Mao moved purposefully alongside the crowd of candidates that filed into Hero square in anticipation for the entrance exam's start. The excitement was palpable, so much so that it was hard even for someone such as himself to keep his cool. Every fiber of Mao's being was bursting with life and energy as he took in everything that was going on around him. Up until this point Mao never thought he'd ever really be excited about being outside of his home district. After all, he'd passed to nearly every district in Imagine Nation at one point or another to deliver orders on his mother's behalf. After a while a desire to complete his orders on time and constant exposure to the goings on of each district had numbed him to most festivities, even one as great as Dedication day. This however was different: It was one thing to be a witness to a festival, but to actually be in it? To be an integral part of it? Simply the knowledge of this was enough to make Mao want to break out into a dance.

Rather than give in to the temptations brought about by his excitement, Mao continued to shuffle into the square with his head held high. He had to maintain an air of dignity. What he did today wouldn't just affect him: His family name was on the line here as well, as well as his mother's business. Success here today held the possibility of bringing in more costumers for the family restaurant. 

Mao paused briefly to brush a few errant strands of hair from his eyes and to peer into the crowds around him and the other candidates. There were hundreds, if not thousands of people here today. He knew that his mother and eldest sister would be back in Karateka running the shop, however his three remaining siblings had all promised to show up and cheer him on, as well as record the event for his mother. Mao narrowed his eyes and tried to peer further into the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of his other two older sisters, or perhaps his older brother, however he was ultimately forced to give up the search due to both the sheer number of people in the crowds, as well as the jostling of the other candidates. All Mao could do now was hope he passed the exam and put on a good enough show to be accepted into the school of thought.