Marco and Terrmomix were sitting at a table.
Marco was eating his sandwich
- "The final assessment will surely be to grade our skills, I don't think they'll demand a technique from us now."
- "I suppose they'll grade our hand-to-hand combat skills, and with the katana, our endurance and strategies."
- "I don't know how you know that but I think so, it's what we haven't shown yet, so it must be that."
The last professor who would evaluate them appeared, his gaze showed authority and seriousness, someone who would take this seriously.
- "Listen up! The final assessment will begin now!"
His voice was as cold as ice; upon hearing him, the boys' bodies tensed up.
- "This final assessment will grade your physical abilities and with the katana.
You will be scored by points, you must obtain a minimum of 50 points, those who do not reach the minimum will be rejected from the academy."
Floch looked up at the sky thinking.
- "50 points... It seems complicated, if each test is worth 10 points we could get it."
Terrmomix said in a low voice.
- "Let's see... If they make us go into fire maybe I can last 15 minutes, or if they make us jump from a building if I land well I can survive."
Floch rolled his eyes upon hearing Terrmomix's test ideas.
- "Don't overdo it Terrmomix, they wouldn't be that cruel either."
- "Now be quiet and listen! You will compete against each other, one test can be worth 8 points for first place, 7 for second, 6 for third, and the last two will get nothing." His voice and posture sent shivers down their spines.
A girl raised her hand to ask a question.
- "Professor, will we be able to participate in the tests more than once?"
- "No, you can only participate once each. If after all the tests you don't reach 50 points you can say goodbye to here."
- "But only 48 will be failed, right?" Another participant asked.
- "That's what the director wants, for only 120 to remain, but with you it's different – I'm willing to break the rules. All who don't reach 50 points will leave, no matter if it's more than 48."
The boys fell silent.
- "We're going to have to make an effort," Floch said with a long sigh.
- "Yes, everyone wants a spot so everyone will do their best."
The professor spoke to start the assessment.
- "The assessment will begin! Now!"
The test started, the boys split into 21 groups of 8 and went to the training area. The first test was an obstacle course.
The training area was large so three groups could run at the same time; Terrmomix's group was among the first, all standing on the starting line.
Terrmomix was getting ready to start; the professor raised his weapon to the sky, when he squeezed the trigger the bullet fired and the test began. In an instant Terrmomix was left behind – his group had pulled too far ahead.
He could only think about how fast they were but there was no time to waste; he started running as fast as he could, dodging obstacles and catching up to some of the boys.
Terrmomix thought: I have to give it my all, I have to get into the academy to make my master proud, plus... I can't leave Floch alone. He'll surely get in, he has great potential, but me... I don't know if I can.
He kept running, the finish line was getting closer and closer; he was in a good position, not first but he could get some points.
- "No, it's not about whether I can or not. I HAVE to get in!" he whispered to himself.
But due to carelessness he tripped over an obstacle; his eyes widened and he fell to the ground. In that moment his whole group passed him by.
He looked ahead – now the finish line seemed farther away, but he got up quickly and tried to catch up, but it was too late. He had finished last, getting 0 points in his first test.
He dropped to his knees as he crossed the finish line, breathing heavily – he was tired but more frustrated. He'd only been distracted for a second and already finished last.
He looked to the side and saw Floch there – of course he'd finished second. Terrmomix felt like he was falling behind; Floch was very different. At that moment a hand was held out in front of him.
He looked up and it was Floch with that smile he always had.
- "Take it easy, if not in this first test then in the next one. Don't give up."
Terrmomix regained his confidence and determination.
- "You're right, I just got off to a bad start."
- "You'll see you'll get points in the others – it's just beginning."
- "Thanks for your support Floch, you really are a good friend."
He patted him on the back.
- "Don't say that, you'll make me blush."
After all the races finished, the second test began. Everyone was split into pairs; the second test was a fight with wooden katanas.
- "The rules are simple – you'll fight with wooden katanas. The first one to step out of the red circle gets 0 points and the winner gets 5 points."
In the training area, red circles appeared all over the space. The pairs were chosen by the master; after forming the pairs, the boys entered their circles.
Terrmomix went in nervous – his opponent was an apparently friendly boy.
- "Well, I'll give you the chance to step out of the circle on your own and avoid getting hurt," he said with an arrogant smile.
He took a breath and replied with a calmer look.
- "Never. I came here to get into the academy just like everyone else – giving up would be a huge disadvantage."
- "Ahhh... I see, so you choose to get hurt then."
With a quick movement from his opponent, his katana was already beside Terrmomix's head; a small cut appeared on his cheek.
The opponent smiled, Terrmomix counterattacked by clashing their katanas, and the fight began. Their katanas moved quickly, the impacts pushing both of them back.
Terrmomix thought as he fought: His defense is perfect, plus he's not just trying to get me out of the circle – he also wants to hurt me.
His opponent's katana moved toward Terrmomix's feet; he jumped, but his opponent's foot was already in his stomach. The kick had pushed him to the edge of the circle.
- "Give up already, you'll only get more hurt," the opponent said condescendingly.
- "NO! Stop saying that!"
- "Alright, if you insist."
The tip of his opponent's katana was placed in front of Terrmomix's eyes. He managed to dodge it but another cut appeared near his eye.
- "Think... Think about the master's lessons, show that his classes weren't for nothing," Terrmomix said in his mind.
He heard a familiar voice – it was his master's voice, remembering the lessons, the training days.
- "Good Terrmomix. First you must adapt to your opponent's attacks, watch their movements, look for a blind spot in their defense, wait for the moment and attack there." It was his master, from a lesson he'd given a few months ago. He knew this was the moment to put it to the test.
Terrmomix breathed – something in his gaze changed. He couldn't doubt anymore; this wasn't a game and he knew it.
His opponent lunged at him again, his katana about to touch Terrmomix's eyes, but in that moment he disappeared.
The opponent was confused – Terrmomix was already behind him with his back turned. When the opponent turned around, a cut appeared on his cheek. He was surprised, his eyes wide – he knew something had changed in him, his presence was more threatening. He couldn't underestimate him anymore but decided to keep his arrogant expression.
- "Wow, you cut me. But don't get cocky – it was just luck."
The opponent fell silent when Terrmomix looked at him; his body froze for a second. Terrmomix's eyes were cold, his gaze serious – he was different.
- "This is dragging on. Let's finish this."
The opponent composed himself, his gaze more determined. His goal was no longer just to win but also to hurt Terrmomix as much as possible.
- "Then I won't hold back anymore," he said, taking this seriously. His fighting stance had no openings – the real duel was about to begin.