My feet moved before i could think.
The beasts looked like a mix of animals letting out weird shrieks and wails while pushing their bodies towards us.
I couldn't focus on anything as i rushed past others.
My breath was getting rougher.
I glanced back to see someone get devoured by the mass as their body got soaked inside not leaving a trace behind.
My stomach churned at the sight.
'w-why.'
Why would they make us do something like this.
And to rub it in, it wasn't the worst thing happening.
Everyone around me didn't seem to be bothered by it, they were so calm that i wondered if it would be a normal situation for them.
It has been a few minutes already and i was starting to doubt if it was worth doing.
This damned place where they would kill us without hesitation.
Why would i even fight for it.
Why would i sacrifice myself for something that's meant to die.
'But..'
.
But i didn't want to die.
Im a coward.
I cant even do something so simple.
No.
Maybe my mind has been flawed already.
Dying would never be simple.
That's why..
"Ugh!"
I need to keep pushing.
"Kugh!"
Through the pain.
"Agh!"
Through this place.
"Kh!"
And make it past this nightmare.
I tensed my legs, squeezing out every drop of energy i had left before dashing forward.
My mind was hazy as the only thing on my mind was one objective.
'Run'
I didn't even notice when i got to the front of the group.
I gritted my teeth.
And ran even further.
The pebble budged.
...
"They're not even trying."
Headmasters dissapointed voice echoed in the conference room as he watched the practice exam alongside the professors.
"Well, most children don't have resources to study combat so it's to be expected."
A Woman half-heartedly added, she wore a beautifull white dress that compleneted her hair, expressing an aura of elegance.
"But it seems that this limitation is trivial for people with talent."
A man wearing a pitch black suit spoke up as his eyes focused on the last people who completed the test, there were now only two spots left for prestige class.
Although the heirs to prestige families were impressive, his attention was gathered on those with raw talent that came from poor background.
He believed that these people will someday grow into the greatest delvers one could find.
"Well, it doesn't matter as long as they bring results."
Another man spoke up, he seemed carefree yawning to himself, legs placed on the table.
"Isn't the whole objective of this place nurturing kids? Why split them again."
"Silence!"
As he was talking, an elderly woman commanded him in agitated tone making everyone quiet down.
"It was like this for a reason and you know it professor Gabriel."
"Sure, sure grandma."
He answered jokingly begore returning to watching practice exam.
"It just looks like more students won't get to the prestige class."
"That's okay."
The headmaster was the one who answered this time, a small smile on his aged face.
"The last two places will belong to two students with best performance."
He said so while briefly glancing towards the white lady.
"They have to prove their worth after all."
Silence overtook the room once again after yet another command has been issued.
...
'How long... Have i been running for..'
My mind felt hazy, i could barely look straight while my legs spun.
I couldn't feel anything below my waist except the sore pain coming from touching the ground.
'Im going to die..'
My head felt numb, my lips dry.
"I don't want to die."
I mumbled to myself in a shaky voice.
Tears started to appear in my eyes until i felt something touch my shoulder.
I tensed up slightly, or atleast tried to yet couldn't due to exshaustion, and turned to see what it was fully prepared for the incoming demise.
But it didn't come, instead i saw a boy who looked no older than me.
"Yo, no one is dying."
He spoke to me as i wondered how he didn't look exshausted in the slightest.
His eyes stared at me like two drops of water, reflecting the rays of light that came out of nowhere.
'who is this guy'
As i looked at him, i noticed that there was nobody around us as if they dissapeared.
I started to slow down before falling down on the cold brick floor, taking big rugged breaths.
The guy never left my side, standing above me he simply watched what i was doing.
I took a deep breath calming my pounding heart and asked the boy.
"Who the geck are you."
Choking on my own spit i barely managed to squeeze out any words.
He waited for a few seconds before letting out a dissapointed sigh.
Stretching out his hand towards me he smiled.
"My name's Marco."
I looked at the hand for a few seconds before slapping it away and pushing myself off the ground.
'Ugh'
My legs felt like they were shocked by electricity, i could barely move them but standing wasn't as exshausting as running so i was managing somehow.
Glaring at the guy with suspicion i answered his question.
"Im-Vlad"
*Cough*
'this is torture'
I could barely breath and yet i was still somehow standing, not only that but the speed at which my new body moved was way too fast.
I wasn't the type to do sports so i spent my days either gaming or laying down making me quite frail and weak.
The days i spent with Elizabeth werent much taxing either, i only did basic exercises that made me get familiar with the body so i never actually saw its full potential, atleast until now.
"Where's the rest of people."
I asked him, hoping that he at least would be friendly.
"They're still at the start fighting the rift beasts."
'Rift beasts?'
I heard someone shout beasts before but why add the rift?
It was something i would look into later.
"Fighting? How?"
"Like this."
Marco pulled out something out of nowhere and threw it on the ground towards me.
It clattered against the bricks before landing at my feet.
Its silver shining surface was reflecting my face which i didn't really like.
'A.. real sword..'
A weapon for killing.
"Is it allowed to bring weapons in here?"
If it was against the rules then why would i break them and risk getting thrown out, i needed to unlock mana and pass the test.
"Yeah."
He shrugged casually before stopping and taking the sword back.
"Actually, i think i will need it more."
'what does he mean by that?'
He raised the sword slightly before it dissapeared into small cyan sparks into nothingness.
I tried to retort but stopped myself.
Who am i to demand something that isnt even mine to begin with.
"Lets focus on the last part."
He spoke from beside me as i watched him go deeper into the tunnel.
Turning around he looked at me and asked.
"You coming?"
.
'fuck'
I didn't know what to do in the first place and still went with someone i don't know anything about.
It weirded me out how casually he spoke, reminding me of a bully i had in middle school.
'they act kind before stabbing you in the back'
I kept my distance from him, carefully making way through the corridor.
'this is getting annoying.'
"Hey when are we going to-"
"We're here"
I looked up slightly before noticing a door shaped white material.
It let out some weird mist out of it and was the inly source of light in this place.
"Is this it?"
I mumbled to myself which Marco heard and nodded in response.
"In a sense."
He took a step closer towards the cube.
And then another one.
And one more-
*Rumble*
The surroundings shook as i barely managed to keep my balance and looked around in panic to see Marco completely calm.
'is he insane?'
As i was thinking that.
A big mass of metal dropped from the ceiling crashing onto the floor right in front of the door.
The impact was so big that i fell down and cracks formed around the floor we stood on.
"This is 'it'."
Marco said after the mass of metal slowly started to melt itself and then taking shape resembling a person.
The very person who acted arrogantly before the test began.
"You're acting like im some monster."
A bored voice came out of the metal as it changed color revealing the guys scary grin.
"I won't deny it though."
His words followed a sound of cracking fingers as he took on some sort of stance reminding that of a boxer.
"Show me what you've got."