Hello again everyone.
Spring is soon approaching, so let's prepare in welcoming the new season.
While each month may bring a chapter, I won't be able to update as fast since I am focusing on work and other projects.
On another note, let's give a Happy Belated Birthday to Matsuura Kanan (with lots of hugs).
Now sit back and enjoy.
Note: This will be the first part of a multi-chaptered feature.
I do not own Love Live.
It all started with a letter delivered to µ's headquarters addressed to Nico.
It was morning and the daily mail was dropped off at their place.
Proctor?
The girls were sitting around a round table, eating their breakfast while looking at the Ookami.
Yeah. Nico was asked to be a proctor for the Garou Exam that will take place three months from now, the Ookami said with a conflicted expression, letting a sigh. Since this is mandatory for a star like Nico, it's kinda hard to say no.
When she was told that being a [Host] doesn't change her ties with her tribe, they weren't kidding. Every now and then, they would sent requests through the mail along with newsletters from the village.
So what do you do exactly? Umi said.
Nico just needs to be there to make sure that everything goes well, Nico said with a smirk. It can get real intense. So Eli, I will have be out of this place for a few days, so don't bother to get me unless it's really important.
That's fine, Nico, Eli said, who finished with her meal prepared by Kotori. Everyone take turns to cook and perform other chores.
If I remember correctly, it's the test that determines whether someone becomes a Garou, Maki said.
Exactly, Any Ookami that wants to increase their status after they graduate from school must take this test, Nico said.
Is the exam hard to pass? Hanayo asked.
Well, even someone as strong and talented as Nico barely passed the exam and that was with training from Shirou and Shadow, Nico said, her body tensing from remember those days.
Sounds like something that should be easy if someone like Nico-chan can do it, Maki said.
Yeah, right. I bet your guys wouldn't get through the first round, Nico said, disregarding the comment. Well, maybe the Soldier Game Trio and Non-tan can, but I can't say the same for the rest of you. Not offense, Hanayo-chan and Kotori-chan.
Somehow we were left out there, Honoka said, her and Rin looking at the Ookami with hurt expressions.
For your information, it takes more than physical strength alone to become a Garou. The exam is to show that you are prepared for taking on work outside the village and handle anything that you may face, Nico said with serious. Even with our current strength, I honestly don't know if you guys can survive, let alone pass the exam.
Then let's take it, Honoka said, raising her voice suddenly and stood from her chair.
Eh?
The rest of the girls reacted as they look at the Kuma.
What are you talking about, Honoka? Eli said.
If the exam is as hard as Nico-chan said it is, then all the more reason we should take it, Honoka said, seemingly fired up.
Are you serious, Honoka? Nico said with an offended look.
I am! the Kuma said. We are supposed to be the best in defending this country, but how will we know that if we can't prove it?
It does sound interesting, Nozomi said. Also, I am curious about the exam itself.
You two, Nico said, looking at them in disbelief.
Then, let's put it to a vote, nya, Rin said, who stood up and went to the middle of the room. Everyone who wants to take the Garou Exam, raise your hand, nya!
When Rin, Honoka, and Nozomi's hand went up, the others weren't surprised. However, the next two hands that went up were…..
U-Umi? Nico said, surprised to see the normally pragmatic girl's hand.
Well, most of us come from tribes that don't use aura often, so I think this would be a good experience for µ's, the Inu said calmly. Besides I want to train myself and become stronger.
Their fight against Genesis, particularly her confrontation with Arima Sai, left a deep impression on the archer of the limits of her strength as well as the power of the [Kizuna]. She didn't want to feel the sense of powerlessness like that again.
And Eli-chan, too? Kotori said, who still looks surprised.
I do agree with Umi and Honoka, Eli said. We can't afford to stay idle, not with our responsibilities as guardians. Plus, it would be interesting to see how we can pass the exam.
They occasionally train and do mock fights against each other for practice, but nothing intense enough that really tests their limits.
Oh! Elichi is being bold, Nozomi said with a wide smile.
This is ridiculous. Why do we have to do this to prove ourselves? Maki said with a scowl.
Oh? So our Scarlet Princess is scared of taking an exam, Nico said playfully. While not agreeing with the others, the Ookami couldn't help but tease the younger girl. Ma, I can understand if Maki-chan does not have the guts to…..
Is that a challenge, Nico-chan? Maki said as she put her face very closely to the older girl's.
I am fine with whatever we decide, Kotori said.
I don't mind it either if it helps strength our bonds, Hanayo said sensibly.
I think you are all forgetting about one thing. Just how are you guys supposed to take the exam if it's for Ookami only? Nico said defiantly.
Why don't you ask Lady Kurogane for permission, Nicochii? Nozomi said.
What? Why in the world does Nico have to be the one to ask? Nico said angrily.
Because you are a representative of the Ookami tribe, which means you have a better chance to get an audience with her, Umi said bluntly.
…. I hate it when you make sense, Nico said. Haaa. Fine, but I can't make any promises since this is the leader of my tribe. Just because her word is absolute doesn't mean she will listen to me.
After deciding as a group, the girls resumed their normal activities.
Take the Garou Exam?
At the main office at the leader's headquarter, Nico was standing in front of the Ookami leader, who was sitting on her chair.
Nico thought she would need to set up an appointment due to the leader's schedule. Luckily, the leader was awake at the time and allowed her to meet with her.
Yeah. It was brought up when you guys sent the letter to me, Nico said, who felt awkward asking for the impossible.
May I ask for the reason? Lady Kurogane asked.
Well, for some reason, they wanted to test their abilities since there's not that many people who can match our powers, Nico said with less of the confidence she normally expresses. Soo… what do you think?
…To be honest, I am not sure, Lady Kurogane said. Although the leader was wearing a mask that covers most of her face, her tone reflects her confusion.
Well, if you say that they shouldn't do it, I would understand…
Not exactly, Lady Kurogane interrupted with a sharp retort before speaking in a neutral voice. This is the first time that anybody outside the tribe would take part with our events. Although I don't think it would be a bad thing, this is rather sudden and there needs to be some ground rules laid out. Afterall, we prepare months into the Garou Exam and it's drawing near. The last thing we want is to change our testing methods.
That kinda make sense, Nico said. Do you need us to do anything?
I will have a talk with the council about this matter and I will let you know as soon as I get their decision, Lady Kurogane said.
I see. Thank you for hearing me out, Lady Kurogane, Nico said, who made a short bow.
After they finished talking, the petite girl prompt left the room.
[A Few Days Later]
….Hence forward, you all are granted permission to take part of the Garou Exam as honorary participants who will abide by the rules, Shirou said, reading a piece of tan paper in front of the girls.
I can't believe that old hag actually pulled it off, Nico said.
Yay! We get to go, Honoka said with a happy smile.
You guys really don't know what you are getting into, Nico said, looking at her friends with pity.
Now that I think about it we don't know much about the Garou Exam since we're not part of the Ookami tribe, Hanayo said.
Basically, the exam takes about 3 to 5 days, where the exam candidates must complete a series of challenges, Shirou said.
If you fail even one, you are disqualified hands down, Nico said, shaking her head. There are rarely any exemptions to that rule, so don't expect any special treatment.
There is no limit of how many times you can take Garou Exam, but it's usually free the first time and then you have to pay a fee for each attempt, Shirou said.
What about our [Kizuna]? Maki said. Wouldn't it give us an unfair advantage?
Since the [Kizuna] are considered your 'companions', there is nothing in the rules against that, but Lady Kurogane said that even with the [Kizuna], this exam is a way to test your individual abilities and recommend to not involve them, Shirou said.
Besides, ever since they added the 'Overkill Rule', Izumo and the others won't be much help in this case, Nico said.
'Overkill' rule? Hanayo said.
Three years ago, a certain idiot candidate thought the best way to rank up was to show off his full power during the final round. He was able to defeat his opponent. And level the entire building. And send proctors and candidates all around to the hospital. They had to reschedule the matches for everyone before him. Needless to say, Lady Kurogane was not happy about it, Nico said. Now if anybody tries to do something like that, they will be disqualified and banned from taking the exam for a few years.
Ne, Nico-chan. Can you tell us about your experience when you took the exam? Kotori said.
It's not that I want to talk about it. It's just that the exam changes every year, so my experience may be not be helpful for you guys, Nico said awkwardly.
Not just that, but the number of people who passed the exam is also different each year. In the case for Nico, about 300 candidates took the exam and only 50 passed, Shirou said.
I even heard in one year, not a single Ookami passed the exam, Nico said.
But it would be nice to get a feel of what the Garou exam is like, Nozomi said.
…..I supposed I could tell you what happen since Nico-Ni can't leave her friends in the dark, Nico said. Let's see, I first had to take a written test, which I somehow passed.
What?! We have to take a 'test'?! Honoka said, who was shocked and distressed at the same time.
…Honoka, it's called the Garou Exam. What do you think it was going to be? Nico said with a doubtful expression.
I was kinda imagining something like doing request-like things, hehehe, Honoka said sheepishly.
Most of the questions are pretty straight forward, focusing on the basics of aura as well as the rules of our tribe, things that every adult Ookami should know, Shirou explained.
So what happened after the first part? Nozomi said.
Well, the ones who pass the written exam got a letter that told them of the meeting place for the next round, Shirou said.
For the next challenge, they had us jogging through the Kemono Forest that sits west of the village, Nico said. . of running nonstop with no breaks, and that doesn't count the vicious animals and traps in the forest. You are taken out if you fall behind or got stuck in the forest. By the time we got the meeting place, everyone who made it were all exhausted. And then they start the next round, a cooking challenge where you must satisfy the judges, which Nico aced with ease, the petite girl said with a confident grin.
That doesn't sound too hard, nya, Rin said.
Not if the main ingredient was this smelly, blood-thirsty, elephant-size boar that could kill you. Not to be confused with our local dwellers, Hanayo-chan, Nico said, her face changed from an irritated look to one with a content expression. After that was done, they brought us to this five-star hotel to rest for the next day. It even came with dinner and breakfast. And all you can eat at that.
Really?! That sound so nice, Honoka said, who was drooling from imagining all the food.
Nico. Please don't get their hopes although we usually try to accommodate all our candidates, Shirou said before the younger girl continued.
For the last round, we had to fight one-on-one match with a proctor, Nico said, her face drops slightly into a grimace. One poor fool actually got Lady Kurogane as their opponent. It was painful to watch in many ways.
The rest of the girls, with their first encounter with the leader, can understand the petite girl's sentiments.
Even Lady Kurogane will be there, Kotori said.
Yeah. She is our leader, so her presence makes the exam even more interesting, Nico said.
That doesn't seem really fair, Eli said.
Well, the whole point was not to win or lose, but to assess the candidate's skills to the fullest, Shirou said.
Agh. Please don't remind me, Nico said with frustration.
So who did you fight against, Nico-chan? Maki said.
Shirou, who was a proctor, was my opponent for the final round and I will say this much, he did not hold back on me, Nico said, gritting her teeth in anger.
What do you mean? Hanayo said.
He was your mentor, wasn't he? Kotori said.
It's because he was my mentor that I had to give everything I got, Nico said, sending an annoyed look at the older Ookami. Thanks to him, I landed in the hospital for three whole days. You should have seen the look on mama's face when she was reprimanding him for going too far.
I went all out because I had faith in your abilities, Shirou said with a nonchalant look. You were able to last a full five minutes until passing out. And you were able to bounce back after three days.
Now I think it, maybe we should have another match just to see how much Nico has improved, Nico said.
The two of them were smiling, but the girls could sense an aura of hostility between the two.
So what's the first round of the exam this year? Eli said.
Allow me to explain, Shirou said. For this year, the Garou Exam will start with a written test, as mentioned before, that you have to pass with the minimum score.
How would we know what to study for the written exam? Nozomi said.
About that, Shirou said, deciding to direct their attention. When I heard that you guys were interested in the Garou Exam, I thought I should bring something that may help you.
The Ookami held up a big hardcover book with both hands with little leaflets sticking out.
Wah. You still have that? Nico said with a grimace.
What is that? Umi said.
This is a study guide that I gave to Nico when she was preparing for her exam, Shirou said. The written test hasn't really changed in years, but this book has been updated by me to cover things on the written portion, Shirou said as he places it on the nearby table. If you take some time to go over this book, you should be able to pass with the minimum score.
Curious, Eli went and open the book. Her eyes widens as each page was layered with meticulous information.
Harasho, this is very comprehensive, the Kitsune said.
But is it possible to know all this before the exam? Maki said with doubt.
Since you all have some experience with Aura, this book will just provide context to what you already know. The only thing that you may have to work on is our rules and bylaws, Shirou said, who looks at the petite girl with smirk. Besides, if Nico was able to cram everything in four weeks before the written test and still pass, I think all of you have a good chance.
Shirou. Did you really needed to bring that up? Nico said with a deadpanned look.
Ah! I almost forgot. Nico. We have a proctor meeting today. We shouldn't be late, Shirou said with a quick tone.
Oh shoot, Is it time already? Nico said with a surprised look as the two Ookami head towards the door.
Eh?! You're not helping us, Nico-chan? Honoka said with shock.
Well, studying is not Nico's specialty, Nico said with a smirk.
Nico will also be busy helping with the preparations for the exam, Shirou said.
Have a fun time, kiddos. Even though Nico won't be able around, Nico will be cheering for you all, Nico said with a smile, waving to the others before she was out of their sights.
Guuuu, Honoka made a groan sound.
That traitor, Rin said.
Well, everyone. You heard Nico and Shirou, Eli said. Since the exam is fast approaching. We should get started with studying right now if we want get through the first round.
Honoka, if you like, Umi-chan and I can help you study, Kotori said.
Really? Thank you, Kotori-chan, Honoka said with a relieved smile.
Indeed, we won't leave you behind. I can even set up a schedule for studying, Umi said, who seems lively.
Geh! Honoka said as she felt her heart drop.
Let's all do our best, Rin-chan, Hanayo said softly.
Even if you say that, studying is so hard, nya, Rin said, laying her head on the table out of dejection.
With all of us studying together, we can help each other out, Maki said as the two each put a hand on both sides of the Neko's shoulders.
As the girls except Nico prepare for the Garou Exam, the fated event approached quickly.
Sorry for the rush job.
Next month's chapter will focus on Umi, but I want to ask readers of what the topic of the chapter should be. Here are some of the following options for the possible story that come to my mind:
Umi meets Kotori
Umi gets a companion
Umi meet ?
Thank you everyone and Stay tuned for the next update.
Reviews, suggestions for chapters, and comments are welcomed.
