Jax looks around the trial area, cautious of their surroundings. He sees many faces staring at him, trying to measure his shot to conquer their place in the Nation, to assess their situation, just like Jax was doing. His thoughts were running wild, overthinking all the possibilities available. He couldn’t be sure how things would go, but the thought of it made him hopelessly tremble. Before he began to panic even more, Leo placed his hand on his shoulder, catching his attention. Jax turned around and see Leo’s smile and his quivers stopped.

-What’s the matter Jax? Feeling overwhelmed with our situation? Looks like 3 years ago, am I right? And I think it was harder back then.

-You are right, we got to this point overcoming countless challenges and we will not fall to this one!

-Looks like this time you will not cry huh?

-I was too stressed and young back then!

-Sure, sure. If that’s what you believe in.

Kai caught with the brothers, gasping.

-Listen, it’s going to be dangerous, but I need for you to go with it. Try to waste time with the event so I can get what we need, delay it until the sunset. And do not show your powers Leo, you will be made if you do and it’s game over for all of us. Got it?

-Huh?

-ATTENTION!

The shout of one of the supervisors made the entire area cover in silence. The only thing it was heard were the footsteps of Sir Alex Denver and his guests. Kai cautiously catch up with Denver’s group, trying to avoid any more troubles.

-Thank you, Jonathan. *cough*cough. Greetings, young ones. You are assembled here today by your own will and ambition to join the Nation corps. Thousands of people try to get there, but the destiny of each and every one of us is already written. A few can change it, but they have to seize their opportunities. And today the Nation offers you a unique opportunity to change your fate. The trial you will face will make emerge the next generation to bring peace and order to the world. We will hold a rumble all for all to evaluate you. There will be no restraints in any way for any of you to make the others quit or be knock out. You can use any means necessary to assure your victory, even cooperation between you to try overcoming the others. No rules except for to use everything in you to be the last ones standing. This is not a trial for the weak, but for the lucky ones can be the turning point in your life. I can’t guarantee you that there will be no deaths or serious injuries to those who participate, but you can give up now.

-What do you mean? I heard about the drills on these trials and work for the…

-This is my trial; I decide what it is about. It was decided to host here in honor for all the work I have done for the Nation until nowadays. If you feel like you don’t want or are afraid of it, just turn back to where you came from. I will give 15 minutes for you to decide.

The trial applicants started to look around to see how the other contenders were thinking. They were expecting a difficult trial, but not something as chaotic as a rumble all for all. It is each man for himself, and not something that a momentaneous alliance with someone you just knew will help you out. You will go through the event with the fear of being stabbed in the back even by your so-called new allies. They survey the eyes of their rivals, trying to look for the right answer but it never comes.

5 minutes passed and the first contender left. And the domino effect begun. A couple of minutes later more than a third of people left the area, afraid of the outcome of it. Their defeated faces were all they left behind for to be remembered. Leo and Jax remain there, despite their opportunity to get out of their perilous situation among Nation troops.

-Leo, do you really thing this is the right thing to do?

-I don’t know, but Kai asked us for to give him time. And for everything that he has done for us and will do, we have to make it happen. But I guess I can do it by myself, so Jax you could…

-Forget it, I was just confirming it that you were decided to do this. Even if you weren’t I would do it. Kai saved you, so I have a debt to pay.

-That is not a debt for you to pay up, but I appreciate the gesture. Now let’s see what we can do here.

-ATTENTION!

-Thank you once again, Jonathan. 15 minutes have passed, the people who wanted to quit already left. Now we will begin our event. To further sweeten this event, I talked with the present guests here and we decided to give the top 5 not only the scholarship to the Nation academy, but 1000 gold and a fitting item to them. These prizes are of course provided by the esteemed people at my side.

Leo and Jax looked at each other before looking back to a grinning Kai, understanding now why Kai wanted them to continue the event. He put money on it and now he needed to recover it. -«You shady cheapskate!!»

-As you all know, this a rumble all for all with no restrictions. With that in thought, we provide this.

Sir Denver takes a sidestep to reveal a huge chest brought by 6 men. As the heavy container is put down, its content is visible: weapons and armor. Several blades, glaives and even bows were there for offense, and shields, plate armor and variations for defense.

-Any of you can take what you want for this event, however this chest is placed at the center of the designated area. Conflict may occur for each item, but that’s what makes this more interesting, I think. We will commence the trial shortly and the time out will be placed on the sunset. Any question?

From the crowd of fighters, a buffed individual 2 meter tall appears.

-I have a question. What if we end up with the 5 finalists before sunset?

-You show some respect you brat. This is Sir Alex Denver, you maggot!

-Calm down Jonathan, no reason to rile up. Well, if before the sunset there are 5 finalists, we could end that right there if the participants think it’s okay.

-What do you mean?

-The prizes will be given to the best 5 in this trial, but what if there aren’t best 5? I guess the last man standing can accumulate all of them.

Some of the participants seemed caught by surprise, and one of them couldn’t understand it.

-But why? That’s not fair!

-Fair? You will risk your life today to gain something that most people around the world can’t even fathom in their whole lifes. How is not fair to give the spoils to the most fit candidates?

-I like that, sir. Let’s get this started. – says the 2-meter-tall man while punching his fists.

*****

The guests climb to the first level, in order to follow the trial. Sir Denver go along with them shortly, after arranging some minor things. After they are all installed, the trial is ready to start. Before that, the trial host addressed to Kai.

-So, did you give some good tips to your boys?

-Huh?

-Don’t play dumb, I saw you talking to them when I walk in, my old friend.

-Oh, I was just wishing them good luck.

-Huh? AHAHAHAH. So that’s your story? Be it. I think they are gonna need it this time. And don’t forget our bet.

-A bet is a bet, don’t you worry. Just get things ready.

-Oh, you really trust these boys. Maybe I should see why you are betting that much for them.

-You will see. – says a confident Kai on the outside, while nervous as a cat on the inside.

“I hope you can make it Leo. Even though I didn’t want to lose the gold I invest here, we really need to win this bet”-thinks Kai while taking a glimpse at Denver’s pocket.