Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, countries, or groups is purely coincidental.
Zavian finished his history lecture with a sigh. "So that's the gist of it, Riju. Hey... you've got to be kidding me." He looked over to see Riju slumped in his chair, fast asleep.
5 AM - THREE HOURS BEFORE THE EXAM
Riju was violently shaken awake by Zavian, who then proceeded to cram dozens of historical facts into his drowsy brain. By the time the exam began, Riju was fighting to keep his eyes open.
EXAM HALL
Eshar stood at the front, his voice cutting through the tense silence. "The rules are simple. This is a written examination. Proctors will be monitoring you. If you are caught cheating, you will be immediately dispatched to the 'next world'—executed on the spot. You have two hours. There are only seven questions. Begin."
A cold dread settled over the hall. Riju stared at his paper, mind groggy.
Q1: Who was the founder of Purgosh? Edein I or Jounse I?
"Uh... I think it was Edein," Riju thought, scratching his head. He glanced sideways and saw a boy whispering to his neighbor, "Please, just give me one answer—" Before he could finish, a blade flashed. The boy's head hit the floor with a sickening thud. Riju froze, blood draining from his face.
Q2: In what year was Purgosh founded?
"Easy. 23 BC."
Q3: How did King Edein I die?
"Poisoned, right? I hope I'm right..."
The death toll climbed. 94 applicants were already dead.
Q4: List three individuals bestowed with the title 'The Great' and their epithets.
"Okay, easy. The Great of Wisdom, Koirus Sekmon. The Great of Forecast, Xonoa. The Great of Demonstration, Oirens. Done."
Q5: Provide a brief biography of one 'The Great' from the list above.
"You've got to be kidding me," Riju groaned inwardly. He skimmed the blurry text in his mind:
· Xonoa: Born in Fikorsa, Vanpien, during the Middle Dark Ages. Known as the 'Fortune Teller' for his ability to predict crises. He famously refused all foreign trade, which stockpiled his nation's food reserves and saved them during the Great Famine. Died from a gunshot wound at age 53.
· Koirus Sekmon: Born 583 AD in Elfiras, Vanpien. A strategic genius who elevated Vanpien to its peak historical power. Died at 39 in a fatal duel with the King of Birush and Tokris Cui I. He earned the title 'The Great' at just 19, the youngest ever.
· Oirens: First leader of Tidtimus. Led a massive popular revolt during the Great Famine, seizing the eastern Fikxes territories and overthrowing the 700-year Goir Dynasty. He died locked in a final, mutually fatal duel with the dynasty's last heir, Jikosa Goir.
Riju hastily scribbled down what he remembered about Sekmon.
Q6: What was the first city in the world?
"Hmm... The Golden City from the legend of Koxoko the Great of the Golden Era? No, that's just a myth. What was it... Xia? Xier? Xiu? I think it's Xier. Let's go with Xier."
Q7: Who was the architect of the modern Emperor City?
"That's obvious. Sekmon."
Suddenly, Eshar's voice boomed across the hall. "Hey, you! The one in the third row! Do not write down the family name. Many share it."
Riju flinched and quickly scratched out "Sekmon," writing just "Koirus." "Phew. Should be fine now."
TWO HOURS LATER
Eshar collected the papers. A terrifying few minutes of silence passed as the proctors graded them with brutal efficiency.
"Now," Eshar announced, a chilling finality in his tone. "Let's see who will die. One... two... three."
Gunshots erupted. 93 more applicants fell, their bodies hitting the floor. The examination hall had become a slaughterhouse.
ELSEWHERE - ADMINISTRATIVE QUARTERS
Vis Gaka leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smirk on his face. "See? I told you it was sufficient, Gis."
Gis, his colleague, looked over the casualty reports with a mix of horror and fascination. "You're sure this is appropriately difficult? It's a massacre."
"Precisely," Vis Gaka replied, his eyes gleaming. "Imagine the spectacle. Imagine how many will finally earn their names here. Just wait until you see how terrifying and brutal the final exam will be... a true Battle Royale."
VOLUME 2 - END
VOLUME 3 - CONTINUES AT 925 views