Paladin's Academy

Act I, Chapter 9: A Test of Might

10 AM, Orientation Hall, Paladin's Academy.

In a room filled with over a thousand people, one would expect the room to be filled with noise. Yet eerily enough, the room is dead silent with only the air conditioning and some nervous foot-tapping being the source of noise. The clock continues to tick, only adding to the unsettling vibe.

Everyone was given ample time to prepare, yet no one in the room felt confident in their own abilities. Tensions ran high, for each and every applicant knew that only twenty-five of them would be accepted. Maybe the chosen few have already been found, and they are wasting their time being here. Their mental fortitude is being tested even before the exam.

A few fold immediately, as several applicants stand up and leave the orientation hall. Another few others follow suit, as around two hundred would-be students become never-be students.

Thirty minutes have passed, and the temperature in the room has gone down. The windows have become frosted, and the air has become thick. Another would-be student approaches the exit to leave, but he cannot believe his eyes,

"THE DOOR IS FROZEN!!!!" He screams as he tries to break the door down. Several students look at each other and start asking questions,

"Is this part of the test?"

"Did the test just begin?"

"Just like that, no orientation?" 

Some of the applicants start making plans. Maybe the goal is to escape the room, and getting out means passing. A couple of them begin punching the windows, the walls, and even the whiteboard. Then, people start punching people! Chaos ensues as a fight breaks out between everyone. The escape attempt quickly becomes a free-for-all.

"EVERY MAN FOR THEMSELVES!!!"

Everyone gives everything they've got. They use their gadgets, their powers, and even the damn tables as weapons. Each applicant attacking another, trying their best to secure a slot. Things have gotten desperate. Through the smoke, a familiar duo of sidekicks appear, as Dreadnought and Matter run through the crowd.

"This is certainly a test," Dreadnought remarks as he weaves through people.

"It's barbaric," Matter responds, as she decks one of the guys in the nose.

"What is the plan then?"

"Didn't you hear the guy? It's everyone for themselves," Matter laughs as she dives into the floor, leaving Dreadnought behind.

"That was most unkind," Dreadnought sighs as he dodges more students. Out of the crowd, an arm emerges, and it punches him right in the face, sending him back.

"Why do they always go for the face?" He whispers as he wipes the blood from his nose.

"On your first day in prison, find the biggest, baddest lookin' dude, and fuck him up. That way, the other prisoners won't fuck with you."

The crowd clears, as a man steps forward, wearing a long grey trenchcoat, silver knuckledusters, and the White Mask. It is him, the man who made Dreadnought feel fear. Chaos continues to ensue in the background as the two men stare at each other.

"Who are you?"

"You're in hell, and I'm the devil."

Dreadnought visibly cringes as White Mask goes for another punch. This time, Dreadnought catches his arm, and Judo throws him right into a table, breaking it. White Mask quickly gets up and shakes it off as he prepares his counter.