Chapter 5 - The arrival

The officials instructed the candidates that failed the test to leave the hall, then they addressed the candidates remaining in the hall, telling them they had an hour to gather at the parking lot outside.

Adrian and Dave walked outside the building, "Haa.. Nothing better than the fresh air." Adrian exhaled as the cool breeze brushed past his face.

"Hey, got anyone you wanna see before you leave for the academy?" Dave asked.

"Nah, I'll just go wait at the parking lot, I won't be missing this city.." Adrian replied as he gazed at the sky.

"Okay.. I'm gonna go see my dad, wanna tag along?" Dave hesitantly asked.

"I think I'll pass, I'm feeling a little bit weak, so I just want to rest my head somewhere.." Adrian curtly replied, before he turned around and headed for the parking lot.

Dave stared at his Adrian's departing figure, then he shakes his head and walked towards the large gate.

Getting into the parking lot, Adrian didn't take long before he found the sleek black buses parked at one side, he approached one of the buses and saw the driver fiddling with a small device, "Good afternoon sir" Adrian waved his hands, trying to get the drivers attention.

The driver turned around, with a small smile on his face, "Student? Let me see your ID." he said with an outstretched palm.

Adrian nodded and pulled out his ID, handing it over to the driver, he inspected it and returned it to Adrian, "Step in and make yourself comfortable." the driver said as he returned to what he was doing on his device.

Adrian stepped into the bus, he froze in place, his mouth hanging open in stunned silence, the interior of the bus was spacious, rows of neatly aligned blue seats captivated his eyes, he walked to the farther left side of the bus, taking his seat close to window, he looked above and noticed what seemed to be a storage rack.

The comfy chair enveloped him in a warm, comforting embrace. "Ahh.. This is the life." Adrian exhaled slowly, feeling his tension melt away.

'Might as well get some sleep..' Adrian closed his eyes, letting the drousiness take over.

***

Meanwhile, passing through the gates, Dave turned to his right and continued ahead, his eyes scanning the buildings he was passing, after a few minutes, he stopped in front of a building, his eyes lingering on the sign that read, "PENALDOMIES CAFE."

The door slid open as he approached it, entering the Cafe, the smeel of freshly baked bread and coffee wafted into his nose, the tables and chairs were neatly arranged, two staffs stood behind the counter, preparing coffee.

The place was empty, except for a table where someone could be seen seating, Dave approached the table, taking a sit opposite the man.

"So how was it? Easy?" the man raised his head, revealing a dark brown hair that fell down his shoulder, his neatly trimmed beards and a pair of glasses, hanging on his nose.

"Meh, it was okay, still aced it hehe, we'll be going to the academy in an hour." Dave replied, collecting the cup of coffee one of the staffs brought over.

"Congratulations son, your mom and I are proud of you, and I'm sure you'll learn alot at the academy, so be focused and determined!" Dave's father said, a small smile forming on his lips.

"Thanks dad, what about mom? Thought she said she'll be here?" save inquired.

Dave's father stretched out his hands while yawning, "Well, she couldn't make it, she had to attend an urgent meeting on planet serium... Apparently, the folks there are getting pretty agitated due to the beast hordes..."

Dave slowly dropped his cup of coffee, "Will she be okay?" Dave asked with a worried tone.

"Of course, your mom's the toughest person I know!" Dave's dad reassured him.

After a long conversation, Dave's dad looked at the golden watch on his wrist, "It's time Dave-" Dave's dad stood up and approached him, locking him in a tight embrace, "-You always have a home to come to, don't forget that." he said while patting Dave's back.

A comforting smile spread across Dave's face, "Thaks dad, I appreciate."

Dave talked with his dad a little bit before exiting the Cafe, after walking for a few minutes, he arrived at the parking lot.

His eyes stared at the two sleek black buses parked side by side, most of the candidates were already entering the buses, 'He'll probably be in the first one.' Dave thought as he walked towards the one closest to him.

The driver scanned his ID before returning it to him, Dave stepped into the bus, his eyes scanning the spacious bus, that's when he spotted a certain boy with his hoodie over his head, sleeping at the back of the bus.

Dave walked towards Adrian and tapped him, "Hey man, we'll soon be leaving." Adrian's eyes fluttered as he slowly opened them, he removed the hoodie covering his head before looking at Dave.

"Damn.. That was the best nap I've had in a while, nothing beats comfort.." Adrian said as he stretched his body.

Dave removed the small bag from his back and opened one of the storage compartments, placing the bag inside.

Five minutes later, the candidates settled in, the bus hummed to life as it started moving. The bus sped through the highway, all Adrian could see of the other cars that passed where blurs, he couldn't even make out some buildings before they got out of his vision.

Adrian's eyes twinkle as he looked at the view in amazement, he's never been in a vehicle that moved this fast, if he had not been looking through the windows, he wouldn't have noticed how fast the bus was going.

***

Thirty minutes later.

The buses entered a large clearing, the place looked more like an airstrip, the runway expanded to the sea, the buses currently moved through the runway, speeding towards the sea.

"What is happening?"

"Aren't we stopping, I can't swim!"

"Is something wrong with the breaks?"

Concerned murmurs broke out as the students voiced out their questions.

The driver turned around with a sheepish smile on his face, "Don't worry, you'll be safe, even if we end up at sea.. At least I can swim, hehe." the driver chuckled as he returned his attention to driving.

Dave and Adrian looked at each other, worried expressions etched on their faces, Adrian looked through the window and noticed that the other bus wasn't slowing down either.

RIPPPP!

Before the candidates could raise any more question, a sharp sound pierced through their ears, it sounded like the sky was being ripped apart, they all looked towards the source of the sound.

Shock!

Just a few meters away from the bus was a blue colored portal, spanning 30 meters wide, lightning crackled in and out of the portal, the air around the edges grew heavy.

The candidates all had their mouths left agape, the shock and awe they felt was apparent.

"Settle down boys, this is one of the officers ability!" the driver informed them about the source of the portal.

It didn't take long for the buses to pass through the portal, Adrian felt a slight tingle run down his spine as they passed through the portal, the same thing happened to everyone else.