" So, are you nervous about it?"
The one asking me this is my childhood friend, Lucas. A tall handsome guy with brown hair. He would be the poster boy for popular guys.
His face was more suited to girls' tastes compared to my plain and round face, with its black hair, or my normal build.
"As if, it's only a 1% chance. There's no need to have any expectations."
That was a lie; Ronav was feeling so nervous that he felt his legs might turn to jelly at any moment. Of course, he'd never allow his friend to know that.
"Ha, I can clearly see that you are actually nervous. There's no way you can hide it from me, how many years do you think we've been friends?"
'Dammit, this is just the downside to having been friends for too long'
" You are talking as if you are not nervous yourself."
"Well, of course I am. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, you know. If you get chosen here, your whole life is set. You don't even have to study. You can even live for longer. Being a champion is the best."
Isn't this guy looking down too much on champions? They still have to work and train hard, not to mention the high death rate.
"I'm fine, I'd rather keep living my normal life. I have a different dream anyway"
"I know, you've told me a hundred times, to be a baker and own your bakery right."
"It's not going to be just a dream much longer, my baking skills have been getting better recently. The head chef says I can probably sell the bread I've been baking."
"That's nice and all, but would you rather be a baker than a champion. A champion gets so many privileges and can live their whole life in luxury. The grand champions are also the pinnacle of strength and the whole world reveres them."
"It's not like anybody can go and become a grand champion."
"You're no fun, Ronav. A man should have huge dreams and give his life for them."
"Yeah, yeah. Oh, we're here. "
We finally reached the sports ground where the test is being held.
" Dammit-"
Inside, you could already hear the cries of despair from kids who have failed and see the kids who are lining up to take the test next.
"Oh, hey you guys are finally here."
We see our classmate and Lucas's friend, Anna, running to meet us.
"Oh, hey Anna. Did you take the test already?"
"Yeah, I just got done taking it."
"Did you get chosen?"
"Do you think I would be talking to you like this if I did?"
"Haha, that's a good point."
"Also, Luke, do you want to go to a cafe after this?"
"Well, if I don't get chosen, then sure."
This guy is as popular as ever.
"C'mon already! We haven't got the whole day here."
The examiner in charge seemed to be growing angry; it looked like the students were hesitating to take the test.
"Oh right, how many students have been chosen till now?"
"Around 120 students have given the test but no one has been chosen till now, that's why everybody's hesitating."
That's surprising, to think nobody has passed till now. The normal qualification rate is 1%. In other words, 1 in every 100 people is chosen.
"Well then, I guess I will go next."
"Wha- hey Ronav, are you sure you wanna go next?"
"I mean, why not? It's not like the timing is gonna make a difference in the results. Anyway, this is better for me; this way, I don't have to waste a few hours here."
" Geez, you're always like this."
Seeing me step forward, the examiner in charge looked at me and smiled.
"Well, at least one of you has some guts."
I stepped into the testing area, while the examiner was standing to my side.
"Alright, kid, what's your name?"
"Ronav, sir."
"Alright Ronav, put your hands on the crystal."
The test was an incredibly simple one; you put your hands on a crystal and passed if it changed color. The crystal is apparently a rare material from the outerlands. Its main purpose is to tell if your soul is strong enough to bear a summoning.
The crystal itself was a small one, it was by far the most beautiful crystal Ronav had ever seen. Not that he had ever seen many crystals in his life. He'd mostly seen photos of them on the net.
The moment his hands touched the cold surface of the crystal, he felt a weird type of energy leaving his body.
The color of the crystal suddenly started to change from blue to black.
"I-It's actually changing color."
"Haha, I knew you had promise, kid."
The whole crowd was growing chaotic. Someone had finally been chosen after so many failures.
Ronav was feeling even more surprised and confused than the others. After all, this was gonna change the course of his life.
It actually changed color! I'm actually one of the chosen ones. I'm gonna become a champion.
"Well, kid, your name was Ronav, right?"
"Yes, sir. Ronav Sharmont."
"Alright Ronav, first of all congratulations. You are now a chosen one. Now follow this soldier to receive a full explanation of what you need to do now."
___
After a full hour of lecture from an examiner, Ronav was finally allowed to go back to his home.
I wonder how many other people got chosen today. There were around 250 people in Wolshire town who recently became 16 years old so there should be 2-3 chosen.
He would meet them tomorrow at the station where they would board a train to go to Hakal city.
But first, he had to go home; his family had probably already been informed of his selection and were packing his things for him.
He wouldn't be able to see them for a year after this till he finishes the hunter academy that all chosen were required to go to.
'Well, the only thing to do is to head home.'
___
"Congratulations! brother, you were chosen to become a champion. That's so cool. "
Just as he entered his house, he was greeted by a big embrace from his brother, Bodhi, who was 4 years smaller than him.
Due to their mother's early death and their father's absence due to his work, the brothers were especially close. They had mostly been raised by their grandmother, but even she had passed away a few years ago.
Ronav felt a little guilty leaving his brother alone for a full year. He knew his brother got lonely easily and would be alone for a full year due to his absence.
"My son, you're back."
His father was back from work early, a rare event. He'd only been back early a few times ever since Ronav's mother's death. He usually came back late at night and went out early in the morning; sometimes, he didn't even return home at all.
Still, Ronav did not blame his father, because he knew that his father worked hard to provide for them and keep their family afloat.
"I definitely had to come back today. Congratulations, son, this is an important event for you. We have already packed your bags and made dinner. You have to leave early tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah, thanks, Dad. The trains are gonna be there at 7 am."
"Ok, make sure to take care of yourself."
"Alright, come on, let's have dinner. It's been ages since I've had your cooking, Dad."
"Just don't expect the same quality, I haven't cooked for quite a long time. "
__
"Are you sure you've taken everything? Haven't you forgotten anything?"
"I'm fine, Dad, I've already checked everything."
"Alright, make sure to call home whenever you can. And focus on studying and working hard."
"Yes, Dad, you've already told me that a hundred times."
"Take care, big brother."
Bodhi looked sad as he said goodbye to his brother. This ached his Ronav's heart but he had to leave today.
"Don't be sad, it's just a year and you can call me anytime. You wouldn't even be able to tell when it passed. Now, take care of Dad for me, would you?"
"Ok, I will. Promise you will call me regularly?"
"I promise."
At that moment, the chariot, which would be Ronav's ride to the train station, arrived.
'The other chosen is in the chariot.'
Having spent all the previous night with his family, he had forgotten to inquire about the other chosen.
He stepped into the chariot and saw a boy with a handsome face and brown hair, his face was already familiar to him.
"Luke?!"