//Warning! Today I got a lot of author notes to share. First of all thanks everyone for rating and following the fanfic. I was delighted when I saw two guys voting 5 stars but then of course it dropped, I guess i need to keep improving *cough* *cough* proofreader-san apply already *cough* *cough* I have some cookies for you, don`t be shy.

Secondly, from now on I will only be able to write 1, 2 or maybe 3 chapters a week depending on how busy I am with university and my part-time job.

And lastly, I will be starting a side project I named 'Project Notice Me', At the end of each chapter starting from now, I will share a fan-art, song, or just something I consider interesting but it`s not as noticed as it should be. I will also include a small entry that I will write for the fan-art, song, etc.

Ohh I almost forgot, I almost decided to name the project 'Project Notice Me Senpai' lel, but I removed the senpai cuz I wanted something ...hmm... let's say 'serious'. Well, and that`s all, now you can ignore this baka penguin and enjoy the chapter^^ //

Chapter 9- Trial in the Pocket Dimension

When he opened his eyes, he could see a jade-green world all around him. The wind blew gently against his skin carrying the sweet taste of fresh air, he could feel the recomforting hug of the forest, the smell of wet leaves, the sound of the rustling foliage, the sound of the wind. Similar to an ancient ballad, everything was music in his ears, the song of the forest greeted him again.

The light was fading to the might of the trees, leaving a marvelous spectacle of shades on the ground. The enormous trees formed together a small citadel in the forest, like a fortress protecting that sacred place.

"Hmm it seems that this pocket-dimension is a replica of a part of the Great Forest of Magical Beasts."

Suddenly a voice draw him out of his trance. Oz, still with melancholic eyes, tried to focus on his companion.

"Yes, it seems like that." Agreed Oz as he sighed.

"Well, first we should set an operating base, we don`t know how long it will take to complete the test. And it would be stupid if we were to go randomly looking for opponents."

"True, we should only attack other students within a certain range around our operating base." Admitted Oz as he stared at the lambent petals of shiny silver of the nature. There were flowers of all sorts, it was like the paradise of any botanic. Curiously, there were no animal sounds nor magical beast ones. Creating replicas of those in the pocket dimension would be easy, but then the dificulty level of the test would have skyrocketed, with the presence of magical beasts, even the most talented candidates would fall easily.

The two youths traversed the forest with slinky movements with the silence that would provocate the envy of ghosts. They decided to settle their base in a secluded area within the forest, surrounded by two huge trees that reeked of age. To get there you had to go through the tiny spot between the two trees that was only aroung half a metre wide. So any kind of group attack against them would be futile since the foes would have to go through the small hole and only one person at a time could pass.

"I didn`t expect to find such a suitable place for a base." Laughed Demiurgos as he inspected the place in detail, like a professional appraiser evaluating the true value of the place, even though it was pretty obvious.

"Now we can be almost certain to pass the test. We can just hide here until the other pairs destroy each other, even if they try to attack us we will have the advantage since it would be 2vs1 while they are coming from the small hole, besides their movements would be quite limited there as well." Analyzed Oz.

"True, but that`s not my style, and it would be quite boring. Too boring, right?" Asked Demiurgos with a shaddy grin.

"Hmm, you are quite the dangerous guy, Demiurgos." Agreed Oz with another grin.

"What about this Oz, let`s not only pass the exam. We will do it in a flashy way! We will leave our names carved in the minds of every candidate and examinator."

"But, that`s easier said than done. How are we supposed to do that?, even if we defeat six or seven pairs, that would be nothing compared to the amount that Ren or that red-haired can achieve."

"Hehe, leave that to me. I have a plan." Said Demiurgos with a confident smile. "But first we should secure a food and water source. I saw some edible fruits on our way here and also a river 700 m to the west."

"Let`s go then."

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In another part of the pocket dimension, under the leafy dome of the forest, a group of more or less twenty people congragated. The guy in the middle was probably their leader, the scion of the Fangsfall family, Ren Fangsfall. He stood there like a commander on the battlefield with a heroic aura surrounding him.

"Well, my friends. As long as you follow my commands I can guarantee that at least half of you will pass the test. I only have two objectives for this test. First, I will seize the first place in defeating the most pairs. And secondly, I will show the consequences of offending the Fangsfall family to those fools who mocked me." As he spoke, his voice grew more fierce and cunning.

"Don`t worry, even if you fail the test under my command, A Fangsfall never forgets a favor, You will have another chance to enter the Academy from one of the other Big Cities, I will ask my father to pay for the transport and enrolling costs. And in case you ultimately become a student there, you will get a monthly allowance from my father."

All the youths present nodded. Their own ability was already high and with the assistance of Ren, they had nothing to fear while doing the test. Even in the worst case scenario, they could enjoy the favor of the Fangsfall family and try to join one of the other Academies.

"Ok, you three will go with me to raid the other pairs." Said Ren as he pointed to his partner and also two strong-build student candidates. "The rest will check the area surrounding our operating base and eliminnate any pair you encounter. Also look for food and water. Oh, right. I don`t think I need to repeat it but if you see any of those two guys, contact me inmediately" Said Ren as he shared the photos of two youths through his i-wristband.

Everyone nodded and they separeted in small groups of four or five.

Five of those went to the riverside to get some water. As they got near..."Kiaf, keep an eye on our backs. We will go to retrieve the water." Said the tallest guy of the group.

"Alright, be careful. There will probably some students near the river, since everyone needs water and there seems to be only a small river in the whole pocket dimension. If I see anything unusual I will contact you inmediately."

As the tall guy and the other ones were finishing with the task of getting water. Suddenly they heard the sound of gunshots and then, Sam the partner of Kiaf vanished. The tall guy was doumbfounded for a few seconds an then he shouted.

"F**k, they probably defeated Kiaf. Let`s go we won`t let those bastards flee."

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"Just as I told you Oz, We would definitely find a few guys near the riverside standing in guard alone." Laughed Demiurgos as they were going deep into the forest.

After finishing the collection of water, edible fruits and mushrooms such as berries, wild basil, plantain, nuts, wood sorrel, wild garlic... They decided to return to the surroundings of the riverside trying to look for an off-guard prey. They were lucky. Demiurgos got near the clueless candidate in a stealthy way and before he could react he hit him with his metallic shield before he was shot by Oz with his pistol.

After that, the both of them retreated swiftly, melting into the shadows of the forest. They were already almost in the operating base when Demiurgos suddenly stopped.

"Oz now, I will act as the bait."

They had accorded beforehand that if they could make a small groupd follow them to their base, they would try to ambush those unlucky fellows. Demiurgos was confident in his plan and in the worst case they could always go through the hole between the two trees and hide there. The reason for all this was that Demiurgos wanted some certain information to proceed with his plan of becoming the most remarkable pair.

Oz was confident in the bait plan, so he trusted the bait task to Demiurgos and went behind some bushes while hiding his presence completely.

Moments later, three youngsters appeared near Demiurgos location. All three of them had some creepy smiles on their faces.

"So, you didn`t only attack one of our companions. You even did it alone...are you stupid?" said the tallest of them.

"Haha, such a moron."

"Well guys, just in case be careful. His partner must be somewhere near."

"His partner probably is not as stupid as him and already fleed."

"hmm...well guys are you going to continue chatting or are we finally getting some action?" asked Demiurgos with a fearless smile.

Suddenly, the three of them shot towards Demiurgos with astonishing speed. The temperature dropped as they got near him. They felt chills running up on their spines. Something was wrong there. But it was already too late.

"Maybe next time..." Said Demiurgos bored, he took a small revolver-shaped object from his pocket and he shot those three who instantly were frozen. The gun was a freezing pistol, it shoots icy waves that freezes everything it touches, but the effective range of this weapon was only half a metre so it was dificult to defeat a cautious opponent with it.

Oz got out of the bushes and he looked curiously the weapon in Demiurgos hand.

"Didn`t you say that you only chose the shield?" Said Oz arching an eyebrow.

"Well, you should never trust my words completely...especially in a pavillion filled with enemy pairs with big ears." Laughed calmly Demiurgos.

"Haha, true. Silly me. So I guess those three were one of those guys with big ears? And congralutations, you dind`t even need my help."

"Of course I was confident on my abilities to deal with those small-fries. However, it`s always good to have a few back-up plans. And yes, they were eavesdropping the conversations of all the pairs who were near the weapons desks. Actually I was looking for them when I suggested to go near the riverside and ambush someone. I never expected that our luck would be so good. Now we can procced with plan`s phase two."

Demiurgos got near one of the three frozen guys and with a hit of his shield he shattered the guy in countless pieces. One of the other two guys also dissapeared. Only one guy was left.

"Ok, we will leave this guy here. I think he probably got a tracking device on him. So his companions will probably come to investigate. That`s phase two. Now listen, once they come..."

"BOOOOM!" As Demiurgos was explaining the plan to Oz, suddenly they were interrupted by a terrifying explosion. Screams of agony and a mad laughter could be heard in the horizon. Burning smell floating in the air, melting with the wind.

Chapter 9 END//

----------------------------------Project Notice Me----------------------------------------

Roaring screams, shattered flags, cries of agony... The sound of slaughter echoing on the battlefield. Fast, like shiny gold, flashing throught the enemies. Ruthless, tender, awe-inspiring. Steel is her body, her hands are the hands of judgement. Excalibur, The round table, countless legends, and only a truth. The story of a king. The king and her fate... Arthuria Pendragon, King of Camelot. Notice Me