Chapter 21: First Stage
The other participants murmurs multiplied tenfold after Mason made it clear that the exams was now all about survival.
The principal cleared her throat into the megaphone, and the hall fell into an immediate silence.
"That's right, Mass elimination is the method we are adopting to achieve our desired number. The elimination will be decided in the first phase of the exams, however before that you are to all split into teams of two within the next five minutes. Once the time limit is elapsed, whoever hasn't found a partner will be automatically eliminated."
As she declared, she left, leaving the whole hall sunk in the uproar that ensued. The whole participants searched thoroughly for capable partners.
"Hey Mason, are you down to be my partner?" With respect lingering in his voice, Neo requested for his aid.
"Sure I guess, I mean I really don't have much of a choice."
"Much of a choice? Look around." Neo gestured with his thumbs to the left, only to see several individuals charging toward him. They were part of the crowd who had witnessed his display of power against Lady Kaori.
"Oh... Shit."
They all surrounded him, each asking the same question over and over again. "Will you be my partner?"
As the selection continued, three figures watched from a secluded room above the hall. Two were women, one of them the principal, and the third was a man.
"Looks like someone's famous." The man, Leon Montclair—one of the academy's recruiters—spoke, his eyes fixed intently on Mason.