Player Assessment and Evaluation Examination.

  Phase Two: Versus Team Combat

  Once more, Jin returned to the same arena where he had taken the First Phase of the exam. But this time, the atmosphere crackled with energy; laughter, boasts, and other idle chatters filled the space.

  The absence of Ironshield, their usual instructor, only added to the unrestrained noises. Jin leaned against a wall, arms crossed, and eyes closed as the hottest topic of the day reached his ears.

  “Hey, did you hear about the NTB48 incident?” one participant whispered.

  “Yeah, I was there,” another replied with a hushed voice. “Lucky to be alive, to be honest.”

  “Did they ever figure out what happened? Or who that hero was?”

  “Technical malfunction, they said. Some scaffolding collapsed from the top floor.”

  A snort cut through the murmurs. “And you believe that? I’m more curious about the hero, though.”

  “Yeah. Wonder who he is? Or she?”

  Before anyone could respond, a sharp, high-pitched voice sliced through the conversation.

  “What hero?!”

  Emilia von Lowenhald strode into the circle, her two companions trailing like marionettes. She didn’t wait for an invitation to chime in on the conversation.

  “What kind of person saves a bunch of perverts and then vanishes? Sounds like a chicken to me. Never a hero.”

  “Oi! Who are you calling perverts?!”

  She turned to the one who called her out. With a smirk, she replied, "What do you call a bunch of middle-aged men drooling over teenage girls on stage? Perverts. That’s what."

  Jin smiled under his mask. This Emilia girl had a point, but the way she drilled into them was such a masterclass in rage-baiting. And because of her Combat Power, none dared to come up to her and talk with fists instead.

  Timothy was the exception, though his voice was shaking. “M-maybe he just didn’t want attention? A silent hero-”

  “Bah! Silent hero? Nonsense!” Emilia’s words turned Timothy pale as a ghost. “Outside the RIFT, even a top-tier Player can barely scrape together ten per cent of their power. And what happened yesterday was not. It’s way higher than that. So, what gives? Miracles?” She scoffed. “There’s no such thing as miracles. Only agendas.”

  A beat of silence fell across the trained arena. Then, from a corner, someone finally manned up and challenged her. “Say whatever you want! I was saved back then. You’re talking shits because you’re jealous!”

  A few voices shouted in support.

  The air turned heavy. Not from nerves about the upcoming test, but from the storm brewing in Emilia’s glare.

  “Jealous?” She threw her head back and barked out a sneer, the sound sharp and utterly without humour. “Please. Fame, wealth, power. Those are the only reasons any of us are here. Anything else and you’re talking fantasy.”

  Her gaze swept over the group, and when she met Jin's eye to eye, Emilia pursed her lips and turned away in disgust.

  “You think someone that strong would pass up a chance to be worshipped? No. He’s hiding something. Probably set the whole thing up himself, then played saviour when it went sideways.”

  To punctuate her point, she spat on the ground. The globule burst into flame as her boot crushed it, leaving a charred remain on the arena’s tiled floor.

  “Hero? More like suspect.”

  Jin exhaled through his nose. Crime dramas have definitely rotted her brain. Still, he admired the energy. Better if she’d waste it on something more useful. Like, say, not badmouthing the very guy standing a few feet away.

  ***

  The arena’s speakers crackled to life. "Excuse me, darlings~. Are you done with your introductions?" A sweet voice echoed within the training hall. Everyone shot up to the observation room above. "Lila wants to start the exam already. So, please be good and get ready, will you darlings~?”

  At the same time, the door groaned open. Ironshield strode through, flanked by a squad of forty strong – trainers, part-time instructors, and a handful of Bronze-ranked Players. The crowd’s chatter died instantly, replaced by a ripple of unease.

  Ironshield didn’t bother with pleasantries. "Listen up!" His voice boomed like a war drum. "This will be group combat. Examinees in teams of four versus us.” A pause followed. "Yes, that includes me."

  The reaction was immediate. Shock. Disbelief. A few excited whoops drowned out by a chorus of hows, whys, and immediate resignation to their fates.

  Jin didn’t waste time dwelling on it. He needed to know who would be on his team. To his sheer luck, displayed on the screens were the names of those he knew all too well in the past few days.

  [Emilia von Lowenhald (Combat Power: 60,000)]

  [Timothy Hayes (Combat Power: 5,000)]

  [Shinohara Chie (Combat Power: 14,900)]

  [Frank Stein (Combat Power: REDACTED)]

  Timothy, Shinohara and Emilia.

  By now, all Jin could do was laugh at his draw: One overconfident idiot, one with no confidence whatsoever, and one so full of herself she might actually pop.

  Nonetheless, that was the hand he was dealt. Getting worked up about it wasn't his style. Timothy and Shinohara were easier to figure out, but the other girl was a wildcard.

  Emilia von Lowenhald.

  She stood alone near the arena’s holographic display, which flickered with team assignments. Someone didn’t find the result all that amusing.

  “Hi. Stei-“

  Emilia didn't let Jin finish introducing himself. Her slap cracked against the back of his extended hand, a blow so hard it made the nearby examinees flinch. Stares immediately darted their way.

  "Don’t. Touch. Me." She stepped back, eyes raking over him like he was something she’d scraped off her boot. "I hate powerless men. Especially powerless men who think they’re clever."

  Jin’s smile didn’t waver. "Careful, princess. The prettiest roses might have the deadliest thorns, but…”–he let the words hang for a while– “But they’re the first ones to be cut."

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Emilia froze for a good second before squaring up to him, her fists clenched. "Did you just threaten me? Y-you dare, Mr Zero CP? I’ll let you know I won’t be taken by surprise anymore.”

  Jin shrugged. “Whatever. As long as you don’t try to hit me. Else, it won’t be the floor and wall that will be your bed next.”

  “That was a fluke! A fluke! Nothing more!”

  "Call it anything you like." Jin sighed. "But we’re stuck with each other. Work together, or we fail. Your call."

  "Work with you?” Emilia scoffed. “I’d rather fail." She turned on her heel and then stopped, glancing back. "And for the record? If we lose, it’s your fault, Mr Redacted.”

  Jin watched her storm off, then glanced at the display again. Whatever his CP was – redacted, zero or a billion – he didn’t give a damn about it. All that mattered was he’d be enjoying himself kicking some instructors’ arses, especially Ironshield’s, and passing the exam while at it.

  "Hello!!"

  "G-g-good morning!"

  Emilia’s walkaway was cut short as Timothy and Shinohara approached, the former bouncing with energy, the latter trailing like a reluctant accomplice.

  Timothy, sword clattering against his leg and floor, grinned. "Miss Emilia! We’re on the same team!"

  Her frown softened a little as she ruffled his hair. "Aren’t you the boy with a big mouth but good eyes? Looking closer, you seemed very young. How old are you?”

  "Ten this year!" Timothy beamed.

  "Ten?" Emilia cooed. "Oh? And already awakened? That’s good. And what about you, little shadow?" she asked, turning to Shinohara.

  "F-fourteen, Lady Emilia," Shinohara stammered, shrinking under the attention.

  "Aww, you’re both so young and cute."

  She then glanced at Jin, pursed her lips and mimed the words ‘You’re not’, before turning her attention back to her two teammates.

  "I’m nineteen, by the way. The oldest and the only mature one here."

  "Stein. Frank Stein.” Jin began, only for Emilia to cut him off with another glare.

  "Who asked you?"

  Jin cared for no such childish warning. He stepped forward and reintroduced himself. “You can call me Frank. The real oldest one here.”

  The kids nodded, eyes darting between Jin and Emilia like spectators at a stare-down contest. Even before the exam began, the division was clear. Timothy was starstruck by Emilia, while Shinohara found herself closer to Jin than he first expected.

  "Now that we’re all here," Jin said, clapping his hands, "let’s move to the side and wait for instructions."

  "Oi! Oi, oi!"

  Emilia grabbed his shoulder, but Jin swatted her away.

  Nursing her hand, she cussed at Jin. “What are you trying to do?”

  “Well, team leader,” Jin said, grinning from ear to ear. “It’s not our turn yet. So, we got to be on standby, right? Or did you forget already?"

  Emilia’s eyes widened. "T-team leader?!" She straightened, hands on her hips. "O-of course! We’re to be on standby. Follow me, everyone!"

  Jin smirked. Easy.

  She might hate him, but judging how she treated Timothy and Shinohara earlier, there was some inkling of hope, after all. Besides, she wouldn’t be stupid enough to let her pride sink everyone.

  Once the teams were settled, Ironshield called the leaders forward to draw numbers. Emilia pulled Number 5.

  As they waited for the next set of instructions, Emilia, now immersed in ‘team leader’ mode, wasted no time. “Alright. Time for strategy talk. Who’s doing what?”

  “Me! Me. I’ll start first!” Timothy raised his hands excitedly. “I’m a Swordman. I’ll beat the baddies up!”

  “To be expected. But that’s still brave of you, Little Tim,” Emilia cracked a rare smile. “And you?”

  “I-I’m a kunoichi. I mean… my Class is Shadow Walker. I can scout-“

  “It's useless!”

  Emilia interrupted Shinohara, forcing the girl to shrink into her shell. But the red-haired princess didn’t care one bit. Nor would she mince her words.

  “Our enemies are in front of us. What use is a scout then?”

  “I-I-“

  “Whatever. Just do what Little Tim does. Charge ahead with him.”

  “B-But I don’t know how.”

  “Then do something about it. Or are you not embarrassed by a boy younger than you charging ahead, and you’re cowering like a scaredy-cat at the back? We have one already.”

  Emilia shot a glare at Jin, but he shrugged it off.

  “Anyway, follow my orders. I’m a Sage Class, and I’ll buff you up so much that those foolish instructors won’t even be able to scratch you.”

  "A Sage?!" Timothy’s eyes sparkled. "That’s so cool!"

  “I know, right?” Emilia looked pleased with herself. “I’m the only one with this Class in the whole of Neo-Tokyo. So, are we ready?”

  "Yes, Miss Emilia!" Timothy saluted.

  "Yes, Lady Emilia!" Shinohara nodded, her shoulder straightened, and her fingers tightened around her weapon pouch. Perhaps after knowing their team leader’s abilities, some confidence returned to her.

  “Hey. What about me?”

  Emilia turned to Jin, smirking. "You? What can you do, wimp?”

  Something about her words – or maybe it was her tone – that pissed him off. If Emilia thought of him so lowly, despite knowing nothing about him, then he might as well play to the type.

  “I’m here to look pretty.”

  Emilia was about to burst. However, she managed to hold herself this time. ‘You really disgust me! You might be as good-looking as my brother, but he’d never act like this.”

  “Too bad I’m not your brother. Or whoever tickles your fancy,” Jin said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. “But then again, don’t you ever think your strategy is foolish? Charging head-on is a surefire way to get you defeated fast.”

  "Save it," Emilia said, still trying to control her anger. "We don’t need a coward’s advice. Timothy and Shinohara are all we need."

  Jin shrugged. Fine. Let her learn the hard way. I have my own plans.

  "Suit yourself, princess. But don’t cry when it backfires."

  "It won’t," came the swift reply.

  ***

  "Remember, even if you fail to beat us, it’s not the end of the road." Ironshield’s voice cut through the murmurs. "This phase isn’t about winning or losing. So, give us your all."

  Instructor Lila then called the first team to enter the arena. Jin watched as they faced off against a pair of Bronze I-ranked Players. Yet, the fight was over before the other examinees could take a breather; a brutal display of efficiency and a predictable result from the professionals versus the pretenders.

  While the crowd cheered, Jin kept his silence. His focus was on the fights themselves, memorising patterns, habits, and tactics, in case any of the instructors who had fought earlier came up against his team.

  "Team number five, take your place."

  None of it mattered now as his opponents were made clear.

  Ironshield. Instructor Patrick Cho. Another unknown instructor and a Bronze II-ranked Player.

  Emilia led her team to the platform. Timothy and Shinohara trailed behind, nerves and excitement warring on their faces, while Jin sauntered on last, hands in his pockets. Silence fell as the crowd’s eyes locked onto them. Not only because of Emilia’s reputation, but also because of who they were up against.

  Four versus four.

  “Wait! Wait! Hold on a minute! I’m coming down!”

  Instructor Lila, who had been the announcer, rushed down from the observation room. A few seconds later, she reappeared through the training arena’s entrance.

  “Oi, you. Move!” She dragged the hapless Bronze II Player out of the platform. “It’s my turn!”

  “What are you doing, Lila?” Ironshield was not amused. “This is an exam. Not-“

  “Shut up, you big oaf! I don’t care. I want to have some fun too.”

  “Fun? The last time you had ‘fun’, you sent our recruits to the hospital. You know why you’re not allowed to fight, right? The Chief said so himself!”

  “Boohoo. I don’t care.”

  Instructor Lila shot a wink in Jin’s direction. When he waved at her, she almost dropped to her knees.

  “See that, you big oaf? I’m not gonna give up playing with Frankie for the world. So, I’m in whether you like it or not.”

  Ironshield facepalmed himself.

  “Lila, we already have our formation.” Instructor Cho tried to reason out with her. “You can’t-“

  “Oi, junior. Be quiet when the adults talk, will you? And Hanma, don’t you dare say anything else. Understand?”

  “Y-Yes, ma’am.”

  Jin couldn’t help but chuckle under his face mask. Seemed like even the instructors themselves had some problems with their eccentric teammate. Once they had settled down, Ironshield addressed his opponent one more time.

  “Ready?”

  “Ready when you are,” Emilia replied with a smug expression. “Not like we don’t have more comedy routines from our examiners, right?”

  The crowd laughed amidst Ironshield’s growing embarrassment. But Instructor Lila was oblivious to it, playing to the crowd.

  Meanwhile, Jin’s gaze flicked over the opponents. Ironshield, the retired Gold III-ranked Player, stood at the front, his shield raised. Behind him were his three teammates. Miss Lila, a whip user, was flanked by Instructor Cho, who used a bow, and Instructor Hanma, who seemed to be a caster of sorts, judging from his attire.

  Rigged.

  That was the only word that came to his mind. Their Player ranks aside, their levels alone would be like comparing earth to sky. How could anyone win against these types of opponents anyway?

  Wait.

  Were they supposed to win anyway? Something about Ironshield’s earlier words made Jin cautious. Perhaps it was best to be prudent, after all.

  Yet, Emilia didn’t share the same sentiment.

  Once the match started, she barked her orders.

  "Timothy, Shinohara. Charge!"

  The two kids obeyed, dashing forward. Yet, two steps in, they froze. Instructor Hanma had cast a spell that bound his opponents. Magical arrows rained down, chipping Timothy and Shinohara’s buff.

  In that same instance, Miss Lila, their only melee attacker, broke formation and beelined for Emilia, who, for reasons known only to her, had positioned herself as the vanguard.

  Jin had known this was inevitable. But he'd expected their so-called team leader – a Supporter Class herself with that huge CP – to know better on team formation. Her recklessness had thrown a wrench in their effort to win this one-sided arranged match.

  Fortunately, he had amalgamated with Cattleya before entering the arena. He shot out three threads, yanking Timothy and Shinohara to safety. Emilia wasn’t so lucky. Though he managed to stick a thread on her, it went taut too late.

  Instructor Lila vanished. Within a blink, she reached her opponent, and with a cruel glee, her whip cracked like a pistol shot, lashing across Emilia's defence in a barrage of precise, stinging blows.

  The girl flew backwards and landed outside the platform, her training bracelet flashing red.

  Zero HP.

  Thirty seconds in, Emilia von Lowenhald was out cold.