The number of students that stood in the arena was cut greatly; the once packed area was now more spacious than before.
Charles came closer towards the edge of the stage, approaching the remaining students.
“This marks the end of the first examination; out of the 7983 students that participated, only 1568 passed, so give yourselves an applaud."
The students began applauding, the crowd joining in.
Khal stood next to Jiang, the space around them empty. The other students had backed away from him, their once pitiful gaze slowly becoming fear.
When i enter the secret realm, unless necessary, i should avoid other students. I may can handle myself in among my peers but i shouldn’t let this small amount of power get to me… I’m nowhere close to where i want to be.
“Alright, it’s going to get dark soon so let’s hurry along. I’ll now be explaining the second examination, the secret realm exhibition.”
A wave of anticipation spread throughout the students, excitement in their eyes.
“Most of you know about this course of the exam, but this year things will be much different.”
The students looked at each other, confused.
“Different how, sir? Aren't the exams the same every year? We enter a secret realm and kill monsters to obtain enough points to pass.” A student asked.
Charles shook his head left and right. “This year will be a tad different.” He continued.
“The secret realm you will be entering has more than one entrance. All the other entrances are connected to the other high schools in Raven City.”
“Every student in Raven City will be taking part in the same event.”
Gasps came from the crowd, some students becoming visibly nervous.
“Like always, defeating monsters will increase your score; the higher the monster’s level, the more points you obtain. Since so many students will be inside the secret realm, it is decided that you will also be able to earn points by eliminating other players.”
 
He continued.
“No need to be frightened; you won’t die. the second your health reaches critically low, you will be teleported out of the secret realm.”
Khal placed his hand under his chin, lost in thought.
Its obvious the principals are pitting each school against each other. Others will realize it’s taking too much time to hunt monsters because of the vast majority of students, and start to hunt each other instead.
In that situation the students will have to join forces with each other to take on other schools. It’s as if they’re trying to simulate a war.
Murmurs began to spread throughout the students.
“This year's university examination seems a bit too… difficult.”
“Yeah, i don’t get it; why couldn’t we just stick to the old exam?”
Charles clenched his jaw, smiling to cover his rage.
“I see that some of you carry complaints about this years exam, but i need you to understand… You can always leave.”
The students stared in shock, dropping their heads. The murmurs subsiding.
“Alright, now that we’ve taken care of that, i will now be distributing your points.”
Golden numbers began appearing over their heads.
“As you can already tell, the points are your overall score from the first examination. The secret realm will be open for 6 days and the person with the highest score will have the honor of carrying our school's medallion.”
The students looked back at Khal, Just standing there nonchalantly with his hands in his sweater pockets.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
5033 floating over his head.
“I DEMAND A REEVALUATION!”
The students turned to where the voice came from. It was Aaron, a frustrated look on his face.
I was just going to let this be and face him inside the secret realm, but if others find out i lost the first place position and the medallion to an F rank, I’ll never be able to show my face at school again.
“I do not believe someone with an F-grade blessing is able to produce such strength; i don’t know what trick he used but i doubt he will be able to use it in the secret realm. i don’t accept the medallion being kept with him.”
The students began blurting out their disapproval.
“Yeah, it’s just as young master Araon said; who knows what he did? we an’t let him enter with it; give it to young master Araon!”
“I knew something was off; how could an F rank not only reach level 8 but also have such power? He definitely cheated; don’t give it to him!”
“Shameless bastard!”
Jiang stepped forward, rage in his eyes. “All of you, shut the hell up! he did no such thing as cheat; you have no right—
Khal grabbed his shoulder, shaking his head.
The students continued to ridicule Khal, but he kept his composure.
“Brother, don’t make this any more embarrassing than it needs to be; just go home and live a good life in the family, marry some third-rate houses daughter and die of old age.”
Khal stared at him, letting out a laugh, slamming his palm to his face.
Araon’s expression twisted into anger.
“What’s so funny?”
Khal stared back at him, his expression becoming serious.
“What’s funny? Let me see… Maybe it’s the fact my useless brother can’t accept the fact he is weak or these idiots who would rather entrust an outsider from another school with the medallion than me.”
Araon’s eyes widened, clenching his fist, mana seeping out of his clothes.
“The fuck you just say to me, you little Sh–”
Charles clasped his hands, a wide smile on his face.
“Alright everyone, settle down.”
He turned his gaze towards Khal; he stared back.
This is simply too good.
“It seems the other students are not very keen on you having the medallion; im afraid im in quite the tight position.”
Not. If i wanted i could make you pass the exam instantly, but of course i won’t, i hate your guts!
Khal stared at him for awhile before turning his gaze.
“I could care less. if he wants it, let him have it.”
Charles's smile became even wider.
Yes, back down; this is just too good.
“Then its settled then; Araon will be given the medallion instead of Khal.”
The students and crowd began laughing, whispering amongst themselves.
“God, he’s such a bitch; he backed down in less time it takes for me to wipe my ass.”
“We dodged a bullet, almost making this cheater obtain the medallion.”
Khal’s expression was unchanged, but his eyes glowed, the rage inside him slowly building up.
I’ll see you all inside…
Charles stood before the crowd once more.
“Alright, its the time you all have been waiting for.”
The space behind began to twist, faster and faster, shaping a circle; a bright blue light appeared at it’s center, and after a few moments, it appeared.
A man-made rift.
“Once you enter this space, you will spawn in a random area inside the secret realm, but if you enter with others in a 3-second timeline, They will spawn in the same area as you, so if you want, you can form groups for exploration.”
“I’ll give you all 5 minutes.”
As to be expected, most of the students flocked to Araon and Rose, the rest seeking out the other ranked students, but none came towards Khal, only Jiang stayed by his side.
“Don’t worry, bro, me and you can fight monsters together; we’re both already pretty strong, so we don’t need anyone else.
Khal turned to him, giving him a warm smile.
“Thanks, jiang, your the best friend i could ask for… But for now i want to do this on my own. I need to reach higher heights on my own without the help of others, so that something like today… Will never happen again.”
Jiang stared at Khal for a while before letting out an exhausted sigh.
“Alright then, bro, if that’s your wish, then i’ll oblige.”
 
Jiang put up his fist, Khal putting up his in return, slamming them together.
Jiang walked off, joining the other students.
Khal’s smile faded, returning cold.
Honestly, the reason i didn’t carry Jiang was because of what I am about to do inside the secret realm… i don’t want my only friend to see me in that kind of light.
 

 
“Alright, i hope you all have formed your groups.”
Everyone was standing next to someone, except Khal.
“Make your way into the secret realm with your teammates; remember, there is only a 3-second timeline after someone enters to join.”
Araon’s team made their way into the portal; Araon stopped, turning around to Khal, holding up the medallion.
“See you inside, brother.”
Khal remained nonchalant, ignoring his remarks.
After a few moments it was finally time for Khal to enter.
“Where are your teammates?” Charles asked, a smug look on his face.
Khal ignored him, walking into the portal, the mana waves from it blowing off his hoodie, revealing his cold, angered expression.
I truly can’t wait… To see you all inside.