"Y-you.." she pointed at me.
Yes? What about me?
"Uh.. are you okay?" I asked in a worried tone and walk towards her but she took a step backwards away from me. Aw. That hurts my pride.
I tilted my head and stared at her with a questioning look. She's acting weird. She looked down and shook her head then looked at me again. Now, she looks like she is back to normal.
"I-I'm sorry about that." She said before picking up the tablet, in a hurry. "Y-you can now.. go out and proceed to.. to the f-final.. e-exam." She said while still picking up her things. She can't even look at me directly. What's her problem?
Okay, she's weird. Nagkibit balikat na lang ako and left her there in that situation. What would I even do? I don't know.
"So how is it?" Sam asked me when I got out. She's still here? I can't believe she really waited for me.
"I don't know. The woman inside is acting weird." Tila naguluhan ito sa sinabi ko and magtatanong pa sana but I changed the topic. "So, why are you in that attire?" I pointed her.. costume. She is wearing an armor as if she will go into a war.
Come to think of it.. the other examiners were also wearing similar attires. Is that the dress code?
"Ano kaba? Malamang para sa final exam to!" She then proceeded on explaining to me the final exam.
All in all,  we're already accepted in the university once we passed the first examination. The measuring of mana core is only to.. measure our strength and capabilities. Then the final exam is not exactly a final exam to enter, it is an exam to know which squad you will belong.
In Morgan University there are 8 squads that you can join. It is like a club for example and each squad has its captain. If you're  lucky enough to be picked by squad captain in this exam, you will get to live on their base. Being in a squad means you can go on missions and be paid. You also get to have higher allowance than other students. Those who are not picked still have chances because these happens thrice a year and this is open to those who doesn't have a squad. Unless, a captain took a liking on you and recruited you, it's your decision if you will join them or not.
That still doesn't explain the reason why they're in a full armor costume.
Upon entering the stadium, we sat at the benches assigned to us. The stadium is packed with so many people. High school and college students and also the parents that came with their children to test their lucks. I think there are only a less than a hundred of us that passed the first exam. Mayroon din malalaking screens sa itaas kung saan makikita namin ang information ng kalahok at ang magiging score nito. Hindi lang yon, makikita din sa screen ng malapitan ang kung sino mang pupunta sa gitna.
We'll just sit here and wait for our names to be called and proceed to the middle. Wow, how uncomfortable it would be.
"Oh look at that!" She pointed at our opposite side in the stadium where 8 students in uniforms were sitting at seperate benches far from the others.
They are the squad captains in our university and also they sit according to the squads' ranks. They are also students like us pero naging captain sila base on their merits, achievements so they are appointed by the Headmaster."
How did she even knew all of this?
"That one seated on the last chair is the Silverback Gorilla's squad captain, George Ceasar. They are considered to be the weakest squad in here. They have 10 stars." I know I didn't ask for that but I just let her talk.
Stars are given by the university depends on the missions you or your squad had accomplished. Every 5 missions you successfully accomplished is equivalent to 1 star. It is given since the captain is first appointed.
"Next to him is Midnight Bison's captain, Bobby Thomas and their squad has 16 stars. Next is Lightning Lancer's captain, Percy Calopez with 21 stars.  Killer Jaguars' captain, Caterina Aslan, with 22 stars. Blue Eagle's captain Ezio Vega with 28 stars. Theodore Benjamin, Purple Scorpion's squad captain and has 31 stars. Next is Archer Morgan, captain of Crimson Orca and also the nephew of M.U's owner, with 43 stars and of course the most powerful of all, the Black Falcon with 50 stars and its squad captain is Law Sylvester. He became squad captain at age 13 and ever since that day, the Black Falcon has always been on the top." I stared at teh one she is pointing.. it's too far and I can't see his face clearly especially that he is... sleeping?
Unbelievable.. he already gathered that many stars since he started being the captain at 13. So, if 1 star per 5 missions, then 5 × 50 is equals to 250? Just how strong is he?
"That means they're strong." I uttered unconsciously. I can't explain this excitement that suddenly lingers in me.
"Of course. They only have 8 members but they are composed of elementals and also the higher ranks in the university. Actually, they are supposed to be the captains already with their ranks but they declined. They wanted to stay at Black Falcons." Hmmm. I'm getting more and more curious about them. "But well.. not too many get to join the Black Falcons. Hindi na tumatanggap ng bagong miyembro si Captain Law simula ng-."
She was cut off by a voice came out of nowhere.
"Good day my lovely students!" I looked around but I see no one speaking. "This is your Headmaster Dale Aliford. I'm sorry for the inconvenience I can't make it there today because I am on sick leave. Don't worry I am watching this broadcast but only the staff and me can watch it.."
How irresponsible.
He then introduced the squad captains. They are here to evaluate the examiners and to choose their squad members. Pagkatapos ng examination ay ang evaluation, doon sila pipili kung kung sino ang gusto nilang maging bagong miyembro. After that he explained about the exam and what will be the rules.
"So this year, there is a different examination. This is suggested by the parent's association of Morgan U. Last years physical examination were just about physical combat and weapon,but this year is different. This time, you will be fighting demons."
I heard gasps everywhere. Usually they will be fighting monsters, so they were shock that this time it is demons. Then they are in full armor costume because this is a fight? Ah. They are all babies.
There are others here wearing expensive costumes. This is all useless. In the battlefield, it doesn't matter what you wear as long as you fight with your life on the line. Kidding, I'm just making excuses as I wore an... elegant outfit. So how am I gonna fight with these? Do I need to seduce the demons with my beauty? Oh, I think that's a good idea. Maybe, it'll work.
""Calm down, calm down. These are just demons made of illusions." I heard sighs of relief. Seriously, they're all babies. "Even though their ability is the same, their power is reduced to half of their power in reality. You can use your weapon, resources or magic to fight them. So if you're name is called, pupunta kayo sa harap and state your level. Remember, before entering the arena,those who will take the exam is given a strip of paper right?"
Yeah. I remember it.
Binigyan nila kami ng nakatuping maliit na papel at wag daw namin iwawala. This will serve as our ticket for the exam pero bawal naman namin buksan yon.
"As you all know, there are different types of demons and you will be fighting lesser demons. Class D is the lowest rank, and class A is the highest rank and each of you will be given 5 minutes to defeat a demon. You will be graded according to how many demons you can kill in that span of time and you will be fighting 1000 demons. The 4 levels you get is the time limit you get to fight these demons and their classifications. If you get the hard level, you will be fighting class D demons within 7 minutes, Harder level is class C demons within 5 minutes, and Hardest is Class B demons within 3 minutes.
Pretty fun, right? But there is a twist. The 4th level is quite special so it is called the special level. Special kasi nag iisa lang ang level na yan and you are the luckiest person kung ikaw ang nakabunot nito! You will be fighting 1000 Rank A lesser demons!" He exclaimed. Oh.. that's exci- "in just 1 minute!" -ting?
What the hell? What kind of twist is that? Is that even possible? Who in their right mind would suggest this kind of- oh. I think I already knew who it is. That person's face suddenly came across my mind. He has this wide smile and waving at me. Ahhh! Even in my thoughts, he is annoying! That annoying self proclaimed brother of mine! He is the only person I can think that would suggest this twisted game! Now, I'm worried about what would happen to me...
This is unfair!
"I know y'all think this is unfair." It felt like he just announced what's on my mind just now. "But this wxam is not to kill as many demons as you can. This is to know your will to fight. To know your strength and your ability to grasp the situation. So goodluck!" You know... what he said just now.. doesn't make sense.
They started announcing students' names. Ang bawat tinatawag nila ay pumupunta sa gitna at doon nila bubuksan ang papel na hawak nila. Pagtapos nila iannounce ang level na hawak nila ay mapapalibutan na sila ng barrier. Dahil ilusyon lang ang makakalaban nila sa loob, paglabas nila sa barrier ay mawawala din kaagad ang mga sugat na matatamo na sa loob at kung halimbawa mamatay sila sa loob, pagdating sa labas ay buhay pa rin sila at parang wala lang nangyari.
How convenient and reassuring.
So far, wala pang nakakakuha ng special level and its making me anxious. Every time someone's name is being called, my heart beats faster in anticipation.. what if it's me? It's not impossible.. if that idiot is behind all this, he'll make a way for that lucky paper to be in my hands.
My seatmate also keeps on praying since earlier and wishes that the special level won't be in her hands. Ako nga rin eh, kanina pa nagdadasal.
Hindi ko nga alam kung kanino ako magdadasal kaya nagdasal na lang ako sa sarili ko.
Samantha was called first. Upon reaching the middle of the field, she opened her paper and announce her level. It was hardest. Phew.. almost. I saw her breath a sigh of relief. Who wouldn't be relieved right? She is safe from the special level.
The timer starts the moment the barrier envelopes the field. Class B demons started appearing and running towards her. She calmly, took out a sword and she swunged it to the enemies the whole time. It is obvious that she is trained to hold swords since childhood. Look how she fight and swung that sword skillfully.
Fascinating. So fascinating!
As the time finishes, she had already killed 160 demons. Not bad. I looked at the screen above. Oooh, I forgot to tell you, they will also display your score from the written examination we took earlier. The passing score is 700 and out of 1500 examiners, only less than a hundred passed. How unfortunate.
NAME: Samantha Hurdle
LEVEL: Hardest
EXAM SCORE: 850/1000
KILLS: 160 Class B demons
ABILITY: B-Rank Healer
Oh not bad. She is quite smart and I didn't know she is a healer. Pretty convenient being a healer and being good at swords. If they'll display my score there... maybe it is 0 no?
"You're good at swords." I complimented her as soon as she get back to where we're seated.
"Hindi naman masyado. I'm a healer and it is quite weak when it comes to combats so I practiced using swords para kahit papaano naman may alam ako sa pakikipaglaban. Sana naman makapasok ako kahit sa isa sa mga squad dito."
"You're performance is good and Im sure 2 or 3 squad captains will raise their hands for you."
It took 30 persons before I heard my name be called.
"Good luck Ali." I heard her said to me before I left our seat and head towards the middle of the field.
Pagdating ko don ay kaagad kong binuksan ang hawak ko na papel and I almost dropped my heart.
That idiot...