Caelumis fidgeted with the sleek wristband on his arm, its smooth surface somehow fitting perfectly despite its uniform size.
"I don't know how," Torren said, poking at his own band with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, "but these things look the same size and still fit like they were made for us."
"True," Caelumis agreed, flexing his wrist. "It's weirdly comfortable."
Aeri tilted her head, studying the faint glow on her band's display. "It showed our details the second the instructor typed in our application numbers. Pretty slick."
Torren squinted at his, turning it this way and that. "Yeah, but where's all the fancy stuff Sylviora mentioned? Party information, point sharing, drone service? I'm not seeing any of it."
Caelumis nodded, tapping his band experimentally. "Same. I've been poking around, but couldn't find it."
Aeri's gaze swept the yard, her sky-blue eyes catching the afternoon light. "Look at this place. It was packed to the brim earlier, but now... It doesn't even feel like 40,000 of us are left."
Torren shrugged, his grin lopsided. "Well, some folks are still hanging around, trying to lawyer up with the administration. Bet they're demanding to know why they got cut."
Caelumis's expression softened, his golden eyes thoughtful. "Can't blame them. Getting here took everything they had. They at least deserve to know why they didn't make it."
Aeri's attention shifted, her voice low. "Sylviora's by the stage again. Next round's announcement is coming soon."
Caelumis and Torren followed her gaze. Sylviora sat near her senior, a second-year with a stern face, both poring over a sheet of paper, their discussion intense but hushed.
Torren leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Hey, Caelumis, Miss Aeri, I heard last year's second round had a party system too. You know, where we can team up in the forest. What if the three of us formed one?"
Caelumis's eyes lit up, a rare spark of excitement. "That's a solid idea. With a Water user and an Earth user, I could maybe take it easy for once."
Aeri's lips curled into a smile, but it was sharp, almost sinister, promising anything but rest. "Oh, don't worry, Caelumis. I won't let either of you slack off." Her eyes glinted with a playful menace that said she'd work them to the bone.
Torren gulped, his grin faltering as he imagined the grueling days ahead. "Uh, Caelumis," he said, turning to his friend for rescue, "maybe we should show our skills solo instead?"
Caelumis smirked, catching the panic in Torren's eyes. "Yeah, Torren, I'm starting to think individual's the way to go."
Aeri's laugh cut through, bright but edged with mock indignation. "Sorry, boys, no can do."
The three erupted into easy laughter. They chatted away, finding new features and exchanging the contact details in their wristbands.
All eyes turned as Sylviora stepped up, her silver hair catching the dusk's glow like a beacon. The scattered crowd snapped to attention, their chatter dying as she tapped the microphone.
"Good evening," she began, her voice steady, commanding every ear in the vast yard. "This is the announcement for the second round of the Imperial Academy's entrance test. All qualified aspirants will spend four days in the forest for the second round. Those who advance to the third round will remain there for two more days. The fourth and fifth rounds will take place back at the Academy."
A collective gulp rippled through the crowd. "Two rounds in the forest?" Even the repeaters, who'd swaggered in with the confidence of experience, looked rattled, their advantage crumbling.
Sylviora's gaze didn't waver. "Carriages and carts are ready to take you to the forest in batches, randomly assigned. Each cart will drop you at a random spot in the forest. Upon arrival, you'll be assigned to either the Red or Blue team. 20,000 versus 20,000. Red team members can only form parties with other Reds, and Blues with Blues. Parties can range from 2 to 20 members. If any party member strays more than 10 kilometers from another, the entire party disbands instantly."
The crowd stirred, whispers rising. Sylviora pressed on. "The party leader, the one who initiates the formation, controls point sharing and can invite others to join. Points are earned through quests, with zone captures and raids offering the highest rewards, though smaller quests also contribute. In a party, all points earned by individuals count toward the party's total, and the point sharing set by the leader decides how they're distributed."
Aeri's eyes widened, her voice cutting through their trio's hush. "Wait, so if I earn 10 points on a quest, I get only the share the leader set for me?"
Caelumis frowned, nodding. "Seems like it."
Torren threw his hands up, exasperated. "What?! Then why would anyone join a party?"
Whispers swelled around them, the crowd buzzing with confusion. Sylviora tapped the microphone, silencing them.
"The winning team, Red or Blue, is determined by total points. To qualify for the third round, each individual must score above a minimum point threshold set by the Academy, which will be revealed at the round's end. The criteria for this threshold will not be disclosed."
Aeri's voice dropped, her tone uneasy. "Minimum points set by the Academy…?"
Sylviora continued, unfazed. "If your team wins, Red or Blue, everyone of that team who is in a party gains a 30-point bonus. Solo players don't get this. Parties also get better access to drone service items, while solos are limited. Point sharing and transfers can only happen within the same party, not between team members outside it. You can also earn points by raiding captured zones during specific hours shown on your wristband or by selling quest rewards to the Academy. Stealing quest rewards from another party or individual is allowed, but any fatal attack is a rule breach, resulting in immediate disqualification. Disqualified individuals' points still count toward their team's total but are deducted from their party's."
Aeri leaned in, her voice sharp with realization. "Parties have risks, but going solo's worse. No 30-point bonus, no point sharing, limited drone access… This round's testing our decisions as much as our skills."
Torren groaned, rubbing his temples. "My brain's already fried. Can't she make this easier to understand..?"
Sylviora's voice cut through again. "The losing team faces no penalty, but the winning team's 30-point bonus gives them a head start. Falling short of the minimum threshold could end your run. Quest, zone capture, and raid rules will be explained via an animated video on your wristband during the event times. All the best."
Sylviora took a sharp breath, the explanation of the round is finally over.
"Your ride to the jungle will be arranged shortly. In the mean time, those with crests, submit them at the attendant's reception. If you qualify, you won't see them for three years. If you fail, they'll be returned before you leave. The rest collect the weapons and things you brought. You will need them. Thank you."
With that, Sylviora stepped off the stage, her silver hair vanishing into the dusk. The crowd buzzed, nerves and excitement clashing.
Caelumis glanced at Aeri, his golden eyes softening. "Aeri, can I come with you to the attendant reception? I'd love to see Vol and Borun."
Aeri nodded, her sky-blue eyes flickering with a mix of relief and worry. "Sure. I need to tell them I won't be back for another six days. I'm kinda nervous about leaving them."
Torren's grin flashed, bright and mischievous. "I'm coming too. Gotta meet these little attendants of yours."
Aeri shot Caelumis a look, then smiled at Torren. "Alright, they'll be stoked to meet you, Torren."
The trio wove through the thinning crowd toward the attendant reception. Torren's voice cut through the hum. "When we finish a quest, we gotta steer clear of the other team at all costs. No way I'm handing over my hard-earned rewards."
Aeri raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp. "Just the other team? What about your own team?"
Torren blinked, confused. "Why would my own team steal from me? That's just pointless, right?"
Aeri sighed, her voice patient but pointed. "Sure, if someone on your team steals your quest rewards and turns them into points, the team's total stays the same. But what about your individual score? Everyone's fighting to qualify, Torren. If they take you down and sell your rewards, their points go up, and yours… well, you're screwed."
Torren gulped, his grin faltering. "Wait… so I shouldn't trust anyone?"
Caelumis jumped in, his tone steady but cautious. "It's not that bad. Join a party, and you've got numbers on your side. Makes it harder for others to steal your rewards."
Torren's eyes narrowed, his voice skeptical. "Okay, but how do I trust my party mates? Won't they pull the same stunt?"
Caelumis shook his head. "Parties are different. Once you sell quest rewards, the points go straight to the party's pool. You get whatever share the leader sets at the start."
Torren's face lit up, realization dawning. "Oh! So stealing from a party member's pointless, those points just go to the party anyway, and I still get my share." He nodded, confidence creeping back. "I'm joining a party the second I hit the forest."
Aeri's lips curled into a sly smile. "What if the party leader's cunning? What if they set it so they and their buddies get a huge share, and the rest are left with scraps? Your work's wasted then."
Torren froze, his enthusiasm deflating. "Damn, you're right…"
Aeri turned to Caelumis, her voice dropping, half-teasing, half-serious. "Caelumis, our first mission is finding Torren in the forest ASAP. I've got a feeling he'll get swindled five minutes in."
Caelumis's face turned grim, but his eyes sparkled with amusement. "Yeah, no kidding."
Torren's jaw dropped, his voice rising in mock offense. "Hey, I can hear you, damn it!" He paused, then grinned sheepishly. "But, uh, I'd appreciate the backup."
The trio burst into laughter, the sound cutting through the yard's tension like a warm breeze.
.
Beyond the bustling crowd, the empty meal halls cast long, eerie shadows in the dusk.
In one shadowed corner, a girl slipped inside, her steps hesitant, her brown eyes darting nervously.
Varnik sat on a table, legs crossed. His smile was predatory, a wild beast sizing up its prey, and the girl flinched under its weight.
"Uh… Varnik," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm here."
Varnik slid off the table, his boots hitting the stone floor with a deliberate thud. He stalked toward her, his broad frame looming as he leaned in close, his breath hot against her face.
She trembled, her hands clutching her tunic. "So, what's your decision?" he asked, his tone mocking, dripping with the certainty that her answer was already his to command.
The girl's voice shook, but a spark of resolve flickered through. "I'll do it. I'll do anything to join the Academy." Her whisper hardened, a desperate edge cutting through. "I'm their last hope," she murmured, almost to herself.
Varnik's grin widened, sharp and cruel, his eyes glinting with dominance.
"Good girl," he said, his voice low, venomous. "Listen carefully. Do exactly as I say, and I'll recommend you to Lord Eryndor's faction. You'll glide through your years here, untouchable. Cross me, and I'll make your life hell. Personally." His words were a blade, each syllable slicing into her fragile courage.
She struggled to stand, her breath shallow. Varnik's sneer deepened. "All you have to do is stick to Caelumis like glue through the second round. Do exactly as I tell you. If you're lucky enough to land on his team, party with him."
Her voice wavered, confusion breaking through her fear. "Caelumis…? Why?"
Varnik's face twisted, his patience snapping. "Tch! Don't question me!" he barked, his voice a whip. "Being my henchman is already more honor than you deserve, you pathetic worm!" His eyes darkened, staring past her into some distant grudge. "His eyes…" he muttered, his fist clenching so hard his knuckles whitened. "That bastard always looked beyond me. Never feared me, never respected me. His voice rose to a snarl, shaking the empty hall. "Do you bootlickers think I'm a pushover, huh?!"
The girl stumbled, collapsing to the cold floor, her hands trembling as she gasped, "No, Varnik, I never did!" Her voice cracked, terror swallowing her resolve.
Varnik's rage vanished as quickly as it came, his face smoothing into that cold, predatory grin. "Get close to Caelumis. Do as I say. Either you stay in the Academy, or he does. Choose." He thrust his wristband toward her, its surface glinting ominously. She fumbled with her own, their bands syncing with a faint beep as they exchanged contact details.
He turned, dismissing her like a discarded tool. The girl sat frozen, her breath ragged, the weight of his threat crushing her.