The air seemed charged with excitement, anticipation, and apprehension. The students were eager to begin already, the anticipation eating away at the anxiety in their hearts. All of the chairs and other things in the classroom were emptied and replaced by a stage and podiums. Many teachers and mentors are standing around, making last minute preparations.
But that wasn't all. Many official adventurers were seen standing with the principal, Max Bedwell, and Bradley's father. He stood at a strong 6'8, a strong and built stature, and his hands placed behind his back. "I'm very grateful for you all coming here today. Making room in your busy schedules to accept my request." His voice was gruff and deep as he spoke to two specific adventurers.
"Heh. Are you kidding me? Your Max Bedwell himself. We're the ones who should be honored!" One of the adventurers spoke. He was just as tall and built as Max, but a lot younger and carefree. His hair was spiky and orange, and he just seemed full of energy. "I've looked up to you for years when I first joined the Metal Guild!" At his words, Max chuckled and waved his hand softly, "You're an eager soul, hm? And yes, I've heard about your new placement in the Metal Guild. I'm impressed, Arino Bardin. You're the new headmaster of that guild."
The man, Arino, smiled proudly, but was much more humble for someone with such power. "Yup! My strength helped me up to this point!" He smirked, a faint golden aura emanating from the gauntlets on his fists. His ability, Golden WIllpower, made him a strong opponent. It allows him to turn willpower and determination into wieldable power and magic, all at the palm of his hand, or body. He was one of the country's well-known S-ranks. So his visit was an honor indeed.
"Tsk, this bone head talks way too much though! Shut it already!" The other adventurer was a woman, but with a much darker look, literally. She had dark black hair, a dark robe from her shoulders to her toes, a wooden but magical staff resting on her back, and a gloomy pout on her face. She was only here to see the legendary Max Bedwell too, but she didn't want to deal with someone as loud as Arino. "Oh come on! Loosen up a bit!" Arino said, but was shrugged off by the woman.
"You're as feisty as I heard, Alison." Max commented, amused by the woman's attitude, she huffed but wasn't as annoyed anymore after Max's comment. "I'll take that as a compliment." Alison muttered, but Max wanted to know a bit more about her, "I also heard you were a dark mage due to your ability. Is that true?" He asked, and Alison nodded in confirmation. "Mhm, it's true. I specialize in dark magic. I've been training my ability ever since I was a little girl." She said proudly.
Max was impressed by Alison's words but knew he couldn't ask more. He and the other staff members had an evaluation to begin. Max cleared his throat and began speaking to the two young adventurers, "The reason I requested such young talents is so that we could use your input on a few things. See if you can scout potential in the next generation. As you know, next year will mark the beginning of some who want to pursue the career of adventuring."
The two powerful adventurers agreed. "Sounds simple enough! And it's still an honor to be assisting you, Sir!" Arino exclaimed excitedly. Alison grumbled in annoyance at his booming voice, but she also agreed that it was a privilege to be assisting Max Bedwell. The combat classroom was filled to the brim with eager and excited students. The staff members had finished setting up the stage, and one stepped up and spoke into the microphone.
"Alright! Alright! Quiet down! The principal wants a few words!" The crowd grew dead silent after those words. The principal, Max Bedwell, was respected and extremely powerful. That's why so many feared his son so much, well, that was only one of the reasons. The father and son duo were much different from each other.
Max was a powerful, patient, and semi-kind man. Meanwhile, Bradley was a cruel little brat that relished in being on top. He really needed someone to humble him.
Soft footsteps were heard walking up the stairs that lead to the stage. Max, along with the two powerful hunters, appeared together, looking down at the sea of eager students.
Max cleared his throat and began in his gruff tone, "As you may know, today is a very important day for many who want to pursue the career of adventuring. This evaluation isn't just meant to show strength, but also a show of courage, bravery, and determination." Many students cheered loudly, but a few of the cocky students either scoffed or dismissed his last comment, especially Bradley and his group. In reality, and this new world, power was everything.
No matter how smart a person was, how brave they were, or how courageous they were, what would they do when faced against a being with overwhelming and immeasurable power?
"We're also here with two renowned adventurers. Who you may all recognize from recent news." At those words, many cheered more out of excitement, and/or shock. It was rare for adventurers to show up to student evaluations. But right now, two S-ranked adventurers were standing on the stage. "OH MY GOD! IT'S ARINO BARDIN! THE NEW HEADMASTER OF THE METAL GUILD!" One student exclaimed to her friends, all of them squealing like fan-girls.
"He's even hotter in person!"
"Omg! Don't even start with us!"
"Take a picture! Let's take a picture!"
They all went back and forth on what to do. Meanwhile, Alison was gaining attention as well. Being one of the only adventurers in the world to actually wield dark abilities to an S-rank extent.
"She has a scary aura…" A boy whispered under his breath, earning nods of agreement from his friends. "Yeah, dude! You can practically see that shadowy aura around her! Have you ever seen an ability like that?"
"It's like she's a part of the shadows herself."
Many were in awe of Alison's presence alone. In all honesty, she couldn't blame them. She was beautiful in her own dark way and powerful. "Seems like everyone is pumped up…It's so exciting and nerve wrecking!" Lucas exclaimed to his sister, who nodded her head slowly, but she was more interested in Alison. A woman as powerful as that, Tasha felt like she was a beacon for what girls needed to be if they became adventurers.
"This just got way more interesting…" Keir muttered to no one in particular. He had many other things on his mind right now. Despite the changes, he could feel the old trepidation and apprehensiveness in his heart felt resurfacing ever-so-slightly. It was confusing to Keir. Shouldn't he be more confident with his secret system? Or was this fear coming from the young boy that was already there before the system came around? He changed but didn't at the same time.
"The students participating in the student evaluation will be split into separate groups!" Max announced, "Each staff will take one group each and evaluate them at the same time. It makes the process simpler and faster." With that said, many staff members began to split up the crowd of students evenly. Ashley Brooks was among the few staff members taking up a group of students.
"Hmmm, let's see… students in this area remain." She pointed out and decided she'll just take the remaining students under her supervision. Thankfully, Keir, Lucas, and Tasha managed to get into the same group for evaluation. Unfortunately, Bradley, Leon, and that one blue-haired girl were among the remaining students, along with two other students, who they didn't know yet. "Oh great…Now we're paired with those guys." Lucas grumbled, now standing close to Keir once again. Tasha sighed, knowing something more was bound to happen with Bradley around.
However, Keir's eyes were trained on the blue-haired girl, giving her a subtle inquisitive stare. He had seen her during the earlier confrontation he had with Bradley, but she was still a mystery. Keir had never seen her around before but it seemed like she was also a part of The Loaners. Something about her just seemed outright mysterious.
"Alright. I'll make sure each of you are in the right place by calling out your names." Ashley began, taking out a tablet and checking off names. Bradley was there, Leon was there, Tasha was there, Lucas was there, Keir was there. However, "Aria Zach." Ashley called, "Right here!" The blue-haired called back out. The trio finally knew her name.
"Aria Zach? As in the Zach family?" Lucas muttered in shock.
The Zach family
That family was one of the top families in the country. They specialized in water abilities. Though the power of water is the most common ability, this family was much more proficient than any other family in the world. Often known for their overwhelming amounts of Mana Energy and water control. They were also extremely wealthy. First there was Bradely and his influential family. Now they knew he had another individual who was up on that same podium on his side.
"Alright! Next is Christina Blackwood." At that, a black haired girl raised her hand. She wore expensive looking armor and clothes and had a mysterious aura about her, also with lingering Mana energy from her presence alone. Just from her appearance, she obviously had a family that was well-off. Keir, with his perception, could feel it clear as day. "Impressive… Her appearance doesn't give any obvious clues towards her abilities either." He thought but kept it to himself for now.
"Now for the last name on my list, Oscar Phoenix." The last remaining student was a boy, standing to the side with his arms crossed. He blew a bit of his brown hair out of his face and said, "That's me!" In an excited manner. "That seems to be everyone. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight students total." Ashley clapped her hands, "Now, please follow me out to the open field outside. We'll be starting with the stamina and agility test." At those words, Keir sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "I swear I've been running all day…."