The air in the circle is thick, the two are in their fighting stances. A single breath would start everything, the two stare fixedly at each other without moving yet.
When a wooden sword from another circle falls to the ground the two lunge forward their katanas clash, their faces are very close.
-"Show me what you're made of"- The rival said.
They step back two paces and the clash of katanas begins, neither of them steps back again.
Terrmomix is silent but completely focused, a small lapse in the rival's guard was enough for Terrmomix to land a blow to his side.
The rival felt like he was running out of breath, he wasn't going to waste this opportunity, Terrmomix's katana moved toward the rival's neck, he managed to block the attack with his katana but lacked strength.
Just like the rival, Terrmomix's foot was already in his stomach, a blow that pushed him almost to the edge of the circle.
He got up quickly, counterattacked, but his attacks were blocked, he began to panic his attacks no longer had coordination, they were just thrown wildly.
The rival could only think: "Shit, I'm in trouble, I can't hit him...".
Three attacks were closing in on him, he knew he couldn't dodge all three, he managed to stop two but the third hit his arm.
He stepped back, his breathing was ragged from the effort.
-"Damn... I have to admit you're stronger."
Terrmomix looked at him still with cold eyes.
-"Despite your tiredness, your defense is still perfect, you dodged two out of three fast blows, not bad at all."
-"Obviously, I've trained hard to improve my defense, defense is the most important thing in a battle"- His breathing began to calm down.
-"I'm going to break that defense, I assure you"- He resumed his attacking stance
-"Try it if you can"- The rival got ready to defend and counterattack.
Terrmomix made the first move, his attacks were fast, as if more than one person was attacking.
The rival was able to dodge most of them, his defense began to show gaps, with a kick aimed at Terrmomix's face he managed to push him away.
The situation was getting too complicated for the rival, he could no longer attack. As soon as he raised his katana to attack one of Terrmomix's attacks was already close to him.
His defense fell, Terrmomix began attacking again, his attacks were faster, the rival could no longer stop them all until another attack pushed him back again.
Almost on the ground he got up again but the master stopped them.
-"The fight is over!, He wins!"- He pointed at Terrmomix with one finger.
It turned out that while the rival was dodging the attacks Terrmomix had pushed him back to the edge and with the final attack the rival's foot had stepped out of the circle without him realizing it.
Terrmomix had won his first five points.
-"45 left. I can do it"- He said with a relieved sigh.
After the fights the tests continued, Terrmomix strived in each one, he didn't make it to the top three but at least he wasn't last anymore.
At the end of the tests the participants were gathered again on the stage, Terrmomix noticed there were fewer, apparently some knew they hadn't reached 50 points and had left.
Floch approached Terrmomix with a smile.
-"Ready?, Now they'll announce who made it and who didn't."
-"I'm so nervous, I don't know if I made it"- His hands were sweaty and his nervousness showed in his voice.
-"You'll see you made it, trust me."
The professor went up on stage with the results sheet.
-"Alright, I'll announce the points each person got. I'll start with those who got 100 points down to those who got 50, if you don't hear your name by the end it means you didn't reach the minimum."
His hands were shaking, it was the first time Terrmomix had felt so nervous.
-"Alright, I'll start with the highest scores.
kenzo= 100 points
Varek= 100
Zento= 99
Naeris: 99
Terrmomix was surprised, getting a perfect 100 points was very difficult.
-"Floch: 69"
Floch sighed, he was actually quite nervous too he just didn't show it.
As the list went down Terrmomix felt more and more nervous, his name didn't appear until almost the end.
-"Terrmomix: 51"
Terrmomix had barely made the minimum but it made him very happy, his breathing relaxed. Floch patted him on the back.
-"I told you you'd make it"
-"I almost had a heart attack, but I made it"- Terrmomix said with a smile, he was satisfied.
The professor finished going through the list of selected candidates.
-"That's all, exactly 120 made it, in a year they'll enter the academy, more information will be sent to you later. You may all leave now."
The participants began to leave, some happy, others sad and even angry, dusk was falling and Terrmomix and Floch had to say goodbye.
-"Great job Terrmomix, I'll see you at the academy"- Floch said with a wide smile.
-"Yeah, thanks for helping me, I couldn't have made it without you"- Terrmomix smiled back gratefully.
They said goodbye by bumping their fists.
-"Well, see you soon Terrmomix, Take care"- Floch started walking away down the path.
-"You too Floch"- He waved goodbye again gently and watched him walk away.
Terrmomix hurried back to the cabin, he was happy to have gotten in, though he also felt a little sad, Jhonatan and Brandon hadn't made it, he was the only one.
When he arrived at the cabin he opened the door quickly in joy, Vexana, Son and Robertita were at the table eating, when they saw Terrmomix their eyes widened.
-"I'm back"- A genuine smile appeared on Terrmomix's face.
Vexana got up quickly and approached him to hug him.
-"Terrmomix... "
Terrmomix hugged her back, Robertita climbed down from her high chair and approached to hug his leg.
-"Terrmi, I'm so glad you're back"- Her little face had an innocent but happy smile.
When he pulled away from Vexana he picked Robertita up in his arms.
-"Yes Robertita, did you behave well?."
Robertita remembered that Terrmomix had told her she should eat well.
-"Yes, I ate my vegetables"- She said innocently and tenderly.
Vexana laughed softly knowing it was a lie, Son also got up sighing happily.
-" From your smile you must have good news, right?."
-"Yes. Master, I passed the evaluations, I'm in the academy."
Son's eyes widened, finally one of his students had made it into the academy, he was also very happy.
-"I'm glad to hear that Terrmomix, It's all thanks to your hard work, Congratulations!."
Vexana surprised Terrmomix with a kiss on his cheek, immediately Terrmomix blushed intensely.
-"Congratulations, I knew you'd do it"- Vexana said with a smile.
-"Thank you..."- Terrmomix whispered, his cheeks were red and he was a little embarrassed.
He turned to look at Son and asked worriedly.
-"Haven't Marco and the others come back yet?."
-"No, I thought they'd be back with you."- Son said.
-"Are Marco and the others okay?." Robertita asked.
Terrmomix stroked Robertita's head.
-"Yes, they must be fine, maybe they're just running late."
-"You were the only one who got into the academy, Right?." Son asked.
Terrmomix looked at the floor, he said in a low voice.
-"Yes..."
Terrmomix put Robertita down from his arms, Vexana took his hand.
-"Well, you must be hungry, come and tell us everything."
Terrmomix regained his smile.
-"Alright, I'll tell you everything"- He said as they sat down at the table with them.