*Elsewhere*
He was amused. The boy was far stronger than he'd anticipated. His last instructions to the Archer Leader were to assess the boy's exhaustion levels and mana reserves.
Even after all that, the archer puppet reported that the boy's mana points were only reduced by a small percentage.
Both Swordsman and Archer leader puppets were at the Knight Rank for physical classes, or Journeyman rank for Mage classes. Two whole ranks higher than the boy. However, it appeared that he had some special skills and experience.
"Interesting boy. Very interesting indeed," the old man said, stroking his chin slightly.
The screen in front of him shrank into nothingness as a student approached.
"I have completed the third task, sir!"
He looked over at the student.
'Hmm, this one has potential. He's come in first ever since the exams started. However, compared to that other boy?'
His thoughts did not show on his face and instead, a wide smile appeared, masking the signs of disappointment.
"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wait there while the others come. Only one task left."
The applicant nodded enthusiastically and moved a few metres to the side, and the old man fell into thought.
'I wonder if the boy would have dealt with The General by the time the last of these applicants arrives. Even if he's not afraid to beat it, he'll still get through the academy in the end. But it makes me wonder. Is it the exam that has changed difficulty or is the boy that strong?'
'The first option shouldn't be remotely possible but so is the second. For a four-year-old demon to look like that and be that strong? It shouldn't be possible at all.'
The old man also waved off another applicant who succeeded and turned away.
'Time will tell the answer. But I guess The General should appear right about now. I wonder how the boy will deal with the situation…'
….
….
….
Amari stared at the center of the arena in deep concentration. This would be the final fight and he would be able to leave this godforsaken place.
"How long has it been?" He muttered, "An hour? Six hours?"
He couldn't tell, but he didn't care. He just couldn't wait to get rid of this last opponent once and for all.
Soon after the waiting paid off, but the last puppet didn't appear in the centre of the arena.
An unknown whirring sound spread through the whole field, and Amari glanced in anticipation towards the ground. However, as the whirring continued, it became evident that the enemy wasn't coming from there.
He looked up from the ground and towards the other end of the arena.
Rocks crumbled and dirt fell to the floor as the stone wall shifted to the sides. This formed a massive hallway stretching out to god knows where.
DOOOOOO!
Amari reached for his sword with apprehension as the horn's brassy sound hit his eardrums.
Du! Du! Du!
An unfamiliar rhythm of hooves pounding the ground followed after, soon synchronised with the horn playing. Dozens of horses marched forward from the large hallway.
The horses weren't real. He could tell.
But the twelve riders who seemed to be as strong as a swordsman or archer were definitely real.
Their black armour was well-preserved, he noticed, from the light dangerously reflected into his eyes and the absence of any noticeable rust. Each rider held an eight foot tall spear inlaid with a single colourless gem, adding to their mysterious nature.
Amari barely had enough time to recover when the horn sounded again and this time, earth trampling followed.
Dozens of swordsmen puppets and archers!
'Fuck! Is there a way I can concede now?'
And as the final warm, brassy horn reached his ears, Amari prepared himself for what would obviously be the most difficult opponent in this final wave.
11 feet tall? No, 15!
He imagined everything but the truth.
A fairly tall man in armour about his height slowly stepped out of the passageway. Unlike his soldiers, the man didn't wear black armour and instead wore white and red armour covering him from head to toe.
He also held no weapons.
Amari waited. And waited. And waited.
Until the man passed through his soldiers and reached the front of the group.
"Hello," he muttered hoarsely, forgetting the careless words he'd spoken since.
He thought those trash were fodder, but these guys he struggled against were the real fodder!
"Hello," the man in armour replied.
His voice was soft and silky smooth, not deep and gravelly like Amari had imagined.
"You will surrender, no?" the man in armour asked again. "If you will not, I suggest that you step back and let us begin the struggle."
Amari quickly held up his hands and shook his head.
"No no no, I surrendered. I surrendered."
"Good." The man continued, "I have watched your battles with my troops, however."
Amari paused and prayed not to offend the man seriously.
"You've seriously offended me…"
'Oh no. I'm dead."
"... You've offended me with your inconsistency and lack of training. It is clear that you lack the skills to wield a sword. However, you swing the blade like an idiot it and make a mockery of thousands of years of its existence. Even if you could use a sword… that sword is evidently not built for someone your size or weight."
"My troops would easily beat you if not for the weight of time carried on their shoulders. So tell me, why do you use a sword?"
Amari sighed with relief, then rushed to answer.
"I'm sorry sir. I truly have no sword training like you said. I was born and raised in the forest among magical beasts. It's just that I obtained this sword from the person who killed my mother. It reminds me of the blood debt I need to repay."
Amari had no idea where that shit came from. On the spot, he said it, and while a part of him meant it in some way, it was mostly an excuse.
However, the man in armour bought it.
"I see," He nodded, his expression unclear through the armour. "However, that is still unacceptable. Once you are officially admitted to the academy, you shall come here every day to train with my soldiers. Is that clear?"
'Eh, what just happened?'
"Uh, yes sir!" Amari muttered before anything else happened.
"Good, now move on. You passed the Death Battle Exam."
He turned away from the man in armour stiffly, walking towards the door slow enough not to seem rude. He also walked fast enough to get out of the place quickly.
'What the fuck just happened?'