Chapter 314
Student Council trials (3)
"Welcome! You… the future of Hope," the woman began. "Recognised for your talent and genius—your brains and courage. All of you have many reasons why you walk down your path. Some for glory! Some for strength! Some to protect! Some for revenge! Some for wealth! Some because fate deemed it so!"
Her voice carried clearly through the area, rising and falling with emphasis.
"No matter the reason," she continued, her gaze sweeping across the gathered students, "you have all gathered here to grasp this opportunity and prove your path—and yourself!"
To the surprise of many, she had started with a speech. Her demeanour was noticeably different from what most remembered, far more animated and commanding as she faced these bundles of geniuses standing before her.
Some couldn't help but feel their blood pumping as anticipation took hold. Each and every one of them looked forward to the trial, confidence evident in their expressions as they trusted in themselves and their abilities.
The woman then gestured grandly, her tone firm as she continued, "I don't want to bore you, so let's get on with it. First of all, take these badges. It has your number and status, allowing us to monitor you all."
IAM felt the task grow harder the moment those words settled in. Being monitored meant limitations—limitations on the freedom and improvisation he could exert. He didn't want to reveal his cards, and this made that far more difficult.
Soon enough, everyone had received a badge. Blue and green in colour, it shimmered brilliantly, their assigned numbers glowing faintly on the surface.
Interestingly enough, this was the first time IAM had seen an academy product that did not follow the familiar colour scheme of black, red, and white.
IAM's number was 33, as he quickly noticed. Reuel was 32, Yohan 31, and Henry 30 respectively—hinting clearly at the order in which the students had been recommended, with IAM being dead last.
IAM had a feeling his number was a deliberate jab. He glanced toward Ari, narrowing his eyes slightly as he caught the faint smile on her face.
Well… better to be part of the team than not at all. IAM wasn't too bothered by it in the end.
Before he could look around and see who the students with the lowest numbers were—feeling a faint curiosity about who had been ranked first—he was interrupted by the woman's next words.
"Now!" she announced. "As you can see in front of you is an illusion path formation—the same one used in the academy trials. I'm sure you all have very... fun memories from that experience."
Question marks were plastered on everyone's faces as they wondered when exactly the fun part had happened. Had they missed it like the flowing wind?
The woman continued with a smile. "This time, you will be aware that you are in an illusion, so you will not have to worry about death. However, do not take this as a ticket to not take this seriously. Death in the path formation means an automatic failure, okay?"
Most nodded in understanding, while some merely looked on coldly.
"The rules are slightly different this time around," she continued. "You are allowed to kill each other… in the illusion, of course. There will be five black flags placed around the illusion. There is no limit to how many people can pass or fail. Your actions will be judged by some of the Student Council members here with me, and they will decide whether you fail or not, and—"
As she spoke, many began to feel that something was off in her wording. Subtle frowns appeared on a few faces, and IAM immediately realised the problem.
Before he could finish his line of thought, she spoke again—words that caused many to instantly tense up.
"You will be randomly transported to various parts of the forest," the woman continued, "with where you land being entirely up to your luck. And—oh, how could I forget—you will also be facing a variety of deadline creatures."
It was as if someone had just forced a thick, meaty dose of silence down everyone's throat.
A sense of unavoidable fear crept in as many were dragged back to their very first encounter with a deadline creature—the madness, the horror, the moment those things their mothers warned them about as children appeared in the flesh, reeking havoc before their eyes.
Even knowing this was an illusion, many still felt their hearts tighten. Only those with stronger mental fortitude managed to remain outwardly calm.
"For most of you," she went on, "the academy trial was the first time you ever witnessed one. But this time, you will meet many—all types of deadline creatures, with some even being at the level of experienced."
Faces turned grim.
Then she delivered a right hook straight from nightmares as she added, "Along with what you would call… a surprise."
IAM felt a slight tremor run through him.
She couldn't possibly mean there would be a devil, right?
That was ludicrous.
Everyone here was, at most, mid novice!
That was basically asking them to die!
Reuel grabbed IAM's shoulder in shock, pointing at the woman as if she had just announced that there were planets out there with only one moon. His disbelief was written plainly across his face.
Henry gripped his sword tightly, forcing down the trembling in his right hand. His jaw was clenched, determination flashing fiercely in his eyes as he steadied his breathing.
Yohan, on the other hand, wore a visibly worried expression as the woman continued calmly,"Now, please make your way towards the path formation."
Before the crowd could even begin to properly process what they had just heard, they were forced forward. The formation flared to life, its glow intensifying as the woman performed a gesture with her hand.
There was no time to speak.
The boys could only exchange a look—one that said good luck—before everything was swallowed in light.
With a blinding flash, the trial began.
Just before IAM felt the world shift and tear itself away from his senses, as he remembered realization beforehand.
As shocking as everything she had said was…
She never once mentioned the actual requirements for passing or failure!