Chapter 9

High lord Girashima - three hundred fifty-two points.

High lord Ai Mikoto - two hundred eighty-six points.

Lord Pralam - two hundred five points.

Lord Herquin - one hundred thirty-one points.

Lord Guiryon - one hundred nine points.

Fretz's announcement made an uproar among the other lords who were sure they made a hundred points.

Lords said furiously. "How are we not passed. You must have made a mistake. No, you made a mistake."

Fretz answered calmly despite all the uproar. "There was no mistake of any sort. You may have made to one hundred points, I told you from the beginning to protect the chest until dusk to qualify to the next phase of the exam."

A man said on the crowd of lords. "You haven't said anything about why we should protect the chest. There was no rule of stealing others' chests is allowed."

The lords agreed from the man's acquisition.

Fretz replied. "Yes, that true. However, I haven't said you can't steal other chests either, the reason why you failed."

The uproars of the lords fell into silence. Some agreed silently of not knowing it was possible. If it was known, the lords who were on the small group would be attacked and be the first to fail the test.

Everything makes sense for the lower lords who were at a disadvantage. Only the lower lords who brought many members where unsatisfied.

Another man from the crowds came forward and bowed slightly on respect said. "Even though it is possible to steal other points but we protected our chest until the dusk."

Girashima Cairo raised his hands to answer. "I'm not sure about that... hehehe... You see, all of you fell into my traps. We didn't have a single point from the start, all the battle was just a diversion to steal the chests."

The lords accepted the uncertain defeat. They can't go against a high lord, especially the high lord Girashima. The fault they only knew was the high lord Ai Mikoto. Should they blame the Hizami too, even they failed? Or just accept reality, only those in power can become heroes.

Fretz said. "If there are no more objective, those who failed will be teleported to the exit gate."

On one snap, some of the participants are transported back to the entrance.

Seeing there were still a lot of people passing the test. Fretz asked again for those who were willing to withdraw shall be granted a sack of gold coins to start their life again, those who left early were been given. Knowing all were slaves, these were the usual protocols by the academy.

Most slaves withdrew, while some haven't, this was their one time opportunity to become a hero and to have wealth on their own.

Fretz announced. "For the next phase of the exam. Only fifty will be chosen to be enrolled. For the next phase of the exam. It would be a death match here."

All of the participants were shocked. Only fifty will be chosen. Some people said nervously. "Isn't this supposed to be a hero academ-"

Before the man can finish his sentence, a sword pierced from behind. The man who stabbed him, have a murderer's look.

The man who stabs laughed. Noticing late his head was already flying on the air, beheaded.

The deathmatch already started. Those who were killed were teleported on the spot before dropping.

A man who was wearing a fancy robe said. "Prince Cairo, stand behind me. I'll protect you."

Ai Mikoto Ethan threw his spear on the man with the fancy robe. The man cast a barrier to deflect the spear.

Girashima Cairo stabbed the man from behind, whispering on the man's ear. "I don't need you to pass the exam. You can return to the lord of Girashima if you survive."

The man was then teleported.

Cairo smirked. "I don't see the female who beat us. This time no one will dare to meddle between our fight."

Ethan shouted as he charged. "Cairo!"

*****

Volen woke up, she can see the clear sky and a bird flying above. She was in a forest. She remembered they were supposed to be teleported back to the room.

Wondered why she was all alone in the forest. She thought she failed from the test.

"Raum!"

No, respond.

From the front, Lei and Shinjo showed up. The bird landed on Lei's shoulder. It was a majestic hawk.

Lei brushed the feathers of the hawk. "Isn't this a pretty bird? His name is Koto."

Lei suspected Volen to be the sage candidate from the beginning after an undercover reported. While a native who wants to be a hero is rare, they would take the test alone.

"Volen the candidate of Raum. If you're wondering where are we, don't worry we are still on the test."

Volen said, hugging her bow gun. "If we are still on the test, where are the others?"

Lei explained where they were. "We are on a simulation. It is more like interconnected rooms. Well, I don't need to explain everything because, for your last test, the examiner would be me, Leli Mizu, the head of the Mizu Academy. Are you ready to fail the test?"

Volen didn't know what to react. Would she be surprised or scared knowing she could face Lei or Shinjo, the only thing she knew was she needs to pass the test.

"What would the test be?"

Lei was shocked, she was excited to fight that she forgot to prepare a test.

She touched her chin as if she was thinking. "A match would be nice, but it won't be fun knowing you will be easily defeated if I caught up with you in my range."

Shinjo suggested, aware Lei forgot and acting as if she would bring something up. "Tsk. How about a hide and seek a match."

Lei was impressed by Shinjo's suggestion and agreed with him. "That's what I was about to say, a game of hiding and seek."

Lei broke a silly laugh. "Shinji can explain the rest of the test."

​

Shinjo facepalmed and sighed. He took a stick and started to explain it by drawing it on the ground.