Chapter 45: The Test Begins [Bonus]

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: The Test Begins [Bonus]

The man led them through the guild hall. Past tables where adventurers sat, eating and drinking and laughing. Past a board covered in papers, quests and notices pinned to its surface. Past a staircase that led to the upper floors.

They stopped in front of a large wooden door. The man pushed it open and gestured for them to enter.

The room was big. Empty. The floor was covered in sand. The walls were lined with racks of weapons. Swords. Spears. Axes. Shields. A training room.

In the center of the room was a table. On the table was a small orb. It glowed faintly with a soft blue light.

The man walked to the table and stood behind it. He gestured at the orb.

"Before we begin," he said, "you need to answer some questions. This orb detects lies. If you lie, it glows red. If you tell the truth, it stays blue. Understand?"

Daniel nodded. Lyra nodded.

"Good." The man crossed his arms. "First question. What level are you?"

Daniel glanced at Lyra. Then he looked at the man.

"Level two," he said.

The orb stayed blue.

Lyra spoke next. "Level two."

The orb stayed blue.

The man raised an eyebrow. "Level two? That’s it?"

"Yes," Daniel said.

The orb stayed blue.

The man frowned. He looked at them. At their clothes. At their posture. At the confidence in their eyes.

"Level two," he muttered. "And you want to join the Night Owl Guild? We don’t take low-level adventurers. We’re one of the top guilds in the city."

Daniel shrugged. "Then we’ll prove ourselves."

The man studied him for a moment. Then he continued.

"What do you specialize in?"

Daniel thought about it. "Close combat. Some ranged. I have skills."

"What skills?"

"That’s private."

The man’s eyes narrowed. "You have to answer."

"I answered. I have skills. I’m not telling you what they are."

The orb stayed blue. The man stared at it. Then at Daniel. Then he moved on.

"And you?" he asked Lyra.

"Ranged combat," Lyra said. "I use... guns."

The man blinked. "Guns?"

"Yes."

"What are guns?"

Lyra glanced at Daniel. He gave a small nod.

"Weapons," she said. "Ranged weapons. They shoot projectiles."

The man looked confused. But the orb stayed blue. He moved on.

"Have you ever cleared a dungeon?"

Daniel shook his head. "No."

Lyra shook her head. "No."

The orb stayed blue.

"Have you ever fought monsters?"

"Yes," Daniel said.

"Yes," Lyra said.

The orb stayed blue.

"What type?"

"Desert lizards," Daniel said. "Giant ones."

"Same," Lyra said.

The orb stayed blue.

The man nodded slowly. He seemed unimpressed. But he kept going.

"Are you part of any illegal groups? Bandits? Assassins? Thieves guilds? Cults?"

Daniel shook his head. "No."

Lyra shook her head. "No."

The orb stayed blue.

"Have you ever committed a crime?"

Daniel hesitated. Then he shook his head. "No."

The orb stayed blue.

Lyra shook her head. "No."

The orb stayed blue.

"Have you ever killed a person for fun?"

Daniel hesitated again. Then he shook his head. "No."

The orb stayed blue.

Lyra shook her head. "No."

The orb stayed blue.

The man nodded. He seemed satisfied. He stepped back from the table.

"Alright," he said. "Last part. The physical test."

Daniel straightened up. "What do we have to do?"

The man cracked his knuckles. "You spar with me. If you can land a real punch, you pass."

Daniel smiled. "That’s it?"

"That’s it."

Daniel looked at the man. At his muscles. At his scarred face. At the way he stood, relaxed but ready.

"Can we use weapons?" Daniel asked.

The man shrugged. "If you want. Since you’re mages, you can use your staff or stick or whatever."

Daniel shook his head. "I prefer hand-to-hand."

The man raised an eyebrow. "Hand-to-hand?"

"Yes." Daniel’s smile widened. "And I have a condition."

"What condition?"

"If I knock you out, we pass."

The man stared at him. Then he laughed. A loud, booming laugh that echoed through the room.

"Knock me out?" He wiped a tear from his eye. "You? Level two? Knock me out?"

"Yes."

The man’s laughter stopped. He looked at Daniel. At his eyes. At his calm, confident smile.

"Fine," the man said. He raised his fists. "Bring it on."