"Number 284, step forward."
Starting with 284, the numbers were called out in ascending order. They ranged from 284 to 294. When called, the crowd parted as the called out individuals stepped forward.
Tyra glanced at Zuke after confirming their chest tags, and he nodded in response.
"Before we begin, beware that this is your last chance to back down. The school will not be held responsible for your life. If you are not willing to take the risk, remove your chest tag now." Both her words and expressions were cold.
Among the crowd, her words scared a few people, but most didn't bat an eye. There was no surprise to them that they would have to risk their lives.To them, the world had gone to shit, they could die at any moment. Like any other day, today was no different.
"Are there any questions?" Tyra asked.
Everyone was silent at first, but then a young man with glasses raised his hand.
"Are we allowed to use relics?" He asked, adjusting his glasses.
As soon as he asked that question, countless gazes fell on his back, causing shivers to run down his spine.
'That idiot, by asking that he's basically telling everyone that he has a relic. He's putting a target on his back.' Julius frowned. 'At times like these it's better to just stay quiet.'
"Yes, you are allowed to use anything in your possession for this exam. Are there any other questions?"
Nobody else spoke up. Many had gone quiet, wanting to avoid drawing any attention to themselves, a mistake which the boy with glasses had made.
"If that's all, then…"
*Snap!*
After snapping her fingers, a bright light enveloped all the candidates who had stepped forward, and they disappeared instantly.
"The candidates were transported to the exam stage. Step forward, the next ten so you too may be transported. I will explain the exam conditions once everyone has been transported." Tyra explained.
Following her clear explanation, the next ten candidates hurriedly lined up with their guards up. Tyra snapped her fingers and once again the candidates bodies were enveloped in a bright light before they were transported away.
"An ability that can transport others… huh, It's my first time seeing something like that." Julius commented as he placed his hand beneath his chin.
"Really? It's not that rare in Ingram." Ruby responded.
Julius glanced at Ruby. The more she talked about Ingram, the planet where she was from, the more he became curious about it.
'Since she ran away from it though, it probably isn't a topic she'd want to talk about so I've avoided bringing it up.' Julius thought to himself as he yawned.
"The next ten numbers, 306 to 316 step forward." Tyra instructed.
The number of candidates around them was quickly being reduced as they were all being transported to the exam area.
It didn't take long for it to reach Julius and the group's turn.
"Number 375 to number 385, step forward."
Julius, Ruby, Ava and Lyra along with a few others stepped forward, standing before the crowd of remaining candidates.
When Tyra noticed Julius' tired expression, she briefly glared at him, but before Julius could notice it, she snapped her fingers.
*Snap!*
-
-
-
Suddenly, Julius's tired eyes widened as he found himself perched on a tree branch, surrounded by trees, in the middle of a forest. In the distance, he could see the edge of the cliff where the military academy was.
'We were transported to the forest below the cliff, huh… looks like we were transported pretty far away too… around twenty or thirty kilometers? I can't tell.'
In search of Ruby, Lyra, and Ava, Julius surveyed his surroundings. They were nowhere to be seen.
"Looks like we got separated… well, they should be fine without me."
Julius glanced down at the ground. The tree was quite high up.
"The question is… how will I get down-"
"Attention to all candidates."
Julius was suddenly interrupted by a loud voice resounding in his ears. He recognised the voice, it was Tyra, the examiner.
Exactly as he had deduced, they were capable of transmitting sounds no matter how far away they were. Another unique ability which he had never seen before.
"All the candidates have now been transported to the exam stage. I will now go over the rules of the exam."
While listening in on the explanation, he adjusted himself on the tree branch to make himself more comfortable.
"You have all been transported to separate safe points around the forest, from where you are, you should be able to spot the military school's cliff. The exam is simple, the first one hundred of you to make it here will pass the exam."
"Before you think of rushing straight here, I'll advise you to tread carefully. This forest is filled with dangerous monsters, you could lose your life at any second… which is where the chest tags come into play."
"There is a safety function embedded in them. If your chest tag is removed it will flash red and my ability will activate and transport you to somewhere safe."
Julius looked down at his chest tag, number [378]
"Just beware that if you do end up resorting to that feature, you will be disqualified. That chest-tag is your lifeline, your only shot at passing the exam, keep that in mind.."
'Ah, that makes sense.
"Last but not least, we encourage candidates to compete. You may steal other candidates chest-tags. The top ten candidates with the most chest-tags will be automatically placed in the Alpha class."
Julius raised a brow.
'Alpha class? Ah, right… I remember now.'
Julius had heard about this particular military school splitting its students into the Alpha and Beta classes. The system was intended to allow students to receive the education best suited to their skill level.
The Alpha class was the class for the talented, whereas the Beta class was the class for those with less talent.
"Your exam will be broadcasted, that is all. Good luck to all the candidates."
With that final announcement, the echoes disappeared, leaving nothing but silence behind. In the silence Julius couldn't help but hold his grin back.
"If the exam had been the standard physical test I took in the hunter's organization, forget making it to Alpha or Beta class, I wouldn't have had any chance of passing the exam… My physical stats are shit… and if you try to measure my ability level it comes up as zero…"
Julius began to giggle to himself.
"But this type of exam is perfect… this is where Nightmare shines…"
Suddenly, he yawned as a drowsy expression engulfed him.
"Hua…. Alright, let's start making our way there… I'm still sleepy and my head still hurts…"
[New Quest Available.]
Julius stared at the screen which suddenly appeared before him and once again the grin returned.
"This day just keeps getting better and better…"