A quiet sigh left him. Alright. He snapped his fingers and then all three notification windows disappeared. And then he started to move. Not running. Not delivery walking. Just walked. Walking deeper into the forest. As if he knew that this thing would already spiral. Considering the fool that chucked the fireball at a teacher was still down on the ground. And thought to himself, Gee, the professor really did a number on him with just that. I wonder what exactly, did that fool idiot and disappeared into the jungle.
Back in the hall, parents have been filled up, many of space them just having brief conversations, trying to socialize and minimize the fact that they were all just randomly gathered here today. And then Professor Brinkston just flashed in front of them as the parents all looked at him, confusedly, as he muttered back, "Sorry folks, not my problem" as he gets down from the stage leaving. And as he was leaving, he bumped into other Professor. His outfit still as precise and muted with color as ever. "Morning, Zloomian", he says, passing by.
"You know you didn't have to blast the student with a hydro-pump, a water gun would have done fine job", Zloomian say. He responded to Professor Branskin. Brinskin stop moving turning his head back slightly, "You were watching that"? "Of course, we're have some leave of adminship in the system remember, we're able to see inside the dome". "Ah fuck I'm in deep shit", Branskin asking back? Not now any way The principal is still trying to make sure that the students actually their kids stay in the school. After you're done, I'd say most of them are not going Zloomian added. Branskin sighed with utter care. So? The kid was being a brat, and it clearly shows he's have never had consequences. He didn't even hit you with the level one magic basic Zloomian say. It's not my problem. Back in my time, if you did something like that, you could have gotten ass-whooping Branskin shot back. Yes, back in your day, beating children was still seen as a form of punishment. Now it's seen as abuse, and in your case, it could potentially lead to you getting fired and being thrown in prison. Eh, if the parents don't find out soon enough Branskin Zloomian shot down. "Eh, it's just water under the bridge."
He wasn't even ready. And I assume that you understand your actions do have consequencesas professor Lumen enter the conversation. Yep. As Branskin began to pull out a cigarette, and then Professor Lumen pupils glowed once again, crushing the cigarette in his mouth,"Really, man?" He stared walking away tired one that was just rude, Branskin leave thembehind. Why? Professor Lumen Zloomian looking at him. Stared back at him, his pupils still glowing. Aren't the parents supposed to be sitting down?
Both of them staring at the hundreds of parents still standing. And he says it again, this time moving towards the exit, pulling another cigarette. Like I said before, not my problem, not my circus, as he leaves. And he turns back to Lumion one more time, flashing a big smile. Ah, and thanks for borrowing me Ken Chilling the other day. Really needed it. No problem, Lumen sighed. As he began to levitate himself, the same aura, the same color scheme that surrounded his eyes, surrounded his entire body as he was floating in front of the parents. And then asked them gently, may you all please take sit so that you can evaluate your children's test performance.
Parents continued to look at Lumen while sitting down staring at Lumen, waiting for him. Lumen gently descended down to the center of the stage as he greeted them once more. Good morning, again, parents. We're happy that you were able to find this chance in your very busy schedules to evaluate your children's performance today. One parent raised their arm, and Professor Lumen gave a small nod for them to speak. He stood up and asked, what exactly will they be doing? Will they be doing, one of the parents asked, genuinely confused. Professor Lumen answered the entire question. You are here to evaluate your children's character, to see how they do in the test. The parents, while still standing, asked, why don't you just make them write a written test and fail? And then Professor Lumen answered again. This test is about character and capability. It is what most call a loyalty test, to see just how capable your students, your children are. Another parent from across the room raised a hand, her voice cutting through. If our kids don't pass, is it treated as an automated fail? Professor Lumen nodded, and continued with, yes, ma'am, it is. But there are certain exceptions to this, since you don't just judge a book by its cover, you actually have to read it. And stated that those that fail do get an appeal, a two-week appeal for them to show what they're capable of. And Professor Lumen asked again, if that is all, then I would like for all of you to begin the evaluation. As Principal Joseph came forth, beside him was another figure, large, masculine, and quiet in his demeanor.
They stood there with Mr. Lumen, as the parents greeted all of them, and asked all of them if they are ready to see their children's evaluation. And in the silence, Mr. Joseph took it as a sign, and then he said, open dome broadcast. And above the parents where Mr. Lumen was, a giant blue orb appeared, and then flashed four orbs at its sides, each of them showing different parts of the exam room, and said, this is what your children are doing. This is the test they are undergoing, the morality test, he stated bluntly.
From one screen, students were trying to outrun each other, even shoving each other towards the walls, all of them trying to get to the first. From the other screen, some students were walking deliberately, and as soon as Mary saw her boy just walking alone, a bit was flashing, different images in fact. And then from the third screen, a scream came out, and then all the other screens flashed to what was happening. One of the students was down on the ground, begging for help as another one was dealing with a large wrench that could be considered for a wooden bat, as he was telling the student to just shut up and eat, and not to stand in his way.
One couple in the middle third row looked horrified as their mother was saying, Was that Daniel? And then from across the room, a man clenched his fist in rage and anger, and was murmuring the name, Nick, what are you doing, you brat? A group of people. And then it flashed again, to four different students, all of them walking deliberately. One of them, much muscular than he's supposed to be, walked with confidence, as one parent in the section four third row in the middle seat wasn't even paying attention. She was just reading a historical book about artifacts. And then another one formed. A small child-like figure was moving through the forest, just spying on people that had already been beaten down. And then a girl in a full-on witch hat, much larger than her size, was just traveling through the forest without even touching the ground, hovering. She was scanning the surrounding area. And then it flashed once again, to the student that was beaten badly, as he was left alone. And then the small-like child stood forth as he looked at the battered person, as the injured student asked for help. The child didn't even respond. He just raised his hands, and then strings appeared to wrap around his body, forcing him to move. And then they began walking together.
Parents were watching in utter disgust of what was happening. Well, those that were paying attention, after all. The principal's voice told them, This is what's happening. This is a morality test that is always held once a year. One of the parents yelled, Is this actually what's happening? Why are our beloved children being forced into becoming monsters? The principal laid the facts clearly. The rules stated that they need to get to the orb, and that they could use any means necessary. One of the parents in front of the principal said, Even murder? The principal stated that any means necessary means that they can potentially even kill a person as long as they can get to the orb, and stated that those that were running are those with competitive builds. Those who were walking are those with caution. Those who just roamed alone showed obvious signs of them not trusting anyone, which might be a good value, he added, and said those that tried to eliminate the competition, it's what really the morality test is about, to test if this is a frequent nature that even the parents don't know about, but have suspected. And he states for them to continue looking at the screen, as the four screens flashed people helping each other, and showed that kindness is still around, although very limited in some cases. We trust those we want to trust, out of fear or out of compassion and pity. This is what we really are looking for. Although still destroying the orb does count, he said blindly, it kills your spots in the school. The parent asked, how long is the test? The principal stated, until the requirement is complete. They asked again, how do they see that the requirement is complete? And they stated that the screen that they are watching through, until it turns gold. That's when they know that the test will be over.
Inside the forest, a student was walking by until he turned back and saw a bunch of people jumping, pushing down to the ground, kicks, punches, rocks, even random twigs were being thrown at him as he covered his face and body. He began to cry, and then the people that were jumping him just laughed and moved on deeper into the forest. And then the leaves ruffled as he looked up and saw the child, along with someone that seemed barely able to stand, but somehow standing, and he asked, please, don't do anything to me. The child just raised one palm in strength, and strength wrapped itself around that student, and he was also forcefully up as they stood by the student from one arm to the next. They continued to walk as the one who could barely stand was muttering, why, and the one he just captured said, why the hell are you doing this, while still moving forcefully against his own will. The student never replied. In another part of the forest, Asu walked with caution, scanning around, noticing that random footprints would just drop or scatter, and he thought it was normal, that from what he thought earlier, it's not a fun thing, from the shadows around him, he heard a hiss, a snake-like. He put up his hands in his boxing position, ready to fight, until a voice came from the shadows. So, it said, words being pulled unnaturally well, you're the person who, how should I say this, who lost that little boxing match. I saw your tournament, it was being recorded after all.
The voice moved to a different shadow. Asur continued to follow the voice wherever it was, unable to know if it was one person or another. And then from the shadows, he saw red eyes staring back at him, and that's when he knew that he wasn't alone. And the voice said condescendingly, I thought the crippled belonged to a hospital, but seeing as you're up, you must be more than OK. A snake-like figure lunged at Asur, as he ducked and rolled in, and he fell into the forest. Asur turned back quickly, he saw a snake tail vanishing in the shadows once more. As the snake-like being said to him, you're fast, but it's unfortunate that next time you won't see me coming, as he laughed condescendingly. Asur waited as the voice disappeared, and then he felt something. It was wrong, too wrong, until he looked under him. His shirt had been bitten. A snake bite next to his arm, and then when he stood, the snake-like figure lunged at him again, and when he broke, he bit the exact same place that he bit before. And was pushed away. Asur fell down to the ground, as he received a system notification saying [You has been poisoned]. As he held his bitten arm, trying to prevent as much toxin as possible, the snake-person stood in front of him, laughing. So, this is what we have been reduced to. Fight with people that don't even have talents, he said. As Asur's vision began to dimmer, a second system notification barely reached him. [Warning, you have been poisoned. Detoxification process has already begun. You are currently experiencing deep, deep danger]. [Will activate self-defense mode shortly. Scanning for requirements]. The serpentine figure came forth, looked down at Asur, and said carefully, You won't die, but you won't be able to move for a very long while. Again, before the system said, and as the system said, said, [Requirements unlocked. You will be safe soon].
Someone yelled from the shadows, Sword of valor, grant me your might. As a huge light burst from the forest, and then a sword was chucked at the person that bit Asu. He disappeared into the little shadow that he had in the light, and then he slithered out. A boy, a boy with fair hair, blue eyes, and an impeccable expression that screamed Justice, as if it was from a 15th century cartoon show. And he said, and one could honestly be confused that an accent or the way he actually spoke, as he said, evil creature of the dark, you will not continue your reign of terror, as I am here to stop people like you from injuring people like him. He stated bluntly and said, if you dare to continue your travesty further, let us begin in the art of combat. The serpentine figure slipped into the shadows and said, I am not going to waste my time on you, but do it, but I will remember this. As he disappeared, the boy's sword stopped glowing as he turned his attention towards Asur and asked, Are you okay? Are you okay, lad? Please, answer me. As Asur went unconscious, the boy stepped right next to him, looking over his body. Asu's mom looked at her son, bitten and unconscious, and wondered if he was even going to survive.
The time passes on and Asur regains consciousness, and his savior was still there with him. Oh, you're awake. How are you, lad? Asu looked at his arm, where the serpentine figure had bitten him. The hole is huge, and before he could even answer, the system flashed randomly. The detoxification process has been successful. You fell unconscious before you, and the danger levels had significantly decreased before your time, before you fell unconscious, so your self-defense mode was turned off. As he read that and thanked the person in front of him and asked, So, is that sword of yours fake or real? And he laughed nervously. It's real. As a man helped Asu up and said, My name is Brian, mate. What's yours? Asu. Well, Asu, seeing as you can't defend yourself, you must be quite the weak person, Brian said confidently. Well, not quite. I am something more of a mixed fighter. So, you wanna continue looking for this giant mysterious orb in front of us? Okay. Don't worry. I will be your knight in shining armor, Brian said confidently. All right, Mr. Knight. Let's see if you can actually handle us inside the forest. Have no fear, for Brian is here, as he claimed.
Not even five minutes after meeting Brandon, they were already captured. Even less time passed for them, for them to be, for him to be disarmed. As Brandon yelled at his captives, the attackers from earlier. They mocked him. Oh, spare me thy effortless words of compassion, young sir, the others snickered. The one who was holding his blade marked his accent. Oh, please, hear thy words as I scream while crushing his bones. The larger one of the group that was pinning down Brandon told him to stay quiet as he was making a fuss. I saw him standing there at the side, just looking at him, yelled out, Yo, Brandon, are you okay? Brandon yelled back, Of course I'm not. Just give me time. Asura asked, You want me to leave? No! He yelled back in frustration. I'm just caught up. When the other two that were marking Brandon turned to Asura, one of them yelled, Aw, and this is, and we've got your knight, man. What are you even going to do? Asura just looked at them and said, Honestly, nothing much. As the one that asked him to step forward and put his finger on Asura's chest and telling him, You know what? You're lucky that we're not going to do much to you. And then shoved him back, making Asura go back by a few steps. And as he turned back to his group, Asura pulled down his sleeves to the point where they reached his forearms. And when his buddy says, Let's just also get this one. And when he turned back to Asura, Asura delivered a right hook so strong, it put him to the ground in just one hit. The parents who were watching this whole spectacle, all of them collectively went, That one had to hurt. Asura's mom was like, All right, my boy, show them what you have.
And as the boy from earlier reached the floor, holding his jaw, Asu stood over him and plastered a smile on his face. And he said calmly, All right, as he clenched his fists together, Now, let's actually play. As he stood up and tried to pin him down, Asu held it in and then forcefully raised him from the ground, slamming him down, shifting his body and slamming him down. And as he turned, Asu delivered another punch to the same spot where he punched his jaw. As the other attacker kicked Asu, Asu blocked and stumbled back, and as he tried to retaliate, Asu weaved and dodged, delivering body shots to the person who was trying to protect his face. Before you could even retaliate, Asu switched tactics and kicked and kicked his leg, making his body shift and even. And as soon as Asu saw the opening, he delivered three more body shots straight to him. And as the person was falling back, Asu delivered an uppercut straight through him that knocked him back. And he commented, Oh, it's been a while since I did that. And before the guy could know, Asu ran to him and kicked him in the neck. Although he didn't fall, he began to waver. Asu delivered three body shots on the way he was still vulnerable. As he tried to move his body and make Brandon his shield, Asu would move exactly the same way, delivering a high kick and then a low sweep blow straight to his ankles, until he dropped Brandon. Asu, after seeing this, picked up Brandon's sword and threw it at him and told Brandon, Now, Brandon grabbed the sword, standing in front of his opponent, as Asu delivered another kick behind the knees, making him fall down. And he locked the opponent in a headlock, screaming at Brandon to get to him. Brandon responded and said, Sword of Valor, grant me might. As the sword glowed and he finished his chant. With ever shining might, allow me the power to strike him down without the fear of life. The glowing sword went to the neck as if it was decapitating a nut as Asu took it down. Asu quickly let go of him as he collapsed down to the floor. As the sword's light faded away, Brandon asked Asu, How? How? How exactly are you this strong? You couldn't even defeat the one before you. Asu stated, that one was playing with tricks. I am more of a direct person. I don't have tricks of my own. As he was fixing his collar, as he was fixing his arms, he stated, let's go before they wake up. And as they were entering the forest, Brandon continued to ask a further question, How?
Somewhere deep in the forest, the same girl hovering was scouting for a place as she yawned. As she lightly yawned, her silver hair and her violet eyes barely keeping awake as she muttered to herself, I need to find a place where I can nap properly. And as she descended as close as possible to the ground, a fireball was thrown her way. She quickly maneuvered around it as it missed and passed through, hitting a tree and then exploding on contact. She turned back with a tired expression and saw a few boys who had created a makeshift stick and wands to make sure that they are able to cast their spells properly. The first boy in front of them stated that, You're lucky I missed, because this time I'm going to make sure I hit you directly at your ugly face. The girl just stared back at him and said, You didn't miss, you're just very, very, very bad at aiming. In the hall, one person saw a family in the far right. Two people who were dressed far too elegantly for what could have just been considered a formal invitation without a dress code and whispered to the one next to him, Is that the Inarris family? As they turned back, they saw the two people staring at the match that was happening in front of them. Yes, the person responded. You think that girl with the witch hat is there? It could. Besides, I said the Inarris family is quite powerful and magic is one of their best prop specialties. The lady with the giant textbook, still not looking at the screen, told them in an explorer's uniform that sometimes the elites don't even give birth to special people. It's sometimes the average people that give birth to the special ones. What? What exactly are you saying? The woman looked at the people that were gossiping about those people and she said, Ah, nothing much. Sometimes you'd be surprised on who actually has a special person tied to them. As for the first time she looked up to watch the battle unfold. And as she muttered while staring at the battle with the witch girl, she states that sometimes they never know what's going to happen. The witch-like girl continued to move and swerve as if she was just swimming in the air. As the boy was hissing and huffing, ran out of breath. He screamed at her to hold still and the girl continued to yawn elatedly, staring at him with her violet eyes and saying, And that was really that challenging. As she touched the ground for the first time, the boy yelled to the ones who hadn't been doing anything and said, Come on, give me something to work with here. As all of them released a translucent-like energy that flowed to the boy. As he felt the power and threw away his stick, clapped his hands together as a fireball appeared. As he yelled out the word, Fireball, and a system window appeared. [You are using Flame Element] [Fireball Level 1 Basic]. As he yelled out the word, Fireball Cracker, showing that a fireball what could be just considered the size of a car was blinking. The girl just stood there waiting as she began to feel the heat. And she raised a finger towards the incoming fireball. As the system window appeared. [You are using Wind...] [Wind Factory... Wind Magic] [Level 1 Comprehensive.] As she said the word, Air Slash. As wind flied out and completely cancelled the fireball from even reaching ten steps... Ten steps before reaching her. As she stated and then looked at them, making her body face them fully and said, Alright now, since you're bothering to use actual good magic, I'll do the exact same thing.
The group began to step back slightly, trying to not make it obvious that they were now afraid. The wind in the forest began to blow much more violently than it did before. The girl just raised her arm while staring at them and told them, To Doran, since they bothered her first, they should also know what happened. As a system window appeared and said, You are using wind element, wind magic, level 1, comprehensive. As the wind gathered around the girl's palm, she said out the words, A cutter. And then from there, a huge stream of winds, as large as a tree, came out, traveling towards the leader of the group, as more followed right at them, each of them seeming to have a target amongst the boys. Those that tried to run were quickly struck down at big fell, Some who tried to block were pushed into the branches of the tree and violently hitting the ground. Each one received what could be considered as just three flashes, but were worth far more. The girl put down her hand and stated bluntly, while still yawning, Y'all shouldn't be considered wizards if that's all you can take. And from there, a small rush of winds gathered at her feet, as she floated up to the trees and stated that she has to find her a place where she can nap properly.
As the boys were still grumbling and moaning, the trees began to shake. As someone popped out his head, after just sensing the sudden force of power out of there, and saw that the leader was the only one that was still somehow conscious, and he ran up to him, holding him by the collar and then asking him with enthusiasm in his voice, Was that you? Where did the sudden magical power go? Come on, man! And he shook the boy violently as he was pleading to the person not to do anything to him, as he was even crying out. The boy continued to yell, Come on, man! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Somewhere deep in the forest, someone who was much larger than he was supposed to, still drew his knees to the forest and reported back to a lady and a person beside him, as the large man said that they have to wait until someone else pops up, his blue hair scolding his little brother for talking like that to their friend. The boy who was sitting on the rock told him it's fine and asked how far have they reached and who could be the potential target. The blue-haired boy responded back, Not much, but there was a sudden burst of power, I'm sure of it.
Before anyone could notice, they heard a hiss coming from the shadows, and then the same serpentine-like voice came forth trying to strike the one on the rock. The lady simply raised her true hand as a ball of light came out as she said, Divine might strike the evil that lives inside the rock. As the light expanded, the serpentine boy crashed down next to the group. While he was still disorientated, the blue-haired boy pulled the water straight from his fingertips and drew water towards him, shaped like weapons, and then followed by his brother that stood behind the serpentine-like guy. As he finally regained consciousness, the boy on the rock looked at him with a smile that was eerily calm and asked him if he was going to be that damned, he should have taken out all of them at once. But since he was beaten this easily, there was no way for him to win. The boy hissed and tried to go away, but the girl raised her arm again, showing the orb of light still in her palm, and instead of coming back, she said, you shouldn't run from destiny, for the Lord will save you. And the boy and the one who was on the rock stood up and reached out his arm to the serpentine-like person and said, if you help us out, we'll also allow you to pass that much. Oh, and my name is Bastion, and yours? The serpentine student looked up and said, the viper, raising his arm as Bastion helped them out as much as possible, and he said, they said, all of these guys, they're all with him. And when the viper asked them what should he do, Bastion told them to just look through the shadows around the forest. They've already scouted out the western part of the forest, and there's nothing he should be afraid of. Also help him. He laughed nervously. The viper said fine, and asked where should he meet them. And he told them to meet by the very big tree, the one that could be seen if you were fairly close to it. So the viper nodded and faded into the big one's shadow, as Bastion told his group to start moving again. And as they were moving, the large guy asked his older brother, how exactly are we going to find them all? It could be anywhere in the forest, and we've already scouted out this area. His brother responded by, calm down Yama, there's no way Bastion doesn't have a plan. He always has something to work with us. But until then, we should just follow his lead. We don't know who else is in the group, who can do something this creepy, he replied.
Some people in a forest, a group of students, finally feel a golden light. And as they see the one, someone yells, We found it! We found it! It's here! They all run at once, some of them carrying the rocks and sticks. And they ask, Is this really it? Have we destroyed it? Is it all over? As one of them prepares to turn, someone holds his hand from behind and says, Wait. He says, Destroy it. How do we know that if we don't break this, it won't just disappear? One of the students says, You're right. A girl steps in and says, How about we all just make it all at once? As they turn to her, her and Emily's eyes look directly at them and say, You're all under a binding contract, after all. As she picks up one of the sticks that the other student had taken and told them all to spread around the road. The larger ones would be behind, but they would still be able to reach. And as they stood around the orbs, she slightly tapped the two sticks to make sure that it wouldn't disappear. And she said, Everyone else must do the same. And as they did, she looked carefully through the translucent orb and saw that it wasn't disappearing. And then she told them all, Alright, step back just slightly, hold on to it firm and buoyant. And then as they all do that, she told them, Now.
And as everyone hit with the force, the cracks appeared throughout the golden ball and then it broke. And as soon as that happened, the pieces just disappeared. Disappeared. All of them asked, What does that mean? And the girl and one of them asked the director, as she stood back to think for a moment, Okay, little town, what do we do? What do we do now? Does this mean we have to go find it again? She closed her eyes briefly and thought, Not quite. And as she turned back to them, all of the people that broke the giant ball received this as their notification. Congratulations, you were the first to break the golden ball. You have completed the scenario and you have completed the task at hand. You will be transported soon, all of them. And as soon as that happened, a faint green chain just snapped for all of them and they asked, What does this mean? And the record girl, Yotel, just hanged by a tree and told them all that. She fulfilled her part of the contract and so did they. So now it's no longer legally binding. One of the boys said, Finally. One of the larger boys said, Finally. As he stood raised and said, Now they no longer need Yotel. And as soon as he put up his hand, Yotel waved at him and said, January, I always saw you getting ready to betray me. And before he could even reach it, Yotel disappeared. And as he stood back, he saw everyone else beginning to disappear. And once that happened, he also disappeared and found himself in the courtyard. The same professor stood forth and said, Congratulations. You passed the test, students. With a warm smile, he stood before them and he said, Please, if anyone needs to go to the restroom, they're to your right. The female restrooms are right behind me. And some of them ran towards the forest. The professor looked at Yotel and looked at him back with a comedic smile and said, My professor, that was an interesting game you've made us play. The professor looked at him, looked at her back and said, I'm surprised you were the first to figure out that you'd disappeared. And she stood up while walking past him and said, My whole thing was to see you contracts. The contracts don't have any secret clause. I know of the school-based things to my father. This means many things like this will happen, right? The professor just laughed and said, You're quite right, my name is s Professor Eiselham Barton so you're? Lotel Marielouise.