Leaving the reading hall felt like waking up from a tense dream. The fresh air of Ryūsei Academy's courtyard hit Kenji's face, clearing his mind and relieving the pressure in his chest. The theoretical exam was over, but the real test, the trial by fire, was about to begin.
The courtyard remained a hive of activity, with aspirants and their families anxiously awaiting the results. Some chatted animatedly, sharing their impressions of the exam. Others remained silent, reviewing their notes and biting their nails nervously.
Kenji joined the crowd, looking for a place to wait for the list of approved candidates to be posted. He observed the other aspirants carefully, trying to decipher their expressions and evaluate his own chances. But it was useless. Everyone seemed just as anxious, just as uncertain.
He decided to move away from the center of the courtyard and find a quieter spot. He walked towards a secluded corner where an old tree provided shade and refuge. Sitting on one of its roots, he closed his eyes and took deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves and focus his thoughts.
"What should I do?" Kenji asked himself in a low voice. "What will happen if I don't pass the exam? What will my parents say? What will become of my future?"
He shook his head, trying to dispel those negative thoughts. He couldn't afford to doubt himself. He had to believe in his own power, he had to trust his destiny.
He recalled Akari Hoshi's words about Ryūsei Academy. She had told him it was an incredible place, full of opportunities and challenges. She had said it was the path to greatness.
Kenji opened his eyes and looked at the academy. The building stood imposingly before him, a symbol of power and tradition. It was the place he wanted to be, the place where he belonged.
"I won't give up," Kenji told himself. "I'm going to pass this exam. I'm going to enter Ryūsei Academy. And I'm going to become the best warrior I can be."
He stood up from the root and headed toward the announcement board, where the list of approved candidates would soon be posted. The crowd pressed against the board, forming an almost impenetrable barrier. Kenji had to push and elbow his way forward.
Finally, he reached the board and began searching for his name. The names were listed alphabetically, so he knew his should be near the end.
The tension was palpable. Aspirants held their breath, hoping to find their names on the list. Some shouted with joy upon seeing theirs, while others broke down in tears at their rejection.
Kenji scanned the list carefully, feeling his heart pound in his chest. Finally, he found his name.
"Kenji..." he murmured, reading it in disbelief. "I did it! I passed the exam!"
A wave of relief and satisfaction washed over him. He had overcome the first obstacle, and now he was ready to face the next one: the practical test.
He smiled and made his way to the combat stadium, where the practical test would take place. The stadium was located at the rear of the academy, surrounded by trees and mountains.
As he approached, the sounds of battle grew louder—the clash of metal against metal, the roars of beasts, and the shouts of aspirants. The atmosphere was electrifying, filled with energy and excitement.
Finally, he arrived at the stadium entrance. The building was enormous and majestic, built of gray stone and adorned with banners and standards. Its architecture exuded a sense of power and grandeur, inspiring respect and admiration.
At the entrance, a guard controlled access to the stadium. Kenji showed his identification and informed him that he had passed the theoretical exam.
The guard nodded and signaled that he could enter. Kenji took a deep breath and stepped through the door, entering a world of warriors and beasts.
The stadium was divided into six smaller battlefields, each surrounded by stands for spectators. In each field, two aspirants faced off in a duel, using their beasts and skills to try to defeat their opponent.
Kenji observed the fights carefully, trying to learn from the strategies and techniques of the other aspirants. He realized that the level was very high, that many of the aspirants were skilled and experienced.
"This is going to be tough," Kenji thought, feeling the pressure increase. "But I won't give up. I'll give it my all. And I'm going to show everyone what I'm capable of."
Above each battlefield, an academy master directed and evaluated the aspirants. Each of them had a great reputation and was known for being very strict when selecting their students.
At the top of the stadium, a large screen displayed the names of the next aspirants and the battlefield they needed to go to. The academy's system was somewhat chaotic, so no one knew exactly when their turn would come.
Kenji knew that each applicant had to fight twice to pass the practical exam. This way, only the most capable students would be selected to enter the prestigious academy. His fate was about to be decided.