❛𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐄❜ ━ 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺

━━ 07

“WELCOME TO THE ACADEMY ENTRANCE EXAM!”

Wild and noisy cheering sounded out with most teenagers applauding. Somewhere —though they weren't exactly sure where— someone was speaking into a mic, about to inform them of the test they were just about to have. After a few more seconds passed of everyone applauding, it quieted down, allowing the speaker to continue.

“I’m sure most of you already know the reason as to why this academy has opened up. It’s not only to determine who’s good enough to become the next heroes, but to teach you how to properly use your abilities. You may not be selected as the main superheroes in the end, but that doesn’t mean you can’t act like one, and in this academy, you’ll be taught on how to be a better person. We’ll toughen you up, we’ll remove all your insecurities about your powers away, and we’ll make you as brave as we can, so whenever you see someone in need of help, you will not chicken out. Instead, you will step forward and act like the superhero you were born to be!”

And again, a huge round of applause came from everyone, some of them ever cheering as boisterous as they could. Even more excitement roamed around the air as everyone grinned, waiting for the speaker to continue on again. Marinette stood still, listening with a straight face.

Teach you how to be a better person? Did that in any way include treating the powerless people fairly, just like they deserved? If not, Marinette could still see no point of this whole academy.

“But before you get in, you must show us you’re worthy of being in this academy. Show us that we can count on you to be a good student, and to show us that, you’ll have to pass the entrance exam. Now allow me to properly explain to you how this exam is going to work.

“If you look closely, you can see a red flag far away from you. A black line is drawn right beside the flag, and on the flag, it says ‘pass’. Your goal is to reach the flag and pass the line. When you’ve done so, you’ve automatically made it to the academy as a student. Of course, as I assume most of you are thinking, it’s not going to be easy to get to the line. There will be a timer: one hour, and that is how much time you have to try and pass the line. While trying to get to the flag, you will face some difficulties, so try to get those difficulties out of the way!

“We do have one rule and that is ‘every man for his own’. Yup! You are in no way allowed to help other people or even ask for help, as that leads to immediate disqualification. We’re trying to see what you can do for yourself, not what you can do with the help of others. Be warned: we have eyes everywhere. You may not see us, but we see you and we’re watching every single one of your moves. Now, though we say you can’t ask for help, you can ‘use’ people. You would have to think and see what you can use around you to help you succeed.

“I do hope that every single one of you understand what has been said and kept the words locked inside your mind. Once you hear the whistle, it’s a signal to start, and once the whistle starts is when the timer will begin. Are you ready? On your mark, get set. . .”

The loud sound of the whistle was heard by everyone, but before anyone could even take a step forward, they could all feel the shock drifting around in the air at the sudden sight of what had just happened. Out of nowhere, multiple giant robots of different kinds appeared, their red eyes screaming danger as they eyed each and every one of them.

Marinette took a step back as her eyes watched one of the massive robots slam one of it’s huge arm against a couple of people at the same time, almost knocking them out when their heads thumped against the stone ground.

Some people tried to take on the robots, charging after them as best as they could, although they were always flicked off as if they were mere flies. While on the other hand, other people tried to pass through and run straight to the flag, though much to their bad luck, the robots always caught up to them.