After two weeks of continuous training at the Academy, it was time for the first class field trip! Fasal's students poured into the courtyard with a mix of pride, happiness, and nervousness. "I'm rather surprised Michael and Alex get to come along with us," Gerald whispered to Kevin. "All they've been doing is competing and fighting the entire time we've been here!"
Around the courtyard's perimeter walked Samantha, smiling upon the sight of Kevin and Gerald. "I gathered information from Le regarding where we're going!" she shouted. "Apparently, they've created an exact replica of the city in the Crystal Arena to be used in future professional and standard hunter tests!"
Kevin and Gerald brightly smiled, their faces overflowing with excitement. "Professional… and standard? I didn't know the Academy process was that short!"
"Are you two complete idiots?" Arias chimed in, overhearing their conversation from a distance. "Unless you do something showing you deserve the title early, you'll have to rise through the ranks to become hunters like everyone else!" Gerald chuckled, quietly predicting Kevin's response. "We aren't like everyone else, Arias! We'll show our potential one way or another!"
Fasal and Le entered the courtyard, their presences slowing the crowd's conversations. "After a week of learning about pristine entities, you guys are officially ready to begin power training!"
Le continued Fasal's speech. "We'll be heading to the Crystal Arena today, as some of you already know. Since none of you are prepared for battle against entities, we'll be hosting a race of speed and strategy!"
Arias grinned. "Speed is my middle name, this race is in the bag!"
Crystal Arena
"YOU PUT ME IN A BAG!?" he screamed.
Michelle let out a shy chuckle. "Seems like you can't rely on speed for this challenge!"
The boy with the dark bandana loudly shouted, motivating himself for the events to come. "I got this, I know I do!" He was followed by two other students, Gabriella and Andrew. "Don't do it alone, Dever!" Andrew enthusiastically shouted. "Together, we'll graduate and become the strongest!"
"Finally, we get to use our powers!" Kevin celebrated, pounding his fists together. "Gerald gets to use his fire, and Samantha uses her ice! Together, we'll be unstoppable among everyone else!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Fasal replied. Clinging to Le's shoulder, she entered the room and glanced at the students' clustered in the arena's lobby. Le struck his hand towards the sky, glancing at the first-year students with a grin on his face. "The challenge is officially ready, so it's time to review the rules! Four teams of five will race towards the south side of the city towards one of four randomly hidden crystals! If any blood is shed, you will be suspended and forbidden from any future trips!"
Kevin nodded, his head turning towards Gerald and Samantha. "Seems like we've already gotten three people…" he thought amongst himself. In the distance bickered Alex and Michael, instantly grabbing Kevin's attention following the conclusion of Le's speech. "As long as they're effective, it's okay…" Samantha replied.
"WHY THE HELL WOULD I BE ON A TEAM WITH THIS GUY!?" Alex screamed.
"DON'T ACT LIKE YOUR ANY BETTER, IDIOT!" Michael replied.
Gerald and Samantha awkwardly glanced towards Kevin, persisting in his approval with a nod. "Being a team revolves around working together, not fighting! If you guys fight the entire time, then you won't even get through your first challenge!" Alex and Michael's argument faded into abrupt silence, broken by Gerald and Samantha's small chuckles. "Whatever," they both said in unison.
"LET'S DO THIS!" the bagged Arias shouted. He was accompanied by Michelle, Gabriella, Andrew, and Dever. "Using willpower, we'll blast straight past you to the top!"
"You're sweating again, Arias," Samantha replied, the drops filling the bag like a swimming pool.
Stepping towards Kevin and Arias were the two other team leaders, Jeremy and Elizabeth. "This race is going to be a blast!" Jeremy called out, copying Le's prideful gesture and striking his hand towards the sky.
Silently, Elizabeth extended her hand towards Kevin. Both their hands joined, creating a formal handshake. "Jeremy, the kid obsessed with watching animated fights. Elizabeth, rather quiet among everyone but a formidable opponent," he summarized.
---
"You sure splitting up right off the bat is a good decision?" Samantha whispered to Kevin, who nodded without a second thought. "I'll monitor Michael and Alex, so don't you worry about them! That way, I can make sure they don't try to kill each other…"
The metal garage opened, revealing Crystal City's exact replica to the students'. The team leaders stepped in front - Kevin, Arias, Elizabeth, and Jeremy. "You'll have thirty minutes to cross the city!" Fasal stated through the loudspeaker. "Remember, you kids better not shed any blood if you don't want a pummelling!" Kevin focused on the hill overlooking the city, noticing the striped finish line engraved in the grass. "That's our goal!" he concluded.
Le took a large breath. "The very first Academy challenge… BEGINS NOW!"