He had been training the Chrono Candidate for a few months now and Geko's opinion never changed. Yin was a pain in the ass. She had ridiculous potential, ridiculous talent and a ridiculous attitude. With their specialized training over, Geko was already reaching for his fifth cup of coffee while staring at the young Alchemist hotly trot out, heading to wherever she pleased. "That lass needs a spanking!" The Lost Number spoke to himself, his head tilting towards the calendar, the final test was drawing near. One would think it would become mundane after so many years and so many trials and yet each and every time it made him feel uncertain and this year was worse because he had to debrief the students.
So the next few hours were spent with Geko visiting each of the classes that housed students who would be potentially appearing in the final test, clearing which would grant them the dubious honor of calling themselves Asylums. In each class Geko briefed them with the same mundane memorized words.
"Hello students, if you are unsure as to why I am addressing you lads and lasses, it is because you are soon to graduate but before that each of you has to attempt the final 'trial'." He spoke trying to hide his weariness despite this being his sixth briefing.
"I am sure you have heard rumors and some of you may have an idea of what is to come. You don't" The Lost Number made sure to stress the last bit for emphasis. "This is not a game, it is not just any test, this is the final test. The fact that you have come to this point itself shows you have a strong grasp of everything that is needed to be an Asylum. Strength, dexterity, ingenuity, imagination, foresight, alchemic prowess and the list goes on and on!" The veteran directed everyone's attention to him with a clap and proceeded to let them stew in silence for some theatric appeal.
"This test is where everything you have learned, comes into play. There will be no safety harness, when the trial begins you are considered Asylums and so that entails all the dangers that comes with the job description. Your final trial is the "Jungle". You will all be placed in, you guessed it, a massive jungle and the objective is simple. Reach the finish line within 12 hours. Failure to do so has dire consequences and the trial itself will be very dangerous. The first rule is you cannot use alchemy outside of combat, any detection of alchemy by the invigilators will result in a warning and then disqualification. Second rule is to clear the Jungle within 12 hours. Third rule is only the first half to cross the finish will pass. The entire will course will have....obstacles to deter you and some of this obstacles can be fatal. Prepare to your best of capabilities and perform to your fullest!" And with that Geko proceeded to leave the class and head to another.
Rinse.And.Repeat
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Bella and Zane had seated at their desired table within the cafeteria and not long after Elsa and Samad had also made their way to the same table, just sitting down for the prisoner to convenient appear next to them. Without a word the large man simply pushed a chair back and casually sat down, his tray an assortment of desserts that seemed rather unbecoming of his threatening stature.
"I see you are all alive and unharmed, excellent." The man spoke in a tone that didn't seem to be all that surprised or even all that bothered. His wrists were still chained, a multitude of alchemic sigils engraved on the metallic bracers locking his hands. This of course made scooping ice-cream a rather tedious task but one the prisoner was adamant to overcome. After finally taking a spoon-full of strawberry cheesecake the man once again turned his attention to pair of Asylum pairs. His fingers communicating with the deaf Asylum. "The strawberry is very mediocre, I'd suggest Vanilla".
"So anything of interest?" The prioner in the silver tinted glasses spoke once more, his fingers clasping to rest his chin on.