Tohgi arrived in the capital city rolling a huge metal sealed tank, what he witnessed was far beyond his imagination. The roads were more than twice the size he was used to and filled with wagons all pulled by draecons. Before arriving in the capital city he had never seen a draecon. There were no sandy or uneven paths, it seemed as though everyone had a reikicomm, something he had only ever heard of. Feeling overwhelmed by the incredible difference between the capital city and his hometown, Tohgi walked to the nearest inn to find directions. Upon showing his scroll to the innkeeper he was directed to the royal inn. It was a massive complex with multiple training facilities, open parks, swimming pools, and many luxurious facilities he had never seen in his life. Tohgi was taken aback by everything he had witnessed since he arrived at the capital city.
Tohgi: (there really is a vast difference between the cities and the villages).
All the contestants were summoned to the centre of the park, for an introduction to the itinerary of the examination.
Examiner 2: As you all should know by now, your reiki is ranked. However, those foolish enough to think that reiki is the only determining factor in a battle would most likely die before any battle even begins. We would be ranking you on 6 other attributes. Pay attention to the board
The board notice read: AGILITY, STRENGHT, DURABILITY, STAMINA, REIKI QUALITY, REIKI QUANTITY, COMBAT SKILL.
The examiner began his explanation, pointing at each attribute on the board.
Examiner 2: AGILITY. This would be determined by the ease and time it takes for you to finish an obstacle course set. Your time would be converted to points and every stumble would counted as a negative, please do be careful to not get a 0.
STRENGTH. You would be required to perform some weight lifting exercises, that would require your entire body
DURABILITY. Your resistance to force would be tested, healers would monitor your vitals to ensure we don't kill you. However, there is no guaranteed your mental health would remain the same if you go in unprepared
STAMINA. You would be required to perform certain tasks under a set pressure, much like the durability test. How long you last would determine your score
REIKI QUALITY. it is all good being able to release high volumes of reiki, but how well can you control it? The actions you perform with your reiki would be examined and measured by specialists. In other words showboating wins you points.
REIKI QUANTITY. I believe we are all familiar with how this works, if not, pack your bags and go home, you're a waste of time.
COMBAT SKILL. Finally, we would be testing how well you can use all these qualities in battle, you would be fighting each other in 3 battles, the task is simple, win! Wins would add to your average score and losses would reduce them. However, don't be discouraged, if you're too poorly matched, myself and other examiners would be observing and rating how well you do in your battles. This would be a reflection of how much improvement you can or need to make to your captains, even if you're weaker than your opponent you can have some uses on the battlefield. The second part of the board shows how you would be graded, E-class and below is an automatic fail. I hope that was clear, if not, good luck.
Rank Badge Individual-Skill Total-Skill
⧞ ⧞ 90+ 630 +
A ★★★★ 80 – 89 560 – 629
B ★★★ 70 – 79 490 – 559
C ★★ 60 – 69 420 – 489
D ★ 50 – 59 350 – 419
E - 40 – 49 280 – 349
F - 00 – 39 279 -
Upon looking at the board and the ranks, Tohgi thought back to knight he met back home. He was shocked when he finally remembered the badge the knight was wearing.
Tohgi: (he had an infinity badge)
Examiner 2: These examinations would be spaced out in the next month to give you all time to recover and be in top shape for each test. Those of you that make it would be announced a week after the new year, along with other members that were recruited by your soon to be captains. The rest of you can go back to whatever lives you were living before this. Your room keys are with the reception, familiarise yourselves with the hotel, the city and the test centres, this is your life for the next month. Further instructions would be provided to you when the time comes, dismissed! (Who brings a tank to a hotel, is that home made rum or something, there was little reiki emanating from him to begin with, does he already know how to mask his reiki?)
Perplexed by Tohgi, the examiner called his attention whilst the other candidates dispatched.
Examiner 2: Hey, you with the tank, where are you from?
Tohgi: Who? Me?
Examiner 2: (There isn't anyone else with a tank) Yes.
Tohgi: Padure village.
Examiner 2: Village? Never heard of it.
Tohgi: It's a small community near the southern forest, not many people would know about it.
Tohgi laughed nervously due to the sudden attention from the examiner.
Examiner 2: I see (Just a southerner with little reiki, I should have known, there were rumours a southerner qualified this year) and what's…? Never mind you're dismissed (I probably don't want to know what's in the tank)
Tohgi whispered to himself.
Tohgi: I wonder what that was about, oh well
Whilst looking for the receptionist, other candidates mumured and whispered to themselves.
Candidates: He came from the south, you shouldn't get too close he might smell
Tohgi found his way to the receptionist and was asked if he would like an upgraded room for an extra cost. He declined and requested he be given one of the rooms that incur no extra cost. He also inquired if a meal would be provided with the accommodation, the receptionist explained that the room, facilities and breakfast are all covered but any additional meals would have to be funded by the guest or they can choose to eat at any of the many restaurants the city has to offer. He thanked the receptionist and made his way to his room, while some candidates snickered at the conversation
Tohgi: (I guess dad was right)
Candidate 1: Hey, it speaks English
Candidate 2: I heard a riff raff was actually given an invitation scroll, I never imagined such rumours would be true
Candidate 1: Imagine having to live in the sorry excuse of a room provided to us
Tohgi: (Oi, have they seen this freaking hotel, is there anything like a bad room here? How pampered are these people?)
He smiled at the other candidates
Tohgi: Not everyone has the luxury of remaining an 18 year old child.
The atmosphere immediately changed
Candidate 1: What was that?
Tohgi: huh? Did I offend you? I sincerely apologise, you must have misunderstood my southern dialect. We riff raff are poorly educated after all, we only manage to learn very basic English
Candidate 3: So what was it you were trying to say? You have a chance to correct yourself now
Tohgi: oh, uhmm.. Let me make sure I get it right this time. You're a sorry excuse of an adult that lives off the status and fortune you have not earned and attempt to mock others that are not afforded that privilege. Was that better?
One of the candidates grabbed the hilt of his blade ready to strike Tohgi down.
Candidate 3: Enough, If he is worth our time, we would find out during the examination
The three of them walked away from Tohgi and the receptionist.
Candidate 2: Given that you carry that toy on your back, I am assuming you pretend to be a swordsman
Tohgi remained silent.
Candidate 2: Hanzo! Remember the name when you go back to whatever pitiful slum you came from
Candidate 1: I wonder what was in the tank.
Candidate 2: Probably some village juice with "mystical powers" to make him stronger.
Candidate 1: ewwwww…
They both laughed at Tohgi as they walked away.
Receptionist: Sir, would you need any help with your belonging?
Tohgi: No, that's fine.
Receptionist: Alright, your room is just down the hallway to your left.
Tohgi: Thank you.
Receptionist: If you need anything, just call the number on your key card and the on call receptionist would be glad to assist you.
Tohgi: I'll keep that in mind.
Tohgi was filled with rage at the mockery of the blade his father bought him. When Hanzo insulted the blade on his back he what he felt were the efforts and sacrifices his father made to fund his unreasonable ambition being trampled underfoot.
Tohgi: (he could have done so much more to give our family a much better life, but he chose to support me. Let the heavens be kind enough to match me against you, Hanzo, I would repay your mockery in kind).
The receptionist could sense Tohgi's displeasure and excused himself. Tohgi made his way to his room with his belongings.
END!