Golden Bridges City

Golden Bridge City was built on a very large island. In the four cardinal directions, massive Golden Bridges extended out across glimmering crystal waters to connect to the mainland. In the center of this wide, glistening lake, Golden Bridge Island was a realm of jungle and softly undulating hilly peaks.

From the edges of the Island, where the Golden Bridges connected, several kilometers of uncut jungle separate the main Golden Bridge City from the waters edge. Eventually, however, after finding one’s way along winding brick roads through the dense foliage, one would discover imposing cobblestone walls rising from the earth.

From here, if one continued under the arching gates guarded by knights in gleaming armor and wrought iron doors, one would finally find the colorful and vibrant Golden Bridge City.

In the center of this city a tower rose, dark and imposing. The rest of the cities homes were fashioned on cobblestone or sandstone, and the people wore festive, colorful clothing. Blues, reds, oranges, and greens could all be in the marketplace and city squares each day.

The tower, however, was the color of dark amethyst, blackest onyx, and twilight steel. It stood in stark contrast to the rest of the lively, gentle Golden Bridge City.

Golden Bridges City was, in reality, a massive city. In the most recent census a population of 19,633,000 people was recorded. Of these people, roughly 1.5 percent were exactly 12 years old. That is to say, Golden Bridges City had at least 300,000 children who were 12 years of age.

Every year, 12 year olds in Golden Bridges City would participate in the Arcane Tower Sect’s selection exam. Every single one of them would compete. Exactly 25 would be chosen. Since in reality the census wasn’t accurate to the last person, the situation was that if 300,000 children on record were to compete, 300,000 would fail. Out of these, a statistically inconsequential 25 would somehow, by divine fate or destiny, manage to pass the grueling entrance exam and become a disciple of the Arcane Tower Sect of Golden Bridges City.

Those who passed would have a grand destiny waiting for them. They would train in the Arcane Tower, learning cultivation techniques, martial arts techniques, and possibly magic or crafting techniques. As far as what they practiced, everything was left to fate.

By the time they reached 16 years of age, they would be a peerless military leader, able to slay entire mortal armies almost single handedly. If their talent was weak, and they failed to progress in their courses inside of the Arcane Tower Sect, they would be dispatched to serve as House Master for some Duke or Lord. On the other hand, if their talent were sufficient, they would continue fighting in the trials of the Arcane Tower and begin to compete with other sects worldwide.

Of course, Golden Bridges City had a good reason for examining all 300,000 of its 12 year old children every year. It wanted to know exactly what their ranking was, so that they could be ushered into various training programs geared by talent, skill, and intelligence.

The Arcane Tower Sect naturally could not test all 300,000 children at once. Simply testing the First Grade students was a year round process with dedicated masters who did nothing but that, all year, and reported on the outcomes to the various school districts.

That meant that on any given day, roughly 1,000 young 12 year olds would be evaluated. Those children would naturally come from classrooms, which would all attend at once. The trials could accommodate up to 50 children at one time, and lasted about an hour for each batch. This meant that some children would even be forced to wake up in the middle of the night, led by their parents to the base of the Arcane Tower at 2 or 3 am, and then join their classmates and their teacher before ultimately participating for just an hour, only to return home a few hours later.

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It was considered an act of kindness that no matter what time children were tested, they would invariably have the next day off of school. Because of the limit of 50 children per trial, it was further mandated that as far as possible, all classrooms consist of exactly 25 children. In each trial, two classrooms would compete, one facing off against the other.

These were innocent little kids who mostly had no combat experience. Even those who had enrolled in martial arts programs from the time they were young were hardly at an advantage. That’s because once they entered the trial space, anything was possible.

It needs to be stressed that these kids were completely normal. Most of their parents were either poor or middle class. They worked in restaurants or small shops where they sold clothing or wares. Some middle class homes had a father who was a blacksmith, or a mother who was gifted in the creation of enchanted jewelry. But these items were themselves not that uncommon, and the so-called magic they provided was worth its weight in salt.

However, neither did these trials discriminate against the rich. This was known throughout the upper echelons of society as the one time in their entire lives that the children of the rich would unanimously be defeated by the children of the poor.

“It will serve as a good lesson to you in humility, son,” rich fathers would say. “Don’t think too much of it, just finish up and come back home.”

As far as the two classrooms, 25 students would battle 25 students within the trials. Even though the scoring was individual, in reality this was a combat trial, and so it was required for two sides to take part. That’s why classrooms would compete against each other. Classroom’s total scores would be tallied, and if they did well overall, maybe they would have some small celebration such as a special doughy cheese and meat party. Many of the chubbier kids only cared about this celebration ritual, so it was also the one time of the year they would really try their hardest.

“Ahem,” Miss Rodriguez cleared her throat. It was a hot, stuffy afternoon. The windows had been thrown open, but the breeze was so light that it hardly helped. Miss Rodriguez was a charming young girl of 25 years old, and many of the lecherous old fathers could barely keep their eyes off of her when they came to discuss their son’s or daughter’s progress.

That was not to mention the many little boys and girls who fell happily in love with her each and every year. She gave off a feeling of safety and warmth, and kept their classroom warm and invitable all year round. This was the day she dreaded the most.

“Tomorrow, our classroom will take part in the Arcane Tower Sect’s Selection Examination. Although it is unlikely any of you will be chosen to join the Tower, your score on this selection exam will determine your future nonetheless. Unfortunately, out of everything we teach, it is almost impossible for us teachers to prepare you youth for this trial. There is just one thing of note that I need to prepare you for.”

Miss Rodriguez sighed and looked over her lovely, adorable little classroom of innocent 12 year olds. Come tomorrow, they would no longer be innocent. Every single one of them would have experienced death firsthand. And the even less fortunate, in her mind, would have killed.

“The trial takes place in an alternate realm. In that realm, magic is far more common. It is possible to find a small treasure and bring it back with you. It is also very likely you will encounter a monster, and you will die. If you do not die to a monster, you will have to fight the children in the class you are competing with, until all except one of you are dead.”

There was silence. Miss Rodriguez looked out over her precious little kids.

“Does anyone here not know what it means to die?”

“Miss Rodriguez, isn’t that when your soul goes up to heaven?” Little Carpaciao, as he was called, asked.

Miss Rodriguez sighed.

“Death is like falling asleep, but you never wake up again.”

“But if all of us will die, then why are we taking part in this exam?” Another little girl asked.

“In the trial, you will only experience a fake, simulated death. In reality, you will return here. However, you will never return to that world, and you will indeed experience all the pain of what it means to die.”

Wei Wang listened to Miss Rodriguez diligently. His parents were workaholics. His father dealt with matters of state in the Golden Bridges Nation. His mother was a physician, practicing medicine from morning till night. He hardly ever saw them, but when he did, they were harsh and demanding. The only thing they cared about was his performance. It didn’t matter, though. Wei had a little sister who was ten, and she looked up to him. As long as he took care of her, he was confident that life would be okay.

Miss Rodriguez was silent for a few moments, and then announced the time of the trial - tomorrow night, 3 am.