Rulers Rule

Chapter 10 : Entrance Exam Revealed!

[ The Next Morning ]

The alarm rings, and Aarav quickly turns it off. He puts on his clothes, grabs all his essentials, including his dagger, and laces up his shoes before stepping out. It's 5:10 A.M.

As he walks along the road, Aarav checks his phone and glances around, mumbling, "Ishaan said to meet here somewhere." Just then, he spots Ishaan approaching.

They greet each other and start moving forward together. Their exam location required them to walk through the hillside, so they decide to continue on foot. They see other students along the way, all heading for the same exam.

Aarav remarks to Ishaan, "Looks like there are a lot of people heading to the school." Ishaan explains, "The more people there are, the harder it'll be." Aarav smiles and says, "Don't worry; we'll make it through."

Ishaan gives him a strange look and asks, "Why are you so positive? These aren't just regular kids."

Aarav nods, saying, "I know. The best students from around the world come here, so we'll have to give our 100 percent to come out on top." As they're talking, three black cars speed past them on the same road.

The cars zoom by so fast that they nearly hit Ishaan, who barely steps out of the way in time. They yell at the drivers, but the cars are already long gone. Aarav calms Ishaan down, and they continue on.

Aarav and Ishaan arrive at the school, which is massive. They show their passes to gain entry and see a huge crowd of students there. The sight shakes Ishaan's confidence a bit. Aarav tries to reassure him, but just then, another boy bumps into Aarav hard enough to knock him down.

Ishaan, annoyed, snaps at the boy, "Can't you see where you're going?" The boy, flanked by two of his friends, scoffs as others gather around to see what's going on, including Aarav's brother, Dev. The boy says, "He got in my way, so I just stepped over him like the cockroach he is."

Ishaan, ready to throw a punch, is stopped by Aarav, who tells him, "Let it go, I'm not hurt." Aarav even apologizes to the boy, who leaves with his friends, calling Aarav and Ishaan cowards.

Aarav and Ishaan move aside to a tree nearby. Aarav checks his foot and finds a small injury, which makes Ishaan angry again, promising he won't let that boy off. Aarav calms him down, reminding him that they're here for a test, and any lack of discipline could get them disqualified before the test even begins.

A girl approaches them and hands Ishaan a bandage for Aarav's foot. Neither of them recognizes her. She explains that the boy who shoved Aarav is the son of the chief of the general army and is extremely wealthy, so he dislikes being around "ordinary" people.

Aarav recalls the three black cars that had nearly hit Ishaan and realizes they were his.

He asks the girl why she's helping them, and she replies, "I saw how calmly Aarav handled that situation. Anyone else would have started a fight right there, but you managed it really well."

Pointing at himself, Ishaan remarks sarcastically, "By 'anyone else,' you mean me, right?" The girl apologizes, and Aarav thanks her for the bandage. She holds out her hand and introduces herself as Sofia. Ishaan shakes her hand and drifts off into a daydream, realizing he's actually holding a girl's hand.

Just then, the bell rings, and Sofia says goodbye, leaving for her own exam. Ishaan and Aarav get ready and head to the announcement area.

All the students are lined up as the school host begins his speech. Introducing himself, he starts, "Two days ago, you all received a notification on your phones to bring some essential items for your entrance exam. Your weapons have been checked and approved. You're here to prove not only your potential to yourselves but to others as well."

He holds up a map, pointing out specific spots across the hill where electrical poles with cameras have been placed. "You must scan your student QR code at these poles. Each of you will be given a watch that will monitor your vitals and stats. Your goal is to scan your QR code at just one pole. If you wish, you may even hinder other competitors. However, we'll be monitoring closely to ensure no one ends up seriously injured. There are only 50 poles, which means only 50 of you will advance to the next level. Those who don't make it will be sent to the National School of Military Power. Remember, only those with true passion make it here."

The host finishes his speech, and Principal Sir steps up to speak.

Principal Sir addresses them, "As you all know, Power School is not just about increasing the strengths of powerful students. It's about making them kind-hearted and good individuals as well. No matter what powers you hold, as long as your heart is pure, you'll keep moving forward. All I ask is that you give your best effort."

The speech ends, and Aarav and Ishaan meet up by the gate.

Ishaan says to Aarav, "If we only need to scan our QR codes, we should work as a team. That way, we'll be a stronger team and can pass the exam together."

Aarav thinks for a moment and replies, "No, if we team up, we'll time out before capturing two poles. After capturing a pole, each student has to stay there, I think, which means we'll need to split up to pass."

Ishaan understands Aarav's logic, agrees, and wishes him good luck. They both stand at the main gate, ready. As the gate opens, the host signals the start of the exam with a loud horn, and the test begins.

Aarav started running, determined, thinking to himself, "This is my chance. I have to prove myself. I won't lose."

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