Chapter 68

"Whew, okay, now that you've all signed let's get these examinations going." Idia sighed when all the NDAs had finally been signed another ten minutes later.

"The battle simulator and observation console are all set up." Ortho pipped up.

"Kk, split the subjects up into two teams. We'll do the first test with Subjects A, C, and E. Then the next team with Subjects B and D. Ortho show A, C, and E to the sim room." Idia ordered Ortho and began to head out of the room.

"Roger, Riddle Rosehearts, Azul Ashengrotto, and Vil Schoenheit, come on and follow me." Ortho said turning to them then following Idia.

"The rest of you can chill in this room. I'm gonna step out use the intercom by the door to call the staff if you need anything." Idia informed the others as he stopped in the door way.

"Hey, Acting Director, shouldn't you at least leave us with a snack menu we can order from? We might get hungry." Leona asked.

"Urgh, there goes Leona Kingscholar just doing his thing. Sorry that's not an option." Idia groaned then left the room. "Sheesh doesn't he know you can't just eat whatever during an exam? Some people." He muttered.

"Good grief well this is fine mess we're in." Jamil sighed.

"Yeah no kidding." Leona muttered.

In the hallway a trooper approached Idia.

"Acting Director, what will Subject F's examination be? The medical team reports he is still asleep." The Trooper asked.
"Subject F? Right Grim, I'm afraid the kitty's got many variables. His command of magic is pretty mediocre nothing compared to the other guys. I doubt there's much point running him through the sims. You can just let him sleep for now. Just lemme know if he wakes up." Idia ordered the Trooper.

"Roger." The Trooper replied then went back the way he came.

In the Control Room when Idia entered he was greeted by a technician.

"Ortho has brought subjects A, C and E to the simulation room, instruments are calibrated. Ready to collect data, commencing recording at 2100." The Technician informed him.

"Testing one, two, this is the control room. Do you read me?" Idia spoke into a mic.

Ortho appeared on the screen in front of them then replied. "This is the simulation room, we can read you loud and clear. All subjects have been equipped with testing gear."

"Excuse me. Could the rest of us get a word in? First you bring us to this absurdly large room then you stick giant headsets on us, I can't see a thing in this." Vil complained.

"What are you going to do with us?" Riddle asked.

"Surely, you're not going to make us fight each other." Azul remarked.

"Not at all, you're wearing technomantic VR headsets. You'll be fighting enemies in virtual space." Ortho replied.

"Virtual space?" Riddle asked.

"It's a lot faster to just do it than trying to explain it. Start it up Ortho." Idia ordered.

"Wait just a minute Idia. Weren't you the one who said people should read manuals in their entirely?" Azul snapped.

"Roger! Virtual enemy mode standby. Commencing dive." Ortho said and the began program began. The test subjects were in a large blue and gray room and made to battle 3 virtual troopers and where done within minutes.

Back in the control room the projection of Ortho came back online as he said. "Test complete. Subjects are cooling down within the sim."

"Subjects A, C, AND E's vital signs are all normal. Blot accumulation is within the standard range." The technician informed Idia.

"Yeah that's about what I expected time to see if the numbers differ in the next one." Idia said.

"Simulator has synced with the Lachesus system we're all set for the second test." The technician replied.

"Okay, phase transition time Ortho take it away." Idia said taking back to the projection.

"Roger Virtual enemy mode standby. Commencing dive." Ortho said then faded.

"What?" Azul exclaimed as he looked around at the familiar room.

"Is this the school's cafeteria?" Vil asked looking unsure.

"What's their game now?" Riddle wondered.

"Aha, there you are Roi du Poison." Rook said as he, Trey and Jade walked up to the group.

"Oh good you're here too Riddle. The Housewarden meeting's about to start." Trey informed him looking happy.

"Azul, I've brought the documents for the topic you wanted to discuss." Jade said as he patted a folder under his arm.

Riddle, Azul and Vil now all look unsure and don't move from their spots.

"What's the matter with you three? You look positively bewildered." Rook chuckled.

"Do we ALL have something on our faces?" Trey asked his hand going to his face.

"No, it's nothing let's go." Vil sighed as he turned to head in the direction of the Hall of Mirrors should be in.

"Silly Vil, you've left your back wide open." Rook smirked as he fired off a spell.

"Huh? Just what do you think you're doing Rook?" Vil asked as flames began to form around the entire group.

Trey and Jade say nothing as evil smiles form on their faces and attacked as well.

"Jade?" Azul gasped.

"Trey? What is this about?" Riddle asked.

"Have you forgotten? Every students at this school has the right to challenge the Housewarden for their seats." Rook mocked.

"We've already field the paperwork with the HeadMage." Jade smirked.

"You all want to become Housewarden?" Vil asked.

"Let me explain? As you know I appreciate beautiful things. Hence, I can hardly allow someone who's acted as ugly as you to occupy the Fairest Queen's throne." Rook retorted as he fired off another spell.

The battle begins but this one lasts twice as long as the last one.

Back in the control room Ortho's projection appeared again. "Test two complete, subjects are cooling down within the sims."

"Subjects A, C, and E's vital signs are normal. There's been an increase in blot accumulation analysis is 68% complete. Lachesis system desynchronizing down now." The technician informed Idia.

"Simulator cool down has finished. Transferring subjects to the recovery room." Ortho informed Idia as well.

"Cool, thanks. Once you're done with that, could you bring subjects B and D to the sims room?" Idia asked.

"Roger." Ortho replied.

"Heh heh it's gonna be fascinating seeing that stats for the Housewardens at the prestigious NRC." Idia smirked.

"I've viewing their data now, and there are some VERY interesting results." Ortho stated.

"Bring up their data on the monitor." Idia ordered.

"Look at the difference in their blots gain rates." Ortho said.

"Totally let's start with Riddle, He busts out spells like he's in hyper-drive and his magic pool is way beyond other mages his age. He must've had special training from a super young age like a sports pro who's practicing their whole life, and that's artificially increased his pool it's the only possible explanation for these numbers. His strength is from hard work rather than being some kind of prodigy, if you ask me." Idia stated.

"He also had a tendency to elevate his output and brute force his magic during moment of indecision." Ortho added.

"He can get away with that since he's got the power to back it up but it's kinda inefficient. Besides, his blot accumulation rate spikes with his output it's through the roof." Idia remarked.

"Looking at this data it appears his mental state is heavily impacted by external factors. He was under more stress in test two and that had a clear influence on his blot levels." Ortho added.

"He's got magic muscle in spades but is fragile physically and mentally. High offense paper thin defense." Idia stated.

"Azul Ashengrotto has some sharp stat contrasts as well. Fascinating results." Ortho said bringing up Azul's results.

"Azul's a relatively slow caster but he's got precision and control. While Riddle took point and blasted off spells Azul gauged what was happening and ran suppose. You could say he's calm and efficient or you could say he's stalling and using other people as shields." Idia smirked.

"Maybe that means he's best suited to a healer class that sticks to the back and observe the whole field?" Ortho observed.

"So much this. He keeps a cool head when faced with curve balls which is another solid trait for people playing support roles." Idia added.

"But while he utilizes a wide range of spells his magic pool isn't big enough to sustain them." Ortho noticed.

"Maybe that's why he's so careful about when he uses them. Like hes banking on his quick thinking to make up for his lack of reserves or something. And his signature spell requires the use of a magic item so he can't use it whenever. Azul's definitely an always be cautious kinda guy." Idia summarized.

"His style is basically opposite of Riddle Rosehearts." Ortho said.

"Right, okay last up we've got Vil, and boy talk about stable." Idia remarked.

"His numbers on his magic pool, manifestation speed, and potency are all remarkably high" Ortho added.

"He has no sharp performance spikes but is solid in both offense and defense. I'm pretty sure Vil didn't get any specialized training before he enrolled at our school. These numbers are pretty impressive when you consider that." Idia said.

"He's physically and mentally resilient and it's notable how little stress affects his blot accumulation." Ortho stated.

"With these stats, he's definitely be a tank." Idia remarked.

"For sure! The tanks stands at the end at the head of the party and engages enemies all while calling the shots for everyone else. That's perfect role for Vil Schoenheit." Ortho said.

"Vil's signature spell is a long duration debuff curse and since he's got such a big magic pool it sticks around for a real long time that's huge. I'd absolutely hate playing anything with these guys online. But if they were characters in a game I bet it'd be a blast to play." Idia chuckled.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I really did try to cut this down, especially Idia's ranting but it seems like important information so i left it in. God this man can rant. Thank you for sticking around. This Arc honestly has been a bit of a slough for me. I'm any Ignihyde fans who are reading this. At least the beginning of it is. What I have planned for the end is going to be great so please stick with me a little longer. At the end of this Arc I'll explain what I have planned without trying to spoil anything.