Rising of the Running God

Father is Officiating the Second Test!?

"I wish to be an Explorer…

…for the sake of being an Explorer."

"..."

"..."

And then, there was finally silence between the three as Mathilda and Mattheus once again looked at each other. The two then looked at Vayne after a few seconds, before a smile started to grow on all of their faces.

"Well… alright then, I'll drink some water to that," Mathilda then nodded and chuckled, "To our goals and dreams!"

"To Destiny!"

"Hm," Vayne nodded as he too, raised an empty cup.

"Okay, now that we know each other…" Mattheus squinted, "Why do you talk like that, and why are you covering your face, Vayne?"

"...Is there a problem with my dialogue?"

"Yes, exactly," Mattheus said as he pointed at Vayne, "That! Are you some kind of scholar or something? A poet?"

"Oh, I dare not claim to be any of those things," Vayne waved his hands, "I've only read a lot of books."

"So, you're like smart, then?"

"No," Vayne shook his head, "Just a little knowledgeable, perhaps."

"There's a difference?"

"I… just know some things. I believe being smart is knowing how to use that knowledge— something I am afraid I have experienced little of."

"Oh," Mathilda sighed, "It all makes sense now. You came from money."

"Well…" Vayne could really only sigh and close his eyes, "...I had a roof above my head and did not have to worry about whether or not I would eat on the morrow. So, I believe I was rich— if that is what you meant to say, Lady Mathilda."

"...And so, why are you covering your face? Is that like a fashion statement or something?"

"It—"

[Greetings again, future Explorers. I hope all of you enjoyed your meal.]

And before everyone could continue their chatter, a voice echoed throughout the entire hall. All the examinees quickly turned their heads towards the stage at the end of the hall, only to see… Valerion there— holding some sort of egg the size of a human head.

"...Valerion is still here!?" Mathilda's eyes glittered.

[I see most of you are shocked to see me again, but I asked the others from the Association for a favor,] Valerion smiled as he looked at the examinees in front of him,

[I wanted to lit up the fire of competition even further in this next test.]

Valerion then calmly placed the egg he was holding on the podium in front of him, before taking a few steps back,

[I know most of you have already taken the Explorer exams before, and if you are lucky and have been in this hall before, then you know what this next test is. I, for one, did not have the pleasure of taking this test, or many of the other tests, really. Because well…

…I only needed to take the Explorer Examination once to get my license,] Valerion then let out a small chuckle, before turning his eyes towards Vale, Vayne, and the ice woman,

[And I have a feeling that a handful of you are also going to get your license on the first try.]

"Ooh," Mattheus let out a shivering breath as he leaned closer to Vayne and Mathilda, "That was such a hard flex, though."

"Shh! Quiet, he's talking." Mathilda, however, quickly pushed his mouth away.

[The test is simple,] Valerion then continued to talk as he walked around the stage; his head, looking at the almost hundred floors above them,

[There are eggs hidden everywhere in this wonderful structure, much like the one I placed in front of all of you— you just need to find them and give them to me without a scratch, very simple, right?]

"..." Everyone's eyes quickly traveled the entire hall; some even tried their luck and searched under the tables.

[But for this test, I was told that you need to form a group with three people. And since there are 300 of you, no one should be left out in the hundred groups you will all be forming…

…I believe I am supposed to give a speech about the importance of having companions and friends as you go through your life as an Explorer, so there's that.]

"Pft, he's so funny."

"...How?" Mattheus could only look at his sister with bewildered eyes, "But this is good, this is very good. We don't even need to find a group since we already are a group."

"...Who says I want to group up with you?" Mathilda said, "Vayne and I will find another person."

"...What?" Mattheus once again raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think Vayne wants to go with you and not me? I'm the one he is friends with."

"Bro, please. Look at yourself."

"...What's wrong with the way I look!?"

"..." Once again, Vayne was stuck between the two. And were they not going to ask him if he actually wanted to join them?

But then again, they were really the only ones that Vayne could think of to group up with. And so, he could really only sigh,

"I would be glad and honored if you would have me on your team."

"That settles it then," Mathilda then shrugged.

"W—"

"Shh! He's still talking!"

[Half of you, or probably more than half of you will be gone by the end of this test as there are only 50 eggs. And those eggs…

…will be hatching anytime soon,] Valerion continued to talk as the examinees settled down,

[And you are looking at one of them,] Valerion then said as he looked at the egg he placed on top of the podium, [Now here comes the fun part that isn't normally included in this test; if you can remove that egg from the podium…

…then your group will pass the test.]

"!!!"

And just like that, the cheers and whispers inside the hall amplified. The examinees' newfound excitement, however, also quickly died down with Valerion's next words,

[But of course, I will be guarding it— and I asked the association for permission to hurt you,] Valerion smiled,

[Well, that's all then, let the 2nd test begin.]

And with those words, Valerion placed his hands behind his back, trying to see if anyone was going to try and snatch the egg from him.

"Let's go, let's go!"

"There's no use in trying to fight Valerion! They're just trying to waste our time!"

But alas, those that have already found a group all just ran and walked away— scattering to the stairs that were littered everywhere in the hall.

There were some, however, who chose to wait and remain in the hall;

Vale's group was amongst the people that stayed, as well as the ice woman, who was still without group for some reason— their eyes, all looking at each other and waiting for someone to try and snatch the egg from Valerion.

"Shit, everyone's going!"

"We'll be left out if we don't go now!"

Mathilda and Mattheus also quickly left their spots. But before they could go far, however, they noticed that Vayne was not following them… and instead, was also staring at the egg on the stage.

"Vayne, bro. What are you doing?" Mattheus whispered loudly as he approached Vayne— but as Mattheus was about to place his hand on his shoulder, Vayne suddenly disappeared, causing him to almost tumble back.

"Vayne!?" Mathilda widened her eyes as she saw a blur moving straight to the egg.

"..." Vayne wasn't going to hesitate anymore. He wavered during the first test— that should never happen again. All of these people were striving and doing their best, it stands to reason that he should too.

He was given his legs back, and he wasn't just going to walk with them— he was going to run, run as hard as he could.

And so, Vayne gritted his teeth as he stepped on the stage— slightly cracking its floor; his hands, once again already stretched towards his destiny… this time an egg.

An egg that was just waiting for him to retrieve without any obstacles.

…Obstacle?

…Shouldn't there be one?

Vayne then decided to glance at Valerion, only to see him with a smile on his face…

…his eyes, following each of Vayne's movements without any delay.

"What in— !!!"

And all of a sudden, Vayne found himself crushing straight down into the floor of the stage as a purple Aura emerged from Valerion's feet, instantly filling the entire hall with a certain pressure.

A pressure that was enough to cause all the examinees, even those that were already on the upper floors, to all kneel.

"You're fast," Valerion then calmly said as he slowly made his way to Vayne, "Well…

…not fast enough."