The admission exam was the test where they evaluated the boys and decided if they are accepted or not.
Few boys managed to get a spot without taking the exam. These were usually boys with enormous potential, famous families or clans.
This year only eight boys managed to get a spot without taking the exam.
Terrmomix arrived at the evaluation place, a huge place where there were too many classrooms and a testing field. There were many boys there who were going for the same goal: to qualify to get into the academy.
In the distance he saw Marco, Jhonatan, Brandon and Ben. They had pushed Terrmomix aside as in these last few months.
While waiting for the instructions Terrmomix decided it was a good time to make friends.
Terrmomix tried to talk but no one paid attention to him, until after staying quiet a boy approached Terrmomix.
-Hello- Greeted a boy with a calm smile.
Terrmomix was surprised but then smiled.
-Hello, nice to meet you, my name is Terrmomix.
-"Terrmomix", what a nice name, my name is Floch.
-Thank you, Floch is a nice name too.
Floch looked at him with curiosity.
-Do you also want to get into the academy?.
-Yes, I would like to get in, so I will give my best.
-It's good that you're determined. It will be hard, right now there are 400 boys who want the same thing, and only 128 will be able to qualify- Floch crossed his arms.
-Only 128?! That's way too few!- Exclaimed Terrmomix, opening his eyes.
-Yes, and that's not all. This time the host country for the exam is here in Mexico, but there are boys from different countries.
-Ohhh, that's why some didn't look like they were from here- Terrmomix looked at the boys around him with curiosity.
-Yes, for example that one is Russian, that one German, that one Norwegian, Oh! And that one Japanese- Floch started pointing at different boys.
Terrmomix followed Floch's finger looking at who he was pointing to.
-Oh, I understand, so it will be complicated then.
-Yes, but what matters is to trust yourself and you will make it... Well, it's not always like that, sometimes you don't make it.
Terrmomix nodded his head listening carefully as if he was taking notes in his mind.
At that moment the academy's director appeared and went up to the stage. Terrmomix would describe him as a little old man with a Santa's beard but who seems kind.
The director smiled.
-Hello dear participants, I'm glad you are here to take the admission exam. I am the academy's director.
All the boys stayed quiet listening to the instructions.
-Well, first of all I want to tell you that out of the 400 boys only 120 will be selected to be academy students.
The director introduced the teachers who were next to him.
-These teachers will be the ones who evaluate your performance and achievement.
All the teachers had serious looks and firm, intimidating postures.
-They don't look friendly at all- Terrmomix felt a slight shiver when seeing their serious looks.
-The tests will consist of: evaluating your academic level, your survival performance and your abilities- Explained the director.
Terrmomix rolled his eyes trembling slightly.
-Hey Floch... I didn't study anything- Terrmomix's stomach started to hurt.
-No one did, Terrmomix, I assure you no one did.
-I wish you all lots of luck, don't hold back and show everything you have- Exclaimed the director with a smile.
After the instructions the director left and they were given a few minutes to get ready.
-Hey Floch, do you have credit? We can use Chat GPT in the written exam- Terrmomix pulled out his phone with an innocent smile, as if he didn't consider it cheating.
-You want us to get expelled, right?- Floch joked with a smile.
After a few minutes a teacher went up to the stage.
-We will now split you into classrooms- His voice was firm and serious.
The boys were split into classrooms, 16 classrooms of 25 students each.
Surprisingly Floch and Terrmomix ended up in the same classroom.
When they went in they were given their participant numbers. Terrmomix had number 21 and Floch number 22.
-Let's go to the back, those are the best spots.
Terrmomix followed him to the end of the classroom, the two sat at the same table.
Floch was getting ready stretching his arms relaxed.
-What do you think will be on the exam?
-I don't know, I just hope it's not too hard.
A professor entered the classroom a few minutes later, his serious look caused shivers.
-Hello, good morning. I am Professor Elion and I will be the one evaluating you.
The professor started handing out the exams to each student.
-The rules are simple: no copying, no distracting, no talking, no making noise. If you do any of this your exam will be taken away and you will be rejected from the academy.
-If you get rejected from the academy it would be like losing your only chance to try and get in- Murmured Floch with a calm look.
Terrmomix was surprised and opened his eyes.
-Really? And why is that?.
-The academy only accepts students from 15 to 16 years old. We are 14 now so if we manage to get into the academy we will enter at 15 and graduate at 18.
Terrmomix stayed listening carefully to Floch's explanation.
-Those who are 16 will graduate at 19 but if you get rejected now you won't be able to try again.
-Ahhh because they will already be 19. So when we graduate will they hold another admission exam?
-Exactly. It will be for the academy's next generation.
-Now stop talking- Said Professor Elion while handing them their exams.
The professor went back to his table.
-You may start now, you have two hours to answer.
The exam started, everyone concentrated - especially Terrmomix who was biting his pen while studying the questions carefully.
The professor was watching from his table. When Floch saw that Terrmomix was struggling with some questions he helped him discreetly. And if he couldn't do that he gave him the answers with hand signals, all without taking his eyes off his exam.
Terrmomix managed to answer some questions not because he knew them but thanks to Floch's help. His signals were clear and perfectly hidden.
After two hours the clock rang. The professor stood up from his desk.
-Pens on the table, time's up.
Terrmomix sighed while stretching.
-Thank you Floch- He whispered gratefully for his help.
Floch smiled while also stretching his arms.
-You're welcome, Terr.
The professor started collecting all the exams from the tables.
-Stay seated and don't make noise. You will get your results in a moment.
Terrmomix asked Floch in a low voice.
-Will he give us the results now?
-Well that's what he said. I guess they want to reduce the number of participants.
-That makes sense, 400 is a lot.
After collecting the exams the professor went back to his desk and started grading us.
Terrmomix wanted to get to know Floch more while waiting for the results.
-Hey, Floch, Floch, can you use a technique?
-No, not yet, though my master says I could use one soon if I train more.
-That's incredible. Me... I still have a long way to go.
-Don't worry, work harder and soon you'll be able to have one.
-You're right, I just have to train more.
The professor finished grading. He said with a serious and firm voice.
-Alright, listen. Number 6, number 8, number 11, number 16, number 18, number 19, number 20, number 24 and number 25 may leave. You failed.
The classroom went silent. The boys who failed the exam left with sad looks.
-Listen carefully. Those who don't pass the other evaluations will be failed, and if more than 142 remain in the end only those with the highest scores will be selected. So do your best.
The professor stood up and walked to the door but before leaving the classroom he said:
-Go to the next evaluation.
Floch stood up from his seat.
-Let's go, Terrmomix.
-Alright, let's go.
The next evaluation will be their performance in adapting to the environment and their speed.