Running across the crowded road was a boy with dark purple hair and red eyes.
He was running as fast as he could, bumping into no one, saving him some time.
Maybe because of his handsomeness or for some other reason, the crowd seemed to be making a path for him to run.
'Faster. Faster.'
He kept repeating his thoughts.
'I can't be late, not today.'
He seemed to be worried about the fact that he would miss the Entrance Examination.
Well, he has to. After all, if he wants to continue his life, let alone live a carefree one, the first thing he has to do is pass the Entrance Examination and enroll in the greatest academy in the world, or Aseria.
.
.
In a stadium made of white concrete, thousands of boys and girls at their sixteens were flocking like birds.
Each of them had different expressions, some were happy, while some were sad, and some were even excited. All sorts of expressions could be found among them.
But the noise died down as they noticed a middle-aged, handsome man with brown hair and brown eyes walking to a white stage with some unique design, also due to its high ground.
The aura of power he exuded confirmed the fact that he should not be messed with.
Swiftly, he arrived at the front of the stage as his cold brown eyes passed through each and every person in the huge crowd, stopping on only a few.
'Where is that boy?'
He seemed confused inside, but his rigid face remained unchanged.
He closed his eyes for a second before opening them, and the aura of his eyes turned from cold to friendly and warm.
Even though it was an act, it was enough to calm the hearts of many.
"Ahem."
A light cough of his was all it took to gain the attention of all and maintain silence.
"My name is Edward Grey, you may also know me as the Vice-Principal of Xerius."
His tone was pleasant and friendly, easing the atmosphere.
He continued.
"Today, you are all here to take the Entrance Examination of Xerius."
"Let's skip the formalities."
Snap.
He snapped his fingers, and a black bracelet with a red diamond-shaped gem attached to it appeared.
"During the first test, you would have it in your hands, and the moment the red gem dims is the moment you fail."
Then a weird and mysterious smile bloomed on his face, and one could feel that something would go wrong.
"I want only 500 of you."
He stated his interest.
"So, without further ado, let the first Test: Battle Royal begin."
.
.
The students looked at each other with eager, excited eyes; they didn't need further explanation.
.
.
"Ummm... Isn't it too easy?"
Sameal, who had barely managed to arrive, said in a doubtful tone.
How could he not be doubtful? After all, none of the students got close to him, let alone attacked.
'Is this the power of a... Villain?'
Sameal was famous for his notorious activities, so much that almost everyone in the kingdom knew him.
'Well, whatever.'
Obviously, he didn't care.
Looking at his surroundings, he could see blood everywhere but not any bodies.
The moment the red gem dimmed, they were teleported.
It was then Edward's voice appeared in the stadium again.
"Congratulations to those who are still in the stadium. Exactly 10 minutes later, the second test: Solo Dungeon Survival will begin."
His tone, even though pleasant to hear, his words were like spikes piercing ears for many.
"You will have to kill 100 monsters in the dungeon in three days, and you are not allowed to form a team."
His words were the horror of many as the terror in many could be seen.
"So, best of luck."
.
.
Opening my eyes, I found myself in an unfamiliar yet familiar surrounding.
Then minutes passed in a flash, and the bracelets illuminated with a white light, after which we were here.
Surrounding us were sky-touching, huge dead trees which weirdly had dead leaves. The air seemed heavy, and an ominous feeling would arise in those who stayed here.
This was the dungeon named Forest of Death.
Why?
Because there are no bracelets or any extra objects in our bodies except for the storage ring, which will store nothing but monster bodies.
"We will not be teleported if our gem dims; either we pass or die."
'It must have given a heart attack to a few.'
Slightly amused, Sameal thought.
Then he carefully scanned his surroundings where he had been teleported.
Sssss. Haaaa.
Closing his eyes, Sameal took a deep breath as he opened his eyes, but this time they were serious.
After all, there was something he had to get from this test.
His red eyes flashed with a glint.
'I have to get 'that'.'
.
.
'Haaa. Finally, I am here.'
With a long sigh, I said, slightly disappointed.
Even though the way was long, I didn't encounter many monsters.
Also, whenever I encountered a monster, I would just use my skill; after all, there was not much I could currently do.
'I have to go to hunt again.'
In front of me was a small pond that seemed out of place with all the dead trees surrounding it.
"Something seems unique about this place."
I knew what it was, but I was acting.
"Maybe I should go and figure it out."
And with a face filled with curiosity, I dived into the pond.
.
.
Diving deep into the pond my facial expression relaxed as I quit acting.
After all I couldn't show a confident face, making me the centre of doubt.
Since, Edward might be monitoring me though he can't see inside the pond.
The pond cannot be found as easily as I did.
One has to go to the top of the mountain, then find the strange thing of this place, solve it and at the end you will be in the pond.
Or, finding the pond would be alomst impossible, if you don't know its exact location or have a heaven defying luck.
'Hehe.'
With a slight smile I dived deeper into the pond as it narrowed like a funnel until there was hardly any place to move.
But it didn't stop me as I went deeper and deeper in the pond until I noticed a faint glow.
It was a blue-white orb excluding it.
'Found it.'