One month later...
A massive square border had many buildings within it. However, the buildings were mostly abandoned and destroyed, having a total of zero residents living within them. The grey atmosphere caused tension in the surroundings where heroes were all lined up at the gate, right outside the border.
In a massive line were all the first years who had the soldiers stance, ready for the mission after weeks of training. It wasn't a real one but it did matter still because of the rewards gained. Even a low-grade Carnivore Mana Room was very expensive to the average hero outside the academy doors. This was something worth training their best for.
In the other line were two teachers: Mr. Oaktan and John, luckily who were both people Archehon was familiar with. He stared at them through the line, having understood the missions contents. Probably, for him, it was his first ever 'hero mission' which were two words he didn't think he would ever think would relate to him.
'Well, this shouldn't be too hard. I already have a plan in place.', Archehon thought nonchalantly as he stood in place. Next to him was Atif along with Lloyd. The arrangement was sorted by department and he could see Xavier, from the back of the line, while he stood at the front.
There were some familiar faces that disappeared from the swordsmanship departments lines. James two ex-underlings were not among the faces he could see. But this wasn't surprising, when he walked around the area of where they previously lived, as part of the dorms. A lot of students talked about how both of them were suspended under the pretext of taking 'a leave' which was an obvious attempt at de-escalating the situation, so they could save their reputation.
The academy may have acted as if it promoted 'equality' and that there was no inequality of resources available to students. But in the end, it was a business and needed funds to operate and without these funds, shareholders would simply back out of the number of investments, even due to a small fall in reputation.
Many students all wore special uniform which was made of special materials. It wrapped itself well around the students whole body as it was black with a badge number on their chests.
Away from the thoughts of the previous problems, Archehon payed attention to John's words.
"Hello, First years! If you do not know me already, my name's John. Or you can also call me, Mr. Burrok if you prefer.", John spoke with his assertive tone.
"Today, both me and Mr. Oaktan will be judging everyone. Mr. Oaktan is retired and used to be part of the Top 200 ranked heroes globally, so his senses are as sharp as ever.", Mr. Oaktan smiled calmly after the mentioning of his name from John.
Once his speech had finished, John led the many first years through the massive stone gate which was over a hundred meters tall. The dust entered some students faces which they shook off, protecting their noses with their arms against the windy nature of the surroundings.
Once they had reached a red-painted line, the footsteps of the humans halted. The two teachers were a meter away from the border. "As a final reminder, there will be teachers and some hired heroes who will be posing as civilians. Your job is to rescue them within the given one-hour time limit."
"You will earn ten points per civilian rescued. However, the civilian has the right to deduct or increase points dependent on how well you do. Oh, and there are also over three-hundred civilians so don't worry about us running out.", John uttered before his last sentence. "We will begin in five minutes, feel free to warm up until then."
The strictly assembled lines all quickly dispersed and people split into their own groups. While that happened, Xavier poked Archehon's shoulder from behind. "So, do you plan on 'remaining hidden' this time as well?"
Archehon's lips spread apart for second, revealing a cunning glare before hiding it. "That's all up to you to decide. Do you plan on remaining hidden?"
Xavier scoffed right after hearing that ludicrous statement. "What do you think? Of course I am, I can't risk being exposed. Why ask such pointless questions despite knowing the answer deep down?"
"Don't know.", Archehon grinned as he shrugged.
"You really have a talent for pissing people off.", he tightened his fists, as a couple of veins bulged out his forehead.
"I'll take that as a compliment, pretty woman."
"..."
Xavier immediately turned away, then got close to the red line. He decided not to reply and just simply begin the mission already.
Time passed and all the students lined up, as if the red line was a starting line of an athletes race and the countdown was beginning.
"3...2....1...."
The final words were uttered and all the students began dashing through the abandoned streets.
There were many alleyways which Archehon managed to go through an find a man, with a frog-mask, who was about to be crushed by a falling boulder. Nobody other than the two were in the alley so Archehon dashed at the man.
"Waaaahhh! Help me, ho-hop!!"
Skiff!-
He slid against the floor, keeping his heel on grip with the floor so he would not fall. On the right side of his view was a dumpster.
The teen enveloped his spear with mana as he threw it at the the dumpsters wheels which allowed it to gain momentum and be a temporary shelter for the civillians head.
Creak!-
The green dumpster was about to stop holding on, however, it bought enough time for Archehon to grab the man and dash out before the dumpster was completely crushed underneath the giant boulder that fell.
The hero and the man both were completely safe as the man who wore regular clothes smiled and,
"Thank you, Hero 447.", he said as he glanced to his chests badge. "You can continue saving people as I will be giving your score once your gone."
Archehon nodded and left with no time to waste.
"What an interesting kid...", the man with a frog mask covering his face smiled as he sprung high above the two buildings in between and pulled out a tablet.
{Candidate: 447 has been granted Twenty points.}
[Hopscotch <#2871 Ranked Hero> Od Ability: Frog Legs - C rank]
"This will be interesting, ho-hop!"
* * *
In another part of the testing area were dark maze-like alley's where shadows of men in cloaks could be seen blending in. The men all had cloaks but no mask to hide their faces, displaying their confidence. Not only that, their builds and height didn't match and student. Nor did the clothing to the teachers.
This could've only meant one thing...
"We're in, Boss.", one of the men spoke into the earpiece that he pressed down. His features were bland and had a pale white face, making it easier to see his face if inspected closely.
Although, the rest in cloaks totaled up to at least ten people.
"Perfect. You have until the end of the academy's hero mission to do this. Make sure to not attract any attention and cut off academy student...", the dark and low voice rung through the earpiece as he ordered the leader of the group,
"Atif's arm, as per our unknown clients request."
"Understood, Boss."
After stretching and finishing the last gesture of a nod, the group began their move as they all began smoothly flicking their feet in the direction of the wind.
[Assassin Group: Dark Everest. World Rank - 78th]
* * *
{Leaderboard}
{1st - Drifa Crystal}
{2nd - Petyr Haydn}
{3rd - Kale Nova}
{4th - Archehon-
"W-wait, what??", a voice suddenly uttered before even finishing the students name.
It was of a pink-haired girl with silky hair, thick eyelashes and eyebrows, cherry lips and a tall frame. Her expression was composed of mainly shock and confusion than anything else.
"Who is this A-Archehon person? And how is he fourth place despite how I've never even heard of him?", she spoke in a shy manner with her soft voice after viewing the leaderboard from her electrical watch on her left wrist.
[Name: Rosalina Bryrony. Leaderboard Rank - 5th]
"Hm.. that is suspicious, isn't it, Rosalina?", another guy slightly taller than her leaned back against the wall. He had a calm voice but also a drop of annoyance was mixed in his lake of emotions, although that seemed to be part of his personality. He was dressed with headphones over the black special hero suit that everyone all wore, and had dark circles with messy long black hair.
[Name: Anthony Randiff. Leaderboard Rank - 9th]
"What are you all talking about?", out of nowhere a massive bear, or rather human, slumped over Rosalina to look at her leaderboard. He was over 6'6 and was absolutely massive with having short hair and a gangster type face, although that wasn't the way in which he acted. "Can you tell me, hahahaha!"
[Name: Loris Bashton. Leaderboard Rank - 7th]