002: The Entrance Test

Lara Huntz walks away after making sure once again that no one was looking. Straightening her back and acting like nothing happened, she leaves behind a tree with three holes that dug straight into its center.

She climbs the stairs of the northernmost tower and soon leaves our line of sight.

Slowly the sun rises completely and a bell sounds across the grounds of the academy.

A while later, two people come out of one of the towers and hang a banner across the entrance to the training field. It reads: 'The Entrance Test'.

Now, you might be wondering what the entrance test is about. No worries, I'm here to explain. 'The Entrance test' refers to the examination to select new students for the following year in the academy.

Like any other school, the classes in the academy are separated by years and into sections. The average student studies for six years and then joins the military if they wish to. Every year, though, is divided only into two sections - 'A' and 'S'.

The 'A' section, or the inner courtyard as the students refer to it, is comprised of students that pass the written examination with top marks and 'S' section, or outer courtyard as the students call it, is comprised of students that pass the written examination as well as the practical examination with commendable marks.

Of course, it is possible to challenge an 'S' section student and get upgraded with a win. They are not hard to beat if you work hard. All of the 'S' section students have lost at least once. Well, with the exception of a few such as Lara Huntz.

What she is famous for, though, is not her undefeated status, but the fact that she is the youngest student to be admitted into the academy. That is because getting upgraded may be easy but getting admitted is not.

The conditions for any person to be eligible to participate in the entrance test are:

One, they must be under the age of sixteen.

Two, they must score at least sixty percent in the written examination which has already been conducted.

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That must have been too much information. Do not worry, there is time for you to digest all that as we wait for the examination to begin.

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After a while, one by one, students quickly walk in and take their places in the stands. The crowds are separated quite noticeably into twelve groups, each placed according to year and section. There, that's Lara seated among the students sitting in the first row on the right.

She sits there with arms crossed in a disinterested manner. She is probably here only because it is compulsory for all first-year students to be present.

Completely opposite to her is the crowd of jittery youngsters that file in and take seats on the left, chatting nervously with each other.

Among them is a young lad sitting calmly as he takes in his surroundings. Lara's eyes flash with a glint as soon as she spots him and she straightens her back with a smile.