Chapter 99: Nope
"This is ridiculous!" It didn't take long for someone to complain.
"How do they expect us to climb to the Space Station? It is literally a thousand kilometers up!"
"And what about the air to break?!"
"Air?!" Someone saw bigger problems. "Air is the least of our problems! What do we do about the temperature and radiation of space?!"
Of course, the video on the screen didn't take long to continue. The guy speaking only stopped for a moment as he knew everyone would burst with complaints. Once they calmed down, he continued.
-All Space Elevators around this planet have exactly a thousand kilometers of height. The only difference between them is their length, with some having bigger lengths to carry more things. Regardless, it won't matter which Space Elevator you climb; you will have a thousand kilometers to cover.-
-Yes, due to their locations, the weather in the region, and things like that, some Space Elevators might be slightly easier or harder to climb. For anyone thinking this is unfair, life is unfair, so deal with it.-
The organizers of the Ventis Sect truly had no mercy. This was only one of countless planets in their territory, so why would they care?
-Now, every single one of you will receive a breather that can be refilled on the mini stations along the way. Each mini-station can be found every twenty-five kilometers. There, you can sit down, rest, recover your Magic Energy, or simply stay there until the end of the exam if you feel like it. There is definitely enough space for everyone in each and every single mini-station.-
He continued.
-Other than that, no other equipment is allowed. We have countless cameras watching every inch of the Space Elevator, not to mention experienced supervisors who have taken care of this kind of test many times. If someone tries to cheat, believe me, we will know. For your own good, you better not try it.-
-Last but not least, anyone concerned about the temperature, radiation of space, or whatever, they can all be blocked by Magic Energy. Whether you know how to use your Magic Energy correctly or not is your problem. But be aware of this, Level Three should be enough for you to make at least twenty-five kilometers between mini stations. If you can't, then you are not good enough.
The mini stations can be used to recover Magic Energy, so you can make the stops in between.-
As the guy on the screen spoke, the worker from the event passed by the qualified Maguses and gave them breathers. Even though it was small, it could last one hour if used nonstop.
As for the Familiars, they didn't need to breathe to start with. Instead, they received a very tiny device that they could attach to their cores or simply carry with their Magic Energy.
-Now, then, the breathers have a small button in front that you can press if you need help. We will immediately use a Gravitational Ray to take you back to the planet. However, that also means you will fail the test. The same goes for the Familiars. The small device we gave you is simply used to call out for help in case you get in trouble. Again, using it means failing the test.-
Alvin couldn't help but wonder. "Those at Level Four and above can already fly, can't they?"
Milia shook her head. "In their case, they need to have flying armor. Only at Level Five you can truly fly freely. Didn't you see back during the war? The three Level Four Maguses of our battalion all used armor while flying."
"Oh!" Alvin indeed saw that. "What about the Familiars? They already float naturally."
Nori shrugged. "So what? Did you forget? The first 10% Maguses and the first 10% Familiars will get to the next test. Simply put, I can leave all of you behind and try to reach the Space Station first. Regardless of how I do, my outcome will not affect any of the Maguses."
"I see..." Alvin understood.
Still, Milia spoke with concern. "Nori, don't exert yourself too much. You will need a lot of Magic Energy to resist the open space at your level. Make sure to stop at the Mini Stations and only leave them once you are fully recovered."
"I'm more worried about you," Nori spoke back. "This is obviously a test about endurance as it is about speed. The men will definitely have an advantage here by simple physical strength."
"The guy on the screen said it, didn't he?" Linfel smiled in response. "Life isn't fair. Most likely, they are well aware of this difference and simply don't care. On the other hand, the women who make it into the top 10% will be a lot more well-regarded in the Ventis Sect than the men. Let's not forget that the third test and beyond might be easier for females instead of males, too.
They seem to be this kind of organization, and I don't think they are wrong."
Milia agreed with him. "Linfel is right. Anyway, you know what kind of training I receive. Sure, I'm not a man, but I am confident."
"Fine..." Nori could only accept it and hope she would do well.
Yet, the organizer still had one more piece of news to give.
-Maguses and Familiars... when you speak about one, you also speak about the other. Which Famous Magus isn't remembered together with his Familiar? Which Familiar isn't remembered together with his Magus? That said, there is a last piece of rule.-
-There are Maguses who passed the first test while their Familiars didn't. There are Familiars who passed the first test while their Maguses didn't. For these ones, they can only hope to keep going forward and reach the Space Station within the top 10%.-
-However, for the Maguses and their Familiars who passed the test together, there will be another way to complete the test, and there will also be a bonus.-
-They can use their Master Familiar Connection and climb together. For the first one thousand duos who make it to the top, they will be sent straight to the fourth test. They won't need to take the third like the others.-
Alvin couldn't help but get excited. "Linfel, we can go up together!"
Linfel glanced at him, not sharing the same excitement. "Your ass! You will climb this thing alone, understood? Hmph! You will not get an easier life just because you are with me. I said I would train you, and I will make sure to do it properly."