Kane opened the door after hearing the bell ring and saw two women standing outside. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "What do you want?"
His eyes then shifted toward the large swarm of students.
"Hmm? They look like animals," he commented, watching them panic and push each other in a rush to the hall.
Unfazed by the contemptuous look Anna was giving him, he turned back to them and asked again, "What do you guys want?"
Anna clicked her tongue in irritation. "Tch, listen to the way he talks. Disgusting."
Sophia, ignoring both of them, asked, "Where is Ravi?"
At first, Kane was confused. "Who's Ravi?" But then it clicked. "Oh, that guy? He just went outside. But who are you to him, huh?"
Sophia didn't answer and muttered to herself, "He went out?"
She turned toward the crowd, her eyes scanning the area for him, but all she saw were students frantically rushing to the hall.
"Just where did he go?" she wondered, closing her eyes.
The moment she did, she felt a faint presence—a familiar one shrouded in a dark aura.
"Found him."
A small smile appeared on her face. For a brief moment, she had feared he had disappeared again. Without acknowledging the two people beside her, she headed in Ravi's direction.
Anna and Kane exchanged blank looks, both of them abandoned by a pair who seemed lost in their own world.
Anna sighed and followed behind Sophia, while Kane, having his own reasons, tagged along.
Sophia quickly spotted Ravi standing in the corner of the hall. It wasn't difficult to find him—even in a crowd that large—because there was an empty space around him. No one dared to go near him.
Strange glances were cast in his direction, and students whispered among themselves.
Some looked at him with curiosity, others with fear. Those who had seen the argument earlier between Sophia and the red-haired student seemed especially wary.
Without sparing a glance at anyone else, Sophia walked straight to Ravi's side and stood next to him.
Anna and Kane arrived shortly after.
"So he's the one?" Anna thought, giving Ravi a once-over. "He looks good, but there's definitely something off about him."
She didn't voice her thoughts and instead commented, "They're about to begin."
On stage, a middle-aged woman, neatly dressed, began to speak.
"Hello, everyone. I welcome you all here today. I am—"
She gave a brief introduction of herself and explained what Pis Aller Academy stood for—something most students already knew.
"Now, I will explain the rules for the entrance examination of Pis Aller."
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for.
"As most of you are aware, Pis Aller is one of the top academies that train the next generation of fighters. For many years, the entrance exam has remained the same: reach the academy."
Murmurs spread among the crowd, some students nodding as if they had expected this.
"But that is no simple task," the woman continued. "You will all be teleported to a forest filled with foreign creatures. And trust me when I say this—you may lose your life."
A chilling silence filled the hall. A shiver ran down many spines.
But Anna, Kane, and Sophia remained unaffected.
Anna, unimpressed, even muttered, "The risk of dying there is none. The entire exam area is controlled by the academy's Elites. Around four or five Elites are always on standby and will interfere if necessary. And even if they're late, the most powerful student in the academy, Elite 1, personally oversees the entrance exam. It's rumored that Elites 1, 2, and 3 have already surpassed the academy's teachers in strength."
She glanced at Sophia and Kane, expecting to see admiration in their eyes for her insider knowledge.
But neither of them cared. In fact, they didn't even acknowledge her words.
Feeling slightly annoyed, she turned her attention back to the speech.
"But you do not have to worry," the woman continued. "You may form teams with as many people as you wish. However, attacking another participant will result in immediate disqualification. If you fail to reach the academy within a day, you will also be disqualified."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
"Besides these rules, there are no restrictions. You may choose any weapons you like and form any group you wish. Your only goal is to reach the academy. That is all."
The woman's gaze swept over the students.
"I hope you all understand. With that, I wish you luck in the entrance exam. Even if you aren't selected, just don't die. Thank you."
With that, she stepped off the stage.
The moment she left, the hall erupted into noise.
Students rushed to form teams, desperately searching for people to tag along with.
"Just look at them," Kane scoffed. "They're like monkeys. Only the weak form teams."
Anna turned to him with a sneer. "Oh? And what, you're planning to go alone? You think you can clear it by yourself?"
Kane's expression darkened. "I let you talk before because I didn't care, but don't think I'll just stand here and let you insult me, you brat."
***
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