It's been nine years since my first encounter with Jiraiya and now I find myself at the Puppet Arts Academy entry exams.
"Attention all Puppeteers! Please begin making your way to the battle arena to begin the exams!"
The day of the exam, May 1st, was one of the most important days on Izu Island. Hundreds of hopeful teens study and train relentlessly for this day.
The test goes as follows:
The testing process begins with 96 entries & a 100-question written exam designed to evaluate students' knowledge of puppet mechanics, control techniques, and how puppeteers must adapt to their puppet's unique specifications. From this test, the top 32 scorers of each class are chosen to move on to the next leg of the exam
These students are then divided into their respective classes: Battle, Policing, and Trade, each is determined by the type of abilities their puppets have. The top 32 students in each class compete in head-to-head matches, forming two teams of 16 competitors within their specialization. The winning 16 students from each track move on to the final round.
The final exam consists of a 4v4v4v4 team competition. For Battle and Policing class competitors, this takes the form of a large-scale battle royale, while Trade class competitors participate in a team-based challenge that tests their specialized skills. The winning teams from each track earn admission into Puppet Arts Academy as the incoming freshman class.
But in some cases, the following won't apply.
I had finally made it to the door of the arena and that's where the most soul crushing thing I've ever heard was told to me by one of the guards.
"Seems like you haven't taken the written exam. Please wait over there."
The guard pointed over to a roped off area that had the sign "Late Exams" above it. Two kids were already there.
As I made my way over to the roped off section, I started panicking in my head. "I haven't taken the written exam?! But how? That's part of the exam itself! How could I have already taken it anyways!"
I sat down still deep in thought. A girl's voice snapped me out of it.
"Hey you! Are you alright? You haven't blinked in over a minute you know."
I look up to see a pretty girl. She had shoulder length hazel hair that covered one eye. Her whole outfit was purple like her eyes except for her shoes which were black. Her comment had snapped me out of my panicked stupor.
"I- I'm just confused at the moment is all…" I responded.
She looked at me in thought.
"You must be here for the same reason I am! Did they also tell you you hadn't taken the written exam?"
My eyes grew wide, I nodded.
The girl hummed in understanding.
"I asked about it and apparently we were supposed to have taken it before in order to speed up the exam process. But don't worry, they're still letting those who didn't take it take it now but apparently the exam will be structured differently. I don't really know what that means but oh well, at least we have a shot right?"
I sighed.
"Yeah…"