Everyone looked at them. Teacher said " All 5 of them will get 30 points each. After 2 weeks the competition with other five classes will happen. It will be the first inter-class competition"
All four of them were having a blast after the class. "Well, we won in the end" Ben said. " Man, I did not expect your tactic to work." Saarsh said "It was one hell of a trick man". Jim said, "How did you know about those creatures?" Rais and Roshin also butt in " Yes yes, how did you know?" Ben said, " Hi, hi , you should read interesting things guys". " Yeah , reading about insects and animals are really interesting" Rais said sarcastically. Everyone laughed lightly. " I loved the look on Halper and his group." Roshin said. Jim added " Indeed, they are always on high horses. It is satisfying"
While they were saying this another group was sitting in the corner of the same cafeteria they were sitting. " How did they even win?" Halper asked. The rest of his group said nothing. " I am sure they are telling things about us" Vel said after a few seconds. " Apparently Ben likes to read things about army and combat tactics. He is a bit of nerd who reads a lot of books" Alba, one of Halper's fangirls said. Others looked at her strangely. Halper could not help but ask " How do you know it? Ben does not speak much out of his group. He and is group does not speak to others much." Alba replied "Once I and Ben were put in a group for a group project in a history lesson about a year back. He had de-constructed a war and wrote 5 or 6 pages about it, earning us quite some marks. I remember him talking about his hobby at that time." Halper said "I see, so that is. I do not require any help in implanting the martial seed. I really don't care about this competition. If I really competed, he would not have stood a chance." They continued their conversation.
Ben returned home at around 6:30 Pm. He decided to talk about the news during the dinner. He went to practice the 'Agastya Parvam' He returned around 7:45 pm. Soon it was dinner time. When the parents asked about their school, Ben said what happened. They were all excited. Directly getting 30 points was not a small thing. The rest of the evaluation was hidden from the students. So, they would not know of their points till the end. Being in the first 3 places or at least in the first 10 places would really help the family a lot. Hence, the family was excited. Similar scenes were taking place in the houses of his friends as well.
All 5 teams were decided and the dates for the inter class competition was also announced. Ben's team was the only dark horse among them. All the other teams were headed by the geniuses from the various classes. After the results came Halper, Vel, Melinda, Mat and Damel were glaring daggers at the clique of friends. It had to be noted that only these 5 could be considered a group of friends in the class. The rest of the groups were formed based on conveniences. Halper's group was centered around him due to his wealth and influence. He was also a genius. He got the business acumen and caliber from his family. They were wealthy for about 3 generations. They had a Martial Overlord in their family, who was heading the family and business. Melinda, Mat and Damel were the other geniuses in the class. Obviously, a group was formed around them as well.
All the other classes knew about them as well. Hence, they were surprised to see that another group came as first in their class. They all asked about how they won. When they heard how they did it, they all secretly sighed a relief. Everyone thought it was a lucky accident. Otherwise, there is no way they would win. Before that the students were afraid of these unknown geniuses who would become a competition for them. But since they one in this way, they were not afraid of them anymore. The teachers in the school knew it was not a lucky accident. They had the experience to understand that.
Preparations were happening everywhere. A group of students were preparing for next level of tests, some for literary subjects and some for the future.
In the northern end of the school, a building was being re-purposed. There were much equipment on all four walls of the building. It had the height of a four storeyed building. But its inside was not divided into four floors. It just had railings and some equipment on each floor. As many as 60 workers of different martial ranks were inside this building. 7 teachers were standing at the bottom of the building. They were observing a crystal that was hanging in the middle of the building. There was a centre pillar which had glass towards the bottom. The crystal was placed there. These teachers were observing the work that was happening. At the forefront of the teachers was Delvin Hamont. Along with him was Mahaansh. Behind them was Sylvie Revera and the principal of the school Absal Igor. Behind them were the 3 other martial teachers.
Delvin turned to Mahaansh. " I heard your winning team did something interesting in the simulation test." Mahaansh turned to him. Delvin continued " It is not surprising considering their teacher is the embodiment chaos itself." Mahaansh was getting annoyed. Delvin chuckled, while others were looking at this exchange incredulously. Only Mahaansh could talk to Delvin like this. Not even the principal of the school could talk to Delvin like this. Mahaansh said "So, the format is already decided to be that?
Delvin: Yes, it will be in that format. We got the format directly from the provincial government.
Absal : It looks like the Provincial Government is really going all out. They have even given us the recovery medicines.
Sylvie: I can't believe that they want animus to be part of this test. What if an accident happens?
Mahaansh: The teachers and guards will be around the field. What is there to be afraid of? Those twerps should be able to overcome at least this.
Sylvie: Not everyone focuses on destruction and brute force like you. There are sensible ones as well.
Mahaansh: I remember this sensible one needed the brute ones to get materials for one of her experiments."
The atmosphere became tense as both Sylvie and Mahaansh glared at each other. Others looked at their exchange and surrendered. Delmont said "Please stop. We have important matters to discuss." Delmont knew Mahaansh well. Mahaansh was hiding the power of a middle level Martial Lord. Delmont was also a Martial Lord. He was a beginner. Even the principal of the school was only a Martial Noble. Delvin continued, "Things are calm only on the surface. There is a storm brewing." He looked at Mahaansh and said, " You of all people should know that?" Mahaansh had a solemn expression. Delvin continued " These students are going to face a lot of things when they pass. Let them experience life and death here. In the school we can save them. But out there they can only rely on themselves and their training. Let this little competition be an introduction for them."