After my comical success in the rite of passage I set out on my own finally free of the constraints of chores and responsibilities. The excitement was intoxicating and I was drunk in it like a colt heading to pasture for the first time or a lame man who's finally able to walk. It wasn't long before it sunk in and I soon realized how lonely and quiet freedom can be. I eagerly raced my horse towards the nearest guild with my new mission as an adventurer.
The sight definitely wasnt what I had imagined, it looked more like a drug cartel and a lot of the adventurers came off as shady people. A depressing man motioned me to go to the new admissions bench. It wasnt long before I was escorted to a small space outside where happened to be the only bright faces on the entire campus. I wasn't the friendly type so I got in my corner and waited for the supervisor like a good chill dude which quite frankly I was not, and then she happened. A cold shiver ran down my spine and all my hairs rose straight up, what confused me was how hot I started to feel as my heartbeat evolved from a faint thumping erupting into loud banging. I was so lost in the confusion but more than my sudden change of state this girl had my attention. After one look at her, I had no idea what it was but like a solved equation it all started to make sense.
Gorgeous, isnt she? A raspy adolescent voice whispered into my ear and at last my eyes were freed from the estranged trance.
"Do you know who I am? "
The annoying voice proceeded and I finally noticed my shattered boundaries invaded by the hand on my shoulder. I investigated the young man and from his looks we were of a similar age without much of a noticeable difference in our physiques. I guess that's why he attempted to befriend me, after all weak people like all insects tend to clump together and hide behind their shameful numbers. I didn't despise this way of thinking but with one less seal off my finger I was definitely not weak anymore.
'Yeah, she's great I guess, why?'
I asked. Completely dodging my question, he stretched out his hand. After you pass the entrance exam lets become friends, he replied. Slightly confused I shook his hand and that was the last I would see of him until the exam was through.
After that weird encounter I couldnt help noticing the judging stares and the gossip that accompanied them. It didn't really matter to me whose attention I had drawn, so long as it wasn't hers, I couldnt care less. The whistle sounded and the glaring along with the murmuring eventually came to a halt. About a minute before we were briefed in and the rules of the first test were made clear, all there was to it was staying conscious until the very end. An elimination round, typical of those lazy administrators it was basically culling and ensuring that the weak and under-prepared go down first. The tension in the air was so profound I delved in its fumes ready to blossom once the ensuing chaos had subsided.
"5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and sleep." I chuckled letting out a bit of my madness but I was sure everyone was too preoccupied to pay attention. You see, even the strongest giants and monsters can't do much with so little oxygen not to mention the temperature started dropping half a degree almost every second. After the much less atmospheric pressure the last clue was the changed landscape to realize we had somehow been transported to the icy cold capes. Dropping like flies the competion thinned out bit by bit. Among those who didn't lose consciousness only few were breathing steadily while the masses were shuddering, panting and gasping for air, these chozen few would become the monsters that would make most of my enemies and perhaps allies. About an hour later only two fifths of us remained and the test was done. I hadn't been particularly challenged save for the huge guy who stripped naked and tried to do me during the test. "Skin-to-skin body heat transfer," he called it but no way I was getting anally raped, at least not without going to prison first.
It felt like a trance, the whole experience felt totally unreal , save for the evidence of unconscious participants and deathly faces noone might have believed this test happened.
"I know you're confused so I'll fill you in." the coach began to explain. "You see your examiner here has the power to bore people to sleep, no literally, when he opened his mouth the whole class started snoring except for one interesting kid who we had to dismiss early since he passed by default. To prevent cheating or unfair advantages, the entire exam took place in a dream of his design, uncreative bastard just took you to the top of a mountain. You were examined on physical strength, stamina, resillience, willpower, mental resistance and most of all alertness which if you all possessed you wouldn't have had to suffer through this dream. Anyways congratulations to those who made it, training starts tomorrow get to your respective dorms with the roommates you've been assigned. As for the rest I pray that you find peace in your helplessness. Salute and dismissed!"