01.08.1628

The Examination Area

16:35

Now we are witnessing the day of "tomorrow", where the two brothers are present at the Central School "M1NERV4", being the only building in the whole city which lets the examinations of the C borns being taken. It is a special area constructed for the C borns to take their final exams in a special room, being supervised every second to make sure nobody cheats. Those that do so do not get their diploma which shows that they've successfully passed these exams, and without it, you are not able to enter the military bases. So of course this diploma is important to young CHE5TER now.

It is a small problem with what he wishes to do though. The exams are made special for those that are fourteen-year-olds, the graduates of the schools, which now little CHE5TER isn't, being only a ten-year-old. But even with this inconvenience, the rules of the exams say that every being which got above the age of ten can try to get these exams too. It is not advised, but many beings chose it in the past, making the rule be established after.

And because there were a lot of kids who wanted these diplomas only to graduate school alone, the system allowed an exam similar to this one for those that are ten-year-old, being an easier one and guaranteeing you the graduation after, if you pass, of course. But even if you pass, the diploma you get does not allow you to enter the military bases, it only allows you to leave school as a graduated student. So, of course, little CHE5TER did not choose this exam because of this small problem, going for the one that the graduates are taking.

There are a lot of kids that wait for their turn to come, most of them being graduates of the schools, which in these months will leave and start their lives. Analysing a bit the area won't get much of the details of it though, but there are some things everyone pays attention to. On a building in front of the kids, on the upper area, there is a board on the right with the highest scores ever made by any student in the entire city. The board shows the name of the kid, his full code and a photo when one did the examination, not to mention the scores on the right, the highest being around 960 points. Another board that is on the left shows the kids that will have the examination in order, which CHE5TER and all the other kids are looking at the whole time. It does seem like little CHE5TER's turn will come soon, so he is pretty nervous because of it.

[CHE5TER]-One more student and it's my turn...

[RY4N]-You think you are ready, CHE5TER?

[CHE5TER]-I hope so...

[RY4N]-'Cause you got a bit drunk yesterday when we went out. I'm only making sure you won't puke over there too and make yourself a fool in front of the evaluators.

[CHE5TER]-Shut uuup!!!

[RY4N]-But isn't it true? Your master laughed at you the rest of the day because of that! And I was the one who had to carry you home since our father was busy with his work again and had to leave! I'm a victim of your actions all the time! Gods, I just hope I won't need to take care of you for the rest of my life...

[CHE5TER]-Then why are you staying with me ALL THE TIME!? If you don't enjoy doing so, just go and do whatever you want! I can always go alone wherever I please! I don't need anybody to stay with me!

[RY4N]-I don't have another brother, CHE5TER! You are the only person that I'm staying with since you are my Error and I am your Original, and also because you are always getting in trouble! I am obligated to make sure that you don't kill yourself, remember? That and you don't seem to have other friends either!

[CHE5TER]-Yeah, yeah... Bring that shit up again, won't you!?

As they are talking though, it seems that some kids are approaching them, which look to be a bit older than them, being graduates of the schools.

[Student1]-Look! Another ten-year-old who tries his luck at the examination for the graduates! Don't you know they have an examination for kids like you too?

[Student2]-Hey, wait a second... Isn't this kid the one that everyone talks about in the whole Central School who likes to show off and annoy everyone else?

[Student1]-...Oh, yeah! He really is! So? You came to show us that you are better than everyone else again, kid? You know, the whole school hates you because of the attitude you give us all just 'cause you believe you are the best in this world and all the others are scums compared to you. What are you even trying to prove exactly? You want to kiss the teachers' ass that much, or you simply want to piss us off for good?

[CHE5TER]-...

[RY4N]-Hey! What's your problem!? The examination can be done by every student above the age of ten! He is not doing anything wrong by choosing to take this exam!

[Student1]-My problem is that we have to wait even longer because of some children that are not skilled enough anyway so we can lose more of our time! What makes you think that this guy will be any different than all the others anyway? Do you really believe that a few tricks to impress everyone will get him far in this life?

[RY4N]-So what if you have to wait!? Learn to be patient, god dammit! It's not our fault that the system puts the younger ones first so they can finish quickly!

[Student1]-Oh, you little--

[Student2]- --Come on, man. We shouldn't waste our energy on them. If they want to fail and make themselves some fools, it's their problem, not ours. Let them be.

So the boys leave them alone in the end, disgusted by both of them. It sure looks like CHE5TER is hated by the whole school as he said if some kids that he never met treat him like this. RY4N looks at his brother a bit as he feels down, then starts trying to comfort him.

[RY4N]-...Are you okay, Ches?

[CHE5TER]-Yeah, I'm fine...

[RY4N]-Don't let them demotivate you! You shouldn't listen to them anyway! You trained your whole life for this exam, I know you can pass it!

[CHE5TER]-Heh... Yeah... Thank you, RY4N.

[RY4N]-Hey, you know I will always be by your side! Bros forever?

RY4N shows his hand so CHE5TER can understand what he has to do. So, he takes his hand too and shakes it friendly with his brother, having such a smile on his face, a sincere one.

[CHE5TER]-...Bros forever!

Then, a sound appears out of nowhere as a student is leaving the building, student which seems to be the one CHE5TER was waiting for to finish. So when the student left, on the board on the left, the order changed for a bit, now appearing:

WAITING FOR

•CHE5TER LENKOV

•16180513C9E64NF72Z

So, before he leaves, CHE5TER looks at his brother one more time, while RY4N seems to be giving him a nod, a nod which could mean a sign of "good luck". He then looks forward, walking towards the entrance of the building, leaving RY4N behind to wait for him and getting ready for what there is to come.

16:47

There are two tests which each C born student has to perform: the first one being called "Energy Consumption" and the second one the "Rebirth of Creativity". The "Energy Consumption" Test requires the student to use as little energy as the being can. In this test, the C borns are given a box which they have to open while they are not given any kind of key or anything that could help them open it. The box itself is a complicated device made by a specific ore used most of the times for the old shields, so the students have exactly 10 minutes to open the box and take whatever is inside. In the "Rebirth of Creativity" Test, the students have to create anything they want, literally any object they think of, but with one condition: the object has to be as complicated as possible. And yet again, just like at the first test, the students get 10 minutes to finish everything.

Before each round starts, the students are given 5 minutes to analyse each test in particular and think of an idea. Each round has the maximum points of 500, which to pass, you need at least 650 points from a combination of both of the rounds and with, again, some conditions: each round cannot be lower than 250 points, because if they have it this way, the student doesn't pass the examination. Of course, in both of these tests, you are being supervised by a few cameras who help the evaluators see that the student isn't using something to help himself pass, like homemade items from the outside or anything like that.

The first test isn't something complicated though. Most of the students who own some basic knowledge about the ore used have taken the maximum score. The ore itself doesn't support the wet areas after a high temperature, a reason why the shields were mostly used during the war. The old areas of the war are nothing but deserts, so when the soldiers were fighting, the high temperature was a problem for those that aren't used to it, but an advantage to the shields. Moistening it is a simple task, then it is mostly common to try and higher up the temperature so the ore can melt easily. Some try rubbing their hands and then putting them on the wet area, others blowing a hot air. And just like that, CHE5TER manages to get what's inside the box easily, without using any bit of his energy. The lock bolt that the box has is actually a simple trap. Those who create a key to open it are failing the test easily, as you need to use other ideas than the most obvious ones.

The problem of all the candidates is the second round, where most of the students manage to fail. As the description of the test says, the object has to be as complicated as it can, which people can't really do because of the huge energy loss. Some are passing out, others are finishing their work but not as they wished, ending it with problems or simply half done. So, of course, it is a problem that little CHE5TER has too now.

He stands a bit to wonder what could possibly make him pass the test, as it is a headache even to the most powerful people he knows in the city. Even the best students complain about how hard this test is. He stands and thinks, more and more... but he has no idea what to do while the clock is ticking. As time passes, he just remembers some sketches seen around the base while training with his master, and so he tries to replicate them, maybe even trying to do them better, though he never seen the devices in flesh ever in his life. But, in the end, it is worth a try.

So it doesn't take long before little CHE5TER is done with his rounds, only needing to see the evaluators so he can hear about his score, the mistakes he made and to present the object he has created for the final points, being the conclusion of his exam. He enters a room in which five people are standing, waiting for his arrival, while little CHE5TER is helped out by a man to move around because of his huge loss of energy that is affecting him at the moment. Before the man leaves, he stands a bit with the child to make sure he doesn't faint and gives him a few sips of some Energy Killers in the meantime to get back in his powers. He helps CHE5TER sit down on a chair that stands in front of the evaluators, then gives his regards to everyone and silently wishing the young student a small "good luck". So, CHE5TER remains alone with the five people that are looking at him, swallowing his drink to regain his lost power in the meantime.

[Evaluator1]-So, Mr. LENKOV... I think it's time to start talking about your results. Is it fine by you, or do you consider that you need some more time to clear up your mind?

[CHE5TER]-...It's alright. I will get back in my powers eventually. We can start the evaluation.

[Evaluator1]-Alright then. As you wish.

The evaluators start to look around the information they've noted on CHE5TER's performance, making some conclusions and then start informing the young boy.

[Evaluator1]-...So, the test that we would like to discuss about first will be your examination regarding the "Energy Consumption" Test.

[Evaluator2]-We... cannot say that we are so impressed about how you managed to open the box, as you aren't the first person who has used this strategy before. Many students have done the same, and I can say for all of us that we are quite bored of seeing the same technique to all the students. But... rules are rules, and we will give you the maximum points on the test, whether the technique was used before or not. We understand that it is not your fault, and we know that you've passed the test's requirements, so we will be fair with you and give you what you deserve.

[CHE5TER]-...Okay. I understand the problem now.

[Evaluator2]-Do not demotivate yourself though, little one. It's normal for people to have the same ideas sometimes, especially to a task that has been repeating itself for quite a while now. After all, everything you did was to rely on your knowledge alone, and we are proud of all of the students that do so.

[Evaluator3]-But now that we are done talking about that round... we should go to the next examination that you had to complete. We would like to see what you've thought of for the "Rebirth of Creativity" Test, if you do not mind. Do you have your creation with you?

So, when he hears the evaluators' words, CHE5TER takes out from his clothes a strange device, which doesn't seem something out of the ordinary. It looks similar to a simple metal stick what we would call, so of course the people present give him a weird look as they don't understand what's happening, thinking it might be a joke.

[Evaluator4]-...A stick?

[Evaluator2]-Mr. LENKOV, I'm not so sure of the fact that you understood the requirements. Your task was to create something extraordinary, something that might impress us all with the design it has and what might be its use. Are you sure this is what you've created for this test?

[CHE5TER]-...And with all due respect, I'm not so sure you've understood the fact that I didn't even start my presentation.

Everyone keeps silent looking at the boy that stands in front of them, nervous yet confident. CHE5TER looks at the woman that just talked to him waiting for her approval to start, so after she nods at him, just as he wished, he starts talking again.

[CHE5TER]-You see... the requirements of the test say that the object created by the student has to be as complicated as possible, right? And so I thought that the best way to make something complicated is to make it look as simple as possible in the first place. The... "stick"... as you called it... is a multifunctional device which can be used in battle by any soldier. Allow me to demonstrate.

He puts a finger on a specific place of the object and activates one of the many weapons of the device. The first one he shows is a sword, then after a few seconds of moving it around, he turns it into a bow, then a spear, and then even a gun, each having a complex design and easy to switch in between.

[CHE5TER]-The device can be used by any soldier as said, no matter the weapon they perform in a battle. Whether it is a melee weapon or a range weapon, it won't cause any kind of difficulty while using it on the field. Besides these, in an emergency, you can always activate the shield that the device has, a way of defending yourself from an unexpected enemy. And what I like about it the most is that it is activated by fingerprint, generating a small connection between the first user of it so that nobody can take it and use it against you.

And when he finishes his presentation, he throws the device into the air, making it disappear and transform into the energy he lost during the creation of it, a black mist, which he takes it all with his own hand so that the evaluators know it was his creation and that he didn't steal the object from the outside.

The people remain silent as they look at him though, saying nothing about his final score. He waits for an answer, but nobody dares to say a word yet. So, he looks disappointed as he notices the door opening, meaning that he has to leave without a conclusion and with a fear of not passing the exam.