After the combat segment of the Demon Slayer Academy entrance exam had concluded, it was finally time to select the candidates who would be admitted into the academy.
"The combat trials have come to an end," the announcer's voice rang out from the glowing cube, its soft hum reverberating across the silent arena. "This marks the conclusion of today's Demon Slayer Academy entrance exam."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"You will now be granted a ten-minute recess. When that time is up, the names of those who demonstrated exceptional skill and potential will be announced. Those selected will earn their place in the Demon Slayer Academy."
"I'm really nervous about the results… I don't know if I'll make it in," Cody said, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin.
Jericho blinked at him, clearly surprised. "What do you mean? You displayed one of the most impressive feats out there, and you think you won't make it?"
Cody gave a slight chuckle. "When you've failed the exam twice like I have, you start to wonder if it's just not meant to be."
Jericho stared at him for a moment, a thought echoing sharply in his mind. Is this guy serious? He was probably the strongest one out there… and he's still unsure?
As he thought of Cody's feat, his mind raced back to someone else. He glanced sideways at the elf boy who stood perfectly still, with a blank expression on his face. The only one who came close to his level was that white-haired elf, and even then, Cody's ability was something else.
Meanwhile, in a different part of the capital, inside a dark chamber, five figures sat in silence. Each of them was seated on a throne-like chair carved from solid stone, their forms partially concealed by the darkness of the room.
Before the five figures hovered a large, translucent screen. The screen was an enchanted transmission mirror that showed them a live feed of the arena and the candidates below.
Their gazes were fixed on the image, and resting in each of their hands was a leather-bound ledger with the pages inscribed with the names and badge numbers of every candidate who had taken the entrance exam.
"There are quite a few strong candidates this year," one of the figures murmured, his voice deep and rough. His eyes didn't leave the glowing screen. "Wouldn't you agree, Alexander?" he asked.
Seated a few thrones away, another man shifted slightly, his cloak brushing against the stone as he nodded. "You're not wrong," Alexander replied, his tone cool and composed. "They possess far more potential than we've seen in recent years."
Alexander leaned forward, his hand flipping open his ledger with a soft rustle of parchment. "Well then…" he said, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth, "shall we begin selecting the best of the best?"
Back at the exam arena, the ten-minute recess time had come to an end. The entire arena fell silent, their eyes fixed on the announcer and the floating cube before him. Their hearts pounded as they waited for him to announce the results of the exam.
"The higher-ups have made their decision on which of you will be accepted into the Demon Slayer Academy," the announcer's voice echoed across the silent arena.
"The results will be displayed shortly. Please note, if your badge number is not shown on the screen, it means you have not been admitted into the academy. Good luck to you all."
As the final word echoed from the cube, a bright white light beamed into the sky above the arena. And from within the glow, an enchanted screen slowly materialized, hovering high overhead.
One by one, the badge numbers of all the selected candidates began to appear across the screen. As their badge numbers were displayed, dozens of eyes looked on the screen in anticipation, searching desperately for their own number among the list.
Panic soon rippled through the arena as the screen displayed the badge numbers of the selected candidates. Some candidates stared in horror as they discovered that their numbers were missing from the list, while others broke into shouts of joy.
"There must be a mistake!" one candidate yelled, clenching his fists in anger. "I should be up there!"
"I made it! I'm in!" another shouted, leaping into the air with both hands raised.
Amid the chaos, Jericho remained still, his eyes steadily scanning the giant screen. He kept his breathing steady, trying to stay calm as his gaze moved from number to number.
As he searched for his number, Jericho's eyes landed on a very familiar badge number. He recognized it instantly, having memorized it earlier in the day.
It was Cody's badge number, he had made it in. Not that it was a surprise to Jericho; he already knew Cody would get in.
"Dude, I'm in!" Cody shouted, practically exploding with joy. He threw his arms around Jericho in a half-hug, shaking him with excitement. "I finally got in, man!"
Jericho let out a gentle smile. "I knew you would."
Cody pulled back, still grinning from ear to ear. "Did you get in?"
"I haven't seen my number yet," Jericho replied, still scanning the giant screen.
The grin on Cody's face faltered, the corners of his mouth falling slightly. "Hey, don't sweat it. I'm sure you got in, man. Show me your number, come on, I'll help you look."
Jericho nodded and was just about to show Cody the number on his badge when his eyes froze on the screen. After searching for a while, Jericho finally saw his badge number at the far end of the screen.
"I got in," Jericho said, almost in disbelief. He stood frozen as a slow, relieved smile spread across his face.
"Told you you would!" Cody laughed, his grin snapping right back into place.
As the two friends shared that quiet victory, Jericho's gaze drifted across the crowd. His eyes landed on the white-haired elf boy from earlier.
He was standing still, and his hands were still tucked in his pockets. His face was unreadable as ever, completely unshaken by the results, almost like he was a hundred percent sure he would get in.
After giving the candidates time to scan the screen for their badge numbers, the announcer's voice echoed once more from the glowing cube, cutting clean through the buzz of whispers, cries, and cheers.
"To those of you who were not selected," the announcer said, his tone even and composed, "you have my sincere condolences. Do not give up, you may return and try again next year."
A murmur of disappointment rippled through the crowd, accompanied by a wave of heavy sighs and a few clenched fists.
The announcer continued, "As for those of you who have been accepted… prepare yourselves. You will be transported to the Demon Slayer Academy shortly."
On hearing the announcement, the arena stirred with excitement. All the candidates that made it buzzed with uncontrollable energy, including Jericho and Cody.
Jericho shifted his stance and looked at Cody.
"Well," Cody said with a grin, "guess this is it."
Just then, the announcer's voice echoed once more through the glowing cube, delivering one final message.
"The badges you were given are embedded with magic energy. They will serve as your means of transportation to the Demon Slayer Academy. All those who have passed… brace yourselves. You will be teleported in an instant."
As soon as the announcement ended, the badge in Cody's hand, alongside all the selected candidates, began to glow with a radiant, pulsing light.
"Here we go," Cody whispered, his eyes wide with anticipation.
Then, in a sudden burst of blinding white light, one by one, the successful candidates began to vanish from the arena, each of them flickering out of existence as their badges activated.
Jericho looked down just in time to see his badge glow as well, its magic humming faintly in his palm. And in a flash, he too disappeared from the arena.