The head teacher took his seat on the stage, and the anticipation in the hall grew. He announced, "The test will begin in 15 minutes. Please ensure you are ready."
Ahiro, like many others, was somewhat confused about how the examination would be conducted. He looked around at his fellow students, who seemed equally perplexed. But before he could voice his doubts or ask anyone for clarification, a small drone, no larger than the palm of a hand, appeared in front of him. It hovered there silently, unlike the usual drones that produced a faint buzzing noise.
With a subtle whir, a holographic screen materialized before Ahiro, accompanied by a keyboard. The timer for the test started ticking down. A feeling of both excitement and nervousness coursed through him as he realized that this was the moment when his knowledge would be put to the test.
Ahiro took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. As the timer hit zero the test began. The holographic screen displayed the first question, and he began to read it carefully.
The minutes ticked away as Ahiro worked through the test, answering questions about awakened abilities, their classifications, historical figures, and more. Some questions were straightforward, while others required a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
As he progressed through the exam, he couldn't help but glance at the timer. Time seemed to pass swiftly, and he needed to ensure he answered all the questions within the allotted time.
Finally, as the timer counted down to the last few seconds, Ahiro completed the last question and pressed the submit button on the holographic keyboard. The screen displayed a message:
Test Submitted. Thank you for your participation.
He let out a sigh of relief. The first test was behind him, and he hoped he had performed well enough to pass. Now, all he could do was wait for the results.
After what felt like an eternity of focusing on the test, Ahiro was relieved when the teacher announced its conclusion. The three-hour ordeal had drained him mentally, and he yearned for a break.
The teacher's voice filled the hall once again, "I appreciate your patience, dear students. The results of the test will be provided to you in due time. Until then, I encourage you not to dwell on it. Instead, enjoy the grand meal that has been prepared for all of you as a token of our appreciation."
There was a collective sigh of relief in the hall, and the students began to rise from their seats. The teacher, with a warm smile, vanished in a radiant stream of light.
Ahiro joined the stream of students making their way out of the examination hall. Some were chatting excitedly, while others discussed their answers and debated over the questions they had found challenging.
As he strolled toward the canteen, Ahiro's thoughts couldn't help but return to the test. He wondered how well he had done and whether his preparation had paid off. Regardless, he agreed with the teacher's advice—it was time to relax and enjoy a well-deserved meal.
The meal distribution at Valorius Academy was a marvel of technology. Once the students had made their selections through their smart bands, a seamless choreography of robotic waitstaff commenced. Tiny, nimble robots, each no larger than a hand, zipped around the canteen with impressive precision.
Ahiro marveled as he watched them in action. The robots gracefully maneuvered through the bustling crowd, their sleek metallic bodies gliding between the tables without bumping into anyone. Each robot held a tray loaded with carefully arranged dishes, and their glowing blue eyes scanned the crowd, finding their assigned students.
When it was Ahiro's turn, a robot hovered in front of him, offering a tray with his chosen meal. He had opted for a light yet nourishing option, considering the physical examination scheduled next. On his tray lay a vibrant, colorful salad featuring fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, and thin slices of grilled chicken. The salad was drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette and garnished with a sprinkle of toasted almonds. Beside the salad was a bowl of hearty vegetable soup, steaming gently. To finish, he had chosen a small fruit parfait, layers of yogurt, and mixed berries topped with a delicate honey drizzle. It was truly a meal unlike he had before, and he couldn't wait to devour it.
The meal was not only visually appealing but also strategically chosen to provide the energy and sustenance needed for the upcoming physical examination. As they finished the meal everyone was instructed to gather in the allocated hall.
A buzz of excitement filled the air as they finished their meals and gathered in the hall, eagerly waiting for the results. Many were anxious, their eyes glued to the holographic screens on their smart bands, while others engaged in animated discussions about the test questions and their answers.
Ahiro, too, felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. He couldn't help but replay some of the questions in his mind, wondering if he had answered them correctly.
Soon, the moment of truth arrived. A holographic projection of the head teacher, Lucius Ebonhart, appeared on the stage. The students fell silent, their attention fully on the figure before them.
Lucius Ebonhart's commanding presence filled the room as he began to speak. "I commend all of you for your efforts in the Theoretical Knowledge Test. It was a challenging examination, and your dedication to complete the exam is commendable."
He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in. "Now, it's time to reveal the results. As per our criteria, those who have scored above the passing percentage will proceed to the next phase of the examination. Those who did not meet this criterion will, unfortunately, not be continuing."
A tense silence descended upon the hall as the holographic screen displayed a list of names. As each name was read out, the respective student's smart band emitted a soft beep indicating whether they had passed or not.
Ahiro watched as some students looked relieved and exchanged triumphant glances, while others wore expressions of disappointment. The anticipation grew as the list of names continued to scroll.
Finally, the head teacher concluded, "Congratulations to those who have passed. You have successfully cleared the first hurdle on your path to becoming awakened individuals of Valorius Academy."
With that, the holographic projection disappeared, and the room erupted into a mix of cheers and sighs of relief. Those who had passed quickly began to make their way to the allocated room for the next phase of the examination.
As Ahiro's eyes scanned his smart band's holographic display, relief washed over him as he found his name listed among those who had passed the Theoretical Knowledge Test. A small smile crept onto his face, a testament to the hard work and determination he had put into preparing for this moment.
With renewed confidence, he joined the group of students who had also made the cut, and they followed the directions provided on their smart bands to reach the room designated for the next phase of the examination.