Jake was in a large gymnasium with other examinees packed in tight like a can of sardines. Unbeknownst to most of them, they were all being observed through the cameras scattered around the gym. One of the many observers whistled seeing the image through the cameras.
"Damn, how many applicants do we have this year?" a man with spiked hair and shades asked.
"At least 2000, sir," one person answered back.
"Goddamn, that's even more than last year. So, what do we do, sir?" another person asked.
"What we always do with a high number—trim the herd." The spiked-haired man made his way to a control console. He looked for the little red button and when he found it, he pressed down. In his best announcer voice, he said, "Welcooooome, ladyyyyys annnnnndddd gentlemeeeeeeen."
His voice hushed the chitter-chattering coming from the waiting exam takers.
"Hello, I am your observer and announcer this afternoon. I am Moon D. Pleasure to meet you," he said.
"There he goes again," one of the people in the observation room with Moon D thought. "He always gets so into this job when it comes around," another thought.
"Today we got a pretty high number of applicants. My people are telling me we've got about 2000 of you here today, and that is an impressive number. But as you all should know; big numbers mean jack shit to the Gardenia Military Academy. They don't accept the most students, but those with the most potential. So, we have to trim down y'all's numbers to reveal the best of all of you."
Murmurs and chatting could be heard in the gym as a reaction to Moon D's announcement.
"So today, of all days, we're splitting this exam into five parts."
"Five parts?" many people thought in the crowd.
"I thought it was only three," one of them said.
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"I could have sworn last year was only two," another chirped.
Many applicants thought to themselves or talked amongst each other, trying to get a grasp on the situation.
Among the sea of people, there was a young man dressed in jogging clothes. He was leaning on his rental sword as he smiled. He had spiky black hair and the bluest of eyes. Moon D's announcement threw him off but in a good way.
"Damn," he thought. "Five parts. This will be more fun than last year."
While there was still commotion in the gymnasium, Moon D's voice came back in.
"So now we're going to start with part 1 of the exam. Hit it," he said, not to the applicants but to one of the many people working in the room with him.
One of them hit what he wanted them to hit, and after they did, the gymnasium started to shift. It got longer. It seemed as if it was an optical illusion, but it wasn't. The gym was stretching before all of their very eyes, and when it reached the furthest point, it was going to go, it stopped.
But the changes to the gym hadn't stopped just yet. Structures came up from the floor. People began screaming, confused by what was happening. Only a few were laughing, getting pumped up by what was happening. Moon D was one, and the spiked-haired kid was another.
Once the structures came into full view, the applicants realized that the structures weren't different structures but one solid structure. What came up from the floor seemed to be a giant maze with multiple entrances.
Many people gasped, many were worried, and there were a few that wanted to back out. In this specific group was Jake. All the excitement rattled him, but he had to steel himself and prepare for anything that may happen.
After a few moments, Moon D's voice came back.
"Well, well, well, my dear applicants, the first part of our exam is going to be an obstacle course. Your objectives are quite clear: all you have to do is get to the other side of this maze to the finish line, and you pass. That is, it. But there is a catch."
Moon D paused for dramatic effect; he aimed to hold his audience in suspense. He was a showman after all.
"The catch, ladies and gentlemen, is that only 300 of you will be able to advance to the next part, meaning over a thousand of you will be dropped like a sack of potatoes."
He laughed loud, and all those in the gym could hear him. A roar of anger and disagreement came from the crowd of applicants. Many screamed expletives and profanity at the man, but all the hate that was coming his way didn't matter. Moon D didn't care in the slightest. Their hatred for him fueled his laughter.
"Pipe down, you bunch of babies," he said while still chuckling. "The academy only accepts students with mad potential. So, if you're getting all worked up because more than half of you losers could fail a little itty-bitty race, then you're not built to be a part of this academy in the first place."
After saying these words, the crowd had to hold their anger between their teeth, biting hard on it. They didn't like it, but the announcer was correct, and complaining wouldn't do them any good. All many of them could do was grumble and snarl as they allowed the announcer to continue speaking.
"Okay, okay, everyone, it's about time we kick off this exam. Let's get down to business. Remember, all you have to do is get to the other side of the maze and be one of the first 300 of you to pass. But remember, all others that don't move on to the next part will be eliminated and won't ever be allowed to take the exam again until next year."
He paused again, letting it all sink in. All the applicants readied themselves, preparing to do whatever it took to pass. Just seeing them look like hardened warriors got Moon D hyped.
"All right, racers, start your engines and begin!"
A new sound filled the gym. It was the blaring of a horn, and everyone knew what it meant. It was the starting bell for the match, the green light that meant go. The Gardenia Military Academy entrance exams had started. It was time.