Chapter 61

• RICHARD'S POV
• The waiting hall buzzed with a mix of tension and anticipation as we, the aspirants, sat there, clutching our forms. The air was thick with expectation, and the murmur of whispered conversations filled the room. I'd been through many nerve-wracking moments in my life, but this was different. This was the beginning of a new chapter, one I wasn't entirely sure I'd survive.
• The officials processed our forms with commendable efficiency. One by one, they called out names, and we approached the desk to complete our initial registration. My heart pounded in my chest as I waited. I glanced around, taking in the expressions of the other aspirants. Some wore masks of confidence, while others, like me, betrayed a hint of nervousness.