"Oh my god!! they are all here, they are really here", a kid said.
"What if they look at me, what if we make eye contact , I will just melt", another student with brown coloured hair said outloud causing some stares in her direction.
But actually , all students in their respective lines were having this same thought.
Elite slayers right Infront of them. It was a dream come through for many.
"Welcome students to this year's placement exams", Kai started silencing the excited crowd.
"This year's exam is different. It's not just about your entry into the slayers academy but it is a test of survival. Every year we lose a significant number of Slayers. This year, the board of slayers academy have taken it upon themselves to produce godslayers of exceptional ability who will rise at the face of death", he added.
"On this note, you'll be faced with three tasks and on completion of round one , you will be informed about round two", Kai said speaking with so much confidence that could only be admired.
"Good luck everyone and do your best", he finished leaving the bulging eyed man named Arturo to instruct the students further.
"This is the part I like to see", Austin said bashing his fist into his palm.
"For your first round..., Arturo announced you'll be faced with survival of the fittest.
Natural selection.
"But it isn't going to be like other years", he continued ...you will be trapped in a glass dome and given a unique tag.
"The rules are simple,he added... once your tag has been gotten from you, you will be removed from the exams".
For each tag you get from another person, you receive five ones points in addition to your general score of 30 if you pass.
"Simple right?", he said looking from one student to the other.
"But there's just one catch", Arturo said pausing for dramatic effect.
Rely on your strength of will ...
Of course they weren't going to make it simple. You could either hide and defend your own tag and pass but of course they were those like Ryker who would never settle for average 30 points.
"You either Hunt or be hunted", Sage admitted to himself ....and what's this thing about a catch, Sage wondered.
Any equipment will be allowed in this round, Arturo's voice bellowed once more.
You got to be kidding me ...Sage said in between his teeth cursing his luck.
He was already one step behind as he did not have a code and now equipment as well.
Moving quickly he stopped inside a building where standard equipment were being kept.
Some kids were already there swinging various weapons up and down trying to test to see the ones the are good at.
Sage always had a good eye for weapons though he could never really afford any of them. Hopefully, he would see something that could help him.
Turning around, he spotted something in the far corner something silver reflecting the sun's light. It was a long sword.
On closer inspection, he realize it was a katana. He has never been one for such weapons but at this point he could use all the help he could get. Holding it firmly with his two hands he swung the sword in the air as fast as he could.
He knew he could never beat those with wind code in terms of speed but he realised he wasn't half as bad allowing his experiences to make up for shortcomings.
Holding up the katana to give it another swing, he noticed a group of kids behind him.
" What are you holding there, cursed boy?" the older ones spoke most likely the leader of the group.
" Why?.....you blind? Sage answered as he could recognize some of them. Lex, Gary and their leader Berg. Sage has an idea of what was coming next. Berg and his group were notorious for bullying those with low level codes.
Wait berg has.....
Sage didn't have time to think of the answer as he could already feel the heat creeping on his skin.
Fire code.....he answered his unsaid question.
"You know there is a rule about outside violence but there is no rule about giving you an injury they cannot see", Berg said bringing the heat closer to Sage's skin.
Sages grip on the katana loosened a little allowing Gary snatch it away from him.
"See you later, cursed boy", Berg said laughing as the three of them walked away.
A beep sound interrupted Sages train of thoughts and soon an incoming message boomed in the air.
"All students are to return to their lines. I repeat all students are to return to their respective lines. Round one begins in 10 minutes".
Looking around quickly, Sage grabbed the nearest weapon he could find which turned out to be a pair of shorts daggers.
I hope this works....