Ben reached home. He called his friends and they had a small discussion. They reasoned that the test will be in the same rain forest as the simulation. This was because in other environments like deserts , snow covered mountains etc.… it is difficult to hunt for prey. Given that they are not trained professionals, they would not be sent for such expeditions. Rain forest itself was quite a challenge. But since this is an artificially created environment inside a space fragment, it would be designed with the right amount of difficulty. This was just their assumption. But it was close to the truth.
Ben practiced the exercise. He needed to be mentally and physically prepared for the exam. This was something that would really help his future. When his parents came, he informed them as well. They were a bit skeptical about this as well. Ben convinced them that it was safe. They consented and signed the appropriate forms and submitted. Soon the confirmation of his team’s entry to the test came.
The next day went really fast for Ben and his team. They had a lot to discuss about their team’s strategy. The exact nature of the inside of space fragment was not known to them. The very fact that the school was utilizing a space fragment was surprising to everyone. It was not a normal item. It was very expensive and difficult to make. If their school had it, the other schools would probably have it. This showed the importance the provincial government was attaching to the martial class and the evaluations in it.
Soon it was the day of the test. Everyone came on time. They were all standing in the building which housed the spatial fragment. Principal Absal Igor greeted the teams “Good morning students. As you know this test is being conducted inside a space fragment. It is a very expensive item as all of you know. That itself shows the importance the government attaches to the evaluations in the martial class. We all hope that you students will rise through the challenges of the martial way and become citizens who contribute to the prosperity of this country. Know that all heroes who are accomplished warriors and eminent personalities started of as students. This may be the beginning of your journey. Now regarding the test. The field inside the space fragment would be a forest, complete with thick group of trees, grasslands, river, ponds, swamps etc. There will be lot of flora and fauna in there as well. Now the most important thing. There will be animus inside the forest!!” The students gasped. Animus was a whole different existence than normal beasts. Most of them had the intelligence and the behaviour of teenagers of marthya race. Their strength at the most minimum was equivalent to the power of a Martial lord. It was too much for the students who had not even begun the journey towards martial arts.
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The principal continued “No need to be panicked, the animus is in the space fragment to regulate the environment. Proper measures have been taken to ensure your safety. So, no need to worry. Now let us start the test.” He gestured to one of the workers. The worker pressed a few buttons and pulled a lever. Suddenly the space fragment began to shine. Different color extensions came out of the space fragment and surrounded each team.
Ben and his team found themselves in a grassland. Once they gathered their bearing all of them began to puke. This was the result of entering the space fragment. They vomited nonstop for about 15 minutes. After some time when they had the energy, they started to speak.
Saarsh: “We have supply for about 36 hours. We need to find a shelter before that.
Rais: I can feel the energy of that Leo Animus from the west. It is really suffocating.
Roshin: Exactly. We are not going any where near that place.
Jim: We should be wary of other teams as well. Especially Jen’s team. She is really a beast.
Ben: We should be wary of everything that breathes from here on out.”
They all decided to go and find a shelter. They moved quickly towards the part where there was a lot of trees. When they reached there, they began to walk slowly and cautiously. Each student was given an energy gun to hunt the animals. The group was moving parallel to the direction of the animus. They could feel its aura. They soon found a group of rocks which formed a perfect cover. They sat down and decided to rest for some time. While they were resting Ben suddenly said “Guys, I have an idea.” Everyone turned towards him. Ben continued “What if we use the animus as our protection, our fortress.” His friends looked at him as if looking at a madman. Utilizing the animus was nonsensical to them. Ben continued “Come on, it will be worth it.”