Chương 41: Real Announcement
The presence of the current Spanish monarch could be seen entering a press conference from the governmental palace along with several men of great status such as dukes, high military ranks and others.
The news was known by all, but it seemed as if it was something newly revealed; the latter was true for the young man who sat on the bed in his room watching television.
- On behalf of all the regional rulers, as well as the military forces and the relevant researchers who contribute to the continuous innovation of knowledge and technology, the royal household is pleased to be able to make the announcement of the entrance examination to the Royal Academy of Evolution Technology, one of the four official academies worldwide that are forerunners of the transcendence of human beings in our times. - said a man who was in his 50's with a woman ten years younger than him who appeared to be his wife and a girl of about 15 years old.
The family that was shown before the entire audience was dressed in royal attire and those behind them in somewhat similar fashion.
- As we know, in recent times, the human species has shown signs of evolution in its genetics just like the rest of the species that evolved to survive in its environment; however, as the dominant race, this means the opening to great opportunities and great improvements in the quality of our lives. Certainly not all of us have had the opportunity to present these traits; however, research predicts that, in the future, our children, our descendants, will fully enjoy what we sow today. Therefore, no one should feel excluded, nor should there be any discrimination, because, even in the royal family, only one of us has shown to carry these traits of human evolution. Therefore, being already official the information that has been said for more than 25 years, today I have the honor to declare, leaving the condition of homo sapiens sapiens, the beginning of the era of homo sapiens transcendentalis. - declared the man.
The hubbub of the people, the sounds of the trumpets and other instruments covered the whole area; the rumbling could be felt even louder than in the great stadiums. The news was of great joy and jubilation for the human being, but what was this evolution that was so much talked about?
- Transcendentalis? ... Perhaps it is an appropriate name. - said the young man who was watching television while he finished getting ready to start his day.
That young man, who got up and went to a mirror, took a kind of black ribbon that was actually a patch and while he was putting it on he continued listening.
- Now, well ... Without further delay, I announce that the start will take place on March 24; it will be the week of tests prepared by ARET, who will have fully trained teachers and instructors, as well as groups of selected officers to follow up on the applicants. It is worth mentioning that this weekend the hiring of substitute teachers will take place, who will have to meet the necessary quality standards to support the educational team. Finally, the hostess for this occasion will be the Duchess of Zaragoza, Sofía Bartolomé de Zaragoza, who will have the role of giving the pertinent indications for the correct development of the event. The royal house as well as the different noble houses are confident that the young duchess is more than qualified for the job.
Having finished speaking, the young man turned off the television as if expressing that what he had heard was enough.
-Next week the exam will be given... I must fine tune some things..." commented Liam as he left his room.
The days passed quickly, as the leaves carried by a gust of wind, the day, when the doors of that great academy were opened, arrived.
The grand entrance overshadowed by so many people both local and foreign made the event lively; the surrounding stores were full of customers and, giving way to a procession, entered the royal family, dukes, honorary guests and more.
The large ARET academy with more than 85 hectares of land located in the former Casa de Campo in Madrid welcomed all the postulants who entered via modern buses behind the royal procession.
The entrance was the same for all, so that officials guarded the entrance so that there was adequate space for no one to get hurt by accident and that the postulants were not delayed in their entry.
After about an hour had passed, all the characters were already inside; therefore, the doors were closed.
Inside a large room that was the general auditorium with space to accommodate more than 9,000 applicants, everyone was waiting for the start of the event.
The place, which seemed to be more like a stadium or a gigantic movie theater, because the place was dark, turned on the lights on that dais and above it, three screens were turned on to allow a better view.
A man came on stage, dressed in a suit, to introduce the event.
- Good morning everyone, my name is André Paredes, lieutenant general of the Spanish army, who will give a brief introduction to the ARET admission exam. - spoke the man.
The audience looked at the middle-aged man with some astonishment.
- First of all, I extend the cordial greetings of His Majesty, King Theodore Von Eber and the royal family to all the applicants who will prove their determination during the series of examinations and tests to be performed ... As you may know, ARET was founded more than 20 years ago when the first signs of the current human evolution were taking place. Some of you may be wondering what I am talking about, because, since the year 2071, records have been found from different countries who observed, among their communities, strange signs in their people. These individuals who presented characteristics that enhanced the basic abilities belonging to human beings, today have been given the title of "Reformed".
Everyone was attentive to the military man's words.
- Greater physical strength, endurance, intelligence, in addition to the fact that some of them have the ability to communicate with other species, telekinesis, manipulation of elements and many more skills that we do not know, which before we thought they were only science fiction ideas, have now begun to emerge among us. The idea of the superman is no longer just a crazy or well-invented story, but a potential reality. However, very few people have these qualities; therefore, Spain, seeing a growing number of these individuals in its territory and in adjacent countries, took the decision to found a research center that would cover this subject. Sixteen years later, it integrated a school that would give lodging to these people who were homeless and discriminated by their communities, giving birth to the Royal Academy of Evolution (ARE), which would support the control of the powers that these special people, the Reformed, had. However, two years later, the government together with the early ARE realized that they could not only teach to control these abilities, but they could develop them; for this, fundamental help was required from scientists involved in the subject; therefore, not only focused on taking only the Reformed, but brilliant minds that innovate technology to support all this work. Eventually the ARE was transformed into the Royal Academy of Technological Evolution (ARET) which opened its doors to both Reformed and people with the skills for technological development.
As he said these words, the whole audience seemed to be more intrigued in the story behind everything that was happening.
- Currently, there are four official academies in the world that have the same purpose, with ARET being the second to be formed as such. Having said all this, we hope that this year's newcomers will join the mission and vision of our academy, and be the promising future we dream of. - the man finished speaking.
The applause did not take long to appear, filling the entire auditorium.
- That being so, I will now give the floor to the person who will accompany you on your journey. With you, the Duchess of Saragossa, Sofia Bartolome.
All those present fixed their gazes on that silhouette who climbed on the stage. A beautiful young woman with red hair, dressed in gala attire and holding a Tablet in her hand, entered the stage.
- I hope you all have a good morning. I am Sofía Bartolomé de Zaragoza, current Duchess of Zaragoza, and I have the honor to be the hostess of this great event that will actually be a test that will determine your knowledge and skills, I hope everyone can succeed. - said the woman who was also shown on the screens.
Everyone applauded again.
Showing on the two side screens the statistical records that were on the woman's tablet, the explanation of the entrance exam began.
- As you can see on the screens, the historical record of ARET entrants and graduates is shown. During our 23 years of service, we have had a trend of more than 5,000 applicants of which only 13.4% on average got in, that is, 670 applicants managed to reach a vacancy ... However, what you may be most interested in is the number of potential Reformed students we had for admission.
Absolutely all of them were totally attentive to what would be said next.
- Only 5% of the entrants were verified as potential Reformed. This percentage indicates that only 34 entrants presented the abilities of what we now know as homo sapiens transcendentalis.
The numbers were really low, but no one was depressed about it.
- Finally, the average number of graduates shows that of the 670 students we have annually, only 48.5% graduated from the different careers offered by ARET, that is, 325 students enjoy this prestige annually. On the other hand, of the 34 potential reformed students, only 26 obtained their degree fully and officially.
The public remained attentive, especially three young family members.
- For this year, we have surpassed the number of 7,000 applicants that happened five years ago. We currently have 9,356 applicants of which only 0.73% have opted for the extraordinary exam. There are 69 students who have been referred to take the exam; this number is the highest in our history in the Reformed category. Therefore, we hope that all can be selected as Reformed.
Watching from their seats, three young men looked somewhat excited.
"Wow...I'm sure I'll get in." thought one white-haired, scarlet-eyed young man.
"Sixty-nine, huh?" thought a young man who had a patch over his left eye.
"Hahh...I get out of one problem into another..." thought a young man with black hair and green eyes.
The figures displayed on the large screens changed to a list of sorts; a timeline.
- Now, continuing with the presentation, I will explain what the tests will consist of and the attached schedule. First of all, for the first part there will be three written exams during the week, the days will be: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The first exam will evaluate the topics of reasoning and basic mathematical analysis; the second exam will deal with text comprehension where philosophical topics will be added as well as analysis and critical reading; the third exam will deal purely with basic physical and chemical aspects. As you will see, it will be like the admission exams to universities in general, but with certain subtleties; this part is essential for most of you, not to say almost all of you, since your knowledge and skills will be evaluated; afterwards a personal interview will be conducted to each of you, for this we have more than 450 instructors who will be in charge of carrying it out; the interview will only last about five minutes and it will be after the end of the last exam.
Murmurings were beginning to be heard among the applicants, many of whom considered themselves suitable for admission. But the next thing the woman said silenced the audience again.
- From Friday until Sunday morning, the second part of the evaluation will take place ... Those 69 applicants will have to show the special characteristics they claim to possess, this will be mentioned in more detail that same day. I will only mention that this part will take place in the area known as Fuencarral-El Pardo. Today, Sunday, March 24, is the inauguration of the week of examinations.
Having finished speaking, the expectations and spirits of the applicants increased.
Walking towards the bus station to leave, a young man had received a message with the sender "ARET". The message mentioned additional instructions and indications such as the weighting of the written exams, time of admission, available vacancies, etc. However, what really interested him was to see a special note written.
Dear Renato Perez,
Considering the reference made about you for the extraordinary category exam, we are sending you additional information. Certainly, the required score or vacancies available in the first part of the exam will not be an impediment if you happen to pass the additional exam. We look forward to seeing you this Friday at 8:00 a.m. and please do not miss your interview on Thursday.
We ask that you maintain discretion over the message.
Sincerely,
ARET Admissions Office (ODARET)
The young man with some concern tried to turn off his cell phone as he listened as the other applicants talked about the common message that had reached them.
- This is bad... I hope to get out of here soon....
Without being able to finish his mutterings, Renato could see in the distance a familiar silhouette in the crowd.
- I-It can't be...
He saw a young man with an eyepatch getting on one of the buses.
Then as he tried to walk away in the opposite direction, he could hear a familiar voice.
- Oh, sorry for bumping into you. - said a young man with white hair and red eyes.
- D-Don't worry about it. - replied the voice of a girl who seemed a bit shy, which was really because of the young man's appearance.
Looking carefully at the place, Renato noticed someone he had met not long ago.
- ... Is this... is this for real? Aren and Glen just need to show up..." was the last thing the young man muttered.
From the railings of the second floor of the auditorium, he was, with a smile, watching a blond male with dark circles under his eyes.
- Shall we go? - suddenly asked a woman standing next to him.
- Yeah ... you know ... this is going to be exciting stuff.
As reporters filmed the royal procession and the buses carrying the postulants leaving the site, a burly man watched through the television in the living room of his large abode.
- So... tomorrow it starts, huh?
Suddenly a young woman entered the living room and sat down on one of the pieces of furniture near her father.
- So... what are you going to do? - the girl asked directly.
- What do you mean?
- You know ... it's been almost a week, will you let those two stay here? - asked the young woman with some indifference.
- One of 'those two' is your cousin, Melissa. - replied the male with some annoyance.
- ... What about your friend?
- Please, Melissa... Do you think I haven't noticed how you look at him? Why do you want to throw him out now?
The expressionless young woman seemed to blush.
- Don't change the subject... So far we have reached out to them without asking for anything in return. We haven't even asked you what happened to Emily.
The man sighed.
- Look ... I think Emily will need a few more days ... haven't you seen her try not to tremble sometimes when she sees the outskirts? She seems to have a trauma when she sees the outside ... besides, that boy she brought ... she seems to really trust him ... somehow.
- But we don't know anything about him ... at least we have to ask him what he knows about Emily, what happened to her?
- No! I'll let her tell it herself in due course. - exclaimed the man.
On the other hand, while still sleeping, a long-haired young man seemed to be having a nightmare.
A call constantly echoed in his head.
- Aren ...
- Aren ...
The voice of a girl, unknown to him, called out to him.
Again it was heard, but it was a different voice. Waking up immediately, the young man looked at his surroundings and saw a young blonde-haired girl standing in the doorway looking at him.
- Aren ... are you all right? - asked Emily somewhat worried.
- Yes...
- Can I talk ... for a while with you? - said the young woman shyly.
- ... What?
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