Chapter 34: The Gate
The wagons were spacious enough to accommodate eight students each, with instructors riding alongside to monitor the groups during transport. As E-Class students began boarding their assigned vehicle, Draco took note of who would be accompanying him into whatever gate awaited them.
...
Arriving at the designated location, Draco was immediately struck by the impressive security presence surrounding the examination site. The camp was heavily fortified with multiple layers of protection, which made perfect sense considering the kingdom’s most promising new generation of awakeners was about to enter a potentially dangerous gate.
The academy had clearly spared no expense in ensuring student safety. Numerous instructors were positioned throughout the perimeter. But even more impressive was the additional security force that had been requested from the Awakener Association.
The Association really didn’t disappoint, Draco observed, noting the quality of the reinforcements.
A powerful team of Transcendent-rank awakeners had been deployed to support the academy instructors, all under the command of a Commander-level awakener whose mere presence was terrifying.
Transcendent rank stood above Elite, while Commander rank was even higher than that.
This is serious firepower. Most academy instructors are Transcendent rank, with only the top-tier instructors, such as Ms. Ember, having reached Commander level. This much concentrated power in one location shows just how valuable they consider this examination.
The combined force of academy instructors and Association specialists created an impregnable defensive area. Any hostile forces foolish enough to attack would face overwhelming opposition from some of the kingdom’s most capable awakeners.
The students disembarked from their transport wagons and automatically formed neat columns according to their class assignments.
One of the instructors in charge of this examination stepped forward, her voice clear across the assembled groups. "Students, the gate you’ll be entering today is not your typical common-rank gate. This particular gate is massive in scale, specifically chosen to ensure there is good spacing between examination participants who enter. Secondly, in this gate, there is the unique ability of ensuring that those who enter are not in the same spot, so you will spawn in various points across the gate realm."
She gestured toward the shimmering portal behind her, which was indeed much larger than the swift gate that Draco had encountered previously.
"The examination rules are straightforward. For every beast you successfully eliminate inside the gate, you will earn ten points. Additionally, you can earn one point for each common-rank herb you discover and collect within the dungeon environment."
Immediately, murmurs of concern rippled through the students. Many of the assembled first-years were exchanging worried glances and whispering among themselves.
"Ten points per kill? Most of us don’t have the power to take down common-rank beasts on our own," one student whispered nervously.
"How are we supposed to compete with students who have stronger talents?" another asked anxiously.
The instructor raised her hand for silence, her expression stern but not unsympathetic. "Before you become overly concerned about your individual power, let me explain the full scope of your options."
The nervous chatter died down as students focused on her words.
"First, you are permitted and encouraged to form teams with other participants inside the gate. You may work together to eliminate beasts and share the resulting points according to whatever agreements you negotiate among yourselves. Alternatively, if you prefer to operate independently, solo participation is also acceptable."
Team formation could be beneficial, but it also means sharing rewards.
"Second, you are allowed to claim cores and collected herbs from fellow students through forceful means. However, you are absolutely forbidden from killing other students under any circumstances, except in clear cases of self-defence when your own life is threatened, even then you would need proof that you indeed were forced to do so, otherwise you will still face the consequences."
The implications of this rule sent another wave of worry through the gathered students. Competition for resources would clearly extend beyond simply hunting beasts.
"Naturally, such incidents do occur despite our warnings," the instructor acknowledged grimly.
"We are not naive about the pressures and conflicts that can arise in competitive environments. However, any student caught deliberately attempting to seriously harm or kill a fellow participant will face immediate permanent expulsion from the academy, followed by criminal prosecution in the kingdom’s courts."
The seriousness of her warning was unmistakable. This examination would test not only combat skills and resource gathering, but also moral character under pressure.
"With those guidelines established, these represent the only formal rules governing your examination. The test will continue for a full day, providing ample time for careful planning and execution without creating excessive time pressure that might compromise your decision-making abilities."
She held up a small storage device. "Each participant will receive a storage ring to collect and transport the cores of any beasts you eliminate, as well as any herbs you discover. These rings will be collected and evaluated at the conclusion of the examination to determine final point totals."
"Any questions?"
Immediately, one of the students raised his hand. "Are we allowed to bring in our weapons with us? If we are, isn’t this unfair? Students with better resources will have an advantage."
The instructor nodded, expecting such a question to arise during her speech.
"Firstly, you are allowed to enter with your own equipment. As for fairness, there is nothing fair inside those gates. Even when you become hunters, there will be other hunters with better equipment entering alongside you on the same team.
Thirdly, this is considered to be a part of their power. Being born into a family that can provide such resources is a power in and of itself, including luck. You might be lucky to encounter an injured beast and take its core, getting easy points. These things are all considered part of your power."
"Your job isn’t merely to collect points, but to survive. Without surviving, your points will never matter. Focus on your survival, plan thoroughly, team up with the right people, and you will succeed in this examination.
Plenty of other students had done so before, so it’s not an impossible feat. Now, enough with the questions, I believe that I’ve answered everything needed."