''But don't get worried everyone'' the teacher began.

''since I don't know how they judge people to get the licenses'' he said while laughing.

It was as if he made a bad dad joke. He made us all worried, and i could feel the atmosphere in the room tense up.

It was complete silence in the room for about a minute.

''Now then, It seems we don't have any more questions, let us start the first part of the exam'' the teacher said

He started walking to where he first came from, a dark kind of hallway, and slowly lights began to appear. Everyone started to follow him so I of course did too.

I looked back to see only Ryuu standing still. I do not want to tick him off, so I just minded my own business. Then in an instant I saw him walking quickly.

After walking for about two minutes, we arrived to an even bigger room. The room before was already big, since it held maybe about 100 people, but this one is unbelievably big.

''Now then, welcome to the first phase of part one of the exams'' the teacher began.

''This phase is all about running, when you encounter a threat when fishing, you have to be able to outrun it, so we're going to test your agility here'' he continued.

I looked around to only see a big tunnel leading far away, to the point that I can't see the exit. How much are we going to run here I asked myself.

''This tunnel is 65km long, about 40 miles. The length is possible to run. If that was not hard enough there will be obstacles that you have to dodge or fight. There will be a timer too, if the timer finishes, those who are still left will be swept away to a room.'' the teacher said.

Instantly I heard voices saying ''swept away'' or ''swept to which room'' or even ''will you get hurt''.

''Now now, you do not have to be scared. When you get swept away, you will fall to the floor, which opens the floor to a room below. After a couple of minutes, a door will be opened for you to leave in the room.'' he said.

''Sir what is the time we have'' someone asked.

He did not answer. Everyone looked at the teacher waiting for some kind of response.

''We can't tell you that, or you will be able to take it easy depending how much time you have'' a guard answered.

''Now then, when a blinding light stops, that is your sign to start the test, if you don't after a minute, we will kick you out'' the teacher said.

As he said, a strong blinding light appeared, which made me to look away just to avoid it, but it didn't help. Then suddenly it stopped.

We currently are standing on a platform above the ground of the tunnel, so have to jump down to start the first phase. I would say between the platform and the ground of the tunnel is about 6 meters (19'8).

I opened my eyes to see a lot of people had already jumped down. I have no time to waste, I quickly jumped down. I must think of a strategy fast to be able to pass this.

I must have a good and quick rhythm of running without being too tired, but I also have to boost myself at the start so I do not become too far behind.

I boosted up my speed only a little bit for about 2 minutes and then went back to the normal running speed. I heard a rolling sound, like someone having roller skates.

Suddenly I saw Shoji with roller skates. He went passed me but then slowed down.

''You're Hayato, right?'' he asked.

''Y-Yes'' I startled.

''I remember you, your teacher and my teacher were friends'' he said.

So that's how i remember Shoji I thought to myself.

''We met quite often when we were young'' he said.

''Oh, I see, well It's fun to see an old friend again'' I said.

''Let us work together to achieve our dreams, we already have a good past, why not make a good future too'' he said while reaching out his hands.

I was quiet for a second only.

''Yeah, let's do it'' I said and shook his hand.

15 Minutes Later

I was still running with Shoji, I could feel myself getting more tired. Will I be able to complete this phase, it is even the first one!

After a few minutes of running, we stumbled upon our first obstacle. It was a big boulder. We had to run to the sides to be able to go through it.

While it does not sound like much, it slows down the tempo a lot. But I cannot think about that, I must still run, and finish this.

3 hours and 30 minutes later

I kept running, I could not stop. I am so far into the exams; I could not stop now. It felt like in any second, I will see the finish line.

I kept on running until I heard a faint sound. It became louder and clearer after I kept running. After a couple of second, I heard the voice loud and clear.

Someone was screaming 'Help' nonstop.

''Don't mind the screaming, I would love to help but the test is more important'' I told Shoji.

''No, we should go help'' he began.

''Ever since we went passed some of the participants maybe like an hour ago, we haven't seen anyone else, which makes us pretty far ahead'' he finished.

Then suddenly he shifted and went right, where the sound was coming from. I was surprised but I followed him. If he is going to help that person, I will do it too, we are going to do it together, just like we agreed on.

When i followed him, there was a small gate, we both went in and from being dark some lights appearing. It was a maze, but thankfully, we could hear the screaming, so we could easily try to go through it following the voice.

After a couple of minutes trying to go through, we reached the middle, where a girl, covering her face with her hands was crying help.

I tapped her on the shoulder to let her know we are going to help her. As soon as I opened my mouth, everything fell except for the platform that me, Shoji and the girl was standing on.

She laughed quietly, but then she laughed a laugh I had never heard. It was so loud and menacing at the same time. She grew and grew only to become a Snake Bear.

A Snake Bear Is a bear which is thin but long. It has scales like a snake but also fur. It has four big teeth like a snake and is agile just like a snake.

Me and Shoji were standing there completely scared and silent.

This was what the teacher meant with obstacles.

End of chapter 5