Kassius gets up on his feet. He picks up Arnold and carries him on his back. He heads back through the forest.
Kassius (in head): "Hopefully the last part isn't as extreme, I'm exhausted."
Kassius, after a short while of walking, reaches the open field.
Kassius: "We're back."
Kassius walks past the trees and reaches the center of the woods where he sees a few others and the coach, engine rumbling. He walks up to the group and stands with them.
Romulus: "You survived the second part. Congratulations to you all. We'll leave shortly, we just have to handle a few things."
Everyone gets on the coach. Kassius looks forba seat and places Arnold down first before he sits beside him. Kassius turns his head to catch a glance of the back of the coach.
Kassius (in head): "Bonnie and Jinsoku made it, that's good. The numbers though..."
Hermes enters the coach and closes the door behind him. They begin to drive out of the forest.
Arnold: "Mm..."
Kassius: "Yo. You're awake. Check it out. You passed."
Arnold looks up. The board displayed the winners of each block.
Arnold: "You too."
Kassius: "All that's left now is the third part."
A random participant near the back stands up.
Participant: "Um, excuse me? I think we're missing a few people. My friend... he isn't here."
Romulus: "Everybody is here. Everybody alive."
Participant 1: "Alive? You mean..."
Hermes: "..."
Participant: "Who did it?! Who killed him?! Tell me right now! ...So that's how it is?! Then ma-"
Romulus: "Enough!"
Everybody looks towards Romulus.
Romulus: "I'll remind all of you for the last time. This is not a game. You, just like those that didn't survive, willingly signed up. Furantur requires useful individuals. So pass and be useful. The rest does not concern us."
The air in the coach tightens up, not a sound being made.
Bonnie: "So what happens to their bodies?"
Romulus: "They will be collected and dealt with accordingly."
As the coach continues driving, the silence remains. Kassius, asleep, slightly shifts around.
"I'll see you then... at the top of the world."
Arnold: "Are you alright?"
Kassius: "Hmm? Oh, Arnold. What's up?"
Arnold: "You were talking in your sleep."
Kassius: "Oh, sorry."
Arnold: "No problem."
Kassius: "Hey, Arnold."
Arnold: "Yeah?"
Kassius: "If you don't mind me asking... is there a reason you applied for this?"
Arnold: "Why do you ask?"
Kassius: "I guess... I want to get to know you more is all."
Arnold stares out the window.
Arnold: "I made a promise to someone. Someone I care about."
Kassius: "A promise?"
Arnold: "My little sister. She always wanted one thing, before she..."
Kassius: "Oh... I'm sorry."
Arnold: "It's alright."
Kassius: "What did she want?"
Arnold: "A Shingeto painting."
Kassius: "Wait, that's the two pair painting, yeah? I thought that both have never been found. And they'd probably cost a fortune if they were."
Arnold: "Exactly why I applied. I'll go search for it out of Vagis, even if it takes the rest of my life... but what about you?"
Kassius: "Me? I want to become the greatest thief in the world. But I can't do that in Vagis, so I'm using this as an exit route. I also promised someone, that I'd meet him again one day."
Kassius removes his wallet from his pocket.
Kassius: "This wallet, is the bet of our lives."
Arnold: "They also left Vagis?"
Kassius: "He did. I'm sure of it. But I have zero clue how he is right now. He's probably made a name for himself already."
Arnold: "...I'm going to rest. You should too. We should be fully prepared for the next part."
Kassius: "You're right."
Both of them shut their eyes. At the back of the coach, Bonnie stares out the window with a disappointed look on her face.
Jinsoku: "Looks like you were roughed up pretty bad."
Bonnie: "Look who's talking."
Jinsoku: "Fair enough. But I don't get it. You passed. So, why're you so gloomy?"
Bonnie: "Because I didn't win."
Jinsoku: "Huh?"
Bonnie: "I passed out. I didn't walk away the winner. I'm weak."
Jinsoku: "Weak? Don't sell yourself so short. Besides, who really cares if you're weak or not? It's not always about being the strongest."
Bonnie: "It is for me."
Jinsoku, surprised, looks at Bonnie as she stares outthe window.
Bonnie: "One who can fight anything. That's all I want... Thanks, by the way."
Jinsoku: "What for?"
Bonnie: "People usually laugh at that. Well, except Kas. But that's why he's my friend, you know? I guess you're like a second friend now."
Jinsoku: "I don't know about that."
Bonnie: "Why not?"
Jinsoku: "...Did you ever hear of my name before this test?"
Bonnie: "No, I don't think so. Are you famous?"
Jinsoku: "Something like that... But it's not for something good. And as much as I try, I'm tired of being recognised for it. So I just want to leave this place. Explore the world. Live my life to the fullest. Leave this life behind me."
Bonnie smiles and turns to Jinsoku.
Bonnie: "Then hopefully we both pass."
Jinsoku smiles and shuts his eyes. Bonnie continues staring outside the window, slowly falling asleep as well. After a while of driving, the coach finally comes to a stop.
Romulus: "Everybody up! We're here!"
Eyes open as people wake up and start heading off the coach. They group up outside it in front of Romulus.
Romulus: "Part two is complete. Welcome back to Furantur. It's very early in the morning so you will be allowed to get some rest. To the people who have passed, you will head to the room you had started the exam in, where food and sleeping accommodations will be provided. The third part will be led by Principal. The rest are free to leave. May you fair better next year."
Romulus looks at Jinsoku and Arnold as the group walks away.
Romulus (in head): "Seems like this year has promising individuals. The murderer of the Subayai family, and a child of Jenovise..."
The group arrive at the hall. A table of food stands near the entrance, and sleeping bags right beside them. Principal, standing next to the table, walks up to the group.
Principal: "Congratulations to you all. Help yourself to as much food as needed and get some rest. The final part will be in a few hours."
Everybody walks to the table and takes some food with them. Jinsoku grabs some food and takes a sleeping bag to the corner of the room. Bonnie stacks her plate and walks away. Everybody stares at her in shock. Kassius follows suite. For the hours, the group eat and talk. Kassius and Bonnie go back and forth for extra servings. After a while, everybody heads to sleep. At 6 AM, the sun light cracks through the window at the back.
Principal: "Time to wake up!"
In a hurried pace, the group wakes up and rushes to the center, standing in a line side by side. Principal pacing around, observing the group.
Principal: "We're down to twenty, huh? I guess only half will pass this part. So let's get this started, shall we?"