Bab 12: Skydancer Exams (11)
When all the candidates reached the location to begin the test, Loudmouth began nervously.
"Cough, this is the first time this exam is being held, and personally, I don't want this type of exam to be held, since it puts you candidates at risk of death than any other exam we've had in this batch or rather ever."
His solemn words made murmurs spread like wildfire, many people wondered what he was talking about, but this time around, no one rushed him.
"The fourth exam is a field exam used to test your tactics, battle readiness and battle power when pitted against monsters. During this exam, we will distribute each of you across different terrains, and your task is to amass as many points as you can, by killing monsters.
This exam will depend solely on your battle power and ability to adapt to your surroundings."
To many people, this didn't sound so bad, so why was Loudmouth making a big deal of it?
"And last of all, this exam will take place... within a virtual space!"
'What?!'
The thoughts of many people went into full drive. If what he said was true, then this next exam would kill a lot of people from immediate participation alone.
"Uh? What can this virtual space do?"
A confused and slightly robotized voice asked no one in particular.
This was IA V-1, the NextGen Evolutionary. One of his acquaintances, Alpha2 was standing near him and had no choice to explain to him.
"Sigh, out of all things I figured even you of all people would know of that type of technology."
"So, does that mean you know what it is?"
"Yeah. A virtual space is a type of tech that has been theorized for a long time now since even before the asteroid's descent, it is a type of tech innately resembling virtual reality tech. But unlike the latter, a virtual space does not just show you the virtual world, it connects to your mind on a deep level and is able to replicate a user's ability in real life to the space. But all this was only theorized... until now."
"Oh."
"However, this kind of technology is extremely unstable and dangerous since it can cause damage to a person's brain, so people stopped experimenting with such a dangerous tech, well like I said until now."
Alpha2 took his time to explain and was glad that IA V-1 didn't ask questions.
"Anyway, the higher-ups have called it killing two birds with one stone, so I can't refute their orders now. And so, for the last time, if you feel that you have neither the mental skills nor power to confront the fourth exam I suggest you concede now and try again next year when the association might reconsider using the Virtual Space tech."
His calm words were so unlike before, and for the candidates who had constantly gone through his yells and crazy schemes, these calm words meant a lot.
"I... Concede!"
"I surrender too!"
"I drop out!"
And with that, the contestants that once numbered over 2,700 reduced again and now, only a bit over 1000 people remained, it was a sight to behold, this set of exams. The exam started with over 20,000 people trying out, and now only 1000 people remained.
"Thank you, I appreciate your straight thinking, the Loud Bunch will escort you all out now." Loudmouth breaths out in relief and signalled to the Loud Bunch to take the ex-candidates out of the artificial testing grounds.
"And as for the rest of you who didn't concede, your confidence and bravery are commendable and I know there's nothing I will say to change your minds. But I warn you not to regret your decisions later." He continued with a grim look.
"Now, let the fourth examination begin! Bring out the connecting devices!!"
His voice boomed and in response, hundreds of bots wheeled out the virtual connection devices which on one hand looked like a pile of wires connected to a helmet that was plugged into a small TV screen.
Many people gulped as they stared at these machines that looked akin to death traps.
'Are these things even as safe as he made it out to be?' Hugo pondered doubtfully.
One by one he began calling out candidate numbers, and they had to step forward to connect their brains to the neural interface.
"Candidate 1170!"
Hugo didn't realize that he was the last candidate until he noticed them calling out his number. Even if he did realize, he didn't do so early, since the skydancer had to call out his number three times before he answered.
To a lot of candidates, this was good comic relief before their brains got fried by the machines.
"Turn on the machines!"
Loudmouth commanded again, and the bots moved rhythmically to turn on the machines.
"Wait!"
Before they could though, the bots stopped moving at the commands of a voice.
"Eh, What is it?"
Loudmouth questioned whoever the voice came from.
"Uhh, I just needed to ask... where are we to sit?"
'This...'
At first, he was wondering who could ask such a question, until he saw the speaker.
'Sigh, this fellow doesn't know how to read the room at all!'
Alpha2 also sighed inwardly, ignoring IA V-1.
"Uhh, sit cross-legged on the floor next to your assigned device, like your fellow candidates are doing."
"Huh? They're sitting cross-legged?"
Loudmouth didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the antics of this difficult batch of candidates... wait, he mostly knew. He cried.
IA V-1 sat down cross-legged on the floor and nodded to indicate his readiness.
"Now, turn on the machines!"
The bots resumed from their stunned states and turned on the machines.
Whirr!
Mechanical whirring buzzed in the ears of the candidates and as Loudmouth meant them to, put on the helmets that lay by the TV screens.
Loudmouth unconsciously stepped back from the machine, like he was expecting it to explode or something, but none of that happened.
'It's like something returned!'
Each of the candidates felt like something was welcoming them home as if they were slowly connecting and synchronizing with another being.
Hugo, however, felt something different, his senses went haywire, and he felt as though his body and mind were liberated... He felt like a god!
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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