Applicants (2)

The next few applicants aren't anything special, just a couple of warriors taking wild swings at the examiner. Though one large guy dressed in animal furs seemed to be hitting harder the more he missed. The last swing before the examiner ended it left his sword embedded in the ground up to the hilt! Then he pulled it out like it was nothing!

Judging by the staff he's carrying, the next applicant is a mage. Hopefully I see something interesting. Though I can admit that my casual use of magic, as well as only seeing Tesk use spells might have raised my expectations. But they can't be that high. Right?

….

Apparently I was way off. He did a short chant for his spell, which according to Receptionist's words, means that he isn't too skilled in using his magic. Though rather than a chant, it sounds more like he's giving instructions.

"Gather and sharpen. Cut through my enemies. Wind blade!" He launches off a wind blade of moderate speed and power towards the mage instructor. At least, I think it's at a moderate amount. While I watch the applicants, I'm trying to see what kind of power levels are considered "typical".

I watch as the examiner easily blocks it, as well as the subsequent ones he sends at him, with an earth barrier. Interesting… When he uses the same spell, he can use it again right away, without needing to chant again.

Too bad for him that it's not enough to put the examiner on the back foot. After hitting the applicant in the stomach with a stone, the examiner calls an end to the evaluation. He also calls for a healing mage to check on the guy who's a bit older than me.

Taking a closer look at the applicants, most are around my age, but there are a few who are older. I even see a man with gray hair in the mix and can't help but ponder why he's trying to become an adventurer at such an age.

'Maybe he lost his job? Or he got bored with a safe life in the city. Maybe he's trying to woo a mai- well, I doubt anyone around his age would be a maiden. But it wasn't exactly rare back in my world due to how many people there are… Ooh, maybe he's signing up with his grandkid or something so they have someone familiar with them! Or-'

I lose my nonsensical train of thought when I see someone familiar and frown. Why do they seem familiar? The amount of people I've met that made an impact can be counted on one hand! The guard. Trel, Tesk, and Receptionist. Sina, and the guildmaster.

Ok, so just over a handful. But still. Where have I seen him before…?

My eyes narrow at the blonde young man. He's around my age, and he's dressed well. Not 'noble' well I think, but still well. Kind of like a wealthy… merchant…

"Ahah!" I tap a fist into my open palm, eliciting weird looks from the representatives around me as I nod my head. "He's the guy who bumped into me at the market. I knew I recognized his arrogant look from somewhere!"

The baldy snorts. "Of course he's well known in Somewhere, his family owns the most famous restaurant in the city! Though I don't expect that someone like you would be able to afford to eat there. Successful sane people only."

The priest admonishes him with a frown on his face. "There is no need to be rude simply because you disapprove of her deity."

The armored woman pitches in as well. "Yeah, don't be a douche. The fact that she's up here means that she's got a good head on her shoulders."

The dwarf snorts. "Not to mention connections. And connections means money."

Looking at baldy's face turning red in anger, I nod along with the others. "Yeah! I recently came into a decent amount of money from a lucrative deal with the guild, so I could definitely eat at whatever this restaurant is called. Besides, I became an adventurer. Sanity is overrated for this job."

At the sudden silence, I look around at the blank faces everyone has. Then the dwarf starts guffawing. "Jajajaja. A good point, little lass. If any of us were sane, then we'd be guards instead of adventurers!" He keeps laughing, and the armored woman joins in.

Baldy is scowling at the two of them while the priest has a disapproving frown. Though whether he disagrees with his sanity being called into question or the disparaging comment about the guards, the world may never know. But it's probably his sanity. He should really get that checked out, having too much sanity is hazardous for your health!

Turning my attention back to the evaluation, I see that the rude guy with an apparently famous family is up next. He steps into the ring with a confident swagger, drawing the rapier at his side with a flourish.

It's a pretty thing, silver with runes etched into the guard and stretching along the blade. It looks expensive, and I find myself wondering why some restaurant owners would spend so much on their kid's desire to be an adventurer. Since I don't know his name, I'm gonna refer to him as a busboy for now.

The guy who faced the transmigrator takes the stage again, taking a defensive stance. When the receptionist gives them the go ahead to start the busboy moves forward with small steps, his blade not wavering on his approach.

The examiner doesn't move, hard eyes watching his movements. The busboy stops six feet in front of him, both out of reach of the other's blade, and narrows his eyes. Then he speaks, "Flame blade," and his rapier ignites!

The examiner instinctively flinches at the sudden brightness and heat coming off the blade, and busboy takes the moment to move his other hand over the guard. A slight glow comes from his hand, and he speaks. "Extend."

The rapier's blade grows, rapidly closing the distance between him and the examiner. The examiner is visibly surprised at the unexpected attack, but he manages to deflect the blade away from his chest. But the proximity of the flames is too much for his eyes to handle. He closes them, and the busboy rushes at him while moving his hand away from the guard of his blade, causing it to go back to its original size.

He thrusts at his chest, but apparently the examiner doesn't need his eyes to teach a young punk a lesson. He sidesteps the rapier, removing one hand from his blade in the process. As the busboy passes, the examiner strikes him in the side.

The busboy stumbles, coughing and holding his side in pain. Blinking the sight back into his eyes, the examiner calls for the evaluation to end and sends the busboy to stand with the others. He does so, glaring at the examiner after he gets there with arms crossed and head tilted back pompously.

The armored woman shakes her head. "He had good timing, but relied too much on his equipment."

The dwarf snorts. "Equipment often-times is just as important as skill in a fight."

The mage nods sagely. "Indeed. Were this a true battle, the boy likely could have recovered and launched a counter attack."

The priest shrugs. "He has potential. But it would not do to make any judgments before meeting him. And there are other applicants to observe in the meantime."

Everyone nods, turning their attention back to the ongoing evaluations.