It seems everyone has the same idea of going to the nearest possible stairs to go to the next floor. However, Stark simply sneers inside, knowing very well what sort of thigns should happen in this sort of trial. Confidence is his forte but that isn't the only thing about him. His ability is there too, and he isn't as stupid as one would think. Louise is similar.
After hearing the words that Butler A said, Stark already placed many strings together. From what one could gather, this isn't about a journey to get to the 50th floor, but for one to not be among the 3 who would give up, or not. Now, be it from past research he gathered in months following this trial or what butler A told them now, there are some things right to see. Worries that are for nobodies aren't for confident, and motivated youths, and they all desire a spot in the Academy. Some more than others, but that is subjective.
“You know what to do now, don't you, Louise?” He whispers as he runs, while Louise hears and knows his intentions. It doesn't make him happy, but a trial is a trial, and either of them is fine with solving things with brute force. Noding, the pair strides forward much faster, pushing themselves to some limits, while the rest are 15 feet behind. Louise soon reaches the staircase at the end of the corner and is one to act up.
Jumping high, he pounces forth at the stairs at the end of the turn. There, on the stairs, he activates his Emblem which is hiding behind his attire, and turns back. It is no destructive one, so it only shivers out of his clothes like windy water that is a bit nervous but strong.
Not fierce, or anything wild, the flow of crystal-like Vectors in blue light emerges under the clothes from his neck and arms. Then, the Vectors flow around his both arms, forming tough, robust gauntlets. They are thin around the biceps, becoming thicker at the forearms and wide at the fists. There, the fists act like large balls, yet the fingers seem flexible and easily manipulated. So do the entire arms, in fact.
It all happened in around 2 seconds, and upon this point, Stark passes him up, and he strikes at the lower section of the stairs.
His both hands extend, and his fists became larger than his head, smashing the stars, and causing tremors and debris to fly everywhere. He destroys the whole lower section of the stairs, ceasing at least 2 dozen steps to disappear, creating a wide gap that none shall pass.
The rest of the group stops, fearing the explosion that they didn't seem to be expecting. None would, but then, the majority of 1st-timers understand what is up with this strategy, and they scowl at how could they've missed this. They all figure out that this isn't against the rules and Louise doesn't go against them, but this place itself. In fact, the rules are very lax, apart from a direct fight against the other Challengers, which is specific, but none questions it.
Stark knows his stuff and this Trial isn't about teamwork as a whole. Team of two? Sure, It won't pose a problem, but if it would be best to be alone, he wouldn't hesitate to ditch Louise. Louise would probably do so faster than him, but that is questionable since solo challenges where that would happen are a rarity.
Stark finds his fierce idea quite phenomenal, and the least bit bad. Shameless it may be, but strategies of this caliber should be great, and unquestionable. It is a trial, after all. He already waits by Louise's side, seeing how he destroys the stairs, so he can continue with him upwards without any disturbances or others behind their backs. Louise has a more easygoing Emblem and is at a higher threshold of physical power. He could've destroyed it too, but it would take him longer, and thus, many would reach the top of the stairs, if not all of them.
The rubble, dust, and parts of the staircase fall, and the rest of the participants look at the unavailable stairs and more than a dozen feet gap. It is angled up and far, so not even they would jump that far. Uncertain, most turns around to find another road upwards that should be at another section of this floor. There are more stairs like this, but they are further away, which could mean a waste of time. Though, with these unavailable stairs, it is best to go in the other direction.
William isn't among them to go somewhere else, and neither are 2 others. One is the pale girl, who steps to the rubble as if thinking if she jumps that far. Could she get towards the rather distant end of the stairs? She considers it, but seeking Stark and Louise disappear after glaring at them in their victory, she decides to give it a shot.
The other is a youth like William. With haggard red hair, which is only slightly showing his eyes, he appears silent, collected, and a bit harsh looking. Out of many, he looks like a village boy, who've seen better days, but only at the appearance of his clothes. His sleeveless arms shove off some muscles, and he is taller than William at 5 feet and 8 inches. Similarly to William, there is one strange thing about him. Upon the start of the 1st Trial, he decided to open his simple shirt, showing his chest Emblem that has many little shards scattered around the middle and sides of his chest. He has no boots, but at least some trousers. His tanned skin and face reveal a possibility that he is Outsider, and it isn't hard to guess it, since he isn't the lonely Outsider either.
So much talent can accumulate at one location, and many talents like to flock together. Here, at this moment, there are many Outsiders, more so than the ones born in the Federation. Outsider means a born person from afar and a more exotic land than the Federation. It may be a harsh term, but it is a popular one ever since the heavens of the Federation stands firm against the harsh times.
As for the pale and quiet girl? William has no clue about her origin, but her long dark air and dark robe-looking uniform seem strange. For now, he is thinking about the way upward. Using Emblems to one advantage seems like a theme in this section and one has to be clever about them. With his Claws, or his enchanted body, could he jump that far? He doubts that but with some momentum, perhaps he could do that.
The pale girl that is Cellese, makes up her mind. After a few seconds of pondering, she figures out some solution, which isn't a solution, but a simple decision. Backing away without a glance at the pair of boys, she walks dozens of feet and crouches down. Then, she steps forwards so fast, the floor cracks in her rapid acceleration. She passes Willaim and the tanned boy and jumps before entering the messed-up stairs on the floor. She doesn't fly towards the distant end, since she can't jump that up even with her momentum. It is her limitation, and the high and speedy running aren't going together. Instead, she aims at the wall, where she steps lightly with her left leg at the wooden wall, using it as a platform to follow with another jump.
She manages to catch the end of the stairs with her hands, but she clutched it well, and reach the stairs. Wincing her body up as if she has no weight, but great momentum, and without glancing at the boys, Celleste disappears around the corner.
This leaves the pair of boys surprised by how easily she has done it. She didn't even need the emblem for that, or she used some of her Skills or her physically enchanted state. It is hard to tell that, however. Walkers are unique, so she may use some great Skills without anyone noticing it, like William with his Velvet Eyes that may get overlooked even with their changed color.
William scratches his head and turns to the youth. “You think you can do what she just did?” he asks as if he is wondering that himself.
The youth shakes his head and speaks in a deep tone that is hard to hear from a 16-year-old. His English is also a bit broader and filled with some accents. It isn't his first language, or so William guesses.
“No, but there is some way to get one of us up. Do you wanna listen to that idea?” the youth turns his head, flicking his hair out of the way of his eyes. He has dark eyes, evident confidence, and enjoyment. He isn't nervous, which in turn, makes William nervous.
“One of us?” William frowns, finding the idea intriguing since it means something. A method that doesn't require Emblem, it seems. “I am down, but that doesn't seem like a good idea in itself. Who will go up? How about deciding it with a game of rock, paper, and scissors.” he offers.
“That rubbish game? I like your idea. Let's go. On 3.” the youth surprisingly complies and because none of them wants to waste time, they place their right hands towards each other.
“1, 2. 3! Go!” the youth says, and William places the paper, and so does he.
“Go again. 1, 2, 3!” This time, William goes with the numbers and places the scissors. The youth does the rock which means an obvious winning move.
“Alright. How do you want to get up?” William asks as if the matter of this loss doesn't matter to him. It is very fair in his opinion and he doesn't mind wasting a minute or two of his time. 10 hours is too much for ascending this building, and with the sort of words butler A said, he isn't fearful to be left last.
“Oh?” the youth seems surprised by William's reaction and he chuckles. “Fine then. Have you practiced in the military?” the youth asks.
“A little things here and there. It depends on what you ask about.”
“I don't know what it's called in English, but I am talking about this maneuver.” the youth says, and places one knee on the ground, while folding his both palms together on the knee, facing them up. With them around the knee, this sort of method is great to push one beyond tall obstacles. How tall obstacles? William doubts this sort of thing would work with normal people, but they aren't normal. This is good to jump straight walls around 8 feet tall or get to the first floors of some buildings. But this one before them is much taller. William understands what he plans, but no normal human would be able to accomplish the distance of these stairs with this technique.
“Alright. Let's do this but under my terms.” William agrees after seeking his confidence, and feeling curious, he figures to follow through with this little loss. Making the same pose as the youth did, he also utters. “Arise.” and walks before the rubble of those stairs.
The flow from his open Emblem erupts, but not as fiercely. Instead, it flows into smaller portions and forms a smaller Claw that is about 20% bigger than a normal one.
There is only one crimson-looking palm, making up the platform on his knees, which the youth sees with some surprise but lack of willingness to step on it with his bare feet. Also, he sees potential rivalry in William, and this hand seems intricate and appeared in less than 2 seconds. It is no wonder he is hesitant for a few moments, so William makes sure to calm his hesitation down.
“This thing won't hurt you like my clothes. I've got it covered. Also, I won't make something as they did.” he excuses himself, and the youth understands that this fellow is an honest type. An unlikely one that he didn't expect to meet here since his view on privileged Walkers of the Federation seems like a norm for him. It is because of William's great and light clothes, which aren't yet his proper uniform. He kept his bag at the side, so his hands will be free for this maneuver that he doesn't know the name of.
“Name?” the youth asks, bending his knees after walking a bit away. He makes the starting running pose and glances at William.
“William. You?”
“Rozzante.”
“Great and exotic name, unlike mine. Nice to meet you, friend. Now jump, I have to figure out a way up too.” William tells and the youth starts running as he utters the last words.
Placing his right foot to William's claw, this impact produces force through William's push as he shoves Rozzante much further upward than both of them expect. With his Claw taking the lead, Rozzante flies well beyond the end of the stairs, smacking the wall beyond them.
A bit surprised, Rozzante looks at William in shock and some pain. He flew at least 25 feet, and he isn't that weak, or light. At 16, he weighs 175 pounds and has two feet below the 6th feet mark to his height.
“Sorry. Sorry.” William shakes his head, glancing at his right hand with some hesitation. “All is fair in the game, Rozzante. Good luck with your Trial and see you later, I guess? ” he waves goodbye after taking up his bag, before disappearing to another section. He doesn't make things awkward, so he also makes his Claw disaster to his right forearm, feeling a slight mistake by using a bit too much strength.
Balance. That word echoes in his mind from the last training with Roman, and he should think about it. No need to be overworked or nervous.
“What an interesting fella,” Rozzante mutters, and he too, restarts the ascend towards this section of the building.
There are 4 major sections under the diameter plan of this huge skyscraper. With 50 floors, it has hundreds of feet in all directions. There are 4 corners since it has a rectangular kind of base. Each is no different from the others but all of them have a specific and unique concept of floor plans.
4 participants follow the left upper section, while William follows the direction of the corner below it. That is at least what the diagram showed, and William is confident in his memory. The remaining ones chose the right upper section since it is closest to their memory.
In light of the hallways, William chooses the lonely path, but only for now. He passes by the previous location where the butler no longer stands. The diagram of the building is still there, and he figures he will watch it once again to see what sort of problems are there. After all, there are no rules that state not to destroy this property, so whatever they will do, it doesn't matter. It may be strange but welcomed by these kids who may become unhinged disasters at any point. William especially.
“There is some intersection, while the general view of the 4 corners makes some sense. Some lead to upper floors in the same corners, while many have paths that don't lead to the same corner afterward. Asshat and Louise went to the left down corner, and... the rest went up or left an up? Ugh. This is confusing...” William sights, while placing his palm around his chin. Gazing upon the diagram for a couple of minutes, he figures there is nothing much to this issue. It's like a maze on the upper floors, but William doesn't know that the lack of knowing where one is, is quite terrifying. Especially in the tight corner, open spaces in buildings, or cities.
This is a specially crafted method to create a unique environment and the Trial is yet to truly start. To see the statues and potential of the future Walkers, there are some things prepared.
In one particular room below the 2nd floor, a group of Walkers is gathered around butler A.
“Everything prepared?” she asks while looking at the group of 20 or so young-looking Walkers. Those aren't the 2nd-timers, even though they could be that. Nor they are 3rd-timers, while 4th timers don't even exist. If one can't work with one's failure, the 3rd failure is enough.
The group before her are the current fresh members of the Emblem Academy who aren't yet gone to Rank 3. In fact, all of them are Rank 2 at the moment, while their tasks are simple. Perceive the participant of the Trial and stop them from ascending the skyscraper. That aspect of stopping them may include injuring them, of course, but not necessarily.
“Yes, madame A” all of them shout at the same time. There are both girls and boys in the group, and most of them are like the current Trial participants. Young and motivated.
Though, the matter of their successful Trial is different than those who failed. All of them are powerful, but they are prohibited to use Skills beyond Rank 2 and cause major injuries.
Hearing their firm resolve, butler A releases them to their respective floors. Some go to further ones than others, while the reason and their choices go according to the orders of the Overseer, who is somewhere, watching this Trial, more so than anyone else.
Half of an hour passes by.
William gave up on the diagram and rather went to the upper floor a long time ago. Around the left upper corner of the building, he is alone and he found nothing so far. He is on the 4th floor according to his memory and right around the corner should be the section that leads back to the left upper corner where Stark and others could be. Like below, many corridors, hallways, and corners lead to different corners, so William assumes there is chaos to this order.
Though, remembering everything and each corner and hallway is impossible. None would be crazy to do this sort of thing. More so than anything, the maze and complexity of this place are making the participants spread throughout the building, and be far away from one another.
He even wonders what if the whole 13 people traveled together like a team and reach the 50th floor at the same time. What then?
That is a funny wonder, and by this point, William thinks about them to pass the time. Wearing the uniform that Mi-Yung got him, he feels great, while his bag around his shoulder isn't an issue for him.
It is a light and nice uniform with great flexibility and durability. His arms are free, while the material should be enough for his Annihilation at Rank 1. That is what Mi-Yung said, and lo' and behold, it is true. William already tested it a bit ago, and the Annihilation doesn't crate any holes or eat up the fibers. They are robust, and unlike the fabric, but it still looks like fabric, which confuses William about how is it made.
Seeing no one anywhere, he uses this opportunity of being alone to look through the open apartments. That is right. There are no people and every room is open as if none are home. He doesn't find any kind of goods that butler A talked about, but not like he expects something. None of them have any equipment, food, water, or anything. The majority of 1st Timers left their possession on the 1st floor, but some kept some things. No one at least bothers William about his bag, and for once, many would consider it a nuisance instead.
Soon enough, William decided to go to the 5th floor. Reaching the wide and tall gate that goes to a larger kind of hallway, William opens it and walks to a rather tall structure of stairs, leading to another floor. Each stair looks as if they are floating, and all of them are dozens of feet wide, and quite thick. They aren't wooden but marbled, and rather nice, for once.
Yet, there is someone there, on top of the stairs, waiting for a potential Challenger to appear. A boy sits at the apex of the stairs, looking bored, and almost sleeping.
“AHHHHHHHH!! Finally, someone showed up! I've been dying this whole time!” the youth shouts and gets on his feet. Brandishing a real-life sword like some kind of madman, he appears so happy that he forgets any kind of reason.
“Hello there. I suppose you are our Trial?” William asks in wonder, not surprised, as he expected something like this to happen, but seeing it for real is another thing. He didn't know where it would start, but a trial is a form of difficult encounter. That's at least the definition of that world that he understood from the library.