Chapter 76

Day of the Rank test, in an arena-like stadium in City A, many people gathered, going inside the massive stadium.

"Good morning people of City A!" The broadcaster said through the multiple speakers all over the area, "today is the day we once again see the capabilities of our new generations hope! On this day the students of our main school will demonstrate their skills and abilities through multiple tests that the school has prepared for them, and of course, by the end of all the tests, chosen students will fight their way up the ranks by demonstrating their battle skill, how? Through battle of course! The chosen students will fight each other one vs one on the final event which can take more than a day, but that's not a problem for you people, right!? Since we're seeing the future of humanity in these strong and capable students!"

"With that being said, the event will start soon, so all students! Gather around the center of the stadium and we'll begin the ceremony!"

Hearing that through a loud speaker, Yuji stood up from a bench inside the long hallway, leading to the field.

From a distance, Erina and Layla ran towards Yuji, "did you hear that Yuji?" Erina said.

"Yeah, let's go,"

And so, they went out to the field.

Going outside, the people cheered loudly, covering the entire stadium as all the students of the school scattered around the area from multiple entrances.

"The people seem excited," Layla said.

Looking around the area, Yuji notices Yukina waving from a small distance.

"You girls go on ahead, I'll be quick,"

"Umm, sure," Erina and Layla continued to move forward.

"You worried?" Layla teased.

"About what?"

"Never mind," sounding disappointed, Layla let out a sigh.

As Yuji was running towards Yukina, she flew towards him, riding what seems like a hoverboard.

"Is that a hoverboard!?"

Yukina gently landed on the ground, "I wouldn't say it is, this is just a metal with directional systems if I'm not the one riding it,"

"I see, anyway, you're not participating?"

"I am, but S classes have a different role in here, so we won't be participating in the entrance ceremony,"

"What about Erina?"

"She's an exception since she's new, also you'll probably notice the other reason later,"

"Is that so?"

"Are you ready?" Yukina asked in a serious tone.

"Yeah... I went to a nearby forest outside the wall last night and practiced some moves like you told me, I think I can pull it off,"

"Remember to not overdo it,"

"I will,"

"Now then, Go! Go! Go!" Yukina pushed Yuji, "the ceremony is about to start, good luck!"

"Thanks!" Fully turning around, Yuji ran to where the students are gathering as Yukina flew away.

Meanwhile from Erina's perspective.

"Hey, isn't that them?" A male with a familiar voice said, coming from behind them.

Layla turned around, "ah!" She reacted in surprise of seeing familiar faces walk towards her, "Ryan! And..." She hesitated.

"It's Jasper!" He complained.

"Yeah, Jasper! Haha, I'm glad to see you again,"

"You didn't even remember my name," Jasper complained.

"You just keep complaining..." Ryan said, "it's ok Layla I understand how you feel,"

Jasper shivered, "you guys are so mean..."

"Don't go sounding depressed like that, I'm joking,"

"Very funny..."

Layla laughed awkwardly.

"Anyway," Ryan stepped up, "I'm glad to see you two doing fine,"

Erina nodded.

"Ms. Erina you seem to be looking for someone," Jasper said.

"I am..." Erina looked around, "I'm looking for Yuji,"

Jasper and Ryan shivered.

Walking close to Layla, Jasper whispered, "did she lose it?"

"Is she still in denial?" Ryan whispered.

Layla stayed silent with a smile imprinted on her face.

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Layla?"

Suddenly, someone with a very familiar face walked towards them.

"Sorry, it took a little longer than I expected," Yuji said, walking towards Erina.

Erina shook her head, "it's ok, what did you two talk about?"

"Nothing, she just wished us luck,"

"I see,"

Looking past Erina, he noticed the two familiar faces beside Layla.

With shocked expressions, they both froze like stone, not being able to say a word.

"Oh! It's you two!" Yuji said, walking closer to them, "how have you been?"

Jasper stiffly moved, "h... how have you been, my ass! Your alive!?"

Ryan nodded intensely, forcing his body to move.

"I'm glad to see you two are ok too,"

Ryan shook his head, "we're glad that you're alive... It's just..."

"We're more shocked than glad... Not trying to insult or anything," Jasper said.

Yuji smiled "it's ok, I completely understand how you two feel, even I'm surprised,"

"H... how did you survive?"

"It's a really long story, I don't think I'll be able to tell it here, I'm just going to say that I was really lucky,"

"If you're here... Then is she..." Jasper secretly glanced at Layla.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about me," Layla said.

"Ah! S... sorry, then is she..."

"She's not here..." Layla said, Interrupting Jasper.

Jasper and Ryan looked down.

"Don't look like that," Layla said, smiling brightly at both of them, " if you get affected then you won't be able to focus on today's event,"

They raised their heads.

"It's the same for me... So please don't show those kinds of faces,"

They both looked at Yuji, who was beside Erina, with both of them nodding.

"I... I see,"

"Yeah, we understand,"

Layla turned and smiled, "thanks!"

Turning around, she started doing deep breaths.

Yuji and Erina walked beside them.

"She's doing this to prove herself... She might not be ok now... But she's strong, I want her to accomplish this," Erina whispered.

Yuji nodded, "I agree, just give it your all, she needs to overcome this herself,"

Ryan and Jasper nodded.

Suddenly, loud music began to play.

"Hello City A!" The speaker said, "the event will start soon! now for the school instructor and the one who will manage this year's rank test, Miss. Liz!"

The people clapped.

"Miss. Liz!?" Layla said.

"Oh! She was the woman in charge of us when we were moving here, right?" Jasper said.

Ryan nodded.

"Students look at the east!" Liz said, through the microphone.

As the students turned to the east side of the stadium, they saw a massive stage, and the only person standing on that stage was Liz, holding a microphone.

"All of you! stand straight and stay in your position! If you can't even follow that order, then you're free to go!"

Every student followed, staying quiet with their backs straight and with eyes focusing in front of them.

"Good! Now listen up!"

Everyone tensed up.

"The first test is this," Liz pointed at the stage wall as it showed a map of the central area of City A.

"We are all now at the Central district, and as you can see in this map, just outside the central district are places marked with red, the ones marked in red are battle zones!"

Multiple staff suddenly ran towards the students, each handing them a tablet.

"These tablets presented to you will be your map, it covers all the places you need, and the rest of the place it doesn't cover will be the dead zone, which means whoever steps outside of that will be eliminated.

Now going back to what I said earlier, the battle zones contain a free open field and on that field, there will be specialized weapons,"

"What are we supposed to do then?" Yuji thought.

"Now here's the question you all must be asking, why am I telling you this and what are you supposed to do? The answer is simple, do what you want with this information!"

"Eh!?"

Everyone got confused.

"Now for the second event,"

"She's moving on already!?"

The students panicked, as few remained calm, and composed.

"SILENCE!"

Every student followed.

"Listen carefully, once the first event starts, A sixty-minute timer will begin, after that, whoever isn't here will be eliminated,"

"She mentioned eliminated again..." Yuji thought.

"Now for what the second event is, the second event will be a capture the flag game, here in this stadium,"

"A game?"

"Further details about the second event will be explained after, but for now I'll tell you this," Liz smiled with serious eyes, "you can use whatever specialized weapons you bring back here from the outside, and use it along with your ability to crush your opponent,"

Everyone tensed up.

"Though there is a limit to how much you can hurt others, our judges watching will decide that, and for a reminder, tell me what does your generation represents..."

Everyone started whispering.

Liz took a deep breath, "all of you represent the hope of humanity! So act like it!" She shouted, "after going out of this stadium, you will go through the city, drones will follow you and we'll be watching through that, along with it, will be the judgment of your skills, not just battle skill, but also being a representative for the hope of humanity. Which means..." Liz looked down on them with threatening eyes, "don't cause trouble for everyone outside,"

Everyone shivered, as they hear her cold and threatening tone.

"We'll be giving points as we watch your actions outside the stadium, deduction of points will be given to people who, cause a panic, wreak havoc, or hurt an innocent civilian, other ones are probably common sense by now. And also, teams are allowed, but of course, if you want to go solo then do as you please, the limit of teams will be five.

Yuji, Layla, and Erina glanced at each other.

"Now then, as the game starts, the people you are with for the first minute will be registered as your teammates,"

"I got this... It seems she jumbled info on purpose," Yuji thought.

"NOW START!"

Ring*

The speaker rang as everyone was dumbfounded, not moving from their places.

"EEEHHHH!?'