章 2260: Group Exams

The morning after the celebration brought a jarring change in mood. The carefree atmosphere of the previous night evaporated as the acolytes of Hall 60 gathered to hear the details of their end-of-year group exams. Anticipation hung in the air, thick with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

The exams had evolved beyond the simulated virtual missions of the mid-year assessments. This time, the challenges were rooted in the real world, with all the dangers and unpredictability that entailed. The stakes were higher, and the complexity of the tasks set before them would test not just their skills but their very survival.