The young receptionist gave Cyrus a thorough look, scanning him from top to bottom before she continued
"Ah, I guess I should warn you beforehand, lest you start complaining later, but the test to join our guild isn't that easy. Even if your divine affinity is above average — if by some miracle, I mean — your strength, speed, and endurance all need to be at a very high level too. It doesn't need to be at the level of an Ironbound warrior, of course, but it's not that far off either. Still, if you want to become a member, you are most welcome to give it a try~"
Without even waiting for a response, the young woman turned around, her ponytail swinging in one fluid motion as she began to make her way towards the large iron door at the back of the guild. Cyrus didn't lag behind, and neither did Sylvie as they immediately followed after her.
The pony-tailed receptionist effortlessly pushed open the large door using one hand before revealing the expansive open area behind it. Cyrus couldn't tell if the woman had used some sort of spell to push the door open, or if she was relying on brute force that definitely didn't match her looks, but none of it mattered, either.
No, the only thing that mattered right now was the giant white obelisk that was erected at the heart of the open area, surrounded by giant purple trees, similar to the ones Cyrus and Sylvie had seen in the Amethyst Forest.
"I assume both of you have already undergone the test of a church when you were younger, right?" The receptionist phrased it like a question, but it was clearly a rhetorical one since she continued speaking barely a breath later
"Well, this is somewhat similar. This obelisk is our guild's appraisal stone, and will not only assess your talent, but also your current level of strength, speed, and endurance. Keep in mind, though, that should you fail here today, you will only be able to apply for another chance to get tested after half a year."
Seeing that neither Cyrus nor Sylvie seemed to have any significant reaction to her words, the young receptionist deflated slightly and shook her head before she continued, this time in a much less interested tone than before
"Alright, just place your hand on top of the appraisal stone and wait. It will only take a moment for your results to show up."
Feeling both Sylvie's and the woman's gaze landing on him, Cyrus unexpectedly froze, his legs rooted on the spot.
He had always thought about what he'd do if he somehow managed to escape the Red Arena, and had eventually come to the conclusion that he'd try to become an adventurer. With the gold coin the guild provided to all newly inducted adventurers, which they were supposed to use to buy a weapon and armor to protect themselves, he would be able to guarantee himself a steady source of income, or at the very least, his own survival. If he was willing to skimp on some of that money and find a cheaper weapon or armor, perhaps he would be able to rent a small room at an inn and even eat a proper meal.
But now that the time to take the test was finally here, he felt somewhat hesitant.
"What if I fail…? What if I'm not strong enough yet?" This thought had already entered his mind and was now festering like a disease, spreading into the deepest parts of Cyrus's consciousness and plunging him into the fearful abyss of uncertainty.
Indeed, perhaps Sylvie would be able to survive somehow, considering she had family in Novera… but someone like him?
Cyrus already knew what fate awaited someone with no talent who couldn't even become an adventurer and risk his life in exchange for money.
"Good luck…" Surprisingly, it was Sylvie's whisper that snapped him out of his reverie, the red-haired girl softly tugging at his sleeve as she gave him an encouraging look.
Even the pony-tailed receptionist seemed to have wiped the snide smile off her face, her expression a blank slate as she waited for him to step forward.
Eventually, Cyrus took a deep breath and stopped in front of the white obelisk, before placing his hand on the guild's appraisal stone.
And then… silence.
Silence filled the open area for a few seconds, a silence so stifling it was almost deafening.
Cyrus could feel the coldness of the white stone underneath his palm and the scent of the violet trees around him that smelled like lilies. He could even hear Sylvie taking a few deep breaths to calm herself behind him or the receptionist fiddling with her nails.
But then… the white obelisk hummed lightly, as if it had suddenly come alive, while faint blue runes began to appear on its surface.
Raising his head, Cyrus looked at the runes that had already started to take the shape of the common tongue in Astrea and… froze again.
This time, however, he wasn't alone. Sylvie and the young receptionist were no different, their eyes staring at his assessment with different expressions on their faces.
Name: Cyrus Veltharion
Age: 14 years
Rank: Uninitiated
Strength: 5
Speed: 6
Endurance: 8
Divine affinity: None
Divine relationship: None
This wasn't the first time Cyrus saw his evaluation, but he couldn't help but stare at it for a few moments in silence. The first time had been when he was just 6 years old and his parents had taken him to the church of the Goddess, just like with every other child when they celebrated their sixth birthday.
Cyrus could still remember his parents' reaction to this day: Disappointment, sadness, and fear. Back then, his strength, speed, and endurance all showed a bold 0, but neither his parents nor the priest who had taken his test had been bothered by that.
After all, a 6-year-old child wasn't expected to have a value higher than that. A strength of 1 indicated the level of an adult teen who had undergone no real training in their life, while a value of 2 indicated one who was close to becoming an adult. As for Cyrus's current level of 5? This could rival most adult men who've been doing laborious work for years.
But it was the eye-catching "None" next to his 'Divine affinity' and his 'Divine relationship' that made his parents go ashen. And now, Cyrus could see a similar reaction on the young receptionist's face.
Taking a deep breath, Cyrus faced the woman and ignored the shock that was still plastered on her face, as he asked solemnly
"So… do I pass your test?"