Admission Ceremony (1) - 20

I felt the warm glow of sunlight again as I slowly opened my eyes.

In front of us was a huge campus that encompassed the whole side of two mountains and the valley in between.

'Wow, even though they explained it in detail in the novel, the size is still truly impressive when you look at it in real life.'

I looked to my left and right and saw that the other four were also here, which meant that even though we had all gone to get our jobs at different times, we still left the train at the same time.

"We welcome examinee 48, 222, 1011, 1012, and 3477 to the L!"

We were greeted by a male announcer's voice.

But, instead of the expected cheers and congratulations that all the other examinees had gotten as they left their trains, we were met with a dead silence, as not a single sound was made for a while.

You could almost hear the wave of commotion as the oldest kids at the tops of the mountains started talking again first, and then noise started coming from further and further down the mountain until people were talking normally again down in the valley.

As we walked through the crowd to the admissions office, we couldn't help but listen to the whispers around us.

"How did only 5 people pass on that train, and they're all beaten and battered up too! Were they all dumb or something!" A voice shouted out.

"Shut up man! All that blood on them shows that they're the examinees that successfully survived the Train to Purgatory!"

"What's so special about that?"

"Don't you know? It's a fucking death game that they're subjected to on that hellish train. I can bet you millions of Lams that they have each killed at least one person."

"So the blood on their clothes... is from other people? Fuck man, that's messed up!"

"I know right?"

Similar conversations popped up all around us, so we could only lower our heads, trying to hide our faces, even though we were wearing our masks.

As soon as we entered the admissions building, the noise outside stopped as we were lead separate ways.

I walked into a room with just one desk in the middle of it and a chair for me to sit in.

"Hiyah 3477, we meet again!" (Xion)

"Oh, so you're my admissions officer."

"Aren't you surprised?"

"No, you do this with every student in the top 10. So I'm curious, what rank did I get?"

"Oh, you were a very special case. Your performance in my game was only an (A) or (B) in my opinion, as you didn't showcase any of your thinking skills!"

"What do you mean, I easily solved all of your death puzzles!"

"Okay, if you're so smart, then what the heck was that strategy of just bum rushing people!"

...

"Okay, okay, you got me there."

"So, back to the main topic, you would have only been in the top 20, but, because you mentally spent 150 years in that dark space, I had to boost your rank up, and because you seem abnormally knowledgable, from your actions before coming here, I gave you Rank 1!"

'That's exactly what I was aiming for, the plan can proceed smoothly now.'

"So now, you'll be known as Student 1 from Class 1."

He waved his hand and a new mask replaced the one on my face. Instead of a cheap cloth mask, it was now a cool, thin metal mask with a number "1" on the forehead that fit onto my face perfectly.

"Now onto your courses. Most students choose 8, with four on an "A" week and then four on a "B" week, but you can choose more or less, although less courses might mean that you will be less prepared for military service."

"Of course, math, science, english, and history are all required, so that's four spots already taken."

"Before I choose my courses, can I test into higher levels of math, science, english, and history?"

"Uhh sure, but you should know that you'll have to be in a class full of people from Class 2 or even Class 3, depending on how good you are, are you fine with that?"

"Yeah, I mean at least two other people have asked for the same thing, right?"

"Oh, so you knew, but how did you get this information?"

"It's just a guess."

In actuality, I knew that one of the main characters in the hero's party was one of them, and I just thought that the other transmigrator would do the same thing.

"So, what would you like to test out of?"

"Just let me test out completely out of all those subjects."

"Are you sure, you'll be tested on Class 6 material you know?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"Then let us begin!"

...

"So, in the end, you were only (sarcasm) able to test out of 3 of the subjects: science, english, and history. You actually somehow solved the hardest math problem on the test, but it didn't seem like you could actually use that math on the real-life word problems, so you'll be put in the Class 6 math class: "Advanced Honors Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra with Advanced Topics in Complex Analysis, Point Set Topology, Group Theory, Differential Geometry, and Magical Applications."

"So that's 1 of your courses, what do you want for your other slots?"

"Class 1: Beginners Spiritual Beast Summoning, Class 3: Magic Theory, Class 3: Portal Exploration, Class 3: Individual Research, and Class 5: Librarian Aid."

"You know that only 3 of those classes are actual classes taught by a teacher, right?"

...

"Sigh, well, you'll have to test into those Class 3 courses, and I'll just automatically put you in Class 3: Individual Research and Class 5: Librarian Aid as a gift."

"Well, l'll have to administer some more tests."

...

"Well, congratulations, not that it's surprising anymore, but you passed all of them!"

"So you have 6 courses now. Do you want any more? I mean there are some really good one like Class 2: Combat Magic and Class 4: Battle Formations."

"Nah, I'm fine with what I have, but could I ask you a favor. And no, it's not THAT favor, this is more like a deal that's beneficial for both you and me. So, don't you want to hear it?"

"Well, it's not like I have anything better to do, so shoot."

Whisperwhisperwhisperwhisperwhisperwhisperwhisperwhisper...

"Are you actually going to do that? It'll be a horrible waste of your talent if you end up dying!"

"I know, I know, but I'll try to minimize the risk, so don't worry."

"Don't worry?! What do you mean "don't worry"? You think you can just _____ __ __ ___ _______ ___ ___ ____ ____ __?!!!!!!!!!"

"Yeah, I can."

"Well, if you want to die, so be it." He said, like a pouting child.

"Just get out of my sight, I don't want to see you anymore."

"But you have eyes everywhere."

"JUST GET THE FUCK OUT!"

"Okay, okay, jeez, I'll go now."

...

'Oh! Night has already fallen.'

Leaving the admissions office, I couldn't help but smile behind my mask as I looked up at the bright shining moon, the cool breeze blowing through my currently short hair as I walked towards my dorm.