Chapter 04: Examination (1)

Chapter 04: Examination (1)

- Bob Smith –

In the bustling hubbub of the Hero of America branch in New York, Bob Smith's workday unfolded with its usual blend of monotony and surprises. While seemingly straightforward, his role as a clerk in the organization often left him drained from dealing with a steady stream of people seeking information about becoming pro-heroes or obtaining quirk licenses.

One sunny morning, Bob had just finished assisting a woman interested in her pro-hero exam when his colleague, Nicholas, appeared with two steaming cups of coffee. The unexpected interruption briefly shattered Bob's fleeting moment of peace.

"Here, Bob," Nicholas announced, offering a cup to his weary friend.

Bob accepted the coffee with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Nicholas, much needed."

Taking a deep sip, Bob sighed in contentment, feeling the warmth and caffeine revive his spirits. His day had been particularly taxing, filled with aspiring heroes eager for guidance.

Nicholas, leaning in with a wry grin, remarked, "Today's been a madhouse, huh?"

Bob rolled his eyes, sharing the sentiment. "Tell me about it. I can't fathom why everyone's suddenly so keen on becoming a hero."

Nicholas' response carried a hint of surprise. "You don't know what happened?"

Bob quirked an eyebrow. "Something happened?"

Nicholas pulled out his phone, revealing a headline overtaking the nation.

"Meet the new number-one hero: Star and Stripe," he announced, displaying the sensational news.

Bob's eyes widened as he read the electrifying report that had set the entire U.S. abuzz.

"Star and Stripe, huh? That explains the rush," Bob mumbled. Then, he remembered another key figure in the hero rankings. "And what about Atomic? Did he retire?"

Nicholas sighed, his voice heavy with disappointment. "Atomic? You're a bit behind the times. He had to retire after his showdown with the Reaper. Lost his left arm and eye in the process, but at least he took that maniac down."

The Reaper's name sent shivers down Bob's spine as he recalled the trail of devastation the villain had left in his wake. However, it also marked the end of a twenty-year era with Atomic at the helm.

"Yeah, it's going to be a strange change. Anyway, our break's over, Bob. So catch you at lunch," Nicholas said, bidding farewell.

Bob finished his coffee, tossed the cup into the trash, and returned to his duties. He couldn't afford to slack off without a supervisor with a penchant for docking pay and a personality to match.

As he scanned the next person in line, Bob couldn't help but be impressed. The man before him exuded strength and confidence, standing at a formidable 6 feet tall. He seemed like someone who might be interested in pursuing a pro-hero career.

With a renewed sense of professionalism, Bob beckoned the man forward. "Hello, welcome to Hero of America! How can I assist you today, sir?"

The man wasted no time. "I'm here to become a pro-hero. I've brought the necessary form."

"Of course, sir. Just a moment," Bob replied, accepting the form and setting to work verifying the information.

"May I see some form of identification, please?"

The man's gaze bore into Bob's as he silently handed over his ID card.

"Thank you," Bob said politely, taking the card. 'Marc Specter?' he thought to himself, briefly admiring the coolness of the name.

Bob continued his meticulous verification process, ensuring that Marc Specter was a genuine applicant and not a fraudulent imposter. After a few minutes, he released a relieved sigh, turning to Marc with a smile.

"Everything checks out, sir. You must be at Arena C for your exam in three days at 10:00 AM. Good luck, and have a great day."

"Thank you," replied Marc curtly, leaving the building with an air of quiet mystery that lingered in his wake.

Bob watched the enigmatic figure retreating momentarily before returning to his work. In his line of duty, he encountered a wide array of characters daily, so he didn't dwell on the peculiar nature of his encounter with Marc Specter. Life in the world of aspiring heroes always kept him on his toes.

>>>BREAK<<<

- Timothy Agpar –

The crisp morning air in Arena C carried the weight of anticipation as the pro-hero exam was about to begin. The commanding voice of Timothy Agpar, the President of the New York branch of the Hero of America and a former military commander, resonated through the gathering.

"I announce the start of the Arena C exam. All participants, please present yourselves at the gate within the next five minutes. Punctuality is crucial; delay will result in immediate disqualification," Timothy declared firmly. His military background and alliance with Star and Stripe, the nation's current number-one pro-hero, added an air of authority to his words.

Timothy was striking with his elongated head, bushy whiskers, and large, attentive eyes. He appeared in a formal suit and tie, projecting an image of professionalism befitting his position.

Surrounded by a team of diligent examiners, it was impossible not to notice Cathleen Bate, known far and wide as Star and Stripe. She was a beacon of hope and justice as the new reigning pro-hero. Her presence in the room was magnetic, drawing the gaze of all who crossed her path.

After Timothy's announcement, he turned his attention to his friend, Cathleen, and engaged her in conversation. "I didn't expect to see you attending this event, Cathleen."

Cathleen, her mood showing signs of irritation from a morning spent chasing down mischievous villains across the nation, huffed in response. "Well, I've finally managed to snatch some time after Atomic retired. Those villains believed they could run rampant without consequences."

Timothy chuckled, offering a reassuring perspective. "Hahaha, fear not. Those pesky villains will soon learn to calm their rampages. After all, you've claimed the title of the nation's new number-one hero. Just a few more captures to solidify your position on the leaderboard, and they'll think twice before causing trouble. It was no different when Atomic rose to the top."

Cathleen nodded, her expression softening into a slight grin. She accepted a folder containing information on today's exam participants from Timothy. "How many more groups are there to go through?"

Timothy considered for a moment before responding, "Hmm, well, there are two more groups to evaluate before the end of the exam. As you heard, we're currently reviewing Group C. Let's hope we discover some promising potential among today's candidates."

The two friends started chatting for a while since the exam hadn't started yet. Timothy hoped to find someone with a lot of potential. It would indeed be a blessing for the nation if they could find someone who could assist Star and Stripe in her journey as a pro-hero.

While he didn't doubt the strength of his old friend, it didn't hurt to find someone to count on and watch your back. After all, a single person can't support a whole nation.

Their talk was cut short by an examiner who reminded them about the exam. Then, he took control of the microphone and addressed the gathered participants with a sense of authority and purpose:

"Thank you for your patience. We are now ready to begin the exam. Assemble promptly at the gate, and remember, punctuality is paramount. Once the exam begins, please follow all instructions and guidelines provided by the examiners. Good luck to all participants!"

>>>BREAK<<<

- Examiner A  –

"Listen up, everyone!" the examiner's voice resonated, capturing the attention of the assembled examinees. He glanced across the group of hopefuls, his eyes sharp and focused.

"You will all be dispersed to various sectors of the arena," he began, his words carrying a tone of utmost seriousness. "Inside this arena, there will be pseudo-villains poised to attack simulated civilians that we've strategically placed throughout a fabricated city, courtesy of the Hero of America. Your mission is twofold: to defeat these adversaries, which will earn you points, and to safeguard the innocent civilians, which will also contribute to your score."

In response to this directive, whispers and muted conversations erupted within the group as they processed the details of their challenging exam.

"Silence!" the examiner's impatience was evident as he snapped his demand. "I have not finished explaining."

"In this evaluation, you must also engage in combat with your fellow examinees," he continued his words hanging heavily in the air. "The last one standing will receive additional points towards their final exam score."

A palpable tension filled the arena as the examinees exchanged wary glances, each participant now viewing the others with a newfound sense of caution.

The examiner, however, seemed pleased with the unease that had settled among the candidates. To him, it was a sign that these aspiring pro-heroes understood the harsh realities of their chosen path.

Becoming a pro-hero was a formidable challenge, a journey filled with hardship and sacrifice. They needed to demonstrate their worthiness and resilience. The examiner knew that this exam was very important to many of them, and they couldn't afford to be lenient.

With unwavering resolve, the examiner pressed on, "We will assign each of you a guiding drone to navigate you through the arena. So, I urge you to act swiftly and decisively. Your future as a pro-hero begins now!"

>>>BREAK<<<

- Marc Specter (Moon Knight) –

"Examinee #156, Marc Specter," the mechanical drone declared as it approached Marc, who stood behind the bustling crowd.

Marc nodded in acknowledgment of the machine's statement.

"Perfect, please follow me," the drone replied, and it began to hover away, leading Marc towards the battlegrounds. He silently trailed behind the drone, the anticipation building as he walked for a few minutes until they reached a cityscape in ruins, with numerous shattered buildings sprawled across the ground.

"Perfect, Examinee Marc Specter. Please remain in your designated position until the start of the exam. We appreciate your cooperation," announced the drone before departing.

Observing his surroundings, Marc couldn't help but be struck by the sheer scale of the battleground and the extravagant resources of the hero association.

"They sure have a lot of money to spare," Marc mused with his arms crossed, his demeanour composed despite the high-stakes atmosphere.

Marc remembered the scene from popular video game genres in his old world, a real-life battle royale.

However, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a resounding voice that echoed across the battlefield, making itself heard by every participant, including Marc.

"It appears that all participants have taken their positions. The exam will commence in 30 seconds."

And then the countdown began.

"30."

"29."

"28."

Marc remained calm, eyes closed, his focus unwavering. He stood like a pillar of confidence amidst a sea of anxious competitors.

"19."

"18."

"17."

Many of the examinees displayed signs of nervousness, trembling with the weight of their dreams and fearing failing. This was their make-or-break moment, their final shot at becoming pro-heroes, and the pressure was immense.

For most of them, becoming a pro-hero was not just a childhood dream but a lifeline to a brighter future, a way to fulfill their aspirations and financial responsibilities.

"5."

"4."

"3."

"2."

"1."

"START!!!" the loud voice boomed across the arena, and the participants sprang into action.

Excellent as ever, Marc activated his unique ability by raising his arms to the sky. A mysterious, silver energy enveloped him, and he chanted, "Praise the Moon!" with a gleaming grin on his face.

In an instant, his transformation began. His skin darkened, taking on a silvery hue as though he were a living embodiment of moonlight.

Then, the Moon Knight's iconic attire materialized as if summoned from thin air. The pure white of the hood and cloak contrasted beautifully with the jet-black armour that adorned his body. A crescent-shaped emblem shone brilliantly on his chest, signifying his unwavering connection to the moon.

Marc Specter had become the Moon Knight as he finally debuted in this new world amidst the numerous examinees who tried to become pro-heroes.

>>>BREAK<<<

Moon Knight moved swiftly through the artificial city, a spectral presence amid the fabricated streets and structures. His white hood and cloak trailed behind him, flowing like ethereal moonlight. Every step he took was precise, and each movement was purposeful as he scoured the city for the faux villains threatening the simulated civilians.

In the distance, a cry for help reached his ears, the artificial civilian's distress echoing through the constructed environment.

"HELP! HELP! HELP! HELP!" the robotic civilian cried out desperately as two pseudo-villains closed in on their target.

From his vantage point atop a nearby building, Moon Knight assessed the situation with a keen eye, his senses sharp and alert. He analyzed the scene, searching for any signs of hidden danger.

Without hesitation, Moon Knight sprang into action. He pounced on the closest of the two faux villains in a seamless and fluid motion. His movements were a blur of silver and black, and his crescent-shaped emblem gleamed with righteous determination. A swift, precise kick incapacitated the adversary, rendering them harmless.

Moon Knight's swift and decisive actions continued as he swiftly swept the legs of the remaining pseudo-villain, sending them sprawling to the ground. With a powerful punch to the chest, he neutralized the threat.

The distressed civilian robot, equipped with advanced technology from I-Island, detected the rescue and promptly ceased its calls for help. Instead, it guided the faux civilian to the safety of the arena's edge, securing valuable points for Moon Knight's score.

Across the artificial city, Moon Knight pressed on across the artificial city, his relentless pursuit of pseudo-villains and swift rescues earned him points that inched him closer to the coveted top ranking. With each heroic intervention, he embodied the ideals of a pro-hero, a guardian of justice, and a symbol of hope in the face of adversity.