Chapter 43: The Final Contestants. (Part 1)

"Candidate number [379] has passed with [9] badges collected." The robotic voice announced.

Lyra emerged from the forest and only to be greeted by a wide open field beneath the cliff. She had finally arrived.

In front of her was a large rock pillar with a short pink haired girl sat on top. She wore a black uniform with badges on her arm and on her lap was a laptop which she was typing on. 

The sound of the announcement had come from the speakers on her laptop. They were surprisingly powerful.

Lyra looked around the open field in search of Julius and the others. While there were many other candidates there, there were no signs of her group anywhere. 

"Was I the first to arrive…?" She asked, breathing heavily as she walked around.

It was only then that she noticed that she had gathered the attention of the many candidates waiting patiently on the field. 

"Damn, that beauty was able to collect seven badges… she must be strong."