As the weeks turned into weeks, Kyren and Hiro found themselves growing closer to Zeeha. Their shared experiences in training and the camaraderie they built while preparing for the Elimination Exam forged a strong bond between the three of them. They often stayed up late into the night, discussing strategies and dreams, laughing at each other's jokes, and helping one another with their weaknesses.
Kyren, with his sharp analytical mind, often led their study sessions, breaking down complex problems into manageable chunks. Hiro's boundless energy and enthusiasm kept the group's spirits high, even during the most grueling training sessions. Zeeha, with her quiet wisdom and steady determination, became the grounding force that held them together.
One evening, as they sat around a campfire, Hiro glanced at Kyren and Zeeha. "You know, I'm pretty confident in the upcoming elims," he said, sitting on the makeshift mud bench.
Zeeha replied, with meat skewered in the stick grilling in the fire. "I still don't know the format of the elimination exam, but I heard that ten students from each section will be eliminated. It will be a serious exam."
Hiro smiled softly, his eyes reflecting the firelight. "Well, let's just hold hope and have faith in each other's backs, right?"
Zeeha opened up the topic. "What if one of you guys gets eliminated in this round? For example, if Kyren got eliminated, would you still continue at the academy?"
Hiro answered without hesitation, "No, I'd leave the academy instantly if that happened."
Kyren looked at Hiro and felt a little burdened imagining that scenario. "I'm sure I'll never be eliminated in this first elimination exam," he said, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe you got the wrong example. It's more likely that Hiro will be the first to get eliminated."
The two laughed. "Hahaha, you really have confidence, Kyren," Zeeha added.
"Anyway I'm pretty tired for our sparring today, let's rest early today. We will have a long day tomorrow," Hiro said.
...
The next morning, the atmosphere in the Section 16 room was tense as one of the Sky officials summoned all the students to their section.
"Hello, everyone. The Elimination Exam is finally here," the Sky Official announced.
Everyone in the room was silent and totally prepared for the upcoming elimination exam.
"For this first Elimination Exam, it's simply section versus section," the Sky Official announced.
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The room buzzed with speculation about whether they stood a chance against other sections.
"The mechanics of the battle are like the survival challenge, but we have a special arena for two sections to compete. The goal is to knock at least twenty people out of the arena. The ones left standing will pass the elimination exam," the Sky Official explained.
"I thought only ten students would be eliminated in the upcoming exam?" one of the students asked.
"Yes, you're right. Ten students from each section will be eliminated, making a total of twenty. But here's the twist: it can be twenty students from the same section. So you better team up and make a strong strategy to compete with the other section."
"Twenty students? That's half of our section if that happens," Hiro said, sweating.
"But we also have good news. Zeeha, the 16th GA, has immunity for this elimination exam. She can choose five more students to be exempt from this elimination exam."
Everyone in the section started to look at Zeeha, including Kyren and Hiro.
"So, Zeeha, come here, stand here, and point out who's going to be exempted from this elimination exam," the Sky Official instructed.
As Zeeha stand in front of the student, she doesn't hesitated to point her finger to Kyren and Hiro as the 2 out of 5 student will be exempted but the real question is who's the other 3 will be exempted?
She think for a minute.
...
..
.
She decided selecting Sparoo and Calir with come along with the immunity.
"That's all I needed, I don't have anyone to grant the immunity"
Kyren and Hiro got shocked of why she decided to save from elimination exam. "Why Zeeha?" Hiro confused of her decision.
"Okay, the immunity rights granted to these 4 student, and now for the other student, prepare for the exam it will be starting in 30 minutes." The Sky Official left.
"Thank you Ms. 16th" Sparoo said with a genuine smile.
"You know I don't need it right? I don't awe anything from you." Calir on the other side not happy.
...
The other student started to get angry from Zeeha.
"For sure, after I passed this exam, I'll not make you in a peaceful mind." one student said.
"Yeah, We will make sure you will cry your ass out everyday." other student said.
meanwhile Hiro advised Kyren and Zeeha to leave the room "Come Kyren, Zeeha, they are raging we don't have any business here."
"Yeah, let's leave in this place." Kyren agreed.
...
Kyren began to understand Zeeha's plan, but he wanted to confirm his suspicions and asked her directly, "So, you've decided to abandon our section, Zeeha?"
Hiro interjected, "Wait, what?"
Zeeha replied calmly, "Yes, I've seen no future for our section, and I wanted all of them to opt out as soon as possible."
Hiro was confused. "I don't understand what you guys are tackling."
Zeeha patiently explained, "Well, Hiro, if Calir and Sparoo participate in the elimination exam, they can eliminate weak students from the other section."
"Oh? Isn't that a good thing?" Hiro asked.
Zeeha shook her head. "No, because if weaker students from their section get eliminated, it increases the chances of our weak students passing. I've decided to exempt our two aces for the bigger elimination exam, but not today. There's still a chance they could be eliminated by the other section, and that wouldn't be good for us. I'd rather team up with them than with a bunch of weak students."
"Woah! I never thought about that, and I'd never make a decision like that. You're brilliant, Zeeha," Hiro exclaimed, amazed by Zeeha's critical thinking.
...