The week-long break was over. Chrollo has been hard at work. For the last four days of his break, he didn't leave the academy at all.
His daily schedule was simple. Wake up early, eat breakfast, and do physical exercises. Eat lunch, then fire techniques. Eat dinner, then fire control training. Go to bed and repeat.
Today was the day of the final assessment. Chrollo was in the canteen eating his breakfast.
"Damn Chrollo! You didn't relax at all over the break, huh?" Chrollo turned to look at the person joining him. It was Mase Norio. He was friends with Chrollo for the last four years.
"What do you expect of our number one?" Another joined them at the table, it was Ogata Akihiro, another friend of Chrollo
'Based on my memories, even though the original ability this body had was basic, it was actually pretty strong. The old Chrollo has been placing first in the practical exams every time.'
His eyes turned back to his friends sitting at the same table.
'Well, calling them friends is a stretch. They're more like friendly classmates. We don't talk outside of the academy, but we kind of hit it off.'
"Good morning guys. Did you have a good break?" Chrollo nodded
"Yeah, I got to go home and see my parents. Mom and Dad are excited to see me as a fire soldier," Mase said
"Same," Ogata said, "Mom was telling all of our neighbors about her heroic fire soldier son. I got to relax at home, though. What about you, Chrollo? Did you do anything fun?"
"I just focused on training. Nothing exciting. I left the academy to go see a few places here and there, but nothing serious." He shrugged
"Oh, that's right. Which company do you want to join?" Ogata suddenly asked
"I really want to join the fifth. I heard that their new captain is the hottest there is. And get this, she's only two years older than us." Mase was daydreaming.
"Get your head out of the gutter. And think for real." Ogata snapped at him
"Listen, dude, we don't really get to pick. So why are you killing my dreams? Can't a guy have a fantasy?" Mase snapped back
"Don't raise your voice at me, you horny pervert!" Ogata slammed his hands on the table.
"Like you're one to talk! I know you like our instructor, Ms. Ando!" Made said with a stupid from on his face.
"Screw you, dude, you can't go and spill people's private business like this!"
Before Chrollo could jump in, the two had already started laying hands on each other.
'I can tell that this is a common occurrence.' He just made sure his food tray was away from the fight.
*RIIING*
The sound of the bell caused them to stop fighting.
"It's time for the final assessment. We should go," Chrollo said as he picked up his, now empty, tray.
The other two let go of each other and followed him. All fourth years had to go to the main examination hall.
It's a big hall with enough desks for all students to take written exams. This would be the first portion of the exam.
Chrollo was surprised by how easy the written exam was.
'I guess the fourth doesn't want to train soldiers that are too competent, just for those soldiers to join other companies'
After the written exam was the practical assessment. This would have a huge role in determining the placement of academy graduates.
The practical was done in an outdoor field. The field had a podium on one side, and a tall and imposing man stood on it.
"Alright, you dumbassess! Today, you go from being full-blown idiots to being just regular idiots. Today is the day that you all worked for over the last four years. So give it your all!"
"SIR!" All the students yelled
"We will break you into groups. There are five stations, and each group has to go to each station once. Stations are areas with an instructor. The instructors will give you a task to perform. They will watch you and grade you based on your performance. Once you finish your task, move on to the next station, and so on. Once you hit all stations, your practical exam is over! Am I clear?!"
"SIR!" All the students responded
Then, instructors spread across the field. There was one instructor in each cardinal direction, and the fifth was in the middle of the field.
Chrollo found himself in a group with people he didn't know.
'I still don't see him.' Chrollo was looking around for his next target, but he had no luck in finding him.
"You guys should start there. We will go in a clockwise rotation. Don't take too long, or you'll hold up the line," An instructor walked up to Chrollo's team.
The first assessment was a strength assessment test. Students were allowed to use their pyrokinetic abilities as they pleased, as long as they finished the task. There were weights lined up in front of an instructor. The students had to lift weights that increased as you went down the line. The further down the line you got, the higher the score.
'I shouldn't reveal my plasma just yet. Once I join the eighth, I'll show off as much as I want.'
Under his long-sleeved orange jumpsuit, thin pale blue lines were running across his entire body. The lines didn't extend into his hands, neck, or head; they were hidden. This was his plasma ink. Heavily inspired by Ogun.
After acing his first assessment, Chrollo and the rest of his group went on to their next station.
This one was a speed-based assessment. Each student had to perform a short sprint. It was pretty straightforward.
Plasma ink was back on, still hidden. Chrollo took his place on the start line, and when the signal fired, he took off. His speed was beyond anything the others could put up.
Once he was done with the second assessment, his group moved on to their third station.
The third assessment was about technique. This one was different from the others. There was no right or wrong answer. You just had to show your technique. Even second-gens had a chance to show off their abilities.
Chrollo didn't show off too much, but he for sure put on a show. He used his fire abilities to launch powerful fire from his hands, which required some finesse, since he was trying to imitate his original lost ability.
After that, they moved on to the fourth station. For the first time, they weren't allowed to use their abilities. They had to use hand to hand techniques without fire. Each person gets one minute to combat the instructor. The point is to show your technique.
This was the hardest for Chrollo, but he was still the best of the bunch.
Then came the fifth and final assessment. They had to put all of their previous assessments into one act. They had to use their strength, their speed, their fire, and their hand-to-hand techniques, all at once.
Chrollo got to battle one of the instructors for a full minute; during this minute, he had to show everything he had. And he almost did just that; even though he didn't use his plasma, he defeated the instructor within a minute. This gave him the highest grade.
Chrollo was confident he would place first, along with his performance in the practical; he was confident about his written performance as well.
The very next day, the results came out. Just like he thought.
First place: Chrollo Lucilfer
++++++++++
*A Day Later*
Chrollo is now standing in the head instructor's office.
"Your performance is incredible, Chrollo. I haven't seen many like you, young man."
"Thank you, sir."
"Have you made up your mind? Company 4 would love to have you."
"Thank you sir, but I made up my mind." Chrollo replied confidently as he handed him a paper
The head instructor looked at the paper, looked back at Chrollo, "Are you sure, young man?"
"I am."
"I see. Good luck then." The head instructor pulled out a stamp and stamped his papers
A few days later, Chrollo was standing in front of a rundown cathedral. Next to him was his bag with all of his belongings.
'Hello Company 8,' he thought as he looked at the rundown building.
"Hello, are you the new recruit" A gentle voice asked beside Chrollo. He looked to his side and saw sister Iris. She was in her traditional sister clothes.
'She's way cuter than I thought.'
"Hello, yes. My name is Chrollo Lucilfer. Today is my first day with the 8th."
"Oh! Nice to meet you, Chrollo. My name is Iris. It's a pleasure to meet you. Come on in, I'll take you to the captain."
"Thank you so much, sister."
After walking through the cathedral, which is surprisingly bigger than he thought, they finally made it to the office. There was one office with multiple desks in it, and then there was another office attached to it, the captain's office.
'Just like in the anime,' Chrollo thought.
"So, you're the new recruit. Nice to meet you, my name is Maki. Welcome to the 8th."
"Thank you so much, it's a pleasure to meet you too."
The door to the captain's office opened, and a man with a hat that said 'Head Spa' on it walked out.
"All three of you, come to the captain's office."
Chrollo looked at him, "Hello, sir. My name is Chrollo Lucilfer."
"I'm Lieutenant Hinawa." The lieutenant didn't say more. He just turned around and walked back into the captain's office.
Maki and sister Iris walked into the office first. Chrollo left his bag on an empty desk and followed them into the office.
When Chrollo walked in, he saw Maki and sister Iris standing off to the side. In front of him was Captain Ōbi, and next to the captain was the lieutenant.
"Hello, my name is Ōbi, I'm the captain of company 8."
"Nice to meet you captain. I'm sure you already know about me. My name is Chrollo Lucilfer." Chrollo said while saluting.
Then there was silence. Nobody in the room spoke. Hinawa and Ōbi were staring down Chrollo. Chrollo was confused as to what was going on. Even Iris and Maki were standing off to the side, nervous.
"Don't misunderstand my question," Captain Ōbi started, "but why would the first ranker join our company? Someone like you would've been snatched by one of the other companies, yet here you are. Why?"
"I'm not sure I follow, sir," Chrollo asked.
Ōbi took a moment before answering, "Every year, the graduating students undergo assessments. After those assessments are done, files detailing the students' performance and abilities are sent out to all fire force companies. Companies get to look over those files, and then recruit individuals who fit into their squads or those with abilities that would be useful to their company. That goes for all students, except for first place. First place gets to make that choice for themselves."
"That is true, captain. Even though the company can refuse the student, he can still choose a different company. Though it's very rare for a company to turn down the first ranker," Chrollo said
"Then, why are you here?" It was Hinawa who asked this times