Chapter 32: Third Day: Combat Test

[Students these boxes contain our new generation combat mech. We would like to see you perform mana techniques on them. And when the timers are up your score will tally up and that will tell us how well you all performed—got it?]

"""Yes ma'am."""

[Good. Open the boxes.]

At her command the boxes took shape into a mechanical robot, that is in a human shape and with an average height.

[You will line up here and get into combat against them as we gave you the signal, please do it in an orderly fashion.]

As she said, all the examinees take their place. After they were done lining up she gave them another reminder.

[Also, you each have a time limit of 3 minutes. You don't need to win against it, all we want is to see your performance and know if it is up to standard. Now you may start.]

At her signal, all examinees started going one by one to the mechanical robot.

'Okay, so what should I use in this exam?' As the exam kept on going Jayven took a look at the examinees like him fighting and they seemed to be using their personal techniques and skills.

'They have their own mana techniques. I guess I need to use mine.'

The line kept on getting shorted and when it was finally his turn Jayven saw a student using basic mana technique and the execution was amazing.

"Rose Cambridge Pass."

"Yes!"

"Next"

Then it was now Jayven's.

"Get in position."

Getting to his stance Jayven thought of the previous battle he thought of just using the mountain tiger claw. But after seeing her moves he changed his thoughts.

'Let's first try my basic mana technique and use the mountain tiger claw if things don't seem good.'

"Ready fight." As the referee gave the signal Jayven Moved Fast and dodged the attacks.

"Oh, that kid is good. Normally attacking is better but his footwork is not bad."

"Is that all he got though? They are given a limited time in this test, so he should perform right if not he is out."

"We'll just have to wait and see what he has in store."

Jayven was so focused that he didn't hear anything. The attacks of the robot were clearly just basic mana technique but somehow its strength is reaching D.

'This is Crazy to think there is something like this.' Fascinated, Jayven analyzed the mechanical robot more. Until his thoughts were stopped by something.

"1 minute!"

Hearing that disrupted his thoughts and he got hit.

But not wanting to give up he caught the mech's arm and threw it.

'Damn, I got surprised and used it.'

With that Jayven passed and the next examinee was called.

After beating the mech Jayven was then told to go in one of those join the area where students had passed. And as for those who failed they were sent to a different one.

Later on, more students tried the test. The criteria for passing were vague and undetermined so those who passed and failed were confused and some argued about why they lost.

So, the students here didn't know what to expect of their results. This continued for almost three hours and all the hundreds of students taking the test were done.

Then Jayven and the others took a break and ate lunch or that was supposed to be the agenda.

[Alright, all of you will go to the next test.]

[Eh, but they have just finished the first one.]

It wasn't only students who were shocked by the sudden announcement that adults were the same, so was the mayor as he asked the colonel for the reason for her actions.

[A hunter should be ready for unexpected outcomes and getting ready and prepared for those is a must. I don't care if any of you are tired or hungry, just know this. On the battlefield unexpected things happen.]

She declared so she pointed at the top. [Drop it!]

With her command ropes came down from the thirty hovercrafts in the air.

[I know all of you have passed the fitness test for this hunter exam so getting up on the hovercraft should be easy. You kids have a time limit of one hour to get up there. Once there you will receive a briefing on what you should do next until you all reach the venue for the next exam.]

Following that timer was displayed on the screen. [The timer starts now.]

With that as a signal, Jayven moved. I guess I should be thankful for the master's task that was given to me at unexpected times.

Jayven reminisces as he thinks of what happened before when unexpected tasks kept coming in unknown time intervals. Sometimes early in the morning in the middle of the night or during school break times.

'The only good thing about it is that it didn't hinder my studies much.'

Along with Jayven's action a few students stopped being dazed and also followed Jayven's example and climbed the rope.

And not long after a few more examinees followed not wanting to be left behind. But this caused turmoil as they kept pushing each other as they tried to climb the rope. Making the competition fiercer than it should be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hmm, other than that kid the others are late in reacting and give him some bonus points."

"Yes ma'am."

"Let's go wait for them at the venue."

The colonel turned her heels after talking to her assistant as she moved to ride her private vehicle.

"Wait Colonel Lewis are you really going to not let those who didn't ride on time be disqualified?"

With a cold straight face, she replied. "Yes, we already gave them the right number of hovercrafts to board and gave them time. If they didn't board in on time then there's always next year."

She then walked out as she rode her own private hovercraft leaving the mayor speechless.

".... What a bitch. The military and even the hunter association are both corrupt." The mayor said as his face turned malicious.

"Sir, your face. Then his secretary reminded him."

"Oh, sorry about that." The mayor then massaged his face and walked out of the venue.

"Are you not going to watch the young master sir?"

"No, let him do his best If he doesn't pass then that's on him."

"Okay."

"Also, is everything ready?"

"Yes, once the signal starts so would the abduc-."

"Shhhh…" As his secretary was about to continue, he signaled her to be quiet.

"That's wrong, what we are doing is recruitment. Understand?"

"Oh, sorry sir, a slip of tongue. It is a very normal procedure of recruitment."

"Good, I will keep on watch from the shadows for now so that we can begin transporting our recruits."

"Yes, sir, I will get our men ready."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

An hour passed and Jayven along with at least more than 20 examinees was with him.

Following the last arrival of examinees, a tall man with a big build started briefing them about the content of the next exam.

"Well then since the times up. Turn to the corner and there are parachutes there. You will land using that you can work together or go solo, your pick."

Hearing that Jayven immediately took a bag. So did the other examinee.

"Good, you have your own bag. Int there are supplies with armor and weapons for basic effects use them wisely."

Hearing that they Looked inside and there really were supplies inside. And not wanting to waste time Jayven put on his armor in advance. And seeing this the other examinees also followed.

"Good that you are all actively taking this seriously. Now look here. "

He then activated a holographic image showing what seems to be a map.

"We will arrive in this area at 30 minutes and this here is surrounded by fences this will be your hunting ground hunt as many as you can and this watch here will record your kills as for the spoils it will be yours if you can bring it. Also stepping out of the fence means you forfeit and your score will tally up."

He explained to them the place for their exam and how they would gain points as he showed his watch to them as it was distributed to all students.

The scores were segregated into F = 1, E = 2, And D =3, monsters as they made some preparations for our safety.

"Remember this when you are in danger you must yell your number and follow it by saying retire. With that, we will come to your needs and save you. As for your score, what you get is what you have. You only have 4 hours in this exam so use your time wisely."

All examinees perked up their ears as they listened to his instructions.

"Also, you can just take off your watch and lastly looting others is okay as long as you take their watch half of their points will be yours. Just take their watch and get it close to your own then the watch will scan. If the other watch is ownerless then the points will be given to the watch with an owner."

Hearing that their eyes glimmer, seeing each other as prey.