??? : For this graduation batch, you are to take the slaying exam, along with the other academyâs in our allied nations. This exam consists of three criteria : Impact, Efficiency and Teamwork. Once you pass both phases of the Exam, you are assigned to a Unit immediately. Note that you will also be in a 4-man squad. That is all, you may prepare for the Graduation Exam, at exactly 3:15 in the morning.Weâll meet up at the Slaying Center. You're all dismissed!
Maruka : No way.. Weâre taking a Slaying Exam..?.. Why am I always unluckyâŚ
??? : Hey loser! Hope to see you suffer tomorrow! (laughs)
Maruka : (sighs) Tomorrow huh.. I probably wonât pass this one.. (rumbles) Guess Iâll eat dinner first.
-------------------< Kyurobamiâs Restaurant Setting >-------------------
[cling-clang]
Kyurobami : Welcome! Oh Maruka-kun! Getting the usual's today?
Maruka : Of course! (smiles)
Kyurobami : Hm! One Spicy Chicken Adobo Bowl coming right up!
Maruka : fewâŚI gotta admit it.. I am very curious on how I ended up being a candidate..
 - while waiting for his food, Maruka was spacing-out. He was very curious on how did he end up being a candidate when his grades werenât even good nor is his status -
Kyurobami : Your order is ready!
Maruka : Thank you Kyuro Old-man!
-------------------< 30 minutes >-------------------
Maruka : Thank you for the food..! Ahh~.. Iâm stuffed..! .. Now, I guess Iâll head home and prepare..
- Maruka headâs home in the cold night, dazing off a bit.. Maruka reaches his destination -
Maruka : Iâm home..!
Maya : Maruka! Where have you headed off too? I was so worried..
Maruka : Sorry mama. I was just walking around town..
Giyuumi : Ah! Little-Maru! Your home I see!! (hugs-tightly)
Maruka : Big-sis.. I canât breath..
Giyuumi : Ah, sorry sorry~! Come and eat with us! Dad and Elder-Brother is already home!
Maruka : Sorry.. Not in the mood..
Maya : Maruka..
Gayuka : Maruka..! Arenât you eating with us-
Maruka : Donât want to..
- Maruka headed to his room in a gloomy mood -
Gayuka : What happend to him?
Maya : I donât know.. He suddenly went gloomy..
Giyuumi : Maybe something happend to him at school? What do you think? Hey Papa..
Garu : ... Leave him be. He must be tired from the Candidacy selection..
Giyuumi : Ah! Come to think of it, the Graduation Exams is tomorrow! Little-Maru must have passed then!
Garu : Thatâs to be expected.
Â
Gayuka : Father.. Um-
Giyuumi : Papa! Why are you always like that? All you do is create bigger expectations with less chances of passing!Â
Maya : Be quiet Giyuumi!.. Your Father is working hard for us, so of course his expectations should be high.
Giyuumi : Mama..
Gayuka : But shouldnât you be praising Maruka for atleast passing?
................................
Giyuumi : Papa!!
Garu : be quiet!! (thud)
...............................
Maruka : Petty as always huh.. He never changed..
- While Maruka talks to himself, he blocks the door, and locks it, while staring at their old family photo -
Maruka : Ok..! Since tomorrowâs the day, I need to prepare some things, letâs see.. Paper Seals, Hana-Shuriken, Curse Ink, Medics.. Should probably bring Hanadekomi with me..
< Hanadekomi is a short katana with a gourd attached to it, filled with Wendigo Blood. It symbolizes the ownership of the Wendigoâs to the Yamakitoâs. >
< Maruka then finishes packing and slept >
-------------------< Slaying Center | 3:14Â AM >-------------------
Maruka : (running) I guess this is the place. (opens)-[bum] W-what is this feeling.. The atmosphere here is more worse than the last one..
Nasuke : I see you actually Came.
Maruka : Ah! Youâre the one that saved me yesterday! Uhh..
Nasuke : Itâs Nasuke..
Maruka : Ah yes! Nasuke-san..
Nasuke : Anyway, go to that booth in the corner. Youâll register a ticket to take the Exams, it's only ¼6888
Maruka :Â ÂĽ6888?! Isnât that.. (checks-wallet) What a coincidence, I have the exact amount..