Last Test

After hearing Alexandre's demand, William looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. Then looked back down and held out his hand. "Give me your phone."

Alexandre handed it over, and William spent the next several minutes thinking carefully and writing down names. Finally, he handed the phone back to Alexandre. "Here you are. I think I've remembered everyone who should be of interest to you. But you should know that most of the people on this list have already disappeared. If you have any ideas of revenge, you're a bit late."

Alexandre smiled coldly. "Don't worry about me. I'll find them. Well, as agreed, here's what I know about the final exam: It's not only intended for us candidates. It's also a test for the first-year Hunters who failed their own last exams. This is a catch-up opportunity for them."

William gave him a quizzical look. "I don't understand. What exactly does the test consist of? Are we fighting each other?"

Alexandre replied, "No. All these other students have received the modified Z-Virus. All of you candidates would die in moments if it were a clean fight. My information says that the examiners will give watches to us candidates. Then the Hunter students will have to 'collect' them from us. I don't know any more than that."

William grimaced. "That's not much information. Well, I guess knowing what's coming still gives me an advantage. It sounds like they're testing our ability to adapt to danger when someone's actively coming for us… We'll each have to choose fight or flight."

Alexandre replied, "Only a fool would choose to fight someone with Hunter powers. It'd be suicide to do anything but run."

William shrugged. "True. Though if these are students who've already failed, they're probably some mixture of stupid and undisciplined. People I can outsmart and outmaneuver, in other words. We've already been tested for our endurance and willpower, so it seems that all that's left is a test of our strategic thinking."

Alexandre nodded. "Absolutely. That's the cold and pragmatic way the military thinks." He stretched out his hand. "Good luck, William. I hope you manage to qualify."

William smiled and returned the handshake. "I'd wish you luck also, but I don't think you really need it."

***

The day was just beginning to dawn as Alexandre was one of the thousands of people making their way towards Hunter Academy's huge athletics field. Alexandre arrived after about twenty minutes of brisk walking. He scanned the huge athletics ground, taking in every detail of the brand-new sports facility. 'They could host the Olympics here,' he thought to himself. 'The Academy's budget must be incredible.'

But other things were present which would be strange on an Olympic field—a huge presence of military doctors, among other medical staff, as well as many racks of military equipment.

It seemed that many students had slept close to the field to avoid missing the event. They'd given up the chance at a hotel room just to be absolutely certain they wouldn't be disqualified for lateness at the final event. Alexandre thought this was stupid. 'If they don't have the self-control to wake themselves up in a hotel on time, they'll never be good Hunters,' he thought. However, it couldn't be denied that none of these outdoors sleepers had been late.

Alexandre entered the field and made his way through the crowd until he found some familiar faces—William and Marlon, as well as Claire, the girl who'd attacked him, during the previous test.

In addition to the candidates, there were also about a hundred people wearing military uniforms with Hunter Academy student badges. Among these, Alexandre recognized Mindaugas, the drunken student from the previous night, as well as Iwaka, the student he'd struck severely. Iwaka seemed to have recovered surprisingly well, considering how hard he'd been hit, but still wore a bandage around his head, covering one eye.

Alexandre folded his hands and waited for the next event to start. It wasn't long before the loudspeaker screamed, "The final round of the Hunter 2036 Academy Entrance Competition is about to begin. All candidates who are not present are disqualified."

General Pantherson and Omega stepped up to a large podium. Omega took the microphone and yelled, "Everyone, shut up! General Pantherson is about to explain the final test."