Special Partner

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"Pick a partner that you want to work with. Whether you know that person or not, for as long as you have a partner, then it's valid. Sit beside them and get to know each other. You are given 5 minutes to find and know your partner. After which, we shall start the actual test. Don't worry, this is only a test to determine what are your capabilities. With that being said, 'System', let the test begin!'" The old man on the stage used all of his voice to announce the start of the test. All the Seven doors shut close, marking that there shall be no escape now. The wide screen flashed with red light and series of numbers started appearing.

A sigh of nervousness was heard resonating around the auditorium. All the students began to move to find their desired partner. After a short while, the students' are able to orient themselves and sparks of conversation appeared everywhere.

Aisthesis Astynomia and his seatmate decided to team up. "What is your name?", Aisthesis asked his seatmate. The girl beside him responded with a smile, "I'm Marydhel Desmond. What's yours?". "I'm Aisthesis Astynomia. Nice to meet you, Marydhel," Aisthesis revealed his name to Marydhel. "I know where this is going, and I am fine with it," Marydhel stated in a serious tone. Aisthesis nodded and sat slightly closer to Marydhel.

After a short while, a countdown started appearing on the huge screen.

"The test will begin in 5... 4...", the 'System' began counting.

"Ready?", Marydhel asked her partner. Aisthesis glared at her with determination clearly written on his face. "Yes!", he answered along with a nod.

With the countdown nearing its end, everyone looked at the screen, "2... 1...".

As the countdown ended, multiple podiums appeared in front of everyone. "On the podium, there are two cellphones for each individual and a white ribbon for each pair. The cellphones have name on them, and only the person who has their name written on it can grab it out of the podium without getting hurt. To ensure proper orientation, the cellphones are ensured to be distributed to where each individual are currently seated. Those cellphones are the ones you'll be using for the entire school year. All important files from your current phone must be passed on the provided ones. Your old phones must be kept away from you, in order to ensure fairness for everyone. Having low phone storage and fast draining battery can be a hassle. The provided phone functions similarly to the modern cellphone, but it has more stronger and greater features," The system stated.

Some nodded about the statement by the system, but others did not.

"My phone is the latest model and is very expensive. There's no other existing phones that can surpass its greatness," An 8th grader boy said with a loud voice. Everyone looked at him with different reactions. Some with disgust as he is shameless and literally voiced out his thoughts. While the others, agreed about his stand.

The boy picked up the phone with his name on it. Upon opening, he noticed something different. "Wh-what!? It's so smooth! The transitions are v-ve-very smooth!", the boy exclaimed after checking the phone. He bowed his head to the screen and apologized for his rude behavior. The system's red screen turned into orange and a flower was displayed. After the flower disappeared, the system replied, "There is no need to apologize. Doubt and pride are parts of a person. Curiosity is also a key to success, so feel free to express it."

The boy sat down with satisfaction on his face. He somehow gained respect for being honest, yet apologetic. Some still hated him, but most didn't care.

"This doesn't feel like a test. I raised my excitement for nothing," the guy sitting behind Aisthesis muttered on its seat. Aisthesis, however, realized something was off. He turned around slightly, in order to talk to the guy behind him. "Remember the colors?", Aisthesis asked. The guy was puzzled for a second, but then he realized something was going on. "Red...Numbers... Orange... and a flower...", the guy pieced out the existing pieces and a hint of excitement rushed on his veins. "You're right... That took me a while. Thanks for the hint. I'm Acheron Certanias. You're Aisthesis Asty???" Acheron, the guy behind Aisthesis, tried to say a name but forgot what it was. "Astynomia. Aisthesis Astynomia. Ais, for short," Aisthesis responded. Acheron smiled and gave him a thumbs up before gazing back to the wide screen. Aisthesis slightly smiled and turned back his attention to the screen.

The room fell in deep silence as students picked up each of their new phones. After everyone grabbed their respective phones, three shapes appeared on the massive screen. Inside each of the shapes are words. 'Goal' for the yellow triangle, 'Rules' for the green rectangle, and 'Grading Method' for the blue Circle respectively.

With no more delay, the system started talking, "Goal: The goal of this test is to find seven ribbons scattered around the school premises. It is not necessary to find all. Although the grades are marked depending on how each pair finds the ribbon, and how many ribbons they can get before the timer runs out. The white ribbons in front of each pairs will serve as a contract. One must guard the white ribbon that they are given, or else they'll be disqualified on the test. Other pairs can take it away. Although, getting another white ribbon won't get you any scores. However, if the disbanded pair has found other ribbons, then the pair who has taken their white ribbon will get the ribbons they possessed.

Rules: No killing, and no sexual harassment. Play fairly, and respect each other. Ever since the addition of fast-paced healing recently last year, Violence can now be a viable option. Students can resort to violence, but, the overall grading will be massively deducted. It may be allowed, but it is still not a strong recommended option.

Grading system: All of your movements are observed by teachers through monitors. Cooperation, Tactics, Efficiency, Time, and Amount of ribbon will serve as the grading materials. Everyone has two hours to complete the test. No expulsion will occur as this test would only serve as a basis to which section each of you are going to be placed. As usual, the year level will remain the same. For example, Grade 7 will be divided into sections, and only the 7th graders will be on those sections. Further explanation will be provided once the test is finish.

The seven doors will soon open, and all of you can start scavenging for the ribbons.

Good luck, Noimosýni tis Sýnesis Students. You may now start the hunt."

The screen displayed two series of colors, Indigo and Violet. Indigo slid out on the right side of screen and Violet on the left. After the two colors disappeared, the screen turned off.

"Qssskk... The doors of the auditorium has now opened," everyone's phone sounded in unison.

Everyone stood up from their chairs along with their partner. Although the clock was ticking, everyone remained manageable because the doors are scattered enough to not cause any commotion when going out. There are still few that ran outside, but the rest walked calmly. Each pairs went on separate directions. No one decided to trust anyone except there partner as there is no rule stating that betraying was banned.

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As soon as the door opened, Marydhel and I quickly took the white ribbon, stood up and walked out of the auditorium. I bid farewell to Acheron for now, as we aren't really sure of each other's true colors just yet. I grabbed Marydhel's hand, but immediately pulled away. She didn't resist, but I can see that she's uncomfortable.

"You noticed it, right?", I asked Marydhel. She thought for a second and answered, "What do you mean?"

I sighed and just patted her head. "Just follow me for now. Once you remember what I meant, then tell me quickly. Got it?", I told her with a gentle smile. She nodded and smiled back.

Red and numbers. I wondered what it meant.  It was clearly a hint, but I don't know what it means. "Numbers, numbers, numbers... I wonder what's associated with numbers," I didn't realize that I spoke my thoughts out. Marydhel looked around and slightly pulled my uniform to get my attention. I looked at her and waited for her to say something. "Math clubs...", she said.

My eyes widened and felt a chill ran down my spine. "Bingo, Presto, Bravo!" I accidentally shouted out of excitement. "That's it, Marydhel. Let's find the Math club in this school," I gathered my cool and went back to my normal demeanor. No one heard our conversation as we were being distant with other pairs. We can't afford to be attacked. As the guy, I must still protect Marydhel with all my might.

After walking for a while, we saw a map. As we walked our way to the map, I realized something. I looked at Marydhel's brown eyes and we exchanged conversations.

"Marydhel, this is a newly built school, right?"

"Yeah... Then?"

"Try to analyze..."

"Wait, Aisthesis--"

"Ais, call me Ais. Aisthesis is quite long to pronounce."

"Oh, okay, Aisthe--- err. Ais, you're correct. This school doesn't have one yet.

"Exactly! What are we doing... Haha."

"Let's take a look at the map. We have nothing to lose by trying."

"I guess we can try," I said and gave her a smile. We continued heading to the map and our jaw dropped after seeing how massive the school was from the map's view.

"What is this...", I heard Marydhel let out such phrase. Her reaction was too genuine, that even, I, can agree. I saw the school already, but I haven't seen the school's map. This is incredibly large. It's like an entire city. You could say that this is like two villages merged together, or maybe I'm just flabbergasted by how massive the school was through the map.

"Hey, Ais. Look, is that a cell tower?", Marydhel pointed on the map. I looked at it, and saw that it is indeed a cell tower. "Numbers... numbers... Yes! Let's go, Marydhel," I went in front of Marydhel and offered my hand. This time, it'll be her choice to hold my hand or not.

I was about to put my hand down, but then, out of nowhere, she held my hand and dragged me with her. "I took a picture of the map, let's go, Ais," Marydhel smiled and faced the direction of the cell tower. I don't know why, but I felt something. I looked at the way she's holding my hand and said to myself, "Don't assume, Aisthesis..."