The Entrance Exam

After they finished the registration process the young man at the table pointed them towards a special hallway. This hallway was for high-ranking officials, nobles, and visiting Royals. It was so they could head to the arena without being accosted by fans or admires. Mack and Vorick have been down this small corridor many times in fact over the past 10 years but before they could reach the hallway, they were stopped by an older gentleman they figured was some sort of official for the examinations. "I am dreadfully sorry your majesty, but since the twins and their friend are registered, they must enter the arena floor with the other children"

"It's always been customary for the royal children to sit with their parents and go last." Said the king

" yes your majesty in years past that has indeed been the case. But in the light of recent events, new rules have been made. If you would be so kind your majesty, would you and your family please accompany me to my office and we can talk about this In more depth away from prying eyes." Asked the man

The king and his family followed the man to a small office. Once inside he began explaining the situation. " i'm sure the headmaster has already given you a list of the rules The boys are to follow while they are here" asked the man as he poured some drinks for the adults.

"he gave me a contract with a few rules in it, but it wasn't a lot" said the king

" as you know, your boys are not eligible for ranking battles. The reason for this is the fact that they are not human and their predecessors were known for they're extreme rapid growth. This would put the human children at a disadvantage. To keep things fair, they will not be ranked and will not wear the standard uniform of a cadet. This continues further, unfortunately. Since They are not allowed to be ranked the board finds it pointless for them to take the entrance exam. They will be tested at a later time. But that will be more for us to monitor their growth.

Also, everybody will be treated the same regardless on what their position or title is outside of the Academy. We have even gone as far as to rearrange the sleeping quarters. Before, Royal cadets would stay at the Royal residence and Noble cadets would stay at the houses in the noble area and commoners would stay in the barracks. However this semester their is no separation amongst the masses they are all just cadets. Where they stay depends on their rank within the Academy. The top 5 students of every semester will stay in the former noble area as a reward for obtaining their high position. Anybody below that rank will be in the barracks. And because your boys are not ranked this is where they would normally stay. However, due to an outcry of concern from Both parents and cadets we feel that it is best if we bend the new rules a bit and have your boys to stay in the Royal residence away from the other children. Do not mistake this as special treatment. It is far from it. Here is a list of the rules that you boys are to follow while you are here. familiarize yourselves with them. Your continued enrollment depends on whether or not you can follow rules" said the man

The king harrumphed " i've been trying to get the Academy to do this for years. It's kind of pathetic that it takes a noble child killing a commoner to actually get something changed. As for the boys situation, fear is to be expected. People fear what they don't understand. I assure you, my boys are not evil. They're not going to go around, sucking the life energy or whatever it is, out of all the children. They aren't vampires."

"I completely agree with you on the first part your majesty. We should've changed the rules years ago. However, we are not saying your children are evil. This one here is debatable though." He said pointing to Alex who shrugged not agreeing or disagreeing with the statement. "The headmaster doesn't trust The boys and with good reason. We have never in the history of this kingdom or this Academy enrolled nonhumans. What they did for maverick was very noble of them, but what they did to Jacob was not. The point is the headmaster lost his trust in the boys the moment he found out they lost their humanity. And there's nothing they can do to gain it."

" sounds like there's more than just mistrust there" said the king

"oh there is, unfortunately I am not at liberty to discuss it" said the man " now, the Exam will be starting soon. if you would like to watch it I can escort you to your box. However, the children will have to sit with the others."

"wouldn't it make better sense for them to stay with us? They're not participating anyway. having them sit down there and then be overlooked just because they're not human would be humiliating and I won't have that" asked Mary

"It's the headmasters wish"

"well you let me deal with the headmaster" said the king "I don't want my boys being humiliated"

The man looked a bit uncomfortable before agreeing "Of course your majesty. I'll show you and your family to your viewing platform"

The box was a platform with a railing and two thrones. Nothing really that special. Just a Place the Royals can be away from everybody else. Once inside The boys ran over to the railing and peered down to the Arena one floor below them. The boys had never seen so many children in one area. There had to be at least 500 boys and girls. But they noticed one thing in particular. "Hey dad, why do some of those kids down there look older than 10. I thought you couldn't be older than 10 for the first year" adked Vorick as he looked at the sea of children with wonder.

" yes that has been the case in years past, but in recent years, we've noticed that the attendance rate has started to decline. Class sizes were starting to shrink so this semester they decided to open it up to children up to 12 years old." Said the king as he waved to his admirers.

"isn't that a bit unfair though" he asked " a newly awakens 10-year-old would be no match for a kid a day away from his 13th birthday"

" you're absolutely correct, that would be unfair if they were put in the same class together but I heard they were being split up based on their age" said Thomas as he took his seat.

Down in the arena the kids had definitely noticed the twins. I mean how could they not with the huge white wings and white outfits they were wearing. Most of them had heard the rumors. But hearing somebody talk about it and actually seeing it are two different things.

"I thought my dad was just teasing me" said one boy

"my dad warned me to stay away from them" said a girl " I wonder why he would say that"

"So did mine" said another girl

"I heard they're no longer human and that they are extremely strong" said a boy who looked small for his age

"I heard they're joining the Academy this semester" said a boy with green hair

"are you sure they don't look old enough. My little brother is seven and they look younger than him." Said another kid

"if they are as powerful as the rumors say they are, then the top two spots are gone already. None of us humans will even stand a chance against monsters like that." Said another

"will you all calm down. You have nothing to worry about." Said a young boy with short spiked brown hair "none of you will have to fight them I can assure you of that. Those monsters shouldn't even be allowed in the Academy. They're not even allowed to take the entrance exam. But Because their daddy is the king the council and my grandfather had no choice but to allow them in."

"how can you possibly know that?" Asked the boy who's small for his age

"my grandfather is the headmaster. Those three are going to be on such a short leash. They won't even be able to fart without asking permission first. they're not even gonna be allowed to spar with us or participate in the ranking battles, hell they're not even going to be ranked" said the boy "my grandfather, can't wait to kick them out"

"oh yeah, I thought I recognized you, your names Kyle. My brother warned me about you. He said that you were the campus tattletale. My name is Landon" said the boy that's short for his age " so tell me, Kyle, are you planning on bullying the princes because they can't fight back without getting in trouble."

"My grandfather gave me a very important mission" said Kyle

"And what's that" said Landon with a smirk

"Let's just say it's my job to make sure they don't step a toe out of line" he responded with a smug smile.

" Why would your grandfather trust such a mission to you? You're barely a basic novice." Said a girl with Auburn hair named Shawna

"because I am a direct line to the headmaster himself. I'm going to be in all their classes. I am even going to be living in the Royal residence with them." Kyle gloated.

"oh I get it now, you're going to blackmail them into being your own personal lackies Akin to a servant" said Landon " you're either extremely brave, or you're extremely stupid."

"why thank you I do consider myself brave. I'm probably the strongest person out of our age group. I've been told I am quite smart for my age." Said Kyle as everybody around started laughing.

"oh please you're the weakest person here" said Shawna "you're gonna be lucky if you manage to qualify as a cadet. Let me put something in the perspective for you Brown nose. Both twins are at the intermediate novice rank but could easily beat somebody at the intermediate adapt rank. Their creepy, sinister little friend there is on the verge of breaking through to the intermediate rank. I'd put his power level at like a 9.99. Each twin has a power level of at least 20. Yes the twins are the strongest here and I wouldn't wanna be the one to piss them off but they're not the ones you need to worry about"

" who are you talking about?" said Landon

" you see the boy that standing between them" she pointed out, to which everyone nodded "The best way I can describe it is if an Angelic and the goddess of darkness got together and had a child he would be the result"

"I d..don't like the d..dark" said Kyle

" he is what's known as a shadowlock, and he has locked his gaze on you" she added

Kyle looked up to the balcony and sure enough the older looking boy with red hair was looking right at him. His black and gold eyes boring into his soul. "W..why is he looking at me like that"

" he can smell it, since it, he's drawn by it" said Shawna "it's your fear. And before you ask, I have an appraisal still. Just don't make eye contact with him and you'll be fine."

The group continued back-and-forth about Mack, Vorick and Alex. As well as other smaller group so conversation as well. Eventually, the headmaster made his way onto the center platform.

" welcome everyone, to Evergreen Academy's entrance examination. I'm sure you are all excited to get started but I am an old man and I like to talk. First off I'd like to thank his and her majesty for taking the time out of their day to observe our event. Secondly, there are a few changes starting this semester, once you get the results of your examination, you will receive your billeting information. If you are in the top five, you will be staying in what used to be the Nobles area. Anybody below these ranks will be in the barracks. Your rank and position outside of the Academy does not hold any weight inside the Academy. Here you are just a cadet, Nothing more. You will be treated the same as the commoners. No more riding daddy's cocktails. This also means that the noble dining area has been closed. Everybody will use the same dining facility. There is also a strict no fighting policy in effect. All fights must be sanctioned and approved by an instructor. Failure to comply will result in your expulsion.

The entrance examination will be broken down into a few different categories

1. Strength test: here you will be tasked with moving an object from one side of the platform to the other. Powers are prohibited here. You must use your brute strength.

2. Agility test: here you will be tested on your speed and your ability to quickly overcome obstacles.

3. Intelligence test: Here you will be given a written examination on the knowledge of not only the kingdom, but the entire world.

Let us begin...."