Paxton glanced behind as he walked away with Mr Zach to the Association's building, his gaze scanning his classmates one last time.
They had been eager for the Test, but the minute they heard they would die, that eagerness died down. What was worse, they became lax once they heard they could take the Test another time.
He wasn't particularly friends with any of them, but he did feel a kind of loneliness. 'Cowards'. He thought before turning away.
This was his one-way ticket to getting what he wanted, and he wasn't about to turn it down.
While he walked away, Miss. Sasha turned around to face her class, a scowl written on her face. She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it. Did it again, then closed it before sighing and walking down the stairs.
"Let's get back on the bus and wait for him". She said with a sigh.
"That idiot. He's simply going to get himself killed" Ryan said with a baffled tone, but his friends couldn't find the courage to respond. How could they? When they let just one person go in by themself, even if it was by their choice.
"At least he had the courage to…." Ruby muttered for a moment. Her gaze fixed behind Paxton as he walked away. She bit down on her lips and tightened her fist.
Paxton was one of the few people she had an interest in and someone she thought highly of. He was usually by himself, but when he worked together with the students, he showcased a form of leadership she could never explain.
She liked that it felt easy to do things with him, and the thought of him going in alone scared her.
Miss. Sasha turned towards her students, her gaze fixed on Ryan. "I don't want to hear comments from any of you". She said, and the students remained silent as they walked back down, though one stepped out and rushed off towards Paxton and Mr. Rodis.
"Ruby!" Flora cried out, causing the students to turn towards the red-haired.
She had completely abandoned all reason and chose to take the Test. Not because she wanted to change her life or anything, but simply because she wanted to stay by his side a bit longer.
"What is that girl doing?! She's going to get herself killed!" Ryan screamed out as he rushed after all.
"Ryan?" Miss Sasha called out in surprise while Principal Zach watched in amusement.
Soon, Bryan rushed out as well, and so did Ryan's two friends, Ronny and Ban.
Flora begrudgingly walked up the stairs and went after them, and all in an impulse, a total of six students had rushed off to join Raph.
Miss Sasha and Principal Zach watched in surprise as the students caught up with Paxton, just before entering the building. It was too late to turn back now or try to stop them.
The other schools also had students who remained behind, some of which found the whole scene comical.
Principal Zach chuckled. "Sometimes an impulse is all you need to make a decision".
Miss. Sasha glanced at him before turning to the building. She sighed heavily. "I hope my kids come back safe".
****
Paxton was amused by the students, who walked behind him as he followed Mr Rodis to the Front Desk.
The entrance door was an automatic glass door, and the interior was a lot more sophisticated than the exterior.
The rays of light had permeated through, igniting a sort of brilliance in the intricately constructed building. There were tall and sophisticated escalators and comfortable, designed cushions.
Flower vases and Expensive Art were ornamented on the wall, giving the sophisticated appearance a classy allure to it.
His gaze swept through his surroundings until it stopped at the escalators, where he found other schools going up.
'So the Test is carried out on other floors?' He wondered.
The escalator led to every floor of the building, but there were three elevators.
"Ruby, what are you doing?" Ryan's voice pierced through the air, catching his attention.
It wasn't like he meant to eavesdrop, but his ears were overly sensitive.
Ruby puffed her cheeks and turned her gaze away. "I didn't ask you to follow me". She said with a stern tone when her gaze locked on Paxton's.
He raised a brow in curiosity. "Didn't you follow me though?" He asked.
Ruby's cheeks turned bright pink as she looked away. "Hah…No…I also want to take the Test". She replied, her voice laced with the sweetness of the earth.
Ryan scoffed and took a step forward until he was beside Paxton.
He had been the only one willing to take the Test, but now there were six more. Though, whether they were in their right mind, was something to worry about.
"Let's go. We need to get you to the Server".
Mr. Rodis's voice snapped them from their conversation as they turned towards him in unison.
"Your test will begin soon. We need to prepare you for what's to come".
Paxton raised a brow. "What is to come?" He asked.
Mr. Rodis stared at him for a moment, before frowning and turning away. "You'll find out soon". He replied as he led them to the escalator.
Bryan was at the back of the group, with Paxton and Ryan in front, then Ruby and Flora, and finally Ronny and Ban.
Bryan looked around for a moment, adjusting his glasses before turning to Mr. Rodis.
"What is the Server exactly?" He asked.
Mr. Rodis glanced at him with a scowl on his face. "Didn't you study history?" He asked.
"We do, but none explains why we worship the Server"
"Okay, Kid. One, we don't worship the Server, and Two, you ask too many questions".
Bryan glanced down and then at Mr. Rodis.
"But I haven't even asked enough"
Paxton nodded his head. 'He has a point. There's so much we don't know. Are the players hiding things from us?' He wondered.
Mr. Rodis scoffed. "You will find out everything once you pass your test, so focus on doing that and don't disturb me with your questions".
The escalator got to the second floor, and the students, led by Mr. Rodis, walked out, turning towards their left and heading forward.
He checked the time on his watch and hastened his steps, causing the students to do the same.
Soon, after passing a few offices, they got to a door at the right corner of the building.
Mr. Rodis pulled out a card from his pocket, placed it against a scanner next to the door, and waited patiently.
The door clicked and ticked from within before he finally opened it to reveal a white room filled with students.
He gestured for them to walk in, and they did, with Paxton leading in.
As they did, the group of seven noticed how the other students present were staring down at them, rather uncomfortably at that.
But surprisingly, they had not responded. It was something they were used to by now, after all, looking down on someone because of the type of school they go to was common.
Mr. Rodis closed the door, leaving the seven students with the others.
A total of sixteen schools, each with their challengers. Students getting prepared for the Server Test were called Challengers, and Challengers who passed the Test were called Players.
At the moment, a total of six hundred and nine participants were located in this room, grouped by their schools. The room itself was plain with white walls and ceiling, and a large amount of space that was more than capable of containing them.
Treefall Institution of Learning, being the last group found themselves at the back. They were left to their discussions, while some decided to form connections, and some others decided to remain on their own. This wasn't a group test after all, it was meant for each of them.
Crafted by the Server itself, to prepare these challengers to become Players.
At some point, there was only noise, causing Paxton to adjust his ear pads while they waited quietly for what was to come.