Chapter 3, Examination
Kiete moved off towards exit 2, quizzing himself for the test.
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He reached exit 2. It was a long hallway with oak walls and dim lighting. A slight dark mist hovered around the carpeted floor. He took a step forward. He felt a chill run down his spine. He took another step. He started to feel cold. Picking up the pace, he rapidly made his way down the dark path. He could slightly hear the announcers voice behind him.
Announcer: Could … have … Bill … please …
Kiete stopped and thought to himself for a moment. It sounded like the announcer was far away. He hasn't walked THAT far away. He felt another chill down his spine and continued, even faster than before. He walked for a full ten minutes down the spooky path. Little laughs were heard along the way, with a dim scream now and then.
Kiete: Don't worry, Kiete … This is just inside your head.
A light suddenly appeared at the end of the dim hallway. He ran towards it. The light shone brighter, blinding him. He finally reached the end. He found himself in a large classroom, full of clapping duelists. J.J was among them. He had a smirk on his face. A man walked up to Kiete. He was wearing a blazer with black on the left half and white on the right half. The shoulders and arms of the blazer were purple. The man was extremely tall and had bulging muscles. He had a large brown beard and grey eyes.
Man: Congratulations, Kiete Minigami! You have passed the test!
Kiete: Ah … test? What test?
Man: What you just went through was a test.
Kiete: But Professor Fester said it was a written exam!
Man: No, no, no, no. See, at South Academy, it doesn't matter how intelligent you are. All that matters is the strength of your heart. (He points at Kiete's chest) The test was for you to show your inner strength and tell us if you are worthy to join South Academy. I have made my decision. Congratulations, you along with the others in this group made it to South Academy.
Kiete smiles deeply and shakes the man's hand. The man hands him a sheet of paper.
Man: That sheet of paper will give you all the details on how to get to South Academy, what to bring and all that jazz. By the way, I'm Chancellor Squallhart. You will be placed into your dormitory when you arrive at South Academy. I'll see you there. Now, to everyone else, you are all free to leave now! We need more room for other students to be graded. See you all at the Academy!
A few large wooden doors opened in the walls. The duelists all left the classroom, finding themselves at the back of Arena A, on a different street. Kiete caught up to J.J.
Kiete: Hey, man, that was some good dueling back there. You've improved greatly.
J.J: Hm, whatever. That was one of the shortest duels I've ever had. The Craw guy was weak.
Kiete: I heard teachers are only allowed to use 20 percent of their skills in examinations, so it's not too hard on new students.
J.J opened his eyes widely. He quickly took his mind off the matter and started scanning his sheet. Kiete scanned his sheet too.
Kiete and J.J: Domino International Airport … Terminal 11 … Gate 2 … 10.00 AM … February 1st.
Kiete: Well, today is January the 26th. It looks like we'll be leaving 4 days from now. We better get ready.
J.J: I'll be ready by then. I'll see you there. Mind you, though. I won't be holding back. Not on you, not anyone. I will be the top duelist and I will make sure of it!
He left Kiete, heading home. Kiete took the words in and headed to his own home.
The next few days were stressful and jam-packed. Kiete and J.J were busy packing their things and preparing to leave. They had barely any time to play, for it was mainly packing and preparing their decks. Finally, the day came. February the 1st. Kiete woke up early that morning and skipped breakfast. He left for the airport by 8:00. He arrived at the airport terminal at 9:47. There were a fair few students there. He found J.J sitting on a lounge, looking at his cards with a wicked grin. Kiete approached him. When J.J saw him, he quickly shuffled his deck and shoved it into his duel disk's deck slot. Kiete looked at him strangely. Suddenly, the large man in a black suit stood up in front of the gate.
Man: All students going to South Academy! Please line up at this gate in rows of two! When you get to the gate, state your name and it will be checked in the records. Mind you, if you are not on the list, you will be removed from this terminal. Now, line up!
All the students were packed into a two-person line. J.J and Kiete lined up next to each other. They were around the middle. After about half-an-hour, J.J and Kiete were next to be marked off. They both stepped up to the desk, meeting an older man.
Older Man: Names?
Kiete: Kiete Minigami.
J.J: J.J
The older man scanned the list.
Older Man: What is your last name J.J?
J.J: Don't play games with me. I have NO last name!
Older Man: slightly frightened Alright, Alright …
They both passed by the desk through the plastic path and into the plane. After being seated, the plane took off after 10 minutes of flight safety programs and the seating of other students.
Kiete & J.J: Ready, South Academy? We're coming!
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