After a few days of rest and preparing, Arthur left the dorm's room and headed downstairs to the cafeteria. He had to wait for a few days until the second test was over. He wasn't allowed to walk freely, so he had to keep Reece's company as they gathered information about the missing students.
He saw students grabbing their food as he looked in the crowd for someone familiar. His efforts were of a little result as everyone was so different yet so similar in their unfamiliarity.
He grabbed some food to eat and sat alone on a table. The students gave him odd looks, but he cared so little about it. As he was eating his cheesed toast, he heard a clamor from behind followed by a crashing sound.
As he turned around, he saw that the students have parted to surround a handsome young man in casual clothing. With a red nose and sparkling eyes, Jonah looked at him with such happiness that Arthur mistook himself as the man's long-lost grandpa.
"Boss!" Jonah rushed to embrace him but Arthur was quick enough to dodge and take his food to leave the cafeteria. He threw the tray on the cleaning table and left as Jonah shouted from behind him.
Arthur blended into the crowd before using his Stealth rune. That way, Jonah lost sight of him and hopefully, no one noticed Arthur's appearance.
He walked like an invisible man through the crowd of students. He left the cafeteria and found himself at the complex's training field.
They were notified by the staff earlier that the names of those that passed would be posted on the Water Square's monolith. The city had eight squares based on the eight main elements. Fire, water, earth, wind, darkness, light, lightning, and ice.
These were the dominant elements among abilities and skills, although there were a lot of other elements that were as powerful and more unique. Some of them included the one used by Healers, Life element.
As for the reason he ignored Jonah, it was because Jonah was the current first ranker. That's why the students at the cafeteria looked at him like he was some sort of monster. After all, he did beat the high-ranking monsters to get here.
Arthur had no plans of being called Boss by the first ranker. He did want Jonah as a friend for his potential and loyalty, but he couldn't deal with the hustle of being worshiped by him.
He checked his phone and saw that it was still 9 AM. However, he would need to find someone to take him toward Water Square.
Arthur heard a whistle and he jumped backward. An arrow landed a distance away from the location he was standing on earlier. He looked up with a frown as someone approached him from a distance.
"Oh, it's a student." The pair of archers, who were a man and a woman, approached him with caution. "We're sorry, brother. We simply had difficulty recognizing what you are from distance."
"That's why you attacked me?" Arthur asked with a scowl.
"Well, the arrow was just a warning shot." The pair said awkwardly. "Are you one of the students that are applying here? Do you want us to help you as an apology?"
Seeing their sincere attitude, Arthur couldn't hold it against them. He was using the Stealth rune, so it was understandable that they had issues identifying him.
"Can you guide me to the Water Square?" Arthur asked to which the two nodded vigorously.
***
The two turned out to be a brother and sister. Kai and Rena respectively. They were both archers in their second year and they were having their morning duel.
These two were more rivals than brothers. They competed about everything and especially anything related to archery and scouting.
They guided Arthur toward the Water Square, a few blocks away from the district. On the way, Arthur couldn't keep his eyes on one place since at every corner, there was something new to be fascinated of.
To Arthur's excitement, he saw a flying mecha makes its way above the buildings of the city. Kai and Rena scowled with envy as they introduced who was the owner of the mecha.
"The Mechas Department, a bunch of magic technology enthusiasts. Even though there were internal struggles between those that favored runes in Mechas and those who didn't, the department is still one of the most difficult ones to get admitted to, even as a major field."
"What do you mean?" Arthur asked with confusion. The two looked at each other and sighed.
"This will be explained after you enroll. Everyone who had passed the second test would be admitted to Jerano."
"I know that," Arthur nodded his head. That's why he feared Jonah would betray him, since passing the test was equal to getting admitted.
"Then you should know that the top two hundred would be admitted to the special department, The Explorers. Those that are trained to go beyond the gates once they graduate."
"As for those that aren't in the top hundred…"
"They would need to choose another department, ones that don't focus on combat and dungeon explorations."
"That's what you meant when you said as a major," Arthur was confused. "Are there other ways to get into the departments?"
"Yes, The Explorers can enroll in minor fields. They can have classes at other departments if they manage to pass the exam assuaged by the department."
"Oh, that's convenient." Arthur nodded his head. "Is that the Water Square?" Arthur asked when he saw a public area where water danced high above a giant orb floating in the sky.
"No, the Fire Square," Kai said with dripping sarcasm and Rena pinched his side. "Ouch! The monolith over there is what you're looking for. The names will appear at 10." Kai said as he rubbed his side.
"Thank you, guys. You were a great help. I'll forgive you for almost killing me."
"It wasn't even a real arrow," Rena rolled her eyes. "Stop being dramatic and hurry over there. The other students are gathering."
Arthur smiled and bid farewell before he went toward the monolith. It was still 9:30 so he had a little more time before the announcement.
He looked around and watched the people work in their stores, happy and content. Of course, there were always problems and people bickering, but it worked to add some liveliness to the atmosphere.
Arthur sat on a bench and closed his eyes, waiting for the time to pass. He felt someone approach him and opened his eyes to see who it was. To his surprise, it was Emma.
"Mr. Linan," Nodded Emma respectfully. Arthur stood up and bowed in greeting.
"Miss Emma," Arthur felt weird that he was talking to her so formally. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"No need to be so tense, I thought we got over that stage." Emma laughed but Arthur smiled helplessly.
"I fear that Prince Caleb would kill me if he saw me next to you."
Before he could help it, the words left his mouth. He didn't even realize it himself how much it bothered him that Caleb threatened him at the ball until this moment.
"Not the best of topics to joke about, Sir Alexie Linan." Emma seemed upset. "The Prince has nothing to do with who I associate myself with."
"I understand," Arthur was stunned before he nodded. "I beg your pardon."
"If you seek my pardon, then drop the formal act. It still bothers me."
"Alright, Emma."
"Whoa, take it easy there." Emma raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You're either distantly eloquent or straight-out friendly, huh?" She said with a hint of laughter.
"I can't help it; I'm not used to his too." Arthur rubbed the back of his head. "By the way, may I ask what that is?" Arthur pointed to a black ribbon tied around her wrist.
"This?" Emma looked at it and the smile vanished from her face. "It's nothing."
Arthur was about to guess when he heard the crowd around them grow noisy. He looked around and saw that Principal Henrick was standing on top of the monolith. Beside him was an older man who was wearing white glasses and had blonde hair.
The students flooded into the square until it was backed to the full. Principal Henrick looked around before he snapped his fingers, making a few more students appear out of nowhere.
'Were they lost?' Arthur snickered. 'I thought it was too disorganized, but I guess the college had its arrangements.'
"Dear students," Henrick said with a crisp voice, making all the voices die down. "You have already met me; this is my vice principal: Mr. Jared Voyla." The vice-principal nodded in greeting.
"In a few seconds," Henrick continued. "You will be ranked accordingly. The interview that you had was to determine who is a good fit for each department." Henrick paused. "And whether are you a good fit to be an Explorer."
The crowd turned noisy but Henrick didn't say anything more. After a few moments, the monolith glowed as names appeared in sequence. Two hundred names were shining in golden as the others shone white.
"Congratulations to everyone, strive forward." Henrick then disappeared from above the monolith. Before Arthur could find his name, Emma grabbed him with a grin.
"We both made it!"