Percy rested his hands on his knees to support his body as he took deep heavy breaths. Beads of sweat rolled down his face and his hair stuck to his skin, soaked in perspiration.
His muscles ache even more than before, forcefully using the Warburn family's swordsmanship with a shortsword was taking its toll on his body.
He was exhausted both physically and mentally.
Opposite him, the mysterious youth stood. His breath was only slightly haggard and he wasn't as sweaty. But the ends of his lips were curled into a slight smile.
Zandov, Lassen, the lady that joined them and the rest of the youths that had remained awake looked around, unable to comprehend the scope of Percy and the mysterious youths abilities.
"It seems like I still haven't reached him quite yet." Zandov muttered bitterly as he stared at Percy.
Lassen remained quiet.
"It's finally over." Marceline muttered.
"Every year, there is usually a Trojan horse. A black sheep that surpasses expectations and rivals the most talented among the examinees. Usually, both the most talented and the anomaly are noble but this year,..." Yvonne stared at the mysterious youth, her eyes flashing with various emotions.
"A true error has arrived." A voice sounded and all eyes fell on the new arrival. It was a man with average height, build and looks. He had deep blue eyes and his chin was covered in slight stubbles.
He looked middle aged and he was dressed in blue from head to toe. Even his facecap which had the logo of a locomotive company was blue too.
"It's the driver."
"I prefer to be called the train master." The man said. His voice was deep and humorous, different from the cheery annoying voice that sounded through the speakers.
His deep blue eyes landed on Percy before moving to the mysterious youth. Both of them felt a cold shiver down their spine, they felt like they had been completely seen through.
"Good fight. I never expected that there would be more than one anomaly on the train."
The train master walked to the center of the second cargo and motioned for the youths to gather around.
"The second phase is about to begin. Congratulations to all of you that passed the first phase of the test."
Although the man's words were genuine, most of the youth felt ashamed. They couldn't help but review their performances and compare it to that of Percy and the mysterious youth. A deep feeling of inferiority filled their hearts.
"I know a lot of you are hoping to prove yourself and didn't get the chance. The time is here to do so."
"The first phase was all about testing skills and intelligence. The second is to test how you apply them. The second phase is a test of survival." The train master's words were slow and steady as he spoke.
"I have to warn you, if you are not ready to put your life on the line, it's best you drop out now. You might die."
A sense of foreboding filled the second cargo and a lot of youths looked hesitant. But even with how hesitant they were, no one dropped out. Untimely, they were all proud accomplished youth.
"I hope you don't regret your choice. Know that once you know the details of the second phase, there's no going back" The train master looked at the youths, his blue eyes gazing into their souls. Most of them avoided it, his warning falling on deaf ears.
"The second phase will take place on Mount Unbrye."
The eyes of all the youths widened in horror and even the mysterious youth had a slight frown on his obscured face.
After the mysterious mega earthquake thirty years ago, a lot of animals began to mutate. These mutated creatures were way stronger than normal and only the military and high ranked police officials were sent to hunt them.
A few places have been deemed as danger zones due to being overrun with these mutated beasts and Mount Unbrye was one of them.
"What? The military must be crazy to think I'll go there." One of the youth shouted in anger. His eyes were bloodshot.
"I mean, even veteran hunters that enter Mount Unbrye don't leave."
"Yeah. If that's the case then I'm out."
"Yeah! Me too."
"Silence." The train master said. Although his voice was low and steady like the rest of his usual speech, for some reason, it was like a strange presence filled the area and forced everyone to keep mute.
"I warned you, there's no going back now. If you want out, then die. Know that you can't run from the military."
The cargo became somber, most of the youths regretting their choices to stay.
"You have one simple mission: get to the top of the mountain in one hour. Only those that complete this mission will qualify to become cadets of the royal military."
The blue-eyed man gestured for the youths to follow after him and he led them to the first cargo.
As they entered, a lot of the youth immediately cast envious gazes at the nobles. The first cargo was nicer than most of their houses.
The train master walked to the bar and took out a box. He opened it and took out a bunch of specially made silk ribbons. Some were blue and a few were black.
He spoke as he shared the ribbon, handing one to each of the youths.
"The blue ribbons are your pass to enter the camp at the top of the mountain. Everyone gets a blue ribbon. But the blacks are only going to be handed out to predetermined special examinees."
The train master handed out black ribbons to the mysterious youth, Percy and the other nobles and Zandov, Lassen and three other youths including the lady that stuck to Lassen.
"There are nine black ribbons in total. The black ribbons means one thing, you get to qualify for the special squad. There are nine of them. Black ribbons are not permanent, they can be taken."
The eyes of the youths on the train immediately turned greedy. They were obviously afraid to target the mysterious youth and Percy, but the same couldn't be said for the female nobles and those who weren't nobles.
"Only those that take the black ribbons into the camp get to enter the special squad."
The train master placed the box down and walked past the youths. He stepped outside the first cargo and stood in the doorway to the second cargo.
"A bomb had been placed on that cargo and it would go off in two minutes. In a minute, the cargo should arrive at the mountain path which gives you all exactly one minute to leave. Probably less."
Before the youths even had the time to react, the train master kicked a gear and the first cargo separated from the other cargoes.
"Let the countdown begin…"