33 - Start of the Combat Exam

Seeing the reaction of the students the Principal continued.

"Now I know you are all are most likely nervous and I can understand your position but you must steel yourselves.

As you have the whole world out there to explore and see, so how can you let this stop you." The principal exclaimed trying to raise the spirits of the nervous students.

Seeing not much change in their mood, he choughed and moved on.

"Unlike previous years this year's will be quite different, as you all will be given enough supplies for five days. Then you all will be taken to a preselected location.

From there you all will have to survive for the duration of the exam, you will further be graded by killing monsters or clearing dungeons. But worry not, as you'll will still be able to team up with others, however this might affect your scores." The Principal explained.

"As for support classes your grading system will also be different, too allow for your to get a score that reflects your actual abilities and not just your teams." Hearing this every support class student couldn't help but let out a huge sigh in relief.

"Now move over to your a signed area to get you supplies and if you wish you can create a team of up to five people. But the more people you have the more points you'll have to get as they will all be shared amongst each other.

But if you think you have the strength to fight by yourself and wish too not share any points, you may also take the exam as a solo." The crowd of students and parents started talking amongst themselves at these changes.

"So are you going to take it alone?" Michael asked as they made their way forwards.

"Well you shouldn't have any issues as your abilities will allow you to fight by yourself without much issues, bar long range of course. As for myself...." Victor paused before continuing.

"Well in order for us to get into that place, we need to go above and beyond, so we need to do this solo." Victor gave his answer which caused a large grin to spread across Michael's face.

"Yep your not one too back down, but... listen don't push yourself I'm sure we can meet the requirements together if we puss ourselves enough." Michael's face turned serious as he placed his hand on Victor's shoulder.

"I know.... but we needd... no I need to do this by myself, I need to prove that I can do it." Victor squeezed his hand into a fist with all his strength before opening it, as a far off look appeared in his eyes.

"Alright then, let's get too it." Michael said.

"Now join the appropriate line with your teammates to receive your gear, then move over to get onto a buss." A teacher yelled as she guided the students.

Looking around at all the different lines, Victor found that the solo section had no one lining up.

Moving over to well... line up, it didn't take long to reach the front.

"This is the line for solo participants, if you are looking to register as a duo please go over to that line." The teacher thinking that they had gotten the wrong line politely pointed over to another line.

As in her mind even though there was an option to take the exam as a solo, no one here in their small city would have the ability too.

So in her mind Victor and Michael had just mixed up the lines.

"Umm no we're here to sign up to take the test solo...." Victor and Michael looked at each other before checking they got the right both before Michael replied with an unsure voice.

As he thought they went to the wrong spot, on the other hand the teacher's face changed to one of surprise.

"Haa, no you've got the right place... umm name, age, class and other information needs to be filled out on these forms." Quickly coming back to herself with a slight red blush of embarrassment she pulled out to sets of forms and gave them one each.

"A bunch of personal info, our student IDs, oh.. by signing below you knowledge that there is a chance of death or great injury... Well alright." Michael skimmed over the documents before shrugging and filling it out.

"Ok everything appears to be in order..." She checked the documents before pulling out two backpacks and bracelets.

"Now this is your food and water supplies, and your score recorder. Now I do have to tell you that you are not allowed too use any Potions or assistance items during the exam. You are allowed to use your own equipment during the exam though." She started to explain the rules in further detail to them as no one else had lined up.

"So no potions, scrolls and poisons or anything like that? Alright thank you." Michael smiled at her, while Victor stayed silent as he thought about the rules and how he can advance his score.

"Oh that's right I would recommend you don't do the dungeons on any higher difficulties as that is apart of the special exam and not mandatory.

So just do it on normal.. wait what I'm I says, your both solos.. there's no way you'll do a dungeon, just forget what I said." She slapped her forehead, embarrassed but little did she know that her own thoughts would come back and slap her in the back of her head later.

"Thank you." Victor thanked her with Michael before they went over to get on to a bus.

Sitting down Victor put on the bracelet which locked shut as it adjusted in size till it was a perfect fit.

Victor ran his hand over it feeling the silver metal, there was no gap between the bracelet and his skin.

'So we can't take it off until after the exam..' Victor's eyes narrowed slightly as he came to the conclusion that everything that they did during the exam will most likely be recorded and watched.

Paying it no further thought he opened the backpack to check what else they have given them.

"Water, dried food, canned food and some first aid... huh there's not much hey Vic." Michael was way ahead of Victor, making him sigh.

'All he thinks about is food..' Victor rolled his eyes before checking how long their food supply should last.

"Just three days worth?" Victor frowned, as there was just enough for three days and not five.

Even the water was just enough for five days if you rationed it.

'It's almost like they want us to fight against each other... hmm but why would they do that..' Victor rubbed his chin in thought.

"Well we'll have to split up after we arrive, will you be alright without me?" Michael asked leaning back and looking at Victor out of the corner of his eye.

"The real question is if you can think before you charge without me." Victor jabbed back jokingly.

"But seriously I'll be alright." Victor stone face changed as he gave a reassuring smile to Michael.

Both of them have grown up together for as long as they remember, and even though they cousins they've always seen each other as brothers.

Combined with the fact that they both have a great relationship with each other, they know each other the best.

But know instead of combining their strengths and abilities they have to go solo.

It's not that Michael doesn't believe in Victor's capability it's just they've both come to the conclusion that his class is weak in the beginning.

"I should be fine, plus this is the perfect chance for me to test out my new abilities." Victor reassured Michael.

Looking out the window Victor watch as the line of buses left the city, past the old stone, concrete and wooden buildings.

Outside the city Victor noticed that there was 2 military vehicles leading the way.

"You don't normally see soldiers out here." Michael's eyes basically sparkled at the sight of soldiers.

"They must be here to protect us." Victor concluded as he watched the group of soldiers sitting in the electric car watching the surroundings.

"Why do we have to babysit a bunch of brats?" A soldier wearing battle gear leaned back while complaining.

"These kids have no idea back how good they've got it, hey Milo." Another said as he cut up an apple with his combat knife.

"That's about too all change." Milo the the third said as read a book, unlike the rest of the soldiers he was the only one not wear combat armour.

Instead he was wearing a robe with chainmail, leather armour with metal gauntlets and boots.

He was the mage in this squad and the most well informed amongst them.

"Oh what have you heard from your magic buddies?" Vigil asked in interest as he ate the slice of apple off his knife.

"Yeah you must know something." James sat up interested.

"Well apparently they've changed the exam because of unease within the top brass, there's been a lot of worry because of a sudden influx of an unknown type of magic." Milo answered as he put his book down.

"Huh so what? That can't be why they panicking so much right?" James asked having absolutely no idea why this could be so important.

"Well we have no idea about what this means, it could be a huge scale monster wave, dungeon break, a dimensional invasion..." Milo answered seriously as he leaned forwards but seeing the atmosphere change for the worst he relaxed as he opened his book once more.

"... or it could be nothing, What I'm trying to say is no one has any idea why or what it means. But the that's why they've changed the test so that they can better test the younger generation or something." Milo finished.

"So your saying that there could be a disaster soon?" Vigil sighed with a far off look.

"Man why does everything have to go to shit when right after I've just about to get married." James complained as he placed his hands behind his head.

"That's enough." A voice came from the the front which caused James to sit straight.

"We've just have to follow orders and do our jobs, you got that?" Their leader said his strong voice clearly heard by everyone.

"Sir Yes Sir." James went stiff as he replied.

"You got it boss" vigil on the other hand was unbothered.

"Well it just what I've heard boss." Milo said, Most mages or magic classes are apart of a single division in the military, so they keep in contact with each other to exchange knowledge with each other.

Which allows them to usually be very well informed about quite a lot.