By the time Vivian reached the assessment grounds, the briefing had already started. Which was a very big problem.
She had woken up late. Again.
She had promised herself she would wake up early today. Now she was running across the academy grounds trying to catch her breath.
The academy was enormous, and apparently, the administration had decided that making the training grounds as far away from the dormitories as possible was a good idea.
She slowed down as she reached the doorway leading into the training grounds.
The entire arena was surrounded with towering stone walls and steel barriers. The entrance alone was a gigantic metal door large enough for several vehicles to pass through at once.
Something about the place immediately made her uncomfortable.
There was only one entrance. No emergency exit. No escape route. If something goes wrong in this place, we are completely trapped inside a giant cage.
There were hundreds of students gathered inside, all of them standing were in pairs. Some were stretching, while others were checking their equipment or quietly discussing something among themselves.
At the center of the field stood several instructors.
A male instructor was speaking to the students.
Unfortunately, she had barely taken three steps before the instructor stopped talking.
Vivian looked up.
One of the instructors noticed her immediately. The same woman from yesterday. "Miss Rubio."
Vivian stopped dead in her tracks. Oh. That tone. She slowly looked up. "Yes ma’am?"
"You’re late."
Vivian gave her an innocent, sweet smile, trying to smooth things over. "I’m so sorry."
The instructor just stared at her, unbothered by her smile. Vivian’s fake grin quickly disappeared.
"You were late yesterday too," the instructor said.
"I know."
"And you’re late today."
"I’m sorry."
"Do you plan on being late tomorrow as well, Miss Rubio?"
Vivian hesitated, before scratching the back of her neck. "Well... that depends entirely on how much sleep I get tonight."
A few students in the back rows snickered loudly. The instructor’s eye twitched. Vivian immediately lowered her head, realizing she should probably shut her mouth.
"Come here," the instructor barked.
Vivian reluctantly followed the instructor. As she approached the main stage, she noticed something. Everyone on the field had already been divided into pairs. Temporary assessment partners.
Her heart sank as her eyes scanned the lines.
Except her. She was alone. Oh, no.
The instructor folded her arms over her chest, looking down at her. "You were supposed to arrive before the pairing was completed. You were supposed to listen to the briefing, and assigned a temporary partner for the trials."
Vivian’s groaned.
"Because you arrived late, everyone has already been assigned," the instructor finished.
"So... what happens to me?"
"If you do not have a partner, you cannot participate in the assessment trial."
Vivian’s eyes widened. "And?"
"And you automatically fail today’s trial."
"What? You’ve got to be kidding me."
The instructor continued calmly. "You heard me right, Miss Rubio."
"But I just got here!"
"That is precisely the problem."
Vivian stared at her, as her instructor walked away. No. This cannot happen.
She looked around the arena desperately. There had to be someone left. A Sentinel, a Guide, a stray student, anyone. She couldn’t fail the entire academy trial just because she had overslept. Not now. Not when she only had five months left on the clock.
The male instructor turned toward the rest of the students. "Since everyone is here now, we will continue the brief. The assessments trials will take place over the next three days, from Wednesday through Friday."
The entire arena immediately became silent.
"You are required to pass at least two of the three assessments," the instructor explained. "Anyone who fails will be dismissed, and sent back home. You may reapply again next year."
Next year?
Vivian’s fingers curled around the strap of her bag.
She couldn’t go home. Not because she loved the academy. She didn’t. She didn’t have a year to waste.
Compass.
[Yes, host?] Compass replied, calmly.
If I fail today’s assessment, will everything be over? Will I still have a chance?
Compass remained silent for a moment. [Yes.]
Vivian’s eyes widened slightly.
[Host is required to pass two out of the three assessment trials. If host prepares for the remaining two assessments, passing is still possible.]
A small breath escaped Vivian’s lips.
Two out of three. She still had hope.
But then another thought struck her.
What happens if I fail twice? Home. I can’t prepare for an apocalypse from Helen’s attic. Leaving now would mean throwing away one of her biggest advantages.
Vivian clenched her fists. Then I’ll pass the next two.
[That is advisable.]
Thanks for the encouragement.
The instructor continued explaining the assessment.
"The trials are designed to evaluate several areas. Physical ability. Awakened-energy control. Survival instincts. Judgment under pressure. And your ability to cooperate with your partner."
So this wasn’t simply a strength test. That made sense.
Strength alone had never been enough during the apocalypse. The strongest people she had known had still died. Sometimes because they made one stupid decision, or trusted the wrong person.
"Furthermore, your assessments will be live-streamed in front of the whole school."
Loud murmuring and gasps spread through the crowd of freshmen.
"Everyone is going to be watching?"
"We only have three chances?"
"I can’t come back next year."
She clenched her fists inside her pockets. She wasn’t failing this test. She didn’t come all the way back just to be eliminated on day one because she couldn’t wake up on time.
The instructor continued his speech. "Each daily assessment will become more difficult. Today’s assessment is the first phase, and it will be considered the easiest."
"You will be entering a rift," the instructor announced.
Vivian blinked.
"The rift assigned to each pair contains hostile creatures," the instructor explained. "Your task will be to locate the designated monsters, capture them using the restraints provided at the entrance, and eliminate them according to the requirements."
Vivian’s eyes widened. Monsters? The instructor kept talking, but Vivian barely heard another word.
Suddenly, her late grandmother’s voice echoed inside her head.
Monsters from hell. God gave humans special powers just to fight them. They were eventually defeated and sealed away forever in the Underworld.
Vivian had literally laughed at that story in the library last night. She had thought it was nothing more than a fairytale told to keep children in bed.
Grandma was right! Her palms began to sweat. They are actually monsters.
Vivian stared at the locks.
They were enormous, heavy, and made of cold steel. Each one looked strong enough to restrain a wild beast.
"The containment lock must remain intact," the instructor said. "If the creature breaks free, your team fails."
Vivian studied the students around her. Some looked excited. Others looked nervous.
This wasn’t a standard school assessment. This was a live hunt.
And while she had spent years fighting zombies in her past life, she knew how to run from a horde, how to hide in the mud, and how to slit a scavenger’s throat. But she had never fought an underworld monster. She didn’t even know what they looked like.
This is fine, she tried to reassure herself. It’s probably just some big, ugly, oversized animal. I can handle any animal.
"And before you enter, remember this." The instructor took a deep breath. "Do not assume size determines strength."
"Study its movements. Watch its behavior. Identify its weaknesses before you attack. Your judgment is part of the assessment."
Vivian nodded slowly.
That, at least, she understood.
The apocalypse had taught her something no classroom ever could.
Appearance or size didn’t matter.
The most dangerous things were often the ones people underestimated.
The instructor looked toward Vivian. "As for you..."
Vivian straightened. "Yes sir?"
"You arrived late. You have no partner. Therefore..."
The sound of opening door interrupted him. Everyone turned. A second later, it burst open.
A tall figure slowly walked through the entrance. Blonde hair catching the lights, piercing blue eyes, and a familiar smile.
Vivian froze. No fucking way.
She knew that face. She had seen it only a few hours ago. The stranger who had caught her drooling right on the apocalypse book. The stranger whose cheek she had literally poked with her finger.
What the hell is he doing here?