The passage closed behind them.
— In this test, you'll be divided into three groups of fifty people, — said Vice-Captain Arion.
— Sir! — one of the competitors shouted.
— Speak! — Arion replied, attentive.
— I'm sorry to say this, but I'm not exactly educated... — the competitor said, visibly worried.
— Kratos is another one trained since childhood. Look at those muscles! — Thais whispered, eyeing the competitor.
— You'll be tested in all three categories. That might affect your final score, but as long as you perform well in the others, you'll still have a chance to pass! — Arion explained encouragingly.
— So we don't have to take the test if we don't want to? — another competitor asked, hopeful.
— If you're confident in the other two tests, you can skip this one. But keep in mind that in the army, you'll have to submit reports. For those who can't write, spoken reports will be accepted! — Arion added, emphasizing the rule. This applies to the first fifty competitors!
The first fifty entered the room.
— What's that smell? Smells good... — Kay said, slowly waking up.
— It's just a matter of time before he's fully awake. Let's sit him down over there. — Mira said, relieved.
They sat Kay down by the wall and waited.
— Ravena stayed behind. I really don't want to be in the same arena as her. — Thais said, disheartened.
— I'm getting nervous now... — Mira admitted, fidgeting.
— And besides Ravena and Kratos, there's Jack, Slayer, Fiona... — Thais continued, adding to Mira's anxiety.
— Maybe stop scaring her even more. — Kay commented, now more awake.
Thais shrieked in surprise. Competitors turned to look, confused.
— If you were awake, you could've said something! — Mira scolded, annoyed.
Kay picked up his staff and started walking forward.
— Where are you going? — Mira asked, following him.
— This seems like trouble. Let's go too! — Thais said, following them.
— We're supposed to avoid trouble, not walk into it! — Viviane added, reluctantly going after them.
— What's wrong, Kay? — Mira asked, confused.
— You wanted to talk to me? — Arion asked, approaching.
— My senses are still foggy... but you stink. — Kay said, taking off his sunglasses and looking at Arion with disgust.
— What?! — Arion exclaimed, surprised.
— I'm sorry, my friend is still half asleep. He didn't mean to offend you! — Mira said, quickly pulling Kay back.
— Wait, Mira. This person smells like a ghoul. — Kay insisted, frowning.
— Ghoul? — Mira echoed, confused.
— He noticed? — Arion thought, surprised, watching Kay closely.
— Just give me the word and I'll deal with him! — Kratos growled, stepping forward.
— Who's the gorilla? — Kay asked, confused. — Actually, where are we?
Kratos's veins bulged, a clear sign of his rising anger at Kay's comment. Ravena, nearby, chuckled quietly, which only made Kratos even more irritated.
— Calm down, Kratos. Your name is Kay, right? Is this your first time taking the test? — Arion asked, trying to defuse the tension.
— Test? — Kay repeated, still dazed.
Mira quickly stepped in to distract the attention.
— You weren't the only one who noticed, but you were the first to speak up. Your words were harsh, but you earned points for it. — Arion said firmly. — All our soldiers here are wearing combat suits. Hiding information from your comrades can be fatal in battle. But failing to notice your surroundings is worse. Always stay alert!
— I'm leaving. I'm not interested in joining the army. — Kay said, turning toward the door.
— Wait, Kay! — Mira ran after him.
— These two are interesting... — Thais commented to Viviane, watching the scene.
— You can only leave once all the tests are over. Whether you join the army or not is your decision at the end. You may decline if you wish. — Arion explained, trying to keep order.
As they walked away, Kay, still confused, asked:
— What's going on? You dragged me into this test against my will?
— I'm sorry... It was my mom's idea... — Mira replied nervously.
— I can't stay away from the village! — Kay said, frustrated.
— I know... You have memories there. But I can't stay here alone! — Mira said pleadingly.
— Nice to meet you, I'm Thais. — Thais said, approaching. — Why don't you calm down? Everyone's watching.
Kay sighed and sat back down near the wall, visibly annoyed.
— After yesterday's coffee, I don't remember anything... I was asleep, wasn't I? — Kay asked, still confused.
— Sorry... Actually, it was my mom who... — Mira whispered in Kay's ear, embarrassed.
— Sounds just like her... I'm not joining, but I'll accept another coffee as an apology. — Kay replied with a light smile.
— Deal! — Mira smiled back.
— Coffee? Those two get along well... — Thais thought, observing them.
— I haven't introduced myself. I'm Viviane, nice to meet you. — Viviane said shyly.
— I'm Kay, nice to meet you. — he responded warmly.
— There are three categories: written, physical, and teamwork. They didn't say how many tests for each, but they've been watching us since we got here. — Mira explained.
— Really? — Thais said, surprised.
— Yeah. Right now, they're observing us. — Mira said, looking around.
— I thought it was just to prevent fights... — Thais muttered, unconcerned.
— Hey Mira, I was just thinking... If you wear those suits, you'll end up smelling like a ghoul! — Kay teased.
— I didn't smell anything on him. — Mira frowned.
— Because there wasn't any. Suits don't emit scents. — Viviane explained.
— Is your sense of smell really that good? — Thais asked, intrigued.
— You need good instincts to hunt. I always tell her that. — Kay said, confidently.
— But expecting me to go beyond human instinct is too much! — Mira muttered, annoyed.
— He lied. He's the only one actually wearing a combat suit! The other soldiers have long clothing, but not the same firmness or feel as the Vice-Captain. — Viviane observed, analyzing Arion.
— And only the Vice-Captain isn't carrying a weapon. — Thais added.
— I know you noticed. Why not tell them? — Kay said, looking at Mira.
— I don't know exactly what you're thinking, but some competitors are definitely wearing suits under their clothes. I think they're part of the army. — Mira said, suspicious.
— Seriously? — Thais exclaimed.
— Three... no, five people among the competitors are wearing suits. I think they're different types. The scent isn't the same. — Kay said, sniffing.
— That many?! — Viviane gasped.
— What are they planning by putting soldiers into the competition? — Mira asked, worried.
— Stop talking, or you'll be left behind! — Arion warned sternly.
— They've already gone to the test! — Thais said, noticing the others had moved ahead.
— We're falling behind! — Viviane cried, rushing ahead.
The girls ran into the next room.