero noticed the next kid was the one who had threatened him earlier, surrounded by his group the same kids Zero had beaten before.
"Hmm, the bully leader. Let's see his mana level," Zero whispered.
Naime said, "His name is Raka Deja. He's from the wealthy Deja family. His father heads the hunter headquarters on this island."
Raka touched the crystal. It glowed, revealing 298 points.
Zero burst into laughter. "298, Naime! He's got an F Rank Core, Sorry almost E. And he tried to fight me! Hahaha....heh"
Raka glared at Zero, embarrassed and angry.
Mr. Noh silenced everyone, and the exam continued. One by one, students measured their mana and received their ranks, which Mr. Noh recorded.
"Number 45, come forward," Mr. Noh called.
"Finally, my turn. I already know I have 480 mana points," Zero thought as he approached the crystal.
"Name?" Mr. Noh asked.
"Zero," he replied.
"Okay, touch it and insert your mana slowly. Don't be nervous," Mr. Noh instructed.
Zero noticed Mr. Song was napping in a chair.
"Alright, let's see what happens," Zero thought as he placed his hand on the crystal. It glowed, revealing a number: [Mana: 480 - E Rank].
"As expected. I thought it might be more, but at least it's not less," Zero thought, glancing at Raka.
"Almost D rank," everyone whispered.
Returning to the line, Zero thought, "I'm top four right now. That's great."
Naime said, "Congrats, Zero," as he went to take the test.
"Good luck," Zero replied, watching him.
Naime touched the crystal, which showed 302 points, E Rank. He was happy to be E rank.
Raka scowled, seeing that Naime had a higher Mana Core than him.
Zero said, "Congrats," and Naime replied with a smile, "Thank you."
The exam continued, with all 85 students taking the first test.
"Students below 250 mana points have failed. Please leave and try again next time," Mr. Noh announced.
"WHAT?!" everyone shouted.
"But you didn't say anything about that!" the students protested.
"Silence! And GET OUT, quickly!" Mr. Song barked before returning to his nap.
Around 35 students failed the first test, leaving 50 remaining.
"Now, here are the top five of this test, based on mana points," Mr. Noh
said.
1. Maya - 10 points
2. Fez - 8 points
3. Haizu - 6 points
4. Zero - 5 points
5. Kai - 4.5 points
The others received between 1 and 4 points, with Naime earning 3.2 points, placing him 20th.
"The full score for this test is 10 points," Mr. Noh explained. "By the end of the final test, you need to be in the top 30 or you'll fail."
"Now, the final exam: the Physical Exam. Everyone, look here," Mr. Noh instructed.
Mr. Noh pointed to a giant rock nearby. "Use a sword or any weapon to make a mark on the rock. I'll give points based on the damage you make. This is test one of three in the Physical Exam."
"If you can't damage the rock, you'll immediately fail. I'll award points based on the damage. The passing point for this test is 3 out of 10."
"Three is the minimum to pass, and there are three tests in this exam," Zero thought.
[Days Left: 11]
[ Thanks For Reading. ]
Author Note : Daily One Chapter I'll Try. Thanks For Reading Again.