In the next test…
"Form teams of ten people! Among the fifty competitors from the previous test!" Arion commanded.
"We're five — we need five more!" Thais said, scanning the crowd.
"In that case, I'll join your team," said Ravena, stepping forward.
"Why?" Thais asked, immediately suspicious.
"I don't have a team, and you need more members," Ravena replied, arms crossed.
"What are you plotting?" Kratos questioned, clearly distrustful.
"Nothing. I just need a team," Ravena answered, calm and composed.
"You're staring too hard, idiot!" Mira snapped, glaring at Kay.
"I'm not! I'm just... thinking," Kay mumbled, lost in thought.
"And he didn't even react to seeing me in this outfit!" Mira thought, slightly irritated.
"How long are you going to keep covering your nose?" Thais said, exasperated.
"Since the smell won't go away, I need to get used to it. Shouldn't take long..." Kay replied, resigned.
"That makes six of us now," Viviane noted.
"Just pick from whoever's left," Ravena suggested casually.
"Honestly, that sounds easier," Thais agreed.
"Hey Mira, call that blonde girl over for our team!" Kay pointed toward the edge of the room.
"Why?" Mira asked, puzzled.
"She doesn't stink as much," Kay answered bluntly.
"That's your only reason?" Mira asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Yup!" Kay confirmed.
"Alright then..." Mira said, reluctantly.
"Can I talk to you guys for a second?" Ravena interrupted.
"What?" Mira asked, surprised.
They huddled together.
"Why did you leave that guy out?" Kratos asked, annoyed.
"It's just a theory, but I think the vice-captain noticed it too," Ravena said seriously. "That smell he talks about — I believe it measures compatibility with the suit. The stronger the smell, the more compatible someone is."
"Wait, so we were about to pick someone with no compatibility?" Thais said, alarmed.
"If you don't believe me, just think about how he ranked you all earlier," Ravena replied, arms still crossed.
"Hold on, didn't he say he smelled just as much as a vice-captain? Are you sure?" Viviane asked, uneasy.
"He's probably detecting it because of the suit. But I doubt he was wrong when he ranked you," Ravena affirmed.
"So, if we pick people with the strongest scent, our team will be powerful!" Thais exclaimed, excited.
"Go ahead!" Ravena encouraged.
Mira walked back to Kay.
"Listen, Kay — from the ones who don't have a team yet, who smells most like a ghoul?" she asked.
"The ones with the strongest scent? That guy in the corner — almost as strong as Kratos. That girl over there who looks lost. Those two siblings. And the pink-haired girl! There's also—" Kay began listing.
"That's enough!" Mira cut him off.
"Same as me? Slayer? He was trained by an elite assassin group," Kratos thought, stepping forward.
"You need something, Mr. Perfect?" Slayer asked sarcastically.
"I can feel it — we won't get along. But you're without a team. Want to join ours?" Kratos said bluntly.
"Why are they all going for the people I mentioned? And they're bringing them back... Is Mira mad at me?" Kay wondered, anxious.
"Team's complete!" Thais announced cheerfully.
"Do they hate me or something?" Kay thought, feeling discouraged.
"The girl you picked already joined another team," Mira said, apologetically.
"You all picked exactly the ones I didn't want… But it's your team. Still… I'm kind of hurt, you know?" Kay thought, disappointed.
"Since we're a team now, how about introductions? I'll start — I'm Thais, I live here in the capital!" said Thais enthusiastically.
"I'm Viviane, Thais's friend!" Viviane added, smiling.
"Kratos. I lived in the army barracks," Kratos said, stoically.
"Ravena. I lived near a military outpost," Ravena introduced herself, with a sly smile.
"My name's Slayer," said Slayer, expression unreadable.
"I'm Sarah. I live in the cathedral!" said a cheerful new girl.
"I'm San, from outside the capital. Nice to meet you!" said a guy, waving.
"I'm Dan, his twin sister! Pleasure to meet you!" Dan said, energetic.
"I'm Mira, from the countryside! Nice to meet you!" Mira added brightly.
"I'm her friend. Came from the same place. Name's Kay… Nice to meet you," Kay said, without much energy.
"No need to explain why he's holding his nose — you all saw that earlier!" Thais joked, chuckling.
"Teams are formed. Here's how the test works: in the middle of the forest, there's a flag. The team that captures it and brings it to me first will be declared the winner. The only weapons allowed are the ones inside that room. Anything else is prohibited!" Arion declared firmly.
"That's why we had to store our gear earlier," Slayer noted with a nod.
"Killing is forbidden. Attacks are only allowed with the designated weapons. The test ends only when the flag is delivered!" Arion added, then opened a gate.
"I'll be waiting inside. When the light turns green, you may begin!" He walked away.
"Feels more like a battle royale," Kratos muttered, eyeing the terrain.
"One hundred and fifty people chasing a little flag? Is this a joke?" Ravena said, rolling her eyes.
The light turned green.
"Not yet!" Mira held back.
"Why not?" Thais asked, confused.
The crowd surged forward. Some competitors were even trampled.
"I get it, but won't we miss out on weapons?" Thais asked, worried.
"Just steal them from other teams. The rules only forbid killing and non-designated weapons," Slayer explained, like it was obvious.
"Sounds like a hassle," Kay commented, strolling forward.
"Going now?" Mari asked nervously.
"Let's check if anyone's still alive. No need to rush," Kay said, kneeling next to a downed competitor.
"Incredible. He got trampled and only has minor injuries. These suits really are something," Kay remarked in awe.
"They're designed for ghoul combat. If they failed against a few stomps, they'd be useless," Ravena pointed out.
"If they were miracle suits, the army wouldn't suffer losses. Rely on them too much, and you'll die," Kay said seriously.
"Helping the wounded isn't our mission. Orders are different," Ravena reminded, heading toward the forest.
"She's right. Leave it to the soldiers. Our mission is the flag," Kratos added, walking past.
"I already said I'm not into these tests. I'll stay here until help arrives. You all go ahead," Kay said firmly.
"Leave him. We're already behind," Slayer said, not even glancing back.
"We'll get the flag. Take care of the injured," Kratos said over his shoulder.
"Alright, I'll help out!" Thais said, also stopping.
"Kay?" Mari asked, concerned.
"It's fine. That's enough time," Kay replied with a nod.
"Leave the wounded to us. Go join the test!" a soldier said, stepping in.
"Asphyxiation. Most protected their heads, so damage is minimal. But it's worth checking," Mari assessed, kneeling beside a fallen person.
"Understood. Good work," the soldier said before moving off.
The rest of the team headed into the test zone, while the soldiers remained to assist the injured.