Specialties. Right.
A specialty is something one excels at, or it's what it should've been..
For students and participants of this academy, however..
"I'll start, since I suggested it."
"I specialize in close quarters combat, and I practice a combat technique that involves a dagger. I have not awakened any abilities as of right now. My name is Cole, by the way."
If one thought of a specialty as if it was a character class in a video game, their guess would be pretty accurate.
Many people are uncomfortable about sharing such information, it's as if they're revealing one of their deepest secrets, after all.
But.. it was different for examinees who haven't even qualified for a spot in the academy, just yet.
It didn't matter if one told someone of their specialties, because they'd quite literally.. forget about it.
It really was of no one's business to note down someone's specialties, especially if nothing was set in stone.
What good did it do to someone to remember a random tree in a park in some far-away continent?
They didn't even know if they would return to that place at all for the rest of their lives.
"I'm Lilith. I specialize partially in close-quarters combat, while I can also manage in ranged combat. I practice a rapier technique. I.. have awakened my enigma."
Huh? She has already awakened.. her enigma? I thought that only happened after completing the exams?
Have I been paired with a monster secretly? How will I score points to pass anything if I'm overshadowed by this girl?
Who's idea was this...
I guess I'll go next.
"My name is Yoel, I specialize in a spear-dagger technique, and I have not awakened my enigma."
A duel technique was a rarer occurrence because to buy it one had to have certain affinities for it, that of course, Yoel was not aware of.
A dual wielder was amongst them, now. It was quite the surprise.
He felt the eyes of his comrades either widen in surprise, or try to keep their emotions from showing on their face.
Lilith especially had quite a complicated expression to her face.
Over the years, talent had been degrading everywhere around the world. Proficient Enigma Users were hard to come across, while to meet requirements to achieve dual wielding were ridiculously hard and most of the time completely unknown.
It seemed that humanity was slowly growing numb in its limbs and blind in its eyes.
But.. there were exceptions. Not everyone was bound by the chains of human logic.
"I'm Loki, and I mainly use two-handed weapons. Only close-quarters combat for me. Enigma has yet to awaken."
A man who prefers heavier weapons, huh?
I guess it's not that big of a surprise, looking at his arms.
Bulging muscles decorated his arms, veins covered them like chains, holding them back from bursting.
Most definitely, heavy weapons fit the boy.. man.
Lastly, the blonde boy from before walked up and sighed, and as if revealing something important about himself, spoke in a mysterious and reserved manner.
He still had a tinge of anger in his eyes when he spoke.
"The name's Vasil. I specialize in the usual, basic sword techniques. I have not awakened any enigmas yet."
Hm. Have I heard this name somewhere before?
Vasil.. huh?
Ah. I remember now.
That one scored 99% on the awakening chance exam, right.
I'm doomed. I'm so doomed.
After a few minutes, a loud bell sound was heard. Each of the team's cubes floated upwards and out into open space.
"All examinees, prepare to enter your portals."
As the usual, mechanical voice spoke, and behind the team a loud whirring sound erupted.
The whirring turned into whistling, then hissing.
A strange phenomenon was occurring, causing the metal that was bent in a circular shape to allow people to pass through to seem even more bent.
Soon enough, crackling energy spheres swirled in the middle of the strange contraption.
The energy seemed so powerful, so.. free, until it wasn't. The chaotic energy was slowly pacified and forced into place.
The once dangerous energy settled into what seemed to be a mix of blue and purple. It almost seemed solidified.
However, there were visible ripples traveling through what seemed to be a portal, as mentioned by the mechanical voice. It was not still energy, and the ripples reminded the youth that.
It almost looked like they were viewing a tranquil lake from above.
The teenagers looked at it ominously, obvious distrust plastered on their faces. Would this really be safe?
They knew better than to speculate or overthink it, but they couldn't help it.
It was what humans did, when met with something they didn't consider as normal.
Finally, after staring enough, the mechanical voice from their cubes spoke again.
"From this moment onwards, you will all be left to your own devices. You have a minute to enter the portal, otherwise you will be automatically disqualified. Best of luck to all."
"Well, what are we waiting for, then? The quicker we enter, the quicker we're done with it." said Cole matter-of-factly, his voice sounded neither excited or anxious.
Without a word, he walked into the portal, and the rest followed.
What came afterwards however, was a hell of its own.
Yoel's vision blurred, and he found his body disintegrating in a very painful manner. As if each fiber of his being was being pulled apart and restructured whole again.
It was as if one had a physical body, but at the same time not, whatever that felt like. It was extremely unpleasant and would surely put a dent in Yoel's relationship with portals and the like.
Once his body was torn apart and remolded into the dimension hidden behind the portal, the excruciating nausea had ended abruptly.
Not an experience I'd like to relive, that's for sure.
Yoel looked around, his gaze somewhat lost on the intensity of the jungle he now stood on.
Thick leaves covered the trees and vines plastered all over them, extending to the neighboring trees.. and then the next.
It was an area without much open space, and if one took a wrong step, the traps of nature would act upon it.
What bothered him more, however, was that he couldn't see his teammates anywhere close to him.
An oddity, he believed. Maybe they're nearby, or something.
Despite not knowing where he was, he didn't rush or panic. He scanned his surroundings cautiously while trying to keep his thoughts in check.
No need to overthink the situation, just look for information.
He stood up from his landing location, and only then did he notice the residue energy from the portal. He saw purple and blue motes slowly drifting upwards and then fading away.
The realization that he wouldn't be let out until he either got killed, starved to death or won took grasp of his thoughts, but regardless he went on.
Like a parasite, it clutched at his mind relentlessly.
He quickly rummaged through his pockets, seeing what made it to the other side, and what didn't.
All he could find was the cube. Nothing else seemed to carry over.
However, near where he landed, he could spot his gear lying around. He hurried over to his spear and dagger and picked them up.
Instantly, he felt way more safe. Something he was familiar with, at last. He didn't have to be a complete toddler, navigating through a jungle.
After he got nice and comfortable, the cube once again floated out of his pockets and lit up with pale blue light. It showed Yoel a hologram of the title of the location he found himself in, and a basic description.
[Location: Jungle of Hell]
[Description: A jungle found at the end of the world. Once populated by humans, now inhabited by dangerous, monstrous killers. Some say the jungle itself is alive, that it lures careless adventurers within so it can feast upon their fear. Evil and madness seeps deep into its wood.]
An eerie description, too eerie.
This description made Yoel's perspective upon the jungle change, now when he looked around..
The Jungle looked ominous. It had a darker vibe to it than before.
He noticed the shadows just a little bit more than before.
With an uncontrollable shudder, he steeled his resolve and decided to search for supplies.
If he couldn't find his teammates, at least he'd try and survive the night.
As if the scenery wasn't bad enough, faint clicking sounds became apparent to Yoel's ears.
He spared another shudder, now his step becoming even more cautious than before.
The sound might've just been his imagination, however, he couldn't be too sure.
He made hurried steps towards the east. Or at least, what he thought was the east.
The Jungle's leaves spared no sunlight. However the weaker leaves left an inferior glow, completely mundane.
It did not save Yoel from the growing darkness, however.
Darkness would be an obvious obstacle, he thought.
Regardless of what obstacles he'd have to face, he steeled himself and maneuvered through mud and dirt, vines and plants with relentless effort.
All the while he tried keeping the noise he made to a minimum.
Soon enough, the sun had completely plunged into the void, leaving complete darkness to cloak over the jungle, the shadows amplified by the cruel trees of the land.
Complete darkness, complete despair.