It wasn't long until the sixteen schools arrived at the porch in front of the building, where sixteen representatives of the Players Association were waiting in order.
'Hah…what a pain in the ass'.
The representative of Treefall Institution of Learning, or TIL, as the Principal called it, was basically in a bad mood. After all, he was given the lowest academic institution to represent that day. Representatives were usually the guards and guides for the students and someday, mentors, teaching them the basics of being a Player. Of course, there was monetary gain to it, and sometimes even fame. Coaching a high-grade Player wasn't an easy feat but depended on the luck and skill of the Player.
However, poor schools such as Treefall Academy tend to produce Grade Characters. So, he wasn't looking forward to it.
The man, Rodis Stone, sighed and adjusted his shades while his hair waved in the stale wind of the morning. He had arrived last, seeing as his co-workers had been making fun of him, but now, he just wanted to go home.
He clicked his tongue as his gaze picked up the familiar figure of Principal Zach and Miss Sasha approaching him.
'...At least there's one thing to look forward to'. He thought when he heard a snicker beside him.
"Looks like they're finally coming in. Hope we see a good grade this time".
His co-worker, Matt Freestone said with a chuckle while the others laughed out loud.
Rodis found himself admiring the other students under his co-workers, and the thought that one of them would turn out to be a high-grade character was stifling.
"Mr. Rodis"
The familiar tone of Miss. Sasha rang in his ears, pulling his attention from the students altogether.
'Well, they might have good students but they surely don't have sexy teachers'. He thought as he stretched his hand out for a shake.
"Miss. Sasha, long time. I see you're here with your students". He said with a wild smile as Principal Zach and the students climbed up the stairway to get to the porch.
Now, it was time for him to get down to his debriefing before the Test was carried out, and most of his co-workers had already started. There was a distinctive amount of space left between the Representatives, and the students under them were well separated to make things easier. With the prominent school being first and the last school being last. Of course, that meant them. However, if the students weren't paying attention, they could listen in on the other Representatives.
Paxton had other ideas, though; oftentimes, he would curse his condition, and a few times, he would be grateful for it. Knowing fully well that he was in a backwater school, he had decided to eavesdrop on the other Representatives debriefing. After all, it was basic knowledge that the best only receive the best and the poor….well the basic minimum.
"Alright, I'll start by letting you kids know the basics of the Server Test".
Mr. Rodis began, while Paxton slowly pulled down his ear pads to get a better hearing from all sixteen.
"The Test Of Humanity doesn't guarantee you become a Player". He said though the baffled expressions from the students encouraged him to explain further. "What the Test Of Humanity does is give you an opportunity, and what you do in return during the Test determines your reward in the end". He said.
At that moment, Bryan Flair, the shortest boy in their class and also the typical-looking nerd, raised his hand for a question.
"When you say it gives you an opportunity, what do you mean?" He asked.
Mr. Rodis sighed as he continued. "What I mean is simple. Basically, you are all going to experience different events. Perhaps historic events, and maybe unnoticed events, could even be catastrophic events. All of these events are played out from your subconscious….meaning these events are made just for you. Now, you are expected to grab this opportunity to become a Player and it isn't expected that you fail…in fact, you can't fail".
The students muttered in confusion. Was it truly possible to not fail an exam? They wondered, but it seemed like Mr. Rodis wasn't done with his explanation.
"You either pass or you die". He said with a slight amusement in his tone.
His sentence seemed to have caught the students by surprise, the girls especially as their pupils dilated from the word.
Paxton sighed as he rubbed his temples. He had heard the same thing from all sixteen Representatives, so he could confirm that he was right. Even more, it seemed like there were Grades to getting a character, and perhaps even conditions to gaining more than one character.
This was explained to many other schools, but it seemed like Mr. Rodis wasn't planning on getting to them.
'Conditions that must be met?' He wondered. 'What are they?'.
It was unlikely that the Representatives would give such an answer before the Test; after all, it isn't a test if a cheat was given to them before they partake in it.
Though, he would later get to know why it was done so.
"Why do we need to die?" Bryan asked again, while the class went silent with anticipation.
"Ye–Yes, My students don't need to die because of a test. It's only right that you guarantee their lives". Principal Zach explained with a baffled tone in his voice.
Mr. Rodis clicked his tongue in annoyance, his gaze scanning the twenty students gathered. "You will gain acknowledgement and the freedom to choose your path on becoming a Player. Are you choosing to ignore the rewards just for a simple penalty?"
But death wasn't a simple penalty, and he was aware. This was his only opportunity to gain Students. After all, it was better to gain some than none.
"The rewards are more than just gold, you know. Your battle character could be a Mythic grade or a legendary, and you will be treated as a celebrity from the moment you step out". He explained. "Don't you wish to choose your paths and leave the life of a normal human?" He asked.
Though players existed, they only accounted for forty percent of the total population. Meaning that a lot of people, even if they tested positive for the Server Link, didn't wish to partake in it. After all, who wasn't scared of death?
The students were left in a dilemma, but before they could even begin to decide, the sounds of shoes echoing in the air caught their attention.
Turning to their right, they found a lot more students, choosing to go for the Test and walking into the building. It seemed like the numbers willing to partake in it surprised them.
Mr. Rodis sighed on seeing their numbers and turned towards the twenty students gathered.
"I won't explain more than I already have but if you wish to go for the Test, take a leap of fate to my right side".
It didn't even take a second, but Paxton had already found his way to Mr. Rodis' side, who found it rather amusing. He glanced at the amber-haired boy with a smirk before turning to the others. "Who else?"
Principal Zach was caught in the middle, unable to even urge his students. After all, they were the ones risking their lives but the sight of Paxton going for the Test formed a sort of courage within him.
He glanced at Miss Sasha and sighed. This was a decision he left for his students to make, and hopefully, something they will come to not regret.
"Of course, you can always come again to take the Test…if you're wondering," Mr Rodis said, and his statement seemed to have caused a sigh of relief from the students.
He raised a brow in confusion, only to realize that there weren't any more students willing to step out to take the Test.
'So, one it is'