Chapter 42: EX 42. The Selection
The military car finally rolled to a halt in front of the selection grounds.
Leon stepped out as the engine quieted behind him. He carried nothing in hand—all his belongings were tucked safely away in his inventory. No need to drag around luggage when a thought was enough to summon it.
As the vehicle pulled away, Leon took a moment to survey the scene.
Cadets were arriving from all directions.
Noble trial takers descended from sleek, custom military transports—polished steel and elite insignias making their background obvious. On the other hand, the non-nobles arrived in taxis and federation shuttles—older, clunkier, and clearly less impressive.
There was a clear divide.
But it would end at the gates.
Inside the selection arena, every cadet stood equal. Status, wealth, and family name didn’t matter—only strength did.
Leon shifted his gaze toward the massive dome structure ahead. It loomed like a sleeping beast, its size dwarfing everything around it. He had to crane his neck just to see the top.
That... was the Selection Arena.
Taking a deep breath, Leon began walking toward the gates. A line had already formed at the entrance, each cadet being stopped and searched by the Federation guards.