The skies were blue not a cloud in sight. The sun was more boisterous than normal as golden light permeated through the windows. It was a beautiful day. If there was a chance of rain, monkeys would get married(1).

The E rank dorms were blissfully quiet. Until an alarm sounded inside the dorm. It made a racket as it screamed in the ears of the students. Inside each room is an alarm on the roof.

Abruptly woken up Lucas hit his head on the ceiling. Luckily his roommates where tired otherwise they would have laughed. Lucas climbed out of his bed and got off the bunk bed. Everyone else followed. Once everyone was up the alarm stopped in their room. The boy saw this and decided to test a theory. So he climbed back into bed and again the alarm went off. Once he was out the alarm stopped. He repeated this another two times. With both times yielding the same results. So it was clear that the alarm could tell if you were out of your bed or not.

Once the girl who slept below Lucas was out of her bed Lucas made his bed. Then he bolted for the showers. He knew this time he would have to shower with all the boys at the same time. But it was better than showering last. He wanted to make sure he didn't shower last. He didn't know how much warm water the dorm had at a time. Lucas didn't know how water was coming through the taps. So he just took what he knew was true. Back in the orphanage showering last meant showering 13th. Which meant showering in cold water.

His roommates saw Lucas bolt out the room but they assumed it was because Lucas didn't want to hear the alarm anymore. It was an annoying alarm. Designed specifically to irritate you. So that you would get out of bed to stop the sound.

Lucas got the bathroom and there was a line already. One lined up on the left for the males. Another on the right for the females. The lines only got longer as more people came out of their rooms. It was crowded in the hallway. You had to push your door to go in. So it was easy for people to come out of their rooms.

While waiting in line Lucas looked at his fellow male students. Thinking "I'm going to be fighting some of you soon. May the best man win." But while he was looking at them they were eying the girls. The girls also stood in the line to the right of them. They were dressed in sleeping clothes. Some wore gowns. Others only had shorts and short sleeves. Others wore onesies. It was a haven of different body types in different clothes. When Lucas saw the boys sneaking glances at the girls he rolled his eyes. As it wasn't unexpected. In fact, it would be odd if this didn't happen.

The girls that were fully clothed were happy and it didn't faze them. However, the girls that were showing skin didn't like it one bit. They were staring daggers at the boys they caught creeping. They knew for sure that the next day they would cover themselves properly before coming here. They would go back to their rooms and change but the line was far too long. And standing at the back of the line looked like a nightmare. So they decided to brave the storm. This only motivated them more to do the best they could so they could live better. The boys, however, had mixed feelings about performing at test 3. They would do their best regardless but still had mixed feelings.

It was finally Lucas's turn to go in and so he did. He got in and people were already showering. But just like he was many people were self-conscious about showering in between strangers without a divider. Which was a good thing... Because they are more likely to mind their own business than to pry into someone else's. Lucas got undressed and walked to the empty shower. But unfortunately for him, he stood out. So when he moved into the showers everyone looked at him. And they kept looking at him. Lucas felt them looking at him and then he said, " Okay! You have seen enough now. Mind your own damn business."

Everyone quickly turned their heads and looked away. Some of them stole glances here and there but it wasn't all in unison. Lucas wondered if this is the state of the Rank E's bathrooms in the Mage Academy. How would it be for the rest of the classes? As their academy isn't funded as well as Lucas's. Once Lucas had washed he went to the locker room side of the bathroom and dried himself off with a towel. Put on his clothes and walked out of the bathroom.

Once he was done he went downstairs to get breakfast. Once he got there he stood in another line waiting to get his food. Once it was his turn he picked a bowl from the pile. Then they put the oatmeal in his bowl. And Lucas took a fruit. Then he poured himself a fruit drink and went to sit down at an empty seat. He sat down near the wall because that is where the one seaters were. Lucas looked at his food and then began eating and drank his drink. Once he was done he was about to leave when an official said, " Once you are done do not leave. As we are all going to the venue together as a group after breakfast." So Lucas listened and he waited until everyone was done eating. As people were finishing up. The line of the cafeteria was getting smaller and the seats were getting fuller. Until everyone had been served. After that everyone finished eating and drinking. Once that was done the people in charge of Dorm E came to the front and one of them said, " I trust everyone has had breakfast..." She looked around to see if anyone objected. Once she saw that everyone had eaten she said," Good. So we are going to the Academies battleground. The battleground isn't here at the academy. It exists in a separate space. As such we will be using the academies transportation device to take you there. Once we get to the transportation device we will be meeting your fellow first years. So the A, B, etc dorms will be there too. Behave yourselves and everything will run smoothly. That's it let's go."

Once she said that she stood up and walked out of the dorm. The students followed shortly. Once they caught up with her she led them to the teleportation device. On the way, the students began talking amongst themselves. It was a mixture of excitement, curiosity, fear and nervousness. As some students couldn't wait to compete. Others were curious as to how the place looked like. Other were really scared and hated the fact that they had to fight. While others were just nervous. The fact that this was a new experience got them feeling nervous. Lucas, on the other hand, was feeling a mixture of excitement and curiosity. Eventually, the dorm master stopped walking as they had arrived. They were outside in a large empty space. In front of them was another space with a big circle drawn on the ground. There were symbols on the circle Lucas had never seen before. Lucas's group was the last to arrive. So they walked into the space allocated for them. Between F and D. Once everyone had settled in. Ivys Vinnay the Headmaster of Reckwerth and the Head official of the tests said, " Now that we are all lined. We are going to be teleporting to the location using this teleportation device. One group at a time: group A will go first then B and so forth. Once you arrive await further instructions." Once she was done speaking she walked away from the circle. Then group A walked on to the circle and with a white light they were gone.

Then Rank B went on and disappeared soon after. This happened until rank F. After that all the officials teleported. Once Lucas had arrived he saw the all too familiar white light until it disappeared. Now Lucas could see his surroundings and by the looks of it. He and all of the students were transported to a colosseum. It was gigantic! They were currently on the battleground or the Arena. When Lucas looked up he saw that this place had seats everywhere. It could take about 200000 people. 80000 of those seats were already full. The people who were on the top seats had the option to view what's happening in the arena by looking at a lacrima. If they couldn't cast magic on themselves that allowed them to see at a further distance than humanly possible. Around and above the arena was a dome-like barrier that protected the viewers from any stray magic. But it wasn't visible to the eye so it didn't obstruct their view.

Once everyone had taken their surroundings they realized this is the place that they would be fighting in. Some people broke apart from the crowd afraid anybody would make a move on them. Everyone was confused, they didn't know what to do. Until a holographic screen appeared. On the screen, was the headmaster. She said, " Welcome, welcome to the Reckwerth's first-ever testing where all races are participating... Alcoholic beverages and food are on sale. So if you haven't had breakfast yet. Do not to worry. However, please obey the laws and don't be a hindrance to those around you. Otherwise, we will have to throw you out without a refund.

Now to the students. You must be wondering what is going on... Why are you all teleported on the Arena? Well, it's simple. Test 3 is split into 3 parts. The first part is the battle royal. If we had to do individual battles for everyone. We would only be done next week. As such a battle royal sorts that issue out. In this battle royal, you are on your own. Or you can team up it doesn't matter. Regardless only 200 people will be allowed in the next round. Look around you. There are 2000 students here. So choose wisely. If you wondering how you get eliminated. You get eliminated if you step out of the zone. Or if you get knocked out. Our mages are going to reconstruct the Arena to a suitable tournament landscape.

Lastly the purpose of this test it to test your battle prowess. As such we have set up a device that will regulate the strength of all spells. So the power level of everyone's spell will be the same. This will make it a fairer battle for everyone. However, things such as cast speed etc can still differ from person to person. Also if you have one element but someone else has three, it's on you to overcome those odds. Your natural element will still be slightly stronger than any additional. Remember only elemental spells and their application can be used. If you are caught cheating you will be disqualified. When you see the fire that will mean test 3 has started. That is all.

To my spectators watching from home or those who are here with us. The voting poll is open you may place your bets on who you think will make it to the final 200. The names and pictures of all the students are there on the lacrima. Just scroll and see all the information you want. Please place your bets while the mages are changing the landscape. Once part one is underway voting will be closed."

After she finished speaking the screen disappeared. And all the students started walking away from each other. Until another white light flashed and the landscape had changed. All the students were now walking on a tiled surface. It was raised 15cm above the ground. The shape was a square which was inside the circular Colosseum. Lucas saw the edges and saw that if he was pushed over there he would be eliminated.

Once everyone was ready and alert. Fire erupted from the four corners of the "ring" commencing the beginning of test 3.

1- This is a play on words. As a "monkeys wedding" is the term given when it rains even though there are no or few clouds. Another word for a monkeys wedding is a sun shower. If put into context. The play on words would be, "If there was a chance for rain it would be as plausible as the sun showering" (1).