Xavier's response was scheduled to be given three days after the original meeting. This was to allow the council to handle the matter with great care and deliberation.
However, this would not stop the exams from taking place.
The exams were set to last for two weeks, meaning they would begin the day after the team selection process.
As a result, Xavier was unable to participate in the team selection since his case was still under review.
The teams were allowed a maximum of five members, meaning there were no restrictions regarding strength, age and abilities. As long as a team met the required number of members, it was considered valid.
To prevent powerful participants from forming overwhelmingly strong teams, the exam setters decided the teams at random. The selections were made without bias or favoritism.
By early afternoon, all the teams had been announced, giving the participants enough time to get to know one another before the examination began.
However, some participants were excluded from the random selection process.
These individuals were referred to as Special Cases.
Despite being students, their abilities were far above those of their peers. Placing them in ordinary teams would either slow them down or make their teammates feel incapable of contributing.
Because of this, the Special Cases were permitted to form their own teams.
In total, there were thirty-one Special Cases, consisting of members from both the Clover Clan and the Spirit Clan.
The downside was that they had only until the next day to choose their teammates, and some of them were not widely known throughout the academy.
Many students complained that it was unfair.
Why should the strongest receive different treatment?
But then...
"Do you not understand?" she asked firmly.
The crowd fell silent.
"These thirty-one have already proven themselves among all of you. In combat, you will come to realize that the strong are often prioritized over the weak. If you desire special treatment, then rise to the top yourselves."
She paused before continuing.
"That is the lesson we are trying to teach you. Life will not always be fair. The world will not slow down simply because you feel disadvantaged. You must rise to the challenge and overcome it. So take heart."
Her words resonated with many of the students.
The woman who spoke was none other than the current Head of the Spirit Clan.
By evening, almost all the teams had been formed.
In total, there were nearly one hundred teams participating, including those from the Spirit Clan.
Only seven individuals remained without a team.
Because they were Special Cases, they were still permitted to participate despite not having selected their teammates yet.
The very next day...
The competition finally began.
As the participants made their way toward the battlefield, the rules of the examination were announced.
Rule One: Participants must survive within the designated environment for two full weeks.
Rule Two: The battlefield contains shadows. Remain alert at all times.
Rule Three: Every participant has been issued a bracelet that monitors their health status. If a participant's condition falls to a critical level, they will be automatically transported off the battlefield.
"The purpose of this exercise," the Head of the Clover Clan began, "is to determine how well you can survive in the harsh environments that warriors often face."
"The scoring system is quite simple. Survive the entire week and you will earn points. As many of you know, only a small number of true shadows remain in this world. Therefore, you may encounter spirit-conjured manifestations created specifically for this examination."
His expression became serious.
"Do not underestimate them. Though they are not real shadows, they possess similar abilities and weaknesses."
"Additional points may be earned by defeating these manifestations, as well as opposing teams. Surviving alone is enough to pass, but those who seek higher rankings must do more."
Then the Head of the Spirit Clan stepped forward.
"The creatures within this battlefield have been designed to closely resemble real shadows. Treat every encounter as if your life depends on it."
She glanced toward the participants.
"And for those who have not joined a team, you are free to form one during the examination. It is entirely optional and not mandatory."
A smile appeared on her face.
"With that..."
She raised her hand.
"Let the examination commence!"