242 Recruitment Ceremony II Part 6

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/The next day.../

'After the first three days of the Recruitment came the day where the second part of the examination would be conducted in tandem with the first one.'

'Unfortunately, for those that were too late, the Hestia Familia stopped handling the examination tickets, so only those that still had one would be allowed to be interviewed in the first phase in the so-called, Goddesses' Evaluation.'

'Without Silver knowing, that was how people started to call the first phase of their testing, to be face to face with several Goddesses, to answer truthfully to their questions and have your true nature exposed.'

'This was how they felt when they sat in front of that table...'

'Those of true hearts and intentions would be allowed to proceed while those of dark hearts and impure thoughts would be sent back to crawl in the shadows.'

'As time goes by, the Hestia Familia would be known for this method of examination which would be copied by others in the future.'

'It wasn't anything special, but the fact it was done by multiple Goddesses at the same time was unseen, hence giving this simple process a rather grandiose name.'

'While those that had yet to be interviewed waited within the party Hall, the candidates that passed the first phase would be tested in the training grounds.'

'However, this time, instead of 500 examinees per day, only 250 out of the remaining 500 tickets were called to the hall.'

'As they had no time limit to conduct these, the Hestia Familia decided to halve the load into two days, especially since this time, Hestia would be alone without much help to evaluate others.'

'Or so was the plan, since midway through, Kichijoten appeared together with Dia, and the two ended up participating in the rumored "Goddess Evaluation", shocking Hestia.'

'She hadn't expected people to give a title to this simple procedure… But she liked it! It rolled off the tongue well… The Goddess Evaluation of the Hestia Familia!'

'She kept grinning from ear to ear just from learning about it…'

'It wasn't hard to figure out, but Hestia was an easy one to please, something Silver exploited quite frequently.'

'As for the second exam, 230 candidates passed the first exam out of 1500 examinees, a rate surprisingly higher than before but an understandable one since Silver specially asked Hestia to be a tad less… Demanding.'

'This was so they could have more guys! They needed some of them!'

'The reason why Hestia sent back many guys before was due to the first impression they gave her when she met them during the interview... Which wasn't a good one...'

'But it was obvious that most guys would have impure thoughts! It wasn't easy for them to keep a steady mind in the presence of multiple gorgeous Goddesses looking at them with different expressions…'

'As such, that shouldn't be enough to prevent them from advancing!'

'They couldn't just recruit children that had little libido or weird and unique individuals that were unaffected by their beauty, otherwise, at this rate, the Hestia Familia might indeed be demoted to a Harem of sorts and even if they denied it, others would always make that joke.'

'And when a joke is repeated multiple times for long enough… It'll become a truth of some sorts.'

'Silver sweated quite a bit to convince Hestia of this, but thankfully, she seemed to have taken it to heart as more males than before passed the first stage.'

'Silver could only pray to the Heavens that they would pass the next assortment, it was one thing for guys to pass the "personality" check, but it was another for them to pass the competency test.'

'Silver wished to increase the ratio of men to woman to that of at least 10 guys to 90 girls, a terrific rate but one big enough for those kinds of jokes to vanish.'

'Some rumors would still rise... Such as the Hestia Familia being the heaven of Male adventurers... But those are much healthier than the previous ones.'

'This ratio would also help with one of the problems Hestia had always kept at the back of her head… Perversion... The bad kind.'

'In a situation where one gender overpowers another, problems arise as in numbers people often let go of their reason, even for the most mundane of tasks...'

'Silver wasn't someone that would bat an eye to girls abusing boys, but given how society worked it sure as hell was easy to ignore whenever that happened.'

'Specially if the cause of such abuse came from a 'well-adorned', pretty Elf...'

'Either way, if they were to balance out the distribution of the genders, such problems would likely decrease, albeit if an individual or a group passed the line, Silver was more than ready to just discipline them.'

'Or just thoroughly exiling them from the Familia.'

'He had no qualms about that and he had all the means to force someone to confess the truth as long as even the slightest bit of a plea for help came to his ears or the signs of such struggles were to pass through his eyes.'

'But that was only one end of the spectrum... Because while the chances of non-consensual situations happening are low, the contrary would certainty happen with time.'

'And Silver kind of agreed with Hestia's worries... About the rise of Romance and whatnot.'

'The fact that having two people being 'intimate' within his Manor wasn't pleasant, no one wanted two friends to have sex right next to their bedroom when they were pretty much renting in their own home...'

'But he had to give in that people would just end up loving each other.'

'If they denied every male to prevent romance within the Manor, then they'll only create another bigger issue.'

'Of course… This wouldn't prevent girls from loving themselves… Something Silver was definitely not against… The hypocrisy.'

'Still, such problems could be solved with rules, after all, Orario was massive with many places for people to… Become intimate.'

'And adventurers like them would have no problem renting a house or outright buying one.'

'Something that should help to reduce such instances to zero is how every room has more than 2 people sleeping within at any given moment, so unless there is a girl that is really kinky, or a man that has way with his words, it would be impossible for such scenarios even to happen.'

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'As for the woods surrounding the Manor… To be brazen enough to do it there… Silver might even commend them for such courage.'

'Of course, he would still heavily punish them if he somehow found out about it, the first would have to become the example so none happened after.'

'Though he was ready for when it happens since it's only a matter of time.'

'If the vast majority of their members are in their late teens, what is he supposed to even do?…'

'Most schools pass through the same problem, it's the kind of thing parents think about as they see their kids grow up.'

'Aside from his desire to have more guys enter his Familia, different from the first recruitment, this time, the Hestia Familia wouldn't be testing their recruits based solely on the combat potential they showed, but based on what exactly they applied for.'

'Previously, they welcomed everyone regardless of what they wished to be, they had to be capable of fighting.'

'This was because as a runner-up Familia, they needed people to build the basis, the foundation of their Strength.'

'They couldn't have accepted 40 members only for half of them to be craftsmen, not when they registered as an Explorer-Type Familia.'

'It was also true that craftsmen were usually not profitable whenever they were learning... Not that it would be a problem, but the Hestia Familia isn't a charity where people can come to learn and grow by feeding on their money.'

'Either way, like before, some were here to join as Smiths and Alchemists, hearing about the many changes Silver was performing with the Manor and the creation of the forges and the Main Street leading to it.'

'It wasn't a secret that Silver was planning on opening a Smith fully dedicated to the Hestia Familia, a place where their Smiths can grow by repairing and making small jobs for the Familia.'

'This wasn't a breach of contract with the Hephaestus Familia and in a sense, it was expected.'

'They couldn't attend to their every needs, the Hestia Familia would need specialized Smiths during their future Expeditions and people to perform simple repairs and produce equipment as well.'

'The good thing about this is that they would never lack work and as such, food on their table, but the bad thing about this is that their clientele ends up limited by the people of their Familia.'

'Of course, with the Hestia Smithy, they should be able to sell items to outsiders... If they get anyone to buy there that is...'

'There are already enough competitors as it is and Hestia isn't a hammering God... If a Smith wishes to pick up the hammer to reach the apex of his craft and be famous, then they'll eventually go to a place that can allow them to do so.'

'Which may very well be what their Smiths will end up doing.'

'They might've entered the Hestia Familia to rise with them but will eventually depart to reach the pinnacle of their craft, can they really be scorned then?'

'The others were here to join as Alchemists or even other professions… For reasons similar to the previous one.'

'This came with many challenges of course, but Silver was confident that as a First Class adventurer, together with his unique abilities, he had more than enough resources to support all during their first steps.'

'But in essence, not all were here to fight as their main goal, perhaps none where…'

'What led someone to join a Familia was highly individual, even if for a God, their tale might be just a repetition of another.'

'But from time to time… Something Unique and singular happened…'

'Adventurers that succeeded in their adventures, people meant to become something greater…'

/Crack!/

"Aha! Finally some action." A girl with red hair said with a smile as she cracked her knuckles, a large grin forming on her face as her eyes burned with a fiery passion

"Try to keep it in your pants, your expression is scaring the onlookers..." An amazon with black hair muttered on the side as she covered her face

"If they can't deal with this, then they're better off leaving!"

'Different from the aspiring Alchemists and Smith, perhaps a few were indeed just here to fight…'

'From this group of excited people, the next generation of members would be chosen!'

'Those that would gloriously pave the path of the future... Or fall following it.'

'It was time to bring them into the limelight!'

...

/Clap!/

'When the time for the test arrived and the gates to the Manor were closed, Daphne clapped her hands loudly, gathering the attention of all to her as she stepped into a small but elegant stand made of wood and rock, obviously created with Silver's magic.'

'In fact, many of the items being used in this Recruitment had been made or influenced by him, and in a sense, that was what made the Hestia Familia what they were, it was their symbol even.'

"..."

'Like many things done differently this time, Silver wasn't here to make a speech, albeit he was observing the exam from the windows of his office.'

'Sometimes, Daphne would see his face and his annoying smirk, causing her poker face to break momentarily as she twitched her lips...'

'But she focused, remembering the lengthy speech she had memorized, most of it having been written by the bastard watching her on the third floor.'

'For her speech, she held a magic item in her hand, a simple Megaphone to amplify her voice to all.'

'After clearing her throat, she said loudly:'

"Now, everyone! We'll proceed with the second phase of the examination!"

/Cheers!/

'The people cheered and Daphne waited, after giving them enough time to settle down, she proceeded:'

"As shared previously through the pamphlets and word of mouth, this time, we won't be looking solely for those that show promise as Hunters that know how to fight or have the will to be on the frontlines."

"Today, each and every one of you can and should show us the best of your abilities!" She said as she pointed at them all with a smirk so rare even Silver's eyes opened wide with surprise

"If you wish to become a Smith, then prove it to us in the forge, hold the hammer!"

"If you wish to become an Alchemist, then we have the materials, brew anything!"

"If you wish to fight monsters, then we have the blades, you just have to slash it!"

"Step forth and show us your will to improve and to strength to go after your dreams."

"Because if you do so… Then we'll help you achieve it." She said deeply as she turned to the side

Phew... First part done... Next...

'She raised her right hand, pointing towards someone standing like a statue in the side due to nervousness:'

"Now, in an orderly fashion, my friend Cassandra shall name several tests we've prepared accordingly for today."

"If the test you came here for is called, then follow the instructions."

'Then, like a machine, she started to repeat several lines in a near robotic manner, all of the excitement and eagerness she showed previously had seemingly vanished.'

'Daphne had likely trained these so many times she grew tired of it...'

"Each of you will be given two tries but you may only partake in a trial once, meaning, you can choose two trials to participate but not the same one!"

"Your score in both tests won't add up, and we'll prioritize only one of the two, so make sure to do your best and choose the vocation you're most confident at."

"In case you aren't feeling well or due to an unforeseen injury or complications, we will provide you with the necessary facilities for recovery so you may test again, but in case the examinee is truly unable to proceed, then they may continue on another day for as long as the recruitment is being held or if they possess a try left."

"Be warned that trying to cheat these values will lead to immediate disqualification and darkening of your relationship with the Familia."

"If it is learned you have passed your Ticket number to someone else, the same shall apply..."

...

'Daphne proceeded to say a few more things until she let out a small sigh, color returning to her face as she smiled once more.'

"Remember to be true to yourselves and to do what you can do, pushing yourselves can lead to better results, but overdoing is not always the right option."

"Consider different solutions to your problems and be creative!"

"There is no need to feel pressured as we plan on greatly increasing our numbers, all of you have a chance!"

'Daphne had a weird smile on her face, most may not notice it but Cassandra and Silver who knew her personally did...'

'She was definitely forcing herself to smile there... Like a businesswoman doing a speech.'

"And of course, good luck!" She said as she turned around to leave, tapping Cassandra's shoulder as a signal for her to step up

/Clap clap clap!/

'Meanwhile, everyone clapped, including Silver who smiled from his perfect view.'

'Following that, trying her best to not stumble, Cassandra took her place in front of the podium, placing a small piece of paper on the stand in front of her as she started to read what it said.'

'Not trying to diminish her efforts, Cassandra did memorize a lot of what she was meant to say, but she was so nervous she forgot everything and even her name.'

'So as a last resort of having her say the lines, she was given a piece of paper with everything in it.'

'The reason why she was chosen for this speech was because Silver was grooming Cassandra to be one of the faces of the Familia as she was the sole High potential Healer they had and will likely ever have.'

'She was very pretty too, if only she was more confident and stood up with pride like Daphne...'

"T-Then… S-Starting with the combat exam… Cough..."

"Please... Follow the lady holding the red flag to the…"

'Following her words, dozens of people started to move in synch with her words as everything flowed smoothly according to their wishes.'

'The examinations went well and everyone managed to do their part, be it in making something or bashing a training dummy to pieces.'

'There were also many talented newcomers, putting quite the pressure on the previous members!'

'It seemed the Hestia Familia would be quite heated for a while!'

'And this, the days passed as the other examinees were processed.'

…

/Four days later…/

'The welcoming ceremony for all that passed was starting!'

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Notes

This is it, the Recruitment is over and only the Ceremony is pending, after that, a few events before Silver departs from Orario.

That's about it everyone, peace!