1377 The Adventurers Examination
Finally, the day of the Adventurers Test arrived. Neron woke up early, the first light of dawn creeping through his small window and reflecting on his face.
He had had problems sleeping the night before as he had been up overthinking his predicament which was very much unlike him.
His eyes were bloodshot from being sleep deprived and there was a wild gleam in his eyes as he looked around the room.
He stretched his limbs and threw the windows open for ventilation.
From the high level of the room, he looked over the city and took the time to watch the people in the street starting their day.
It was his favorite pastime during the past couple days but he knew that he couldn’t spend the morning doing that even though he found it therapeutic.
The streets were generally quieter at this hour and the city not yet fully awake.
He enjoyed it though as it gave him clarity about life though he would be the last person to admit it.
The three days had passed in a blur and it had all led to this day. He didn’t feel nervous at all about the exams as he knew that he would do well.
He was rather unsure about what the future now held for him as it laid spread out in all directions.
All he had to do was choose one out of the multiple paths available to him.
For the umpteenth time, he thought of what Modred would say if he saw him currently and yet again he pushed the image from his mind.
“I have to stop thinking of what Modred will say. He’s gone,” He muttered grimly to himself as he took a quick shower.
He dressed quickly, donning his cloak and mask once more as he made his way outside.
Despite his objections, he was escorted out of the inn by the innkeeper who showered him with praises after he gave her a generous tip.
He quickly found his way back to the Adventurers guild building which was already crowded with a mix of adventurers and the average townsfolk.
The adventurers amongst them could be easily identified by the weapons they carried and their general demeanor.
They all looked alert and brimming with energy unlike the others who still looked sleepy eyed.
As usual, Neron caused a stir as he made his way through the crowd but he paid them no heed, walking swiftly to the door of the establishment instead.
The interior was more packed than when he had first visited and he made straight for the counter.
“Ha, you’re back. If I can remember it correctly, your name is Nero. I didn’t think you would actually come back here. Anyway, sign right here,” She said pointing at a register on her desk.
He took a quill from her and quickly signed his name in the register.
“Go round to the back, you will see the others there,” The bartender announced as soon as he was done writing.
He followed her outstretched finger to a doorway behind her which looked rather dark and forbidding.
There was a musty smell around the place and it looked like it was a trap to lure him in.
He looked back to see the bartender displaying a mischievous grin as she looked him over once again. She appeared to be enjoying herself.
He knew that she expected him to fail rather spectacularly so she could gloat and he wondered abstractly why she was that invested in his business or if it was out of pure spite.
He followed her directions and came out to an open spacious courtyard.
As he looked around, he noticed that he had been misled by the Guild building to think that the place was small.
It was anything other than that.
At the entrance to the field, there was a large stone archway engraved with the Guild’s emblem.
It announced itself rather proudly for all to see with its bold colours of maroon and white.
Just beyond the arch, a cobblestone path led to a registration area featuring a series of wooden booths where candidates check in and receive their examination numbers.
From where he stood, he saw that the booths were equipped with all necessary supplies and staffed by experienced Guild clerks.
From the setup, he figured that they took things rather seriously around the place.
In the center of the field, there was an elevated observation platform made of reinforced timber with a stone foundation.
This platform was accessible by a set of wooden stairs and offered a panoramic view of the entire examination area.
Guild Masters and senior adventurers stood there using it as a vantage point to oversee the proceedings, make announcements, and assess participants’ performances.
At the guild increased, a group of hopeful recruits had already gathered.
They were a mix of seasoned adventurers seeking a higher rank and newcomers like Neron.
The air was thick with anticipation and nervous energy. Neron stood apart from the others, his mind focused on the task ahead.
An instructor soon arrived, a stern-looking woman with a commanding presence.
She wore a suit of polished armor and carried a sword at her side.
Her sharp eyes swept over the group, assessing each one with a practiced gaze.
She went straight to the point without buttering them up first.
“Welcome to the Adventurers Test,” she began, her voice carrying authority. “I am Instructor Elda, and I will be overseeing your evaluation today. You will be entering a mock dungeon, designed to test your abilities and teamwork. Your performance will determine your rank within the guild.”
She gestured to a large, reinforced door at the far end of the hall. “Beyond that door lies the dungeon. Your task is simple: eliminate as many monsters as you can. Work together if you wish, or go solo. Your actions and decisions will be closely monitored. Any questions?”
The group remained silent, their focus on the challenge ahead. Elda nodded, satisfied.
“Very well. When you are ready, step through the door. Your time begins the moment you enter.”
