An Awakener's Peradventure

Chapter 10: The S.U.P.E.R Trials

When the feast was finished, a swarm of B.U.T.L.E.R robots returned to clean up after them. They took all the plates and trays and replaced the table sheets with clean ones.

"Well, now what a grand feast this was!" Afrim exclaimed. "What did everyone think?" Everyone clamoured in with their opinions of the feast. "Well, I'm glad that everyone enjoyed it. We will follow up with the trials in time. In the meantime, stretch your legs. Meet me and the lecturers outside near the front entrance in an hour when we are prepared. Thank you."

Everybody rose from their chairs and left the hall. Konstantin and his friends were the last to leave. He just saw the lecturers get up from their seats before the doors behind them closed.

"You okay there?" Sligo asked.

"I can't believe it," Konstantin said, "A series of trials to test me? I don't know if I can do it."

"Hey now. You can do this."

"And what if I can't? If what you said is true, there's nothing I can do."

"Now, listen. You fought against a troilhusk. Not many people can do that and live to tell it. Whatever you did there, you can do it here too. I know it."

"Thanks, Sligo." They walked out of the entranceway and arrived at the entrance square. The weather was still as beautiful as this morning. "So, you know how we pass the time?"

"I know a spot where no goes. It's not far from here and no one can interrupt us."

Then Konstantin noticed Kalim. He was looking elsewhere, thankfully, but Konstantin did not want to bump into him again. "Yeah, that sounds good to me. Let's head there now." He wore his mask and hid beside Ranford to avoid Kalim's gaze.

They walked past the residence area and climbed up a flight of stairs. They arrived at a small park overlooking the world around them. It had a stone walkway and trees flourished despite the altitude. At the end, a wide bench swung about.

"This is our park area," Sligo said, "Or at least it's supposed to be. But no one has ever come here. So, it's just been the two of us."

"Well, it's good to have someplace quiet," Konstantin remarked. For the next hour, they tore down the ice wall between them. Konstantin got to understand his new comrades more, and they seemed to take a liking towards him. Konstantin thought maybe it would be possible. A band of outcasts against the world sounded awesome in his mind.

They walked back down to the entrance square. They saw a crowd of people gathered together. Afrim and the rest of the lecturers stood in front of the doorway. "It must be time," Sligo said. "Remember what we talked about, right?" Konstantin nodded in response. He split from his bunch and joined everyone else.

"All first years, may I have your attention, please?" Afrim called out. All the students fell silent. "Thank you. I hope you took this time to reinvigorate yourselves before the big event. Firstly, I would like to ask everyone to remain inside the circle. I don't want to leave anyone behind." Konstantin wondered whatever that could mean. Everyone huddled together. Afrim made sure no one was left behind.

He cranked a lever next to him. A gated wall surrounded the circle and everyone was carried down below. Lights from inside the walls filled the tunnel. Everyone was anxious about what would happen next. "Now then," Afrim spoke, "We'll be heading down to the testing area down below in a few minutes. Let me explain how this is going to work. There are several rooms ahead that are designed to test your skills. You'll have a set amount of time to complete them. It's important that you follow all instructions given to you. When you complete a test or if you run out of time, drop everything and wait till the next room is available. We'll be watching everything for the side to determine your strengths and weaknesses. The only rule we have is that if you try to cheat or exploit the system, we will deem you unfit to progress."