CH 66

When Tenji's story concludes, Kujo coughs again to get everyone's attention.

Hearing that, everyone there turned their bodies back to Kujo.

"I've got a lot of things to say, but I'll get to it. That's all I have to say, anyone have any last questions?"

No one raised their hands.

Seeing that, Kujo opened her mouth again.

"Well then, ......, this concludes all the schedules for this year's [Chariot] Entrance tests! Good job, everyone! From here on out, please follow Chariot's instructions that are given to you. That is all."

As Kujo spoke, she turned on her heel and walked toward the exit path. Leon saw this and started to follow soon after.

Chigo rushes over to Tenji and whispers something in his ear before going after Leon.

"Great job today, it was awesome. I'll contact you very soon, so until then, you'll have to wait a bit. I'll make some adjustments on my end as well."

"Wow,...Yes, please."

"Yeah, see you later!"

When their backs were out of everyone's sight, Fukuyama stepped out in front of everyone.

"I really appreciate all your hard work, guys. This concludes the test. After this, we will return to the main camp on the ground, and those who have been offered positions will have to sign another contract and they will be briefed about it. So please stay with us for a little while longer. Also, we will take full responsibility for treating the injured, so please go to the main camp. Then, for now, let's get out of here."

Fukuyama nodded with a new smile and began to lead the participants.

The participants began to walk ponderously and followed Fukuyama toward the exit. Tenji, Rui, and Aika were at the tail end of the line, with the other Chariot members following close behind them as if on guard if any monster showed up.

Walking down that road for about sixty meters, there was an actual end gate.

"Don't be so nervous, guys. This is a real, genuine endgate. I'll go in first, then you follow me."

Fukuyama went through the end gate as if to set an example to the participants, who were undeniably nervous because of what had happened previously. They were relieved to see it and went through the end gate.

Tenji and the rest of the group were motionless as Rui stared at a nearby wall.

"What's wrong?"

Tenji asked, looking confused...

"No, ...... I was just thinking that this wall is the only one that's a different color."

The wall that Rui pointed to was a different colour, although only slightly.

Perhaps hearing this, a Chariot member who had been watching the back of the line opened his mouth.

"Ah, here it is. All the group leaders and recruiters used to watch the video in this room. But I guess they just closed it because they don't need it anymore."

"I see."

Rui nodded in agreement and went through the end gate.

In a hurry, Aika and Tenji also dove through the oil slick of the end gate.

[Oh, it really seems okay this time]

There was no sensation of darkness that lasted forever, like a random transition, and Tenji's body quickly passed through the warm oil slick. He found himself standing in the first tent of the test.

Tenji advances from his spot at a short run so as not to get in the way of the rest of the group and joins the circle of participants gathered around Fukuyama.

After confirming that the ten participants were safe, Fukuyama began to talk.

"If you go to the tent on the right from here, you'll find a medical team dispatched from each guild waiting for you, so if you have even a small cut, get medical attention there immediately. You will be told whether you can go home or go to the hospital for a checkup. Of course, we will pay for the treatment, so you don't have to worry."

Fukuyama pointed to the entrance to the tent marked with a crossed medical symbol on the right side.

He then pointed to a tent on the opposite side, on the left side, with the Chariot's emblem, the tank logo, painted on it.

"This is the tent for successful applicants. Of course, unsuccessful applicants are not allowed to enter. Well, we'll talk about the details later, so I'll just give you a brief explanation today."

For those who passed the test, it was their dream to enter.

But for the six rejected, it was a dream that was near yet far away. They might have gotten in there themselves if the future had been just a little different.

They looked a little sad and frustrated at the thought.

"If there are no more questions, Mr. Godo will hand out the cab tickets we have prepared for you to safely get home, so please take them. Oh, and one last thing from me."

When Fukuyama said that, his face became severe from a playful person.

"Just because you failed this time doesn't mean you can't take the test again. Of course, if you continue as you are now, you will fail again, but if you work hard on yourself and grow, you can definitely make it. I hope you will take the test again. Actually, even I passed the chariot test in my third attempt."

"No way!"

"What?"

The rejected participants were wide-eyed and surprised at the sudden revelation.

Seeing this, Fukuyama, smiling amusedly, starts talking again.

"The first time, I didn't even make it to the finish line of that final test. I took the second test two years later and managed to get through the final test, but I was told that I had failed ...... by the Commander. I retook the test the next year and finally passed. So I don't want any one of you to give up. Work hard and try again. [TLN: Golden words Fukuyama-san]"

His words gave the six unsuccessful applicants the courage not to give up. They all were very hopeful.

Tenji, Rui and the others noticed that their eyes, filled with sadness, had rekindled once again.

"So, thank you all so much for your hard work! We've got plenty of drinks and food in the medical tent, so you can eat whatever you want."

Fukuyama was smiling his usual fresh smile.

But as if remembering something, Fukuyama exclaimed, "Oh, I forgot!"

"Speaking of which, if you want to join us, we're having a barbecue outside in an hour's time, so if you're not busy, join us! Of course, if you're tired, you should probably go home, and it's only an event for people with free time. It's a special event where anyone can participate, regardless of whether they passed or failed, so have fun!"

Hearing those words, Tenji reacted with a twitch.

"Uh, sir!"

"What is it?"

"Yes, may I call my sister to the barbecue?"

Tenji was coming at him with an innocent look, and Fukuyama's new smile involuntarily stopped.

The first thing that came to mind was that the two of them were not only the same person but also the same person.

Tenji's sister was also well known in Chariot as one-half of the wallet-eaters. Remembering this, Fukuyama wondered inwardly, "I wonder if the budget is okay......."

At this time, the spectacled Godou, who happened to be in the tent on business, interrupted.

"Good, Tenji. Call her now. And eat your fill."

"Thank you!"

Tenji was inwardly gut-punched at the fact that he would be able to afford today's food expenses.

Thus it was decided that the most powerful team of purse-eaters would devour the Chariot's finances.

"Well then, if there's anything you don't understand, just ask. Yes, well, let's disband for now!"

Fukuyama's words made the participants relax.

And so the participants began to walk toward the medical tent in a hurry. Among them, only Damon Ashuka, who was unharmed, headed towards the tent with the Chariot Crest engraved on the left side.

Thus, the [Chariot] entrance test was successfully completed.

(♪ Barbecue, barbecue, barbecue, barbecue, barbecue, barbecue, barbecue, barbecue ♪)

Tenji skipped alone and didn't go into either tent but left.