It took three minutes to get Elias inside.


    The interior of the inn was run down. The walls were cracking, and water was dripping from the ceiling. Wooden beams nailed to the concrete supported the crumbling building, and one could hear the sounds of some of the people in the other room. Sitting at a wooden table in the corner of what seemed to be a miniature lobby, Drew waited with Elias as the girl brought some paper cups of water over on a tray.


    "Sorry about the building; we''re about to undergo renovations in a couple days."  She apologized, placing the tray on the table and then taking a seat.


    "It''s okay," Elias muttered, "I''m sorry for breaking down in front of the inn again."


    "It''s fine," the girl replied, folding her hands over a paper cup, "I''m used to it now."


    Drew looked at the girl, "Thanks for doing that-"


    "Wannowa Haliya Louis," the girl answered as if reading Drew''s mind. "Just call me Wan. I''m the innkeeper''s daughter."


    "Thank you, Wan." Drew thanked Wan and then remarked as he observed Wan''s appearance. "You''re a Siren."


    She clicked her tongue and pointed a finger at Drew.


    "You''re are the second person to get that right. Everyone thinks I''m a Water Spirit."


    Sirens were a humanoid Race from the planet of Sierra. They were known for their beautiful appearances and melodious singing voice that Elves. Hence, they were known as the Elves of the Seas. However, Wan did not look like your typical Siren, being much more petite and baby-faced than the ones Drew had seen.


    "You have a slight accent when you speak. It doesn''t sound like it''s from Kraus."


    She grinned, almost proud to disprove Drew''s words, "I just happened to pick up my parent''s speaking style. They''re the ones from Sierra. And where are you  from? I haven''t seen you on Glass Road at all."


    I''m originally from the City Center but moved here yesterday into this guy''s place." Drew replied, then pointed to Elias, coughing his innards out and clearly couldn''t speak now, "Nice to make your acquaintance, Wan."


    "Nice to meet you too!"


    Drew then turned to Elias, "You said something happened here a few months ago. What happened?"


    Elias was silent. He took a sharp inhale and began to speak.


    "I think you guys know." He started, but the words stopped.


    "Let me explain." Wan continued for him, understanding what Elias was insinuating. "Nothing usually happens on Glass Road but a few months ago, a kid from the Slums committed suicide on the third floor of this Inn. It was a huge incident that played on the news for days. Pink-haired Platian guy who looked around our age."


    Drew glanced over at Elias, who acknowledged things with a simple nod. "That guy was my friend. It happened on the day I graduated from Compulsory Education. Since then, I fell into a slump and holed myself up in my room for the past few months. I couldn''t bear to even step outside until three months ago. I thought I could solve the issue alone; I didn''t want my parents to get involved with my troubles as their responsibilities already burdened them. I should''ve communicated with them sooner-”


    Wan gasped, dropping her cup, "So you were that guy who ran past me! That was you!"


    "Yes," he replied, recalling Wan''s appearance at the scene.


    Wan lowered her head, crushing the cup in her hands. She silently cursed before speaking, "I remember the incident vividly. The authorities didn''t take his body away..."


    "Because he was from the Slums," Drew interrupted, finishing her sentence.


    "Correct," Elias said, biting his lip. His cup of water was still full as ripples formed, his hands trembling with each one made. "They let him rot in the street until his family picked him up."


    >>>


    In Ozwarth, Slum residents are not recognized as official citizens. Because of this, they are often discriminated against when trying to apply for or receive some service from the government. In this world, they are classified as the lowest class, even lower than the Untouchables. If one dies, no one will care. At least, that''s what everyone else in the city thinks. After all, it''s considered taboo in Ozwarth to be associated with someone from the Slums. In Ozwarth''s glory, some hidden flaws remain underneath their so-called perfect society.


    >>>


    "I witnessed his fall, his death." Elias cried, then slammed the cup on the table. "His bloody body crumpled on the cold cement. But you know what frustrates me? The police just stood there. Laughing. Laughing." The Human chuckled bitterly. "I remember one saying: ''Finally, another street rat is dead. He deserved it after all the trouble he has caused us.'' Then he spat on the ground next to him. It was beyond despicable. But what could I do? I was powerless. I couldn''t prevent his death, which I know was caused by those officers. Ozwarth''s protectors? Don''t make me laugh. They''re all just twisted monsters who abuse their power!"


    Wan inhaled, then leaned back in her chair.


    "I won''t deny you on that part. I mean," Wan paused for a moment. "I went through something similar. My older brother was charged with sexual assault some time ago. We found out later that he didn''t do it and was used as the scapegoat for the crimes of a Parliament member who had most of Ozwarth’s police force under his thumb."


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "What happened to him after that?" Drew asked.


    "He was eventually released once his name was cleared. Once he came back, he ran away. Everyone he knew turned their backs on him despite his name being cleared." The Siren scoffed, "I haven''t seen him in two years."


    Both the Avian and the Human were taken aback.


    "THIS SUCKS!" Elias fumed, slamming the table hard with his fist. "DO WE MEAN NOTHING TO THESE PEOPLE?! ARE WE PLAYTHINGS? ARE WE A JOKE? THEY''VE TRAMPLED ON US FOR SO LONG AND EXPECT OUR OBIDENCE?!"


    The Avian exhaled, "We live on a sixth-rate planet. Of course, this place is as backward as it gets. Who do you think runs this circus? Who do you think suffers the consequences? As long as the people remain powerless, their voices will never be heard."


    "Well, that system can go disintegrate into a black hole for all I care about." Elias turned to Drew and replied. His eyes, despite being swollen, were no longer cloudy.


    "So what will you do from here?" Wan asked, picking up her crumpled cup from the ground. "Can''t keep moping around and whining about a dastardly system."


    The Avian folded his arms, "That''s precisely the root of the problem."


    "Drew, Wan. Hear me out." The Human spoke in a calmer tone. "I''ve been screaming that I must overcome this, and I can''t see any other way to gain closure." Elias then pointed out the window to the towering Parliament building in the heart of the City Center. "I need to go there. I need to reach there!"


    "Have you lost your marbles?!" Wan shouted, cupping her hands over her mouth.


    "No, they''re all here. Thank you very much."


    "Mother of Kraus, how do you expect yourself to get into Parliament?!"


    In that moment, Drew sensed something. Something he saw in Elias that gave him a feeling of deja vu.


    Elias smirked, "There''s one place where the future leaders of Kraus are cultivated."


    "Star Military Academy," Drew said, his thoughts aligning with Elias. "But you would need to get in first. The bar is already high as is to get in solo."


    The Human tapped the table with one stubby finger.


    "Well, that''s where I have a proposition. I don''t plan on doing this solo." Elias smirked, seeming to have gotten some newfound motivation. "I would like to invite you both to join me in the Team Exam."


    >>>


    The Team Exam is different from the Standard Entrance Exam.


    As implied, a team of three to five examinees can take the Team Exam, while the Standard Entrance Exam is a solo exam. The Standard Entrance Exam has requirements that are different from those of the Team Exam. While the Entrance Exam was split into three parts, the Team Exam was divided into two; however, both exams share the same first part, the Written Exam. This Exam tested the individual on the main subjects taught in Kraus''s education system up to the graduate level of Compulsory Education, including History, Literature, Mathematics, and Sciences.


    The second part of the Team Exam is the Practical Exam. A team will enter an arena, and robots that imitate Warriors of different Classes will be sent out. The goal is to wipe out as many robots as possible before time runs out or the team surrenders. The minimum to pass was twenty robots, which was not easy. However, even if a team passes this round, all team members must pass the Written Exam to be accepted into Star. Despite this being the quote-on-quote easier exam, the Written Exam tends to end the Team Exam more so than the practical exam. That''s why not many people take the Team Exam unless they are confident their members can pass both portions.


    >>>


    Drew was aware of this, so he decided to speak up.


    "I''ll agree to your proposition. Getting into Star has always been on the agenda. But are you sure we can pass?"


    Wan propped her hand against her cheek.


    "I''ll also accept your proposal. We have about five months. What Rank are you guys right now?"


    "We''re both Mid F-Rank," Elias responded, pointing to Drew.


    Wan flicked her hair back, "Same here. If we want to guarantee a pass, we''ll need to reach High F-Class; at least, that''s what the forums said."


    Drew placed a hand under his chin.


    "It''s feasible. Getting to Mid-F Rank should only take three months if we set our minds to it."


    "Since we''re all on the same page here. I might as well ask. What are your Abilities?" Elias asked. "If we want to pass, we need to know each other like the back of our hands."


    Wan opened her hand, and a small golden sigil with a lightning bolt symbol hovered above it.


    "[Panel], a D-Ranked Support Ability. I can create Panels with different effects and change their size. The only ones I can make are [Sleep] and [Paralysis]. However, I need a clear mark on my target for the Panels to work.”


    Elias stared at the floating panel.


    “How long does each panel last?”


    “It can last for however long I need it to. Once cast, it won’t disappear unless I’m dead or my Otrio runs out. But the price for that is the Otrio cost. Each cast requires 30 Krasos, no matter how big or small."


    "How about you, Elias?” Drew inquired, placing his elbows on the table.


    Elias responded, “I have two. The first is the one you saw earlier: [Speed] an E-Ranked Ability. I can double my base speed, which is why I was able to run here quickly.”


    “That makes so much sense!” Drew exclaimed, wondering how Elias was able to do so earlier.


    He continued, “The second one is [Weapons Swap]. It’s a C-Rank Ability, but it works best when I’m in a team. As it implies, I can swap weapons with anyone and use the Skills stored in that weapon. I could potentially get the Skill as well. Of course, there are some drawbacks. The first one is that I can only swap weapons that have been used by someone else, as there are Skills embedded in them. The second is, if I wanted to take a Skill permanently, that would require me to take the weapon and practice with that weapon ten thousand times for a guaranteed take. If I were to take a Skill in battle, it would only come down to luck; the chances of me taking a Skill are so slim that it’s not worth mentioning. Third, I can only use the Skills in the weapon if I’m holding the weapon. Finally, my body has to handle the strain of the Skill.”


    “The conditions for your Ability to work are stringent. No wonder why you suggested we do the Team Exam.” Drew nodded.


    “Guilty as charged. Drew?”


    “My Ability is [Aegis].” Drew activated a disk-sized [Aegis] and let it float on his palm. There was no need for him to explain its notoriety. "I can move [Aegis] around 50 kilometers per hour within a ten-meter radius. I can also change its size, but it’s limited. Furthermore, I can use it as a platform.”


    “Can you attack with it?” Wan asked, tossing Elias''s empty cup at him.


    Drew flicked the disc-sized Aegis at the cup at top speed. To his surprise, it cut it cleanly in half like a knife cutting butter.


    “I didn’t know [Aegis] could be used offensively. I’ve only seen it used defensively,” Elias said in awe.


    Drew stared at the severed cup.


    “It appears so.”


    “Are there any flaws?”


    “Aside from casting time and the amount of power it can absorb. I don’t think so.”


    “Bull,” Elias cursed. “This ranking system is rigged! From what I’ve seen, it seems more useful than a D-Rank Ability! Heck, C-Rank!”


    “Eh, Rank means nothing in the face of utility.” Wan said, picking up the tray from the table.


    Drew chuckled. “I like your thinking, Wan.”


    Elias applauded in agreement.


    "We have just under five months before the Team Exam takes place. Any second thoughts?"


    “None here.” Wan shrugged, giving a thumbs-up.


    “Same,” Elias said, rubbing his bulging stomach, "Though, I need to get back in shape.”


    With a shared goal in mind, the formation of this impromptu team inside the rundown inn at the edge of Glass Road would be the beginning of a story immortalized in the records of the Cerber System.


    “Let’s do this.”