I walked towards the receptionist and asked about the rank up exam.
"Excuse me, my adventurer name is Bolt and I would like to ask about the venue for the rank up exam."
"Oh yes here you are sir, the venue should be taken in this place. After you arrive there please show this form."
"Okay, thank you."
"You're welcome."
I left the guild and walked to the location and there I saw a group of people waiting beside a carriage.
"I guess it is them huh? Let's greet them."
"Excuse me"
"Huh?"
"Hello, is this the place for the rank up exam?"
"Yes it is, you are?"
"Oh right, my name's Bolt."
As I greeted her I extended my hand and we shook hands.
"Mhmm the name is Kim and this threatening looking guy is my brother Kurt."
"Nice to meet you"
"Tch."
I extended my hand for a handshake but he turned the other way and didn't take it.
Don't worry about him, it's just that something happened and he's pissed.
"It's okay, no worries."
"Oh before I forget do you see those three there?"
"Them?"
"One of them is the proctor for this exam while the other two seem to be a couple."
"Ah I see."
Just like what she told me there are five people here excluding me they are the first two whom I just met. While the guy near the carriage is the supposed proctor while the two people not far from him are most likely to be couples.
We then talked to each other to pass the time and were surprised about their identities.
They are twins and were from a village in a far kingdom. They just heard about the exam taking place at the sage academy here in labyrinth city.
And thinking it was a good opportunity they thought of taking the exam ever since they heard about the construction of the train. And thought that, maybe they could learn more and help their village.
And the reason why he is angry is that his badge was taken. Meaning he has to go over again and line-up for it.
I feel so bad for him. If my badge was also taken I would also be pissed. I mean when it's taken you got to line up again and get a new one
As we were waiting for almost an hour, two more examinees came. From the looks of it they are the same age as us. Not like my armor can tell them that.
"Hello."
"Hi"
As we greeted each, more time passed by then the proctor for the rank up exam moved and we all turned quiet.
"Since it is now the appointed time for the exam, all of you people ride the carriage and there I will explain the procedure for this rank up exam."
As he said that we complied and got inside the carriage.
"As you guys know a hint was given to you during the registration. The exam is a group activity, well most are but enough of that. Our target for this exam is to survive in the wilderness for a week and based on your actions you guys will be given points individually. And when reaching a threshold you may choose to continue or directly raise your rank."
So the exam is more about camping. but then again it is in the wilderness of a fantasy world, this is not going to be easy.
Man this reminds me of the time I tried to escape the castle it got me a bit traumatized. And if my situation now is me being able to successfully escape it, think again.
Because they know where I am and if I don't pass the exam I just have to go back or go to a different school. not to mention my sister is an oracle so escaping will be more of a hassle than it actually is worth.
"Remember the choice is yours. so work hard to raise your rank."
"waaaaaiiiit! don't leave me!"
And as we were about to leave we heard a voice outside intrigued we took a look only to see a guy running to our direction.
From the looks of it, that guy might be an examinee like us.
And when we thought the proctor was about to tell the coachman to stop. What he said next shocked us.
"Speed up."
"""eh"""
We all have the same reaction.
"This is one of the basic etiquette for an adventurer or for any job out there. If you're late or tardy then you miss your opportunity."
When we heard him say that we nod and thought he had a point.
Then I looked outside and prayed he would do well for the next exam.
"heeyy! waaaiiiit! I said wait damn it! Haaaaaaaahhhhhh!"
And to my surprise he enhanced himself with mana and rushed forth towards us. My surprise is understandable, normally out running a horse may be easy for mana users.
But what if it's a monster horse, not to mention the vehicle being able to resist the impact. So the speed of this carriage is definitely fast and might be even faster than a car.
But this guy is so fast that he is catching up. Thinking it was strange I used a modified version of the mana quantifier on him and realized he was a rank one individual.
So that's why he is this fast good thing. I asked for this artifact from the prof. Philip. It is very helpful.
And with great force he jumped towards the carriage barely holding on to the walls of the carriage.
"Heeyy! open up! hey open up i say! plea-."
As he continued yelling the proctor seemed annoyed and covered us with a spell cutting the noise outside.
And as he continued to make noise the carriage still moved fast heading to the to where the exam will take place.
~~~~~~~~~~~
After a few hours the carriage stopped signaling the arrival to our destination.
Thud!
And as we got out and a thud was heard and there we saw the guy holding for his dear life at the back of the carriage.
The determination of that guy is amazing. respect brother respect, you earn my respect.
"haaa, haaa. wh…y haa why didn't you….stop….you bastards! haaa haaa."
"James Trekor. rank one warrior and an E ranked adventure. fifth son of the Trekor family of the bastion kingdom."
Instead of replying he stated his identity. And from the looks of it they do background checks on us.
"Here's the thing, this is Labyrint City where all are equal no matter if he is the queen or king any nation people here don't bend to their will. So you, ignoring the appointed time is a waste of my time."
As he said that we all felt a little sorry for him. This just means that the exam will be very strict for all of us, not just him.
"This goes for all of you. If you don't try your best then it's all over. follow me."
Hearing that we come back to our senses and follow the proctor.
"That also includes you too Mr. Trekor."
"Ha?"
"Not coming?"
"Ah, yes."
He got up and followed us and as we left the carriage also left the place.
~~~~~~~
We walked for a few hours and reached a very wide plane field. Then the proctor stopped.
"Alright as some of you might have guessed in your minds the exam is about survival. We adventurers would sometimes take tjobs that would lead us to go to far places. And having the basic necessities and skills are needed to survive. But how will you survive without a given notice? This is your exam."
As he said that we noticed that we really do have the bare necessities in our luggage. So that's why they didn't tell us about the content of this exam.
"You guys are considered lucky for you only need a week to survive and that you can get points to end early. Normally at my time this would take a month with no points oh have the time change."
He started talking as if reminiscing about his previous exploits during his young age. Then continued to talk about the rules of the exam.
"Listen up like i said there are points for this exam everything you do will give you points. and it is up to me if it deserves to get a point or not and what point you will receive."
"Sir." Someone then raised their hand to ask an important question we all want to know the answer to.
"What is it?"
"What should we do to recieve points?"
"You don't need to know, that's for me to decide if what you do deserves a point or not. Now then the exam has started."
As he said that he walked through the woods leaving us speechless. But suddenly stopped and said something.
"Oh before i forgot, Mr. Trekor since your tardy your points shall be deducted"
"What." We all have the same reaction, Mr Trekor.
"So as a reminder your points can also be deducted depending on your performance."
He then left us symbolizing the start of the exam.