Entrance Exam

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." ~ Sun Tzu (The Art of War)

Welcome to Moontower Elite Academy, a special school where only the best of the best get in. It's not like regular schools; here, they make you work super hard to prove you're a real elite.

First off, let me tell you about Moontower. It's not just a school—it's like a super-tough training ground for future leaders and geniuses. People from all over the world dream of getting in, but only a few actually make it.

Now, let's talk about the Entrance Exam. This thing is no joke—it's like trying to climb a mountain while juggling flaming torches and solving a Rubik's Cube at the same time!

So, what do they test you on? Well, first up is academics. But this isn't your average math quiz or spelling bee. Oh no, at Moontower, they give you crazy hard questions that make your brain hurt just thinking about them. They want to see if you can think outside the box and solve problems in real life, not just memorize stuff from textbooks.

Next comes the physical test. Imagine running through obstacle courses filled with giant swinging hammers and pools of freezing cold water. Yeah, that's what it's like at Moontower. They want to make sure you're strong, fast, and tough enough to handle anything that comes your way. It's like being in a real-life action movie!

But wait, it gets even tougher. The last part of the exam is all about your brainpower. They give you these crazy puzzles and games that make your head spin. You've got to think fast and make smart decisions under pressure. It's like trying to play chess against a supercomputer while riding a rollercoaster!

Now, you might be thinking, "Wow, that sounds impossible!" And yeah, it kinda is. But that's the whole point of Moontower—they only want the best of the best. They want students who can handle anything, who can rise to any challenge, and who won't give up when things get tough.

So, on exam day, when you're standing there with your heart pounding and your palms sweating, just remember one thing: You've got what it takes. You've trained hard, you've studied hard, and now it's time to show Moontower what you're made of.

And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, you'll be one of the lucky few who gets to call themselves a Moontower Elite. But no matter what happens, one thing's for sure: You'll never forget the crazy adventure that was the Entrance Exam at Moontower Elite Academy.

"Stay tuned, as this entrance exam is unlike any other."

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As I stepped into the grand hall of Moontower Elite Academy, my heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and nerves. This was it—the moment I had been preparing for my entire life. I'm Nathan Carter. At sixteen, I was finally old enough to take the entrance exam, and I had spent years training and studying to prove myself worthy of this opportunity.

The hall was buzzing with energy as contestants from all over the world gathered, each one eager to prove themselves in the ultimate test of skill and determination. I scanned the crowd, taking in the diverse faces and determined expressions, knowing that each one of us was here for the same reason: to become a Moontower Elite.

As I found my place among the other contestants, a hush fell over the crowd as a woman took the stage. Her presence commanded attention, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation as she addressed us.

"Welcome, contestants, to Moontower Elite Academy," she began, her voice echoing through the hall. "You may have heard rumors about this school, about the challenges that lie ahead. But let me tell you, what you've heard is just the tip of the iceberg."

My heart raced as she spoke, realizing that the journey ahead would be even more daunting than I had imagined. This wasn't just a school—it was a survival game, where only the strongest and smartest would emerge victorious.

As the woman continued to address us, outlining the rigorous trials and tests that awaited, I felt a surge of determination wash over me. I had trained for this moment, sacrificing countless hours and pushing myself to the limit. And now, I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the woman's voice echoed through the hall, my heart pounded with anticipation. The exam was finally beginning, and I was ready to prove myself. But when she mentioned the three parts—Academics, Physical Ability, and Cognitive Aptitude—I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and anxiety.

Academics, I could handle. I'd studied and trained for this moment my entire life. But what about the practical tests? Would they involve deciphering ancient hieroglyphics or solving complex equations in zero gravity? My mind raced with possibilities, each more daunting than the last.

Before I could dwell on it further, the woman's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Proceed to the testing area for further instructions," she said, her tone sending a shiver down my spine.

With a press of a button, the hall transformed, and suddenly, gravity seemed to have a mind of its own. I felt myself floating, weightless, as if the ground had disappeared beneath me. Panic threatened to consume me, but I forced myself to stay calm, knowing that I had to focus if I wanted to succeed.

As we descended from the sky—or at least it felt like it—I braced myself for impact. But instead of crashing to the ground, we landed softly, as if on a cushion of air. I looked around, trying to make sense of my surroundings, when a man approached us, his presence commanding attention.

"Welcome, contestants," he said, his voice booming with authority. "The real challenge begins now."

I swallowed hard, steeling myself for whatever lay ahead. This was it—the moment I had been waiting for.

As the man's voice reverberated through the air, I listened intently, mentally preparing myself for the first challenge of the entrance exam. "First off, the written test," he announced, his words carrying weight.

My heart raced as he briefed us on the details of the academic portion. A total score of 1500 points with a minimum passing grade of 700 points—it sounded daunting, but I was determined to give it my all.

English was up first, and my mind immediately went into overdrive as I contemplated the topics that might be covered. World literature and grammar—easy enough, or so I thought. But as I sat down in the hall and began to read the questions, I realized just how challenging they truly were.

The literature section threw me for a loop with questions about obscure works from centuries past, authors whose names I could barely pronounce, let alone analyze their writing style. And the grammar portion? It was like trying to untangle a knot of words, each sentence more convoluted than the last.

But I pressed on, determined not to let the difficulty of the questions defeat me. Math was next, and I knew it wouldn't be any easier. Advanced topics awaited, ready to test my knowledge of calculus, trigonometry, and beyond.

Science was the final frontier, and as I flipped through the pages of the exam booklet, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. Physics, chemistry, biology—the subjects I had studied for years were now laid out before me, their complexities staring back like a challenge.

But I refused to be intimidated. With each question I answered, I felt a surge of confidence, knowing that every point earned brought me one step closer to my goal.

As 4 hours ticked by, I poured over the questions, grappling with concepts that pushed the limits of my understanding. But in the end, I emerged from the exam hall with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that I had given it my all.

As everyone finished the exam, the same man was seen approaching us. He remarked about how easy the written test was, calling it the easiest part of the exam, and chuckled. Murmurs erupted among the students, and one boy whispered incredulously, "What? I had to work my butt off on this!" his voice tinged with frustration, exaggerating the difficulty of the test.

"Next up are the practical aspects of the Academics," he announced, his voice carrying a sense of gravitas. I leaned forward, eager to learn what challenges awaited us.

Before I could gather my thoughts to listen to what might be in the practical, he dropped a bombshell—there were two parts to the practical, but he wouldn't be revealing the content. Instead, he wanted us to experience the challenges as they came, just like we would in the real world.

His words sent a ripple of uncertainty through the crowd, as we all exchanged nervous glances. What kind of unexpected challenges awaited us? How were we supposed to prepare for something we knew nothing about?

But as the man continued to speak, his tone firm and unwavering, I realized that this was all part of the test. The world was full of surprises, full of challenges that couldn't be predicted or prepared for in advance. And if we wanted to succeed, we would need to learn to adapt and think on our feet.

As the scenery changed once again, my eyes widened in awe at the sight of the towering walls that surrounded us. It was as if we had been transported to a whole new world, one filled with mystery and danger.

Before I could fully take in my surroundings, I realized that everyone had been divided into groups. There were 760 contestants in total, divided into 152 groups of 5. The criteria for group formation remained a mystery, leaving us all feeling uncertain and uneasy.

Then, a huge blue screen appeared before us.

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Theme 1: Labyrinth Maze

Description: Solve your way through the maze and stay alive! Good luck..

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Murmurs of dissatisfaction rippled through the crowd, echoing my own feelings of frustration. How were we supposed to navigate a maze with no further information? It seemed like an impossible task.

But just as despair began to settle in, something strange happened. Bracelets appeared on each of our wrists, projecting a blue screen.

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Name: Nathan Carter

Treasure Found: None

Points: 0

Note: Points are gained from solving problems and defeating opponents.

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I glanced around, trying to make sense of it all. How were points allocated? And what did they mean by "defeating an opponent"? The lack of information only added to the sense of unease that hung in the air.

A/N:[I'm curious how the contestants will do in the maze. Let's see what happens next. Stay tuned.]