Phase Zero [1]

Aay stepped onto the galley ship, his worn-out shoes thudding against the wooden deck. The vessel was massive, its size sufficient to host a hundred applicants at once.

The air was thick with the scent of salt and the faint tang of fish from the ship's iron

Around him, other examinees milled about, their voices a low hum of excitement and nervous energy. Some cast curious glances in his direction, their eyes lingering on his calm demeanor and the faint scars that marked his hands.

Aay ignored them, his focus sharp and unwavering.

He handed his ID to a sailor, a burly man with a sun-weathered face and a thick beard. The sailor glanced at the document, gave Aay a once-over, and nodded. "You're good to go. Find a spot and wait for further instructions."

Aay nodded curtly and made his way across the deck. He chose a spot near the stairs leading to the captain's quarters, a quiet corner where he could observe without being in the thick of the crowd.

Leaning against the railing, he crossed his arms and gazed out at the vast ocean, mesmerized by its beauty.

The sea stretched endlessly, its surface shimmering under the sunlight.

How beautiful... He still couldn't believe his in the outside world now, away from the garbage sight he used to see.

The other applicants continued to murmur among themselves, their voices rising and falling like the waves. A few still glanced at Aay, their curiosity evident, but he paid them no mind as he continue to gaze at the ocean.

"If you all can be patient," a sailor shouted, his voice cutting through the chatter, "the ship needs to pick up one more applicant before the exam begins! So please, be civilized and stay out of trouble!"

A low grumble rippled through the crowd, but no one dared to argue. The sailors on board were not to be trifled with, and the applicants knew it.

Aay remained silent, his expression unreadable. He didn't mind the delay. If anything, it gave him more time to prepare mentally for what was to come.

Soon enough, the ship slowed as it approached a small island covered in towering trees. Their trunks were as wide as houses, their canopies forming a dense green roof that blocked out the sun. The air grew cooler, damp and earthy, as the ship docked at a rickety pier.

Aay watched as a young girl, no older than twelve, stepped onto the ship. She moved with quiet confidence, her eyes sharp and observant.

Mei handed her ID to the sailor, who gave her a nod of approval. She scanned the deck, her gaze briefly meeting Aay's before she found a spot near the mast. The other applicants whispered among themselves, some scoffing at her youth, but Mei ignored them.

As soon as the ship set sail again, the captain—a grizzled man with a scar running down his cheek—stepped outside of his quarterdeck. His presence commanded immediate silence.

"Listen up!" he barked. "The exam begins now. You'll be tested on strength, skill, and determination. Show me what you're made of, and maybe—just maybe—you'll earn your place if I deem it sufficient enough! Now, before we start, are there any questions?"

The applicants exchanged uneasy glances.

"What do you mean?" one examinee asked. "Doesn't the exam usually start inland?"

The captain glanced at him. "How many times have you partaken in the Pro Exam boy?" he asked.

The examinee raised an eyebrow. "Two times. Why?"

"Heh," the captain chuckled mockingly. "Then you must've been disqualified before the second phase, which is why you're still alive. Lucky you."

"You—"

"Listen!" the captain interrupted. "Every once in a while, the Pro Exam—following a long tradition—tapers off its examinees before the official start when the number of participants is overwhelming. So, at the behest of the Pro Association, I'll act as an examiner and select some of you—if you meet my criteria—to proceed to the next phase! And my test is—"

Before anyone could react, the ship's crew began clearing the deck, creating a makeshift arena.

"A battle royale!" he announced, a grin plastered on his face.

The examinees warily eyed each other, already putting five paces between themselves.

Then, the first round began with a flurry of activity.

"Got you!"

A man leaped toward Aay's back, attempting to stab him, but Aay was quick. He dodged the attack by jumping onto the railing.

Aay found himself facing a wiry man with a dagger, the open ocean at his back, nowhere to retreat.

The man moved with fluid grace, his dagger dancing in his hand as if it were an extension of his body. He charged at Aay, intending to slash and push him into the ocean.

Aay simply jumped onto the quarterdeck roof, his movements precise and calculated, landing gracefully. He looked at the man with the dagger and beckoned him to follow, as if saying, If you want a fight, come over here.

"You!" the man spat, running and using the railing as a platform to leap onto the quarterdeck roof.

The captain watched the show with great interest.

The man nearly toppled over due to a miscalculation in his jump but recovered and faced Aay. Without hesitation, he charged, his dagger glinting in the sunlight.

Aay dodged a swipe, sidestepped a thrust, and avoided a rapid series of attacks with ease. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, he delivered a powerful punch to the man's cheek.

Strange... Is this all? Aay thought as he watched the injured man struggle to stand.

"Don't mess with me!" the man shouted, charging angrily.

"Well, works for me," Aay muttered.

With a graceful sidestep, Aay moved forward, entering the man's guard. His fist arced back and thrust into the man's face. The impact was sharp and decisive, sending the man flying backward into the crowd on the main deck. He was out cold, his nose swollen.

*Whistle* The captain amused.

Aay ignored him and turned just in time to see the young girl finish her own fight.

Her opponent was a chubby man, twice her height and thrice her weight. He swung wildly, his fists like hammers, but Mei was quick. She ducked and weaved, her movements almost dance-like, until she found an opening. He slide down below the man and delivered a swift kick to the back of his knee, following up with a precise strike to his temple. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

The little girl waryly watch her surrounding and noticed Aay looking at him above the quarterdeck.

However, their eye contact was disrupted when another opponent forced Mei to fight back.

The chaos continued as the applicants fought one another, the ship's deck echoing with the sounds of clashing fists, swords, and grunts of effort. One by one, they fell, until only four remained: Aay, Mei, and two others.

Aay jumped down over the main deck, ready to end the test.

The four warily glanced at each other—and the two adult fighters tacitly agreed on something. We'll leave the two children for last! They seemed to think they could easily overwhelmed the two unassuming kid—all they need to do is defeat each other first.

The two fought fiercely, their movements desperate and unrelenting.

Then—

"Haaah!"

"Die!"

Both charged at each other in their final act.

Their swords clashed for the last time, but due to their injuries and fatigue, both collapsed unconscious.

Now, only two remained.

Mei turned to Aay, her chest heaving. She studied him carefully, her sharp eyes taking in every detail.

When she had first boarded the ship, he was the one she had noticed immediately, drawn by his aura and presence. There was something about him—something that set him apart from the others

She could feel it: Aay wasn't just strong; he was experienced. Like a king of the jungle—silent but deadly.

"You're… different," Mei said, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. "I can tell. You've been through this kind of thing before, haven't you?"

Aay glanced at her, his expression unreadable and borderline bored. "I've had my share of fights," he replied simply.

Mei nodded, a flicker of respect in her eyes. "You're the first person I've seen who might be a challenge, and it seems I wasn't wrong."

Aay studied the girl. "I can say the same." This girl seems to know a thing or two about fighting. Commendable, he thought.

As the two sized each other up, the disparity in their strength became visible. Mei's face was slick with sweat, and she steadied herself, fighting off the fear that threatened to consume her. Aay, on the other hand, remained nonchalant, waiting for his opponent to make a move.

I don't want to bully a little girl, Aay thought, raising a finger.

This caused Mei to tense up, readying herself.

"You know what?" Aay said.

"What?"

"We don't have to fight, if you don't want to."

Mei tilted her head. "Hmmm?"

Aay smiled. "Because we've already passed!" he said.

"Passed?" Mei asked, doubtful.

Instead of answering her, Aay glanced at the captain. "We passed, right?"

The captain looked at him. "Yes, you both passed!" he scoffed, as if his entertainment had been ruined.

Does this man have no concern for a kid's safety? Aay thought skeptically.

"Enough!" the captain bellowed, stepping forward as if nothing had happened. "You two—Aay and Mei—have proven yourselves. Among all the applicants, you two are the strongest. You've passed."

"Just like that…" Mei said, disbelief coloring her voice.

"You've already passed the test when you defeated your first opponent,"

Aay explained.

Mei looked at him. "Why didn't the captain stop the battle, then?"

"Well, all of them were eager for some blood. If one of them had been smart enough, the brawl wouldn't have continued midway. If someone had simply asked what the requirements or rules were to pass the test, it would've ended sooner. And in the beginning, the captain didn't say only one left standing is allowed to pass—you only need to prove yourself."

A realization dawned in Mei's eyes. What a sly old man. Did he want me to get beaten by this guy? Mei glared at the captain.

But the captain ignored her hateful glare and said, "Congratulations on passing my test!"

Aay felt a surge of relief, but it was short-lived.

The captain gestured toward a small emergency boat tied to the side of the ship. "Get in," he ordered. "You'll be led to the next test!"

Aay raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"Hah!" the captain scoffed, grinning. "What do you mean, 'for what'? This isn't the real Pro Exam yet! Didn't I already explain? We're still weeding out potential weaklings before the true phases of the exam begin. Now, get on!"

Ah, yeah. He did say that too, Aay thought. He didn't argue.

He glanced at the girl beside him. Well, a companion isn't so bad.