A few minutes had passed since the Physical Training began.
Brandon was a few students away until it was his turn.
So far there hasn't been a student that was expelled yet.
The reason for this was because most of the mages decided to line up all the way to the back.
Most likely, not wanting to even take the ridiculous mountain climbing session.
While the ones who lined up in the front, were none other than the duelists.
Yet despite that, there wasn't a single student that had gotten an A yet.
'Haa...' Brandon sighed inwardly.
He remained silent throughout the entire ordeal. But in truth, he was just as nervous as the mage faction.
Despite having a satisfactory build, Brandon wasn't confident in his physical capabilities.
This stemmed from his previous life as an unathletic skinny teenager, and it seemed to have carried on in this life as well.
Raven–who was in front of him, seemed to notice this, as he said,
"Don't worry, I think you'll do well."
"You think? Haa..."
"Just do it at your own pace, a D is fine, as long as you don't get expelled."
"I don't even think I'll get a D..."
It was then when something familiar popped up in front of Brandon's view.
[System Notifications: 1]
'Hmm?'
As soon as that happened, Brandon muttered to himself, as silently as he could,
"System"
—---------------------------
[Name: Brandon Locke]
[Level: 1]
[EXP: 0/100]
[Class: Anomaly]
∟ You are an entity that does not belong to this world, an anomaly.
[Passive]
∟ Skill Weaver:
∟ Create any skill possible within the user's capabilities.
∟ Increase your capacity by +1 per level.
∟ Total Skills: 1/1
[Skills]
∟ Elemental Manipulation
∟ Ice
∟Lightning
[Grades]
∟ STR: F [●○○○○]
∟ MP: F [●○○○○]
∟ DEF: F [●○○○○]
∟ AGI: F [●○○○○]
∟ INT: F [●○○○○]
∟ CHARM: F [●○○○○]
[System Shop]
[System Inventory]
[System Coins: 0]
[Quests Available: 1]
—---------------------------
'Quests available?'
He continued to inconspicuously navigate the system, and tapped on the 'Quests Available' tab.
—---------------------------
[Quests]
[Climb the mountain in under 15 minutes.]
[Rewards:]
[Stat Points: 3]
[System Coins: 50]
[Penalty:]
[Failure to accomplish this task will get your Lightning attribute locked for 7 days.]
—---------------------------
'Fuck... then that means I'll be forced to use the ice attribute...'
Which will expose him as a Deviant.
Brandon then closed the system.
"Haa...."
This time, he let out an audible sigh.
Raven turned around once again.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing..."
"...Okay?"
After waiting for a while, it was finally Raven's turn.
At Gavin's signal, Raven instantly bolted from his position.
'Cheating bastard,' Brandon thought to himself.
The results were obvious.
Despite having no magic, Raven was in a league of his own when it came to his physical capabilities.
A complete opposite of Brandon.
'Plus, his class...'
It was Assassin, a speed type combatant.
There was no doubt that Raven would be ranked first in the Physical Training session.
His speed was incomparable as he had already reached half the mountain in just two minutes.
The awes and surprise were audible from the students behind Brandon.
"Woah, is he even human?"
"How is he so fast?"
"Does anyone know who that student is?"
As someone asked that question, it was Vanessa who answered,
"Raven Blackheart, a duelist."
Gavin chimed in as well, responding to Vanessa,
"Who knew we had a student like that, his capabilities are definitely above average, even for a duelist."
Vanessa continued the conversation, as she glanced towards Raven who was about to reach the top of the mountain.
"Actually, he's the examinee who was graded the highest in the physical attribute criteria."
"Oh? I heard about that, so that's him, huh?"
It was finally time for Raven's main protagonist moment.
Brandon however...
'Holy shit, it's about to be my turn... can't Raven slow down?!'
He expected this already, but he couldn't help but be anxious.
As soon as he composed himself, Raven had already finished, as he took the portal that led to the bottom of the mountain.
When Raven returned back to where the students were lined up, Vanessa stated,
"Raven Blackheart, 4 minutes and 27 seconds, an A. Congratulations."
Once again, the room was filled with audible gasps of surprise.
First it was Brandon during Combat Class, now it was Raven in Physical Training.
They were monsters in their own specialties.
Finally, it was Brandon's turn.
As he was making his way to the bottom of the mountain, Vanessa tapped his shoulder.
"I've heard about your performance during Combat Class— not bad. Let's see how you fare here."
Expectations.
For the first time in his life, there was finally someone who had expectations for Brandon.
He couldn't disappoint Vanessa now, as he composed himself, giving her a confident nod.
However...
"Brandon Locke, 14 minutes and 57 seconds, a C. Congratulations."
"Haa...." Brandon let out an exasperated sigh.
It wasn't bad, but he wished he could've done better.
'At least I didn't get the penalty.'
As soon as he finished, a system message popped up.
—---------------------------
[Quest Completed!]
[Rewards Obtained:]
[Stat Points: +3]
[System Coins: +50]
[Bonus Reward for completing your First Quest:]
[EXP: +50]
—---------------------------
'Woah, sweet!'
As he closed the system message, Raven tapped him on the shoulder.
"What are you doing?" Raven tilted his head.
"N-Nothing..."
"Okay, good job man. I told you you'd do well."
It felt sarcastic–coming from someone with superb physical abilities.
At least, that was how Brandon felt...
"Thanks."
***
After a while, the Physical Training session finally ended, and the students were ranked accordingly:
1st. Raven Blackheart.
2nd. Claire Victoria.
3rd. Reinhard Van.
127th. Brandon Locke.
227th. Amy Ashfield.
228th. Rachel Asami.
There were a total of 527 students–in which 43 were expelled.
Cries of anguish and frustration were audible from the students, while the others who passed shuddered in fear.
They finally felt the pressure–the reality of Astrea Academy. An institution that did not allow any compromise.
Once you fall short, expulsion is expected. If you wish to stay, then prepare to give it your all.
If you don't think you can make the cut, then it's better to just drop out and not waste anyones' time.
'To think I would've been expelled as well if I were any later...' Brandon thought to himself.
With that, they were officially dismissed, it was their final class for the day.