524th Heroes Test

The **524th Heroes Test** (524番目のヒーローテスト, *524-Banme no hīrōtesuto*) is the annual Heroes Test of the year Y536. This is the test in which Astia and Anne participate during the arc of the same name.

## Overview

The test starts at the Nashira's, a restaurant run by Harou Tsumeyoshi, in the Ginza Area. After signing a waiver, midshipmen are assigned a wagon number corresponding to a train supposed to take them to Volso. In reality, the test, divided into three parts, sees its first trial begin as soon as the aspirants climb into the locomotive. Each car contains eight people; wagon 1 contains the strongest competitors, while wagon 8 contains the weakest.

To take part in the test, you must be recommended by a current or former member of the Association, or by a third party who also has the status of certified Hero. A total of 261 people were recommended. However, only 64 agreed to sign the waiver to participate in the test.

### First Trial

The first trial is called "Run". It consists of an orienteering course which must be completed in four days. It begins in a plain not far from the village of Volso. Participants must avoid obstacles in the plain and then in the village before crossing the South Forest before arriving in the town of Preecosy.

The obstacles had to be placed by the instructors, but during the 524th Heroes Test, an outside force, the Beasts Lions monster troop, led by Aslan and Naja, burst into the test under orders from Bang Bang Lista and the Tsuiseki. Despite being threatened by these two groups, the Beasts Lions gladly accepted having their power increased by their patrons to kill and eat heroes.

### Second Trial

From the original 64 participants, only 18 passed the first test and survived the attack of the Beasts Lions. The second test also consisted of a sort of race lasting four days, but this time with the obligation to save the village of Pit, located on the Mount Gou. Participants will have to defeat several instructors disguised as villains or monsters and save at least one inhabitant of the village. Once this is done, the aspirants must go to the other side of Mount Gou to go to the last test.

Only 16 competitors have succeeded.

### Third Trial

The third and final test consists of a simple training camp in Mire, where aspirants who have succeeded in coming here are trained in the art of the manipulation of Energy and where they are taught the techniques of Association. If this test is, in appearance, the simplest of the three, it is however possible to be failed if the candidate gives up or if an instructor does not find a competitor worthy to continue.

The 16 competitors still on the run all succeeded, and then officially joined the Association.

## Instructors of the 524th Heroes Test

***Chief Instructor***

* Drue Lawrence

***Vice-Chief Instructor***

* Oka Ilpyo

***First Trial Instructors***

* Umami Nagant (A-Rank)
* Spencer (A-Rank)
* Ryuji (B-Rank)
* Cuadrado (B-Rank), deceased.
* Taylor Vak (C-Rank), deceased.
* Mac D (D-Rank), deceased.
* Sapiuns (D-Rank), deceased.
* Orminus (D-Rank), deceased.

***Second Trial Instructors***

* Ton (B-Rank)
* Nami (B-Rank)
* Kami Tarou (B-Rank)
* Asobi (B-Rank)
* Konto (B-Rank)
* Kenzam (B-Rank)
* Ben Arvin (B-Rank)

***Third Trial Instructors***

* Isa Faen-Fengxian (A-Rank)
* Ameny (B-Rank)
* Arthur Leitvain (C-Rank)
* Simon Akanos (D-Rank)
* Kut (D-Rank)