Ren and Kai decided to sit on random seats next to each other. Once Ren sat on his chair, he looked around the auditorium. It was large, large enough to hold the entire group taking this exam. And if that was truly the case, then judging by the seats he counted, there were around 200 students in this group alone.
With that thought, Ren relaxed in his seat, watching the other students find their own places. It took a while and quickly became boring, so his attention shifted back to his seat. That was when he noticed something on it.
There was a small compartment, and inside it was a phone.
He looked around and saw that Kai and everyone else nearby had the same compartment with the same phone. So he took it out to check it. He tried turning it on, but it didn't respond, so he just examined it from all directions.
It looked completely normal… until he saw what was on the back.
A magic circle.
Ren was a little surprised, and a bit excited too. He didn't know much about magic, but that didn't mean he didn't find it intriguing. He tried to analyze the circle, but all he could conclude was that it looked like… well, a magic circle. The kind you'd see in anime or fiction.
That alone made him question if it was real or not.
But he shook his head. He shouldn't be focusing on this right now. He wasn't here to study magic, he was here to take an exam.
So he placed the phone back in its compartment.
Right then, someone walked to the front of the auditorium. It was a man wearing a suit. Other than that, he was too far for Ren to make out any detailed features.
"Hello everyone. Welcome to your very first Hero Course Exam. My name is Stephen Blake, and I'll be the one in charge of your test today."
The chatter in the room died down as everyone focused on him.
"Anyways, I know all of you are probably nervous about the exam, so I'll get straight to the point. The exam consists of three tests that you guys have to complete."
That immediately surprised everyone.
They had all assumed the exam would be… well, an exam. A single test to pass or fail. But now that it was a three-part test, that raised questions.
What happens if you fail two but pass one ren thought.
Ren's concerns were shared by many others who started thinking about the structure of the three tests more deeply.
Thankfully, Stephen answered the concerns that were spreading across the auditorium.
"The three test scores will be individual, but at the end, after you finish all three, those scores will combine into one."
That immediately got everyone's attention back on him.
"Most of you might have already thought about this. Does failing a test mean it's over? Well, no. That's not the case. Because we will not be scoring any of you based on simply passing or failing."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"It's actually based on performance. After all, this exam is a little different than ordinary ones. So even if you fail two tests and succeed in one, you could still pass the overall exam. Passing a test will simply give you bonus points."
He raised a finger slightly to emphasize his next point.
"And again, I want to emphasize how much your performance matters. Depending on it, you can even pass without technically passing any of the three tests… though that's rare."
Ren just listened quietly to the explanation. Stephen had nearly answered all his questions except one.
What exactly are the three tests about?
Because of that, Ren focused on Stephen's next words. He was pretty sure he was about to explain it.
And he did.
"The three tests are important because they will each measure traits that are essential for you as future heroes. The first test will be about adaptability."
He started walking back and forth slowly as he spoke.
"It's very simple. As a hero, you will often find yourself in dangerous environments. Whether you willingly enter those places or not, adaptability to your surroundings is a crucial part of your training… and your future."
He stopped briefly before continuing.
"This is how it will work. You will be placed in the testing area, and your objective will be to reach the light pillar located within it… all while traveling and adapting to the environments you encounter along the way."
Ren thought about the first test for a moment.
The objective itself sounded simple. Reach the light pillar.
But the part that concerned him the most was the adaptability aspect. Depending on how drastic or hostile the environments were, it could become extremely difficult… maybe even impossible to pass.
He stopped himself before going deeper into that spiral of thought.
It would probably be fine.
After all, this was a test. They wouldn't create something impossible to clear.
Please, everyone check your seats. You would find a phone in a compartment in your seat. You probably already noticed it. Make sure it's on you, either in your hand or pocket or whatever place you can put it. Just make sure it's with you."
Everyone immediately reached for the phones.
Ren, who had already examined his earlier, took it out again.
So this phone is related to the test? Does it show us the location of the first one?
Just as that thought crossed his mind—
"Alright. The test starts now."
A flash of light erupted across the auditorium.
Ren and the rest of the students disappeared.
Splash splash splash
"Ghh— waa— what the hell?!"
Ren couldn't see anything.
Water was crashing down on him from all directions, drenching his body instantly. The force of it made it hard to even open his eyes, let alone think straight.
He didn't know what the hell was going on.
The water kept hitting him nonstop, loud and heavy, making it impossible to focus. So he immediately deployed five shades above him, spreading them like an umbrella.
The rain stopped hitting his body directly.
He took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts, then slowly looked around.
Water… like a shower?
Or is it rain?
Ren sniffed the air, catching the scent.
He smelled Rain.
This is rain.
The downpour was so heavy he could barely see. The sound of raindrops slamming against the ground was deafening, and the soil beneath his feet had already turned into mud.
Ren stood there, confused.
How the hell did he end up here? Why is he here?
Panic started creeping in—
Until a thought came to his mind.
The phone.
He quickly grabbed the phone with the magic circle still in his hand. He tried turning it on again.
This time, it worked.
A message appeared on the screen.
You have been teleported into the area of the first test Adaptability
This phone with the magic circle will be your tether It is what will be responsible for teleporting you back to the auditorium if you reach the light pillar
However if you receive a certain amount of damage you will automatically be teleported back
PS If you decide to team up with your opponent, know this, you are only allowed to team up with one other person
That was the end of the message.
Ren let out a long sigh of relief.
Now that he knew this was just part of the exam, he finally relaxed.
He slipped the phone into his pocket and started walking forward through the rain.
"Okay… time to find that light pillar.
(authors note guys I just learned about a DC show Called powerless it's about ordinary people in the entire cast is ordinary people. None of them are superheroes but they live in a superhero world DC world they are literally working in Bruce Wayne's company. How the heck didn't I hear about it and it's only has one season that's insane)