Year 526 A.B.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19cTPwaTAp 維尼
Examiner Vi ushers the examinees into a large hexagonal building, the room they enter is brightly lit with steel paneled walls and ceiling. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6qrLC1SOm 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPDiIXL01A
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“This is Exam Site 1, Room 1. There are 5 other rooms accessible through the doors on your left and right, but those will be for the next groups of examinees. I doubt we’ll be seeing them though considering how fast we should be done. Any questions?”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9iCE9uqUQ 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbmLgvei6s
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An examinee raises her hand.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKoZfJCvkn 維尼
“What are we going to be doing? The room is empty,” She asks, making everyone else look around the room as well.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RgoUYyjda 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPbJMUq3WX
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Vi smiles.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8dxQcS5nq 維尼
“I’m glad you asked. This is by far my favorite part to explain since I have to talk so much.” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡizwwpA66FF 維尼
She pulls a remote from her pocket and presses a button; the room’s ceiling becomes a mass of moving parts.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvxvPT6Tka 維尼
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“This room is equipped with hundreds of ultra high-speed cameras, testing equipment, and lastly...” She points her thumb behind her, projecting a dense barrier in the form of safety glass.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu60wF4ayv 維尼
“My own extra safety precautions.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3hf9dv1zT 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ89EolsDZJ
8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtQEV5qliy 維尼
Vi turns around to face the enclosed testing space she created. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy2oktl92n 維尼
“Damn it; I forgot to make a door,” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QB6OswjXd 維尼
She thinks to herself.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIZU87Vg4T 維尼
She coughs violently to draw attention to herself and creates a door on the barrier while the others are distracted. Bly notices and nudges Rai to fill him in on the joke. Rai begins to chuckle to himself.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEwm6MZhfT 維尼
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“Sorry about that. Anyways each of you will get a chance to individually display your aptitude in the fundamentals by completing tests in the form of theoretical scenarios illustrated by the room’s equipment.” Vi glances at Rai with spite in her eyes. “The difficulty between tests will vary at random.” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQnyWBd58H 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpopYIynEu
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She flips through her clipboard. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIla0m6Hsg 維尼
“You will be tested in reverse alphabetical order meaning that the first up is examinee number 27. The rest of you may be seated for now.” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqy0uo5GPc 維尼
A boy emerges from the crowd, opens the projected door, and closes it behind him. It’s as if with every few steps he takes, his pace becomes disrupted, giving his stride the appearance of a flip-book missing frames.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkOvFFSfIj 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPAIl3OX49
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Bly and Rai take their seats next to each other along the room’s wall.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0y6rMFCon 維尼
“Well, that didn’t look pleasant.” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAFmEAxqjt 維尼
Bly remarks somewhat jokingly.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV6wLYr3zh 維尼
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“Mmhm, I didn’t know a spine could bend that way.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWMnj35QhT 維尼
Rai says, still looking at the examinee on the other side of the barrier.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfFSeCS9iT 維尼
“No, no not for him. I was talking about you.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEWbZ9z9g5 維尼
Bly clarifies.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnEEGDBAfj 維尼
Rai shifts his attention from the short-lived examination of the boy limping back towards the barrier’s door to Bly.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDw4UvAOcr 維尼
“What do you mean?” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbMjsy5Suh 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODjLmDPZBP
8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡLClfF7NRka 維尼
“You didn’t see the way she glared at you? I think she noticed you laughing.” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe62Zpv9B4 維尼
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“Really? My eyes kind of close when I laugh. I don’t think it should be much of an issue.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VNOToecMh 維尼
Rai says awkwardly.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZLMRZFwbz 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PMQqHrcqc
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Bly agrees, and they continue watching the examinees before them take their exams.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoQL3023Ph 維尼
After a series of promising performances, closely called successes, and what seem to be failures, Bly is called.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡy82wimTIm8 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CalScDm6L
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“Examinee number 2!”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7T7CUBGt2 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgDHoIxzYS
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Bly gets out of his chair and stretches his legs.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFdrIT4Vid 維尼
“I suppose that’s me. Wish me luck!”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVNbX0uLdZ 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduj4ZbEnqS
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“Good luck, Bly! Uhm, sorry you won’t even need it.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjPpsZ3zDW 維尼
Rai nods his head, not realizing that he made that more complicated than it needed to be.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxPycSYQ5d 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qUnWzXIRs
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Bly smiles and enters the testing room, taking his place right in its center. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Frt34vfJn 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsS2f3hH2r
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Examiner Vi speaks to him through the barrier, listing off the details of the scenario as the room satisfies them.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0AnUhf1Tg 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0ERyayeYL
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“From a distance, you are being targeted by assailants using medium-range firearms.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡU12Jp2OlSp 維尼
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Concrete slabs rise from the ground, and behind them, 2 pop-up test dummies fixed with handguns point in Bly’s direction.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSPyzFOjeB 維尼
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“Additionally, you are surrounded on all sides by attackers using melee weapons.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X8K7f5tSo 維尼
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5 robotic mannequins wielding a variety of weapons drop from the ceiling shaking the surrounding floor. Bly does not flinch.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9tvUVW5Ed 維尼
He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqzbkhmsXQ 維尼
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“How do you respond?” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj4juq9yYY 維尼
Examiner Vi concludes.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNpcorlTqi 維尼
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One of the mannequins takes a step forward, but is decapitated in the blink of an eye by a flash of violet light coiling around its neck. It falls and in its wake, Bly reveals a projected whip in his hand. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AwsuNnrXM 維尼
“One.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCuojcs6r9 維尼
The rest of them follow suit, in an attempt to smother him in a group attack. The first to swing is one holding a sword; Bly wraps his whip around the weapon and flips over the mannequin, causing it to impale itself. He pulls the sword free and flings it at one of the guns with its sights trained on him.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXZo4PoUuo 維尼
“Two. Three.” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxboIGwioV 維尼
A large, almost triangular shadow looms over Bly’s head as the last of the close/quarters mannequins try to dive onto him with their weapons pointed downwards. His grip on his whip tightens and it becomes clad with blades. He spins and the mannequins become piles of shredded debris.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡWinTA0Hn58 維尼
“Four. Five. Six.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70FYJsF8JE 維尼
His back is turned and the sound of a gun’s hammer clicking followed by three relatively small pops prompt Bly to turn around and dodge. The first two rounds are narrowly evaded, grazing his neck and shoulder. He quickly stretches the whip taut between his hands, creating the image in his mind of it changing its malleability. The third round is perfectly ricocheted back towards its sender as if it struck an elastic surface.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SzcCKMLLy 維尼
“Seven.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ49CUpowu 維尼
The whip disappears from his hand and he returns to the waiting space. A few of the examinees are clapping, including Rai. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgOZw6dw4G 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTabDmidbhJ
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“That was amazing. I've never read about a whip being used like that!” Rai says with unexpected praise.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡl12emd7th7 維尼
“Ah, that was nothing,” Bly bashfully proclaims as he sits next to Rai. “I’m just fortunate that that was practice ammunition.” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC24I20ecX 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBctef0Q1R
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Vi presses a button on her remote and all of the damaged equipment is flipped into the room's interior for repairs, returning the room to a fresh state.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNmx6TWeEs 維尼
“Examinee number 1.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwQUfhw7Vh 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZd4boDPhk
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Rai stands from his seat, making sure the band holding his hair together is fastened.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35vZJF8dR6 維尼
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“Be careful out there, Rai. I still have an odd feeling from earlier.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrPCgJlXHQ 維尼
Bly warns him.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡQne2kZMKFz 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAirYVMFJ8
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“I will. Thanks, Bly. I guess I am a bit nervous though.” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuwAL7wnic 維尼
Rai makes his way to the testing room door, preparing to turn the knob. The thought of it being nice to have someone concerned about him crosses his mind before he’s pulled back into reality.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd10Qz4rnm 維尼
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“Good luck, Lilac.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOZwKMqI0i 維尼
Examiner Vi mutters maliciously.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3hh4jbVft 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQtGoHFqDP
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Rai pauses, but nevertheless proceeds through the door. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡpACanodaO9 維尼
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Large building-like structures rise from the ground when Rai centers himself in the room. Without warning a loud pop echoes through the air. A small panel-like barrier that he erects next to his head for protection disappears and a bullet casing is heard striking the ground.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzOhUb4TYx 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtRl3bmRpy
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“I knew it.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrIcRMrSzh 維尼
Bly marches over to Examiner Vi in outrage.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnC79YrsXx 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtSox2OXTE
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“A hailstorm of bullets fire upon you from above.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3yQomG9u6 維尼
The testing room erupts into a warfare of muzzle flashes and pops. With a wave of his hand, Rai shields his entire front side with a semicircular barrier.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ6yZWixcI 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoysvOBgQkT
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“What is the meaning of this? Over simple laughter and a petty mistake? Those are live rounds!” Bly says just loud enough for Vi to hear him but not cause concern in the other examinees.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡj70B6XHDXo 維尼
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“Low-caliber live rounds. I did say that difficulty would vary at random.” She shrugs her shoulders. “His father could swat those away in his sleep, and his mother could stand there all day without a care in the world.” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUjrHKpNLm 維尼
She looks at Bly out of the corner of her eye.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FoAIaw3yH 維尼
“If he can’t at least handle this, maybe he’s better off dead in the first place, am I right? Besides, why are you, of all people, worried about a Lilac?”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡegUdcJ57jm 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCqscEp4q2
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He can feel his heart dropping into his stomach, but he tries to protest.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPYwxDFj4z 維尼
“I-“8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0EcxPTAxE 維尼
“‘You’ what, sir? By your authority I guess I could stop this. I wonder what he would think though.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6ForO1QNR 維尼
Bly is immediately pacified, losing some of the light in his eyes.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgfh7nei7I 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIJve5DQPx
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“I thought so… the hailstorm intensifies from all directions,”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡE59qCT7vVl 維尼
Vi continues, looking satisfied.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1z78XBDQy 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNPXWCsTVS
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Rai completes his barrier, encasing himself in a dome. It begins to crack and splinter from the constant abuse of the rounds peppering it.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcn59xgg3t 維尼
Vi smiles and out of the sight of the examinees, presses a large red button on her remote. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4o0JBeSCr 維尼
A panel in the ceiling shifts to the side and a missile under it begins to prime.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrwa6oaAHe 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfXnuHSNCK
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She puts on her act. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXKsjocFuz 維尼
“Oh no! Everyone get down while I reinforce the barrier. There appears to have been a malfunction!”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rg2pFUEgW 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3co4AItZI5
8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡokBfEsWqpN 維尼
Bly who had been looking down in defeat raises his head to see the scene before him. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IxdYu3U14 維尼
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“If things are going to change, I can’t keep letting this happen…”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oXe1Jw9tm 維尼
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In a last ditch effort while the others are distracted with their heads lowered, he summons his whip and tries to steal the remote from Vi’s hand... But it’s too late.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg47DTvHuM 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUay0pxNkq
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The missile flies towards Rai barrier, making a direct impact, creating a fiery smokescreen, and sending a shockwave throughout the building. The tremor throws Bly off-balance and he misses his mark.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04Ufcm17nr 維尼
Nothing can be heard on the other side except the sound of smoldering loose parts. Pieces of Rai’s shattered barrier flutter in the air like falling glass. But suddenly, they stop and fly at breakneck speeds in seemingly random directions as if they were propelled by an explosion. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP27Cyr5B5 維尼
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Examiner Vi, trying to hide her anger, presses the buttons on her remote until they almost become dented. Nothing happens. All of the weapons have been disabled, jammed or destroyed by the pieces of the barrier plugging their barrels.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU9VCPMj7k 維尼
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Rai emerges from the smoke cloud and the buildings where the weapons were positioned crumble behind him, the result of him severing the pillars used to support them.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96hp3P3SaJ 維尼
Bly’s arms fall to his side at the sight of the scene before him. A new, cloud, conflicted expression covers his face.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡXatQ7uiHyZ 維尼
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Rai dusts off his clothes. And enters the space with the other examinees.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ21fdHOaB 維尼
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“Thank you, Examiner Vi.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn3Je82doC 維尼
He says without looking at her and going back to his place next to Bly who had already made his way back to his seat.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0dr6HZRtj 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSpO6FyrKL
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“That was intense.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2UGjUdfVT 維尼
Rai says with a slight exhale.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Pl6ZFy8yp 維尼
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“Definitely. Good job.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiuP85QXpX 維尼
Bly replies with a chuckle. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxZVDR1a3j 維尼
Rai notices his shift in mood; it has only been a few hours since they met, but he had already gotten used to seeing the combination of his perpetual smile and almost unsettling friendliness.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡewQYpztjqo 維尼
“Is everything, alright?”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaqxAuvtwi 維尼
He finally musters up the courage to ask.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRyWeli6Xo 維尼
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152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkhtVn0lmE
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“Yes. I’m just a little tired, that’s all.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMmnytscZU 維尼
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Examiner Vi, still doing a bad job at hiding her frustration, pulls a new remote from her pocket.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1ds5v9Kb8 維尼
“My apologies for the issue we just had, examinees. I will now perform a complete reset on the room’s equipment. The rest of your tests should not be affected.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡauNzTjJEUj 維尼
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She presses a series of buttons and a majority of the room on the other side of the barrier begins to whirl and shift back into place while repairing damaged parts.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡiclpjxLdNr 維尼
A concerned Rai and silent Bly watch the rest of the tests unfold without uttering much more than distant small talk. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nDXCyuCeE 維尼
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Vi snaps and her barrier separating the two sections of the room fades away.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡm468dLe5CV 維尼
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“Alright, you all. That concludes the fundamentals portion of your exam. We will now be heading to the back to the orientation room to go over what comes next.” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qaCGOBKCA 維尼
Chattery mumbles roll through the crowd of examinees before one of them raises their hand. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfi0M5ZSVW 維尼
Vi interjects.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaPiaEns7P 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwCBcvaHMM
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“At this point I think I know what you’re going to ask. ‘What about Capacity testing?’ Right?” 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFmBLHKuvp 維尼
This catches Rai’s attention. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7avNehJiu 維尼
“For each of your tests, high-tier sensory exorcists were sizing up your Astral Signatures to measure just that. More on that soon. Let’s go.” Vi continues shortly.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aN3vRPYAs 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9i3Gc7038
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Back at the orientation room, the examinees take their seats and Vi returns to the podium. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72BGFfOqLn 維尼
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“Now, to elaborate on the question before: if you feel as though you did absolutely horrible on the fundamentals test, you still have a chance. In the past, Capacity was a driving factor in who we let in and who had a higher chance of being shunned. For better or for worse, new talent has forced the organization to undergo drastic changes. For one, capacity testing is much more discreet. And in terms of the final portions of your exams…”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpV0aHFAEq 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZLTZ2fZAz
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The wall behind her lights up with another graphic.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPDluo2Cbk 維尼
Its title reads: ACE: Approximations to Combat Effectiveness.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiPXaYt06K 維尼
Below it, a bracket style large roster with all the numbers for the examinees are listed.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡJawFOx0Pwz 維尼
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“There is a certain amount of realism that comes with fighting a real battle against a living, ‘breathing’, thinking threat. And because of our recent talents, we now consider the possibility of there being certain things that make up an exorcist, and furthermore an Ahstralan, that can’t be quantifiably measured through tests like before.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxshrTEmUh 維尼
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All of this becomes an incoherent mumble in Bly’s ears. Through the reflection in his eyes like windows to his soul, what he’s looking at is clear. His and Rai’s names are connected on the roster.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSinziCpwv 維尼
Rai sees the expression on his face.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJY5VEMSD7 維尼
152Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2flY9MBdcR
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“Bly-”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡfojVB7w8aC 維尼
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Before he can say anything else, Bly quickly rises from his seat and leaves.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSdngv1uac 維尼
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“You are to duel the examinee whom you are joined to on the roster tomorrow afternoon. Get your rest and feel free to head over to the dining hall at any point until 9pm.”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzvGEt4DN7 維尼
Examiner Vi leaves before everyone else, muttering something under her breath.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B3IYoj8ia 維尼
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Rai goes to the dining hall, following his same path as yesterday. The servers and examinees look at him in the same displeasure as then but Rai doesn’t even notice. He looks over to the far corner of the room towards the grain and oat food group. Nothing.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4rJnOPeSJ 維尼
He sits at the table he and Bly sat in.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡF69fTMEk3h 維尼
5 minutes pass.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuihoYZlLG 維尼
15 minutes pass.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3JOysaMOr 維尼
30 minutes pass. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9BJVH9B0u 維尼
Rai vacates his empty table with his tray in hand and leaves the dining hall, deciding to retreat to his room.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtBXNUxKOv 維尼
Exiting the elevator, he makes his way through the twists and turns of the dorm style hallways until he reaches an intersection. Going straight would take him back to his room, but he notices something out of the corner of his eye to the left. Down the hallway, he sees Bly, yelling and aggressively gesturing with his arms as if he’s spilling his heart out. Rai gets ready to call out to him, taking another step forward and revealing even more of the scene. In front of Bly is a man with eyes even more green than his looking down on him in discontent. 8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUFHXtVziI 維尼
Due to the distance between them and the pounding of his own heart, he can only hear bits of their conversation.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3h8TVr6I2G 維尼
“...tired of you playing these games!”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQRvAJB5R8 維尼
“Where is the honor in-“8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeARLvW2pJ 維尼
“What does it mean to be a noble-“8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9xuB095D9 維尼
Seeing the man's discontent, adamant expression gives Rai a feeling so familiar that any feeling of being able to intervene begins to leave his body.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡui1oXbBMMW 維尼
“I've been there, Bly… I’ve tried. He won’t listen to you. But you’re still fighting harder than I did, so what gives me the right to interfere? What could I even do?”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp88iJ7BZY 維尼
He feels a churning in his gut, a decision to be made. Nonetheless, his feet drag him away from the situation.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMcCqYHGEr 維尼
Back at his room, he plops down onto his bed with his mind in a thought-filled haze.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60Sryg3oGD 維尼
“What should I do, Kahnyne?”8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkKq3Gcvwz 維尼
The day of the duel arrives before he knows it, and with it, the only answer that the current Rai Lilac can reach.8964 copyright protection148ＰＥＮＡＮＡNktDHyYn3a 維尼
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