The next day...
Following the mock battles during the first period, which helped identify the strongest students in each class, it was finally time to determine the strongest student of each year.
So, we could finally have a list of candidates who will attend Project X as representatives of Forbidden Blood and even the National Dive if they put in the corresponding work to shorten that gap.
Within three months, which may or may not be enough time for some individuals to level up and strengthen themselves to stand with the giants of the younger generation.
But only time can tell what will occur following these next three months...
Chime! Chime! Chime!
After the clock tower announced the start of a new day, the vice president's voice could be heard throughout the campus, "Could all students and faculty please head to the auditorium to be briefed on Project X?"
"Sigh, just what is going on now?" A student muttered with a yawn after rushing out of there dorm in a hurry with their clothes in a mess and their shoes untied as they rubbed their eyes.
Oblivious to the person beside him, who just jumped down from the roof of the clock tower, after meditating for a while following his absorption and refinement of purple qi.
"Well as you just heard it seems it's finally time for the freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors to elect their apex. And with that, the people who will be participating in Project X, but then again, what do I know so I guess we will see," Rin replied to the startled and sleepy student beside him.
"JEEPER CREEPERS! When did you get beside me?!" The student exclaimed as he stumbled backward in fear and confusion, 'Seriously, just why is it only me who always runs into the weirdest of situations with the scariest of people?'
"Sorry about that, I didn't mean to scare you; however, do you know where the auditorium is by any chance?" I asked with curiosity as I helped a fellow student up.
"Sadly, I don't, but I think if we follow the crowd, we should be able to arrive before it starts. Oh, and I am Jason by the way," The student said as he accepted Rin's help and pointed to the crowd of students ahead of them.
Who were all walking in the same direction as trained soldiers, but in a weird serpentine formation.
"Hmm, I see," Rin commented with a mysterious smile. "Well then, Jason, we better hurry so we don't miss out on the festivities. By the way, I'm Rin."
"It's nice to meet you, Rin! So what year are you by chance?" Jason asked as he and Rin began to jog together slowly to the auditorium. So, they would be able to make it on time and secure good seats for the Project X briefing.
"I'm currently a freshman; what about you, Jason?" I replied.
"Aww, so you're a baby," Jason laughed as he made a silly face causing Rin to shake his head in disbelief as he chose to ignore him. While simultaneously speeding up, creating distance between them as he did not want to entertain Jason's antics nor hear another baby joke.
'Sigh, just why is this a norm among people, who are but a few years older than others?' Rin thought with annoyance as he frowned.
This was especially true in a world where people's age was but a number and only strength warranted respect, even though there were exceptions to the rules.
"Hey, man, it was just a joke. There's. There's no need to get offended by it," Jason said, even though he could not help but chuckle whenever he looked at Rin's face.
"To you, it may be a joke, Jason, but to others, this could warrant some serious BTS. But in the end, fortunately, you are not a threat nor someone I need to take seriously," Rin smiled as he glanced at Jason, who instantly stopped laughing and gazed at Rin sternly.
"You know, Rin, while you may be stronger than me; strength doesn't mean everything in our world for friendship can be just as powerful as personal strength. And I have an impressive and extensive friend group if I do say so myself, considering that yes, while I am weak… my strength doesn't come from me, but the powerful connections, I've made over the years." Jason said with a sneer as both he and Rin stopped in the middle of the pathway to the auditorium.
"Is that a threat, Jason?" I asked lightly as tension began to build between us causing the students around us to stop briefly and see what was going on.
"It depends on how you view it, Rin, however, what I can tell you is that you do not want to make me an enemy out of me. For I can promise you, your life will be a living hell until the day you die and see the Grim Reaper's ugly face."
"Well, then I guess we will just have to see whose fist is bigger! For you surely won't be the one having the last laugh, pal," Rin chuckled, "So it was nice meeting you, Jason, but I think something you should learn is that some people just aren't afraid of death and betting it all on one shot."
"Tsk, we'll see about that, Mister All-Knowing," Jason muttered with a glint in his eye as he watched Rin disappear into the crowd.