The screen flickered.
Names rearranged themselves in sharp white text, one pairing after another. Gasps echoed throughout the hall as students searched desperately for their names—some sighing in relief, others staring at the screen in quiet dread.
Then
Jay — Armin
A brief silence followed.
Not because of Jay.
Because of Armin.
Armin was well known among the students. He wasn't loud or arrogant, but he was respected—calm, principled, and regarded as someone almost certain to secure a place among the top hundred.
Seeing his name paired with someone like Jay felt… unexpected.
Armin's brows knitted slightly as his eyes lingered on the name beside his.
Jay…?
No reputation.
No rumors.
Nothing noteworthy.
At least, nothing he had heard.
Armin slowly exhaled and steadied himself.
Across the hall, disappointment spread among several students who had been paired with top contenders. Faces paled. Shoulders slumped. Some clenched their fists in silent frustration.
Aric merely scoffed when his own pairing appeared, his confidence untouched.
Neva studied the screen silently, committing every pairing to memory.
Mira's gaze sharpened as she began calculating the possible outcomes.
The prodigy siblings exchanged a brief glance.
No words were needed.
Soon, staff members stepped forward, calling the pairs one by one.
"Follow your assigned guide."
The students began to separate.
Groups disappeared into different corridors until the hall that had moments ago been filled with noise became unnervingly quiet.
Jay followed his assigned staff member without expression.
The room was simple.
Two chairs.
A wide desk.
A transparent partition separating the two sides.
Above them, a small projector hummed quietly.
Jay and Armin stood side by side before taking their seats.
Armin glanced at Jay from the corner of his eye.
Calm posture.
Even breathing.
No visible tension.
Is he hiding it… or does he genuinely feel no pressure?
Jay, meanwhile, studied the room.
No windows.
Soundproofed walls.
A small observation camera hidden behind dark glass.
A judgment room, he concluded.
A mechanical voice echoed from above.
"This is the second part of the final examination."
Both students straightened.
"You will be presented with various situations. Each of you will provide a solution based on your judgment."
A pause.
"There is no single correct answer."
The projector flickered.
"The candidate whose decisions best align with Aurelian's standards will pass."
Silence.
"Do you understand?"
Both nodded.
Situation One
The projector displayed the first scenario.
A supply convoy has been attacked in hostile territory. You can save either the medical team or the food reserves. Reinforcements will not arrive in time.
Armin's fingers tightened slightly.
Saving the medical team meant preserving lives.
But losing the food reserves could endanger everyone afterward.
Jay answered first.
"Food."
No hesitation.
Armin looked at him briefly before answering.
"Medical team."
Jay's eyes shifted toward him.
Armin continued.
"People come before supplies. Without the medical team, even the food may not be enough to keep everyone alive."
The projector recorded both answers.
Neither student knew whether either response had been judged favorably.
Situation Two
The next scenario appeared.
Ten civilians are fleeing through hostile territory. One is injured and slowing the group. Staying together means all of them may be captured. What do you do?
A bead of sweat rolled slowly down Armin's temple.
Jay answered immediately.
"Leave them."
Armin's jaw tightened.
"I'd carry them."
Jay remained silent.
Armin continued.
"If that becomes impossible… then I'd reassess the situation."
The room grew quiet.
Jay's expression didn't change.
But his eyes lingered on Armin for a moment.
He prioritizes people over efficiency.
The projector changed again.
Situation Three
You are leading a unit. Two subordinates disobey your orders to save a stranger, jeopardizing the mission. What do you do?
Jay's response came instantly.
"Remove them."
Armin hesitated.
"...Punishment after the mission."
The mechanical voice remained silent.
Armin swallowed.
"Intent matters."
Jay looked at him.
Armin met his gaze.
For the first time, something resembling tension passed between them.
Neither looked away.
The projector dimmed.
More situations followed.
One after another.
The pace increased.
Questions became more complicated. Variables changed without warning. Every decision carried consequences.
Jay answered with the same unnerving consistency—fast, direct, and precise.
He rarely needed more than a few seconds.
Armin kept up.
But the pressure was beginning to show.
His breathing grew heavier.
His palms became damp.
The pauses between questions seemed to grow shorter.
His answers make sense…
But are they what Aurelian wants?
Another scenario appeared.
Then another.
Neither student was given enough time to become comfortable.
Jay remained composed.
Armin's mind raced.
This isn't about choosing right or wrong.
They're measuring something else.
Then
Beep. Beep.
The sound cut sharply through the room.
Both students stopped.
The mechanical voice returned.
"Time's up."
Armin exhaled slowly.
Jay rose immediately.
A soft click sounded as the door unlocked.
"You may exit through the right-side door."
Jay nodded once and walked out.
Armin followed a moment later.
Behind the observation glass, a professor leaned back in his chair.
His eyes remained fixed on Jay's retreating figure.
"...That kid."
A faint smile appeared.
"He's good."
Outside, Armin stopped.
He didn't look angry.
He didn't look defeated.
Just tired.
He glanced toward the door through which Jay had disappeared.
What exactly is he?
Before he could think further, Jay passed him without a word.
Their eyes met briefly.
Neither spoke.
The door closed behind them.
The third trial was over.
But for Armin
the questions had only just begun.