Chapter 31: First Phase
Orion rolled his shoulders, still adjusting to the new flood of sensory input. Every breath carried layers of information.
Varun leaned back, arms crossed, exuding his usual mix of indifference and amusement. "The Academy changed the admissions this year," he said. "Open to anyone in the human domain with potential. That means—"
"More competition," Orion murmured, flexing his fingers as he reoriented himself to the heightened awareness coursing through his body.
Varun grinned. "Seventeen continents of candidates. Millions trying to get in. But only the top seven percent will make it to the second trial." He let that number settle before adding, "The first trial is a Selection War. A twelve-hour bloodbath where half of them will be eliminated."
Orion exhaled slowly. Twelve hours. A battlefield filled with desperate, highly trained candidates, all clawing for a spot at the top.
Varun looked at Orion to gauge his expression. "It's a battlefield simulation," he continued. "You drop in, armed with a single melee weapon chosen from a pre-selected arsenal."
Orion frowned. "Pre-selected?"
Varun shrugged. "The Academy wants fairness, I guess." His voice carried a hint of amusement. "The objective is to reach the designated zone before the countdown ends. Eliminations increase point accumulation. If you're in the bottom 50% when time runs out or you haven't reached the designated point, you're out."
Orion processed that. It wasn't just a matter of lasting the twelve hours—it was about actively taking out competitors. Staying passive wouldn't be an option.
"So, it's not just about survival," he said.
Varun smirked. "If you don't fight, you won't make it."