The damp scent of soil rose slowly from between the irregularly grown patches of grass, while the constant chatter and laughter of people spread in every direction. To some, it might have been a lively atmosphere, but to others, it was nothing more than grating noise.

Soon, cutting through the commotion, the examiner's low, refined voice echoed across the testing grounds.

"The first exam will be conducted in groups of five. You have a time limit of 5 minutes. Form your parties within 5 minutes. Anyone who fails to form a party by then will be disqualified."

As soon as the examiner finished speaking, the air felt subtly distorted. Perhaps the officials knew from the start—that this exam wasn't just about cooperation. That to survive, someone must be chosen, and someone must be discarded.

Survival of the fittest.

A cruel method of trampling on buds that haven't even bloomed yet, all under a plausible pretext.

The murmuring crowd began to move quickly. Those clustering with people they already knew, those desperately calling out to participants who looked skilled, and those quickly scanning others to calculate their utility.

You couldn't just stand there either, so after a short breath, you slowly stepped into the crowd. The limit was only 5 minutes. Even at this moment, someone was likely already finalizing their party.

Currently, there were only three incomplete parties left. Not a single one looked appealing. Especially not that group of morons already causing a noise disturbance with their bickering.

Of course, that was until some crazy bastard forcibly grabbed you, making you part of the party through what was basically a kidnapping.

Dane, being his meddlesome self, slung an arm over your shoulder as if you were old friends and spoke up nonchalantly.

"Yo, friend! Looks like you're safe just in the nick of time thanks to yours truly! Talk about luck, right? Now, quit looking so miserable and let's introduce ourselves!!!!" Wink