Director Shin quickly acquainted them with the rules. The map they just saw was a collection of several maps. Each of the areas marked with numbers was the place where a set of examinees would 'spawn'.
The numbers of these locations were there to show which group would spawn in which location. For example, the examinees whose names were on the first list would spawn in the zone marked as 1, and so on.
But that wasn't all. As the director had already confirmed, the examinees could not carry any outside material with them. It didn't matter whether they were using their inventories or carrying them in backpacks. They did this to ensure fair testing.
Instead, the academy had placed various items and consumables on the maps. The examinees would have to either locate these resources themselves, defeat the ones who had them, or steal from the fallen ones. It was a battle for survival.
This round would continue until there are only twenty-five examinees remaining from each zone. These examinees would enter the second round of tests. They would promptly dismiss the other examinees.
This selection process would reduce the four hundred examinees to two hundred for the next round, then eliminate another hundred.
But the examination wouldn't be over just then. There was another twist, the twist of the black zone, which was in the middle of all the zones.
In this last round, the hundred "students" would face each other in a brutal battle royale once more. But unlike before, there would be no expulsions.
This last test was not about survival but about proving their worth. Their performance would determine their rankings, separating them into distinct grades based on their abilities.
All this just to get inside the academy…
Zhang Ying thought to himself as volunteers from the academy walked out and handed them some accessories, including a weird watch, a card, and a belt.
Before any of them could know what was going on, a new set of rules and instructions flashed in front of them.
"The watch has been enchanted with storage expansion magic," the director explained. "Each watch provides ten storage slots, allowing you to store items gained during the examination."
A moment later, a bloodcurdling scream pierced the air, silencing everyone. The guy was grabbing his hand which he had equipped with the watch, while the rest of his body twisted and turned in pain.
The show went on for about a minute before the screams finally died down and the director started speaking again.
"Eager to test the equipment, are we?" Director Shin sneered. "Thank you for being the guinea pig for the sake of others. That's what will happen if you try to place outside equipment into those watches."
Those who were about to do the same immediately threw their things away. None of them wanted to get themselves electrocuted by the watch.
"As for the belt, it will restrict you from using your beast space during the exam. Before wearing the belt, remove any companions you wish to bring to the test."
Everyone opened their beast spaces through which various monsters walked out.
Some were typical beasts like foxes, then there were creatures Zhang Ying hadn't expected to see there, especially a baby dragon.
However, only Zhang Ying had a slime as a pet which immediately drew attention for all the wrong reasons.
The crowd didn't bother to hide their smirks, convinced he had squandered someone else's chance to be there, all for the sake of bringing a mere slime.
Zhang Ying didn't bother with their looks. Jellybean was his strongest beast. Anyone who dismissed it as just a mere slime was making a grave mistake. Besides, Director Shin himself had selected Jellybean as his companion.
"Finally, those cards… they are your lifeline in this test." Director Shin explained. "Lose your ID, and if you can't retrieve it before the test ends, you'll get disqualified."
He continued, "Likewise, those who collect the most cards by the end of the test will earn rewards. Keep in mind, during the test, anything is fair game."
The director's voice suddenly turned cold.
"There will be no surveillance, no interference from the outside. Some of you might not make it out alive, and there will be no investigation into what happens."
"If you wish to step back, now is your chance. But once you step into the test area, you're locked in for the next 48 hours."
With that, Director Shin's voice died down, and so did the screen in front of them before being replaced by the map once again.
Zhang Ying expected at least a few nobles to leave. But to his surprise, no one backed out. Even the danger of death wasn't enough to stop them.
They had enough reasons not to back away. Even if their mercenaries couldn't enter the test area, they still have their high-rank beasts to protect them. They didn't have to back away.
"Good luck," Alana mumbled as she stepped back. "I hope you won't disappoint me."
"Yeah, yeah," Zhang Ying waved his hands.
Soon a message flashed on their watches, showing them the groups they belonged to and how to get to that location.
Everyone rushed towards their respective gates as they wanted to get as many pieces of equipment as they could inside.
Gaining proper equipment would, more or less, solidify their survival. However, quite a few people, like Zhang Ying, took things slowly.
These were the examinees who had confidence in their raw strength and abilities. Zhang Ying was one of them.
Why waste time finding equipment when you can easily loot it from others?
He thought while calmly walking towards gate number five.