January 7, 1998.
Dio and the others had boarded the airship three days earlier.
Thanks to the Trafas's astonishing flying speed, they had already crossed an entire continent and reached the northern coast of the Yorbian Continent.
Once they crossed the coastline, Gram Gasland lay no more than half a day's flight away.
There was no second city anywhere around this immense city built in the Gobi Desert, and the only other means of traveling to and from it was its many national highways. An airship was arguably the best way to reach Gram Gasland.
The airship's main hall was already packed. These examinees had all prepared in advance. They held sabers or swords, some lying down and others sitting, some keeping their eyes open and scanning their surroundings warily, others closing their eyes to rest. But not one of them was truly asleep.
Dio stood alone beside a window, staring thoughtfully at the seemingly calm scene outside.
Some people had initially lacked the sense to leave him alone. Seeing him monopolizing a window with a view, they had come over to challenge him.
Then Dio had casually tossed them to the other side of the hall, and no one had dared provoke him after that.
"At our current normal flying speed, we should reach Gram Gasland before lunch. We can look for the exam site then."
Bokushin poked her head out from behind him, squeezing the thoughtful Dio aside as she looked at the sea of clouds outside.
Perhaps because the exam was approaching, she felt her heartbeat quicken, and even her body trembled slightly with excitement.
Dio, however, did not see it that way.
Frowning, he glanced at the other examinees in the hall. Some of them were showing similar symptoms.
This physical state, akin to a warrior's