241. The selection of targeting!

[The Dueling Exam: Arc 11]

[Planet Earth - Fortune Island - Fortune Mountain (5000 meters) - Sunday 10:58 a.m.]

From before, after Tim's knowledge about the mountain being tall less than 5000 meters, Kanji and Tim just reached the top, and at the same time, both of them noticed a black sword, stuck within the wall. "So there it is, where she left it." Tim spoke when making a jump up the wall to grab the handle and right after coming in contact with it, he made it disappear. "Good to know - they made it." Kanji smiled, following Tim, up the final row and then, the two have finally reached flat floor. "Hi! You two made it!" Codey and the rest have immediately ran to close the gap between them. "Man, that sure was a great climb, I haven't stretched so much in days." Tim raised his arms and felt the relief in his body.

"How are the rest?" Questioned Ayuka, worried that some may not make it. "You shouldn't worry about them. They were only a few meters behind us, they should get to the top any minute." Tim claimed, calm while turning back toward the edge of the mountain's top. "Well, I hope they come in right time. They only have about 2 minutes left." Claimed Codey, a bit worried. "Yeah, no worries. They'll make it." And the instant Tim spoke so, the rest have joined up, and by the end, the 11:00 am finally reached.

[Planet Earth - Fortune Island - Fortune Mountain (5000 meters) - Sunday 11:00 a.m.]

The ones who made it were; Kanji, Codey, Ayuka, Tim, Ellie, Kylin, Sakami, Hideki, Yutaku, Kazuko, Shin, Shoji, Yasu, Midori, Kaori, Ume, Kyou, Ko and two others, but by the end, exactly 20 people remained in the test. "Hmmm... 20 of you have made it. We've expected at least 10. But 20, that's just another number to enjoy." Smiled their new examiner. "So, please, you may take a rest if you wish, the climb wasn't that difficult. But I'll make an exception." Smiled the elder. "Man. I was sure there was going to be something else. Was the path everything that I was worried about?" Tim thought, interested. "Tim, what's the thought?" Sakami bothered to ask. "Well - at first, I believed that there would be some other obstacles before reaching the top." Tim smiled, a bit suspect. "Well, yes. At 4900 meter mark, there was supposed to be a bell that began the next obstacle. It would present a free to duel, so that only the best could get at the top. But, after seeing this magnificent duelists, I decided to ignore that rule and let everyone to climb up, without any interferences." Explained the examiner.

"Ah - I see. So that is why you had that bell around the neck, prepared to begin the wrestling." Sighed Codey, scratching the back of his head. "Yes, that was the rule. But seeing all of you, be so skilled and braved, I've decided to not do so. Anyway, I'll give you a 10 minute rest - before the next exam." Giggled the examiner.

"This guy makes me feel uncomfortable, but I guess I shouldn't worry much about him." Kaori advertised, loudly. "What makes you feel uncomfortable?" Tim bothered to ask Kaori. "Just what he explained. Nothing more is needed." Kaori added.

"Ah, so that was it. Either way, there is still some strange thoughts about him." Sighed Tim, Kaori stepped besides him - with crossed arms. "Do you believe that examinee, number 1 is a bit suspicious, that there is something about him, too?" Questioned Kaori, giving a serious look toward Tim.

"Yes. Exactly, I believe you've been suspect of him as well. Just what is Goya Ko, really here to do." Tim wondered, scratching his head. "He's very mysterious, so I cannot tell, nor am I guessing you, right?" Wondered Kaori, just to make sure. "Well, he noted me about trying to find 'Nensho' one of the Ginkens." Claimed Tim, curious. "Huh, so he is after that Ginken? I heard there was a Spiritual Duelist on Planet Earth, who had the power to wield that weapon. Who that is, I do not know. Many of the Spiritual Duelists call him the 'Symbolic Warrior'. The reason to that, for having a specific connection with his weapon. There were photos of a boy, taken by people and seen around. I suppose that weapon is quite legendary to the duelists." Exclaimed Kaori.

To what Kaori spoke, that made Tim extremely surprised. "They were 'sights' and 'photos' of that warrior, haha.... how - convenient." Tim added, trying to hide his true thoughts. "You said that as if you'd knew something, mind sharing what it is?" Wondered Kaori.

"Oh! No, no. Don't worry, I was just surprised that so many people have managed to take photos of him - after all, Spiritual Duelists are supposed to be invisible to a human eye." Answered Tim, still worried that Kaori would catch his lies. "Truth is. That warrior is known to be able to shift between his body. Spiritual and Physical, that is why sometimes people see him." Explained Kaori. "Oh... is that it? Well then I definetly have no idea about what this guy is doing." Explained Tim, embarrassed and faced to the side.

("Man - this is so hard to get out of. I was photographed? God, this is worse than I imagined. I believe the hunters of 'Nensho' knew that the Spiritual Duelist would take on the exam. Though, what's strange about it -") But before Tim's thoughts came to the end, Kaori spoke once again. "Speaking about 'Nensho'. You have never showed your Ginken, you've been doing a great job hiding it from the rest, is it because you're somehow connected to that duelist?" Wondered Kaori, surely becoming suspicious. "N-no. No way. I just didn't need to use it. I never came to a fight, nor did I need to use it a climbing." Claimed Tim, with a shy smile. "But, I've seen you control the fire of your friend, and the Symbolic Warrior does use Pyro. You're really mysterious right now. Plus, on the other side. You haven't had a struggle in this entire exam, so far." Explained Kaori. But Tim continued to cover his signs. "No, sorry - but you really got the wrong guy to talk to, about these stuff." Claimed Tim.

"Tell me more about you. I'm quite interested." Claimed Kaori. But that was making Tim to lose his cool. "I. I. I - uh..... I just." But soon, something called. "Tim, would you come here for a second?" Called Ayuka, calm. "Huh?" With confusion Tim faced at her. "Sorry. We'll talk later." Tim spoke and walked away from Kaori. "Yes, sure. No problem.... hmm....." Said Kaori.

"What is it Ayuka?" Tim wondered, looking at her. "I think that girl is a bit suspicious of you. That is why I called you. You would probably say something too much at that point - if I had not called for you." Claimed Ayuka, calmly with her arms crossed below her chest. "Oh. Haha.... is that so? Well... thank you. You really saved my temper from that moment." Tim added, still feeling the gaze of Kaori.

"I didn't know that one of the duelists would take on the exam - just to get their hands onto that Ginken." Ayuka was careful at picking her words, since many people had ears around them. "Yeah, me neither. That weapon must be very popular, apparently." Tim claimed, still a bit worried that somebody would understand his lies.

("A weapon.... Nensho. Hmmm.... I believe Goya Ko has found himself who he was looking for.") Smiled Kyou. ("After all.... that is another interest to why I'm focused on you - Shinkaku Tim... but, I have no intention of stealing your Ginken, you're too precious, and I would like to see much more, just what you're capable of.") In that moment, Kyou licked his lips. ("Your power, your looks, your personality, which lets you keep going, it makes you a perfect target. Ah, just imagine so many people after you, but only one of them would sneak up to you.") Thought Kyou, waving with his card. Tim faced to the side, seeing aroused people.

"I am slowly beginning to dislike the crowd that is around us. Many of them are skilled duelists and many of them seem to have heard about.... Nensho...." Tim claimed, very oblique. ("Just why do they want their hands on my Ginken? Nobody can control it, apart from myself and.... I guess, Ayuka.... but, it still doesn't give me an answer. Do they want its power? Do they want its value, or are they just to sell it?") Tim wondered, quite confused. ("This is arousing many people, making me a priority of targets....") Tim thought, having crossed arms. While he was thinking, he was surrounded by his friends, talking to each other. ("..... Now I am the one, surrounded by people who're down to hunt Nensho....") From that point, Tim stepped toward the wall, leaned his back over and begin to join in on conversation with the rest.

("I think, he has some knowledge about Nensho, I wonder which knowledge is it, though..... you've just gathered my interest, Shinkaku Tim.") Wondered Kaori, facing at Tim, seriously and focused on him, mostly - from this point on.

[Planet Earth - Fortune Island - Fortune Mountain (5000 meters) - Sunday 11:10 a.m.]

"Very well now. The passing examinees, the 10 minutes were covered. Now, let's continue with the exam, shall we." Claimed the elder, standing in front of them and everybody faced at him immediately. "As you've probably read. Your next and fifth test is about nature scouting. The rules of this will be very simple." Explained elder. "We're at the top of the mountain, for a reason, and that reason is quite simple. You'll each going to be given copy of someone's badge, of the remaining duelists. Your goal will be simple, the number badge that you achieve will be your target, for example, if you gained number 45 and the duelists of that badge was still in action, then that would be your target. Now, be aware. People of this test will have one day to capture their badge, after you steal the badge you are able to return back to the boat, the one that you see in the distance. You will be released into nature, one by one every 10 minutes so that the duelists can step ahead. While you're in the forest, you will be able to do anything you want to get the badge, either steal the badge, or capture the target, if you manage to do that, you will be known as the exam passer. But be aware, only 2 of the examinees will be allowed to fail. After you're done, with the day - then - you will be awarded and put to the sixth test, so, you will have 5 minutes to scout the forest from above here, once you're done and the timer runs out, you will be released, one by one. But first, we'll be pulling for your targets." Claimed the elder. "Let's begin with Number 25." Kyou was already the first one up and pulled for the paper. And once he gained it, his number target was 676. With sneaky look he faced at Sakami, since that was her number. ("Oh, I was hoping I would have badge number 673.") Smiled Kyou, looking at Tim. "Next one up, number 1." It was Ko.

He reached and picked up a badge, and his target was number 677. Ayuka was a bit confused to why Ko looked at her, but she had this urge, that she would be chased by Ko.

The next few examinees drew.

Codey's badge number was 681 and that was Ellie, while for Ellie, his badge number was 674, and that was Codey, without them knowing, both of them were going to target each other.

Sakami's target was number 1, that was Ko's number.

Ayuka's badge number was number 680, her target was Hideki.

Midori's target was number 678, being Yasu, while Yasu's number was 131, Midori, so just like Codey and Ellie, they were each other's target.

Kazuko's number was 711, and her target was Yutaku, and as well as he, his number was 500, Kazuko being his target.

Kylin's target was Shin, while Shin's target was Tim.

Ume's target was Kaori, and Kaori pulled a joker, which meant she didn't need to hunt down anybody.

Kanji's target was Kylin, while he seemed to be a bit worried about it.

Ko's target was simply Ayuka, Shoji's target however was Ume, at the same time, Hideki's target was Kanji, and finally Tim came to step forward, drawing out his badge number, and after seeing, his eyes became amazed. The opening revealed......

.....number 25, and who it was..... it flashed before Tim's eyes when facing at Kyou, giving him a creepy smile. By exchanging looks, Tim felt worried and his target prevailed in front of him, ready to protect himself at any moment. Making a serious face, Tim squeezed the paper onto his chest, and the final targets were settled.

("Guess there was no way around it.... needing to come in contact with Kyou was guranteed.....")

To be continued...