Xyrus Guild Hall

Arthur Leywin POV

After enjoying breakfast with my family, Jasmine Helstea arrived to pick me up. I donned my mask, signalling my readiness, and she nodded in acknowledgement. Together, we made our way to the guild hall.

The Guild Hall stood as an imposing structure, radiating an air of prestige and luxury. Its marble exterior loomed above us like a sacred monument. Stepping inside, the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail was immediately apparent. The interior boasted intricately designed decor and furnishings, including metal tables where other adventurers sat, casting fleeting glances our way. The opulence of the place felt out of sync with my own simple tastes and clashed with the rugged appearance of some of the barbarian-like adventurers present. Nonetheless, I maintained my composure and continued forward.

Approaching the reception desk, I prepared to speak, but Jasmine took the lead. Placing a parchment on the counter, she said, "I would like to sponsor him for a rank examination." Her expression remained stoic, devoid of any hint of emotion.

The clerk, somewhat taken aback, stammered, "Y-Yes! I understand. Please, come this way."

Silently, Jasmine and I followed the clerk to an office. She knocked on the door, and upon receiving permission to enter, we stepped inside. Behind the desk sat a man with sleek black hair, glasses perched on his nose, and a lean physique.

"The A-Class Adventurer, Jasmine Flamesworth, has requested that this..." the clerk's voice trailed off as her gaze fixated on me with caution. "...gentleman undergo a rank examination."

"Yes, I am well aware of Miss Flamesworth's identity. You may wait outside, Mary." The slender man dismissed the clerk with a wave of his hand, rising from his seat. "Miss Flamesworth, how have you been? I recently had the pleasure of meeting your father."

Jasmine responded with a curt nod that barely resembled a bow, her expression sharpening as we entered the room. However, at the mention of her father, her hands clenched into fists, betraying a mix of emotions brewing beneath the surface.

The man shifted his gaze towards me, his eyes inquiring. "I assume you have a close relationship with Miss Flamesworth. Do you have a name I can address you by?"

Using the musical note design on my mask as a visual cue, I replied, "I go by Note."

"Very well, Mr. Note. We will proceed with Miss Flamesworth as your sponsor. Do you understand how this process works?"

Shaking my head, I signalled that I needed an explanation. The man obliged, providing me with the necessary information. "An Adventurer of B-class or higher has the privilege of sponsoring a new adventurer for an examination. Based on your performance during the exam, you will be placed in a suitable rank without having to start from scratch. The exam will solely consist of a practical assessment. Judging by your weapons, I assume you specialise in either fighting or augmentation, is that correct?"

"Yes," I affirmed.

"Alright! Usually, there would be a quick application process and an inspection of your mana core prior to the exam. However, since Miss Flamesworth is sponsoring you, we can waive those requirements."

The man, whom I now knew as Kaspian, instructed the receptionist to lead us to the exam hall.

"Y-Yes! Please, Mr. Note, Miss Flamesworth, follow me."

As we walked down the long corridor, I stole glances at Jasmine through my mask. I couldn't help but wonder if this was the reason she insisted on accompanying me. The Flamesworth House was mentioned with a considerable level of respect, but I still had limited knowledge about its significance.

Upon reaching the arena, we entered a brightly lit indoor space with a dirt floor and standard theatre seats for spectators.

The receptionist directed us to our designated seats and asked us to remain seated until called upon for the examination.

We observed several rank examinations taking place in the arena. While they lacked excitement, they provided a glimpse into the assessment process. There were a few D-rank exams and a single C-rank examination, but none of them truly captivated our attention.

"Next up, Elijah Knight!" The voice of the Conjurer examiner reverberated through the arena, capturing everyone's attention.

A young boy, appearing even younger than the noble blonde, rose from his seat a few rows to my right. With short, jet-black hair that partially veiled his forehead, he exuded an air of seriousness that belied his age. Behind framed glasses, his eyes held a maturity beyond his years. Clad in a simple beige long-sleeve shirt and black pants, he lacked any visible weapons, making me doubt my initial assumption that he might be an augmenter. The fact that the examiner remained in her position indicated that he likely possessed conjurer abilities.

Suddenly, a clerk who had been taking notes at the side scurried up to the examiner, whispering something urgently into her ear.

The examiner's pale face registered a brief moment of surprise before she composed herself.

"Elijah Knight, age ten. I have just received notification of your special status. Henceforth, you will be recognized as a B-class adventurer."

Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd, mirroring the astonishment that played across their faces. Even the augmenter examiner craned his neck, clearly intrigued by this unexpected turn of events.

With a small bow, Elijah, the solemn young boy, resumed his seat without uttering a single word, leaving an aura of quiet accomplishment in his wake.

"Next in line, Lucas Wykes!" the examiner announced, moving on with the examination as the anticipation and curiosity in the arena heightened.

The examiner glanced down at her notes, her voice filled with evident surprise. "Lucas Wykes, 11 years old. A Conjurer at the light orange stage specialising in fire."

I couldn't believe my ears. Light orange stage at such a tender age? How was that even possible?

Leaning casually against his staff, Lucas showed no signs of respect or enthusiasm for the examination. His long blonde hair partially covered his forehead, adding to his unapproachable aura. Clad in a beige long-sleeved shirt and black pants, he exuded an air of nonchalance. I couldn't help but wonder how powerful he truly was.

The examiner, a bit vexed by Lucas's lack of reverence, declared, "Let us begin."

In a flash, Lucas leaped back, his voice resonating with an incantation. "Arise, my protector!"

A pillar of fire erupted before him, gradually transforming into a magnificent humanoid figure composed entirely of flames. The fiery guardian stood at an impressive two metres tall, radiating both awe and danger.

"We have quite the prodigy here. As expected from someone of the Wykes Family," the augmenter examiner marvelled, whistling in admiration.

With swift strides, the flame guardian surged forward, its blazing steps leaving smouldering footprints on the ground. Lucas prepared to cast another spell, his eyes gleaming with determination.

Evidently recognizing the boy's skill, the female examiner responded with a wave of her grey staff and a series of incantations.

"Earth Tomb!"

As if obeying her command, three triangular planes of solid earth burst forth from the ground, encasing the flame guardian within a pyramid-shaped prison of rock. The guardian's fiery brilliance was now trapped, its energy contained by the earth's embrace.

A triumphant smile curved the examiner's lips, confident in her tactical move. But Lucas, with a chuckle, raised his staff once more, showing no signs of surrender.

"Too late, Miss Examiner."

The ruby stone embedded in Lucas's staff shimmered with a dazzling orange glow, and a spark ascended into the air. What initially seemed like a harmless flicker transformed into a mesmerising display of magic. The spark burst apart, dispersing into dozens of ethereal tendrils of fire that floated and danced around the stage, creating an enchanting spectacle. The tendrils swirled and circled, surrounding both the combatants in a fiery embrace.

"The boy certainly possesses remarkable talent," Jasmine whispered, a rare note of approval in her voice.

The examiner's countenance turned serious, her focus sharpening as she prepared to face Lucas's incoming challenge.

Curiosity filled my mind as I watched the floating embers, trying to decipher their purpose. Before long, their significance became clear.

"Expulsion!" Lucas's voice resounded with determination, his staff raised high above his head. He swiftly began to retreat.

In an instant, the tendrils of fire radiated a vivid red hue, transforming into fiery beams that shot toward the examiner with blazing intensity. The air crackled with heat and anticipation.

Undeterred, the examiner held her staff firmly, her gaze unyielding. She chanted with unwavering focus as the ground beneath her glimmered with a bright yellow light. From the very earth, multiple chunks surged upward, forming a protective barrier that enveloped her. The chunks of earth stood as guardians, shielding her from the onslaught of fiery beams.

The examiner's words reverberated through the arena, carrying an air of authority. "Stone Shard Field!"

The luminous rocks sprang into action, swiftly rearranging themselves with remarkable precision. No longer content with mere defence, they cleverly redirected the scorching lasers of flame back toward Lucas.

Panic etched across Lucas's face as he paled, his voice trembling with desperation. "Release!" The wisps of fire dissipated into thin air, but the relentless flames that had already been unleashed continued their relentless advance.

With urgency, Lucas pointed his colossal staff at the incoming torrents of fire, his voice resolute. "Fire Twister!"

From the ground, a furious cyclone of flames erupted, spiralling around him in a protective embrace. The fiery vortex grew in size and intensity, greedily devouring the approaching flames, merging with them in a mesmerising display of chaos.

Unfazed by the spectacle, the examiner's movements remained fluid and precise. With a commanding wave of her staff, she declared, "Pierce."

The shards of rock, previously instrumental in redirecting the flames, trembled briefly before hurtling forward with unstoppable force. They tore through the fire tornado that shrouded Lucas, reducing it to mere embers. The sharp-edged projectiles abruptly halted their deadly trajectory, hovering just inches away from the enraged yet trembling Lucas, who clung to his staff with white-knuckled determination.

A surge of anger animated Lucas's voice as he cried out, "How dare you! This audacious lack of decency during a simple rank exam must be documented and dealt with accordingly!"

Maintaining her composure, the examiner responded calmly, her tone laced with authority. "Calm yourself, Mr. Wykes. I possess ample control to refrain from impaling arrogant little children."

Silent curses seethed within Lucas, his eyes ablaze with frustration aimed at the woman who had outmatched him.

Undeterred by his outburst, the examiner continued with an air of appraisal. "Your control and ingenuity in spell combinations are commendable. With caution and an understanding of your limits, a bright future awaits you, Mr. Wykes. It is safe to say that you will be placed in the B-class," she declared, turning to George, the augmenter examiner, who responded with a nonchalant shrug, indicating his agreement.

Any accusations of wrongdoing that Lucas had thrown at the examiner faded into insignificance. A triumphant smirk danced upon his lips, satisfied with the outcome that favoured him.

"Woah!"

"Yet another prodigious talent!"

"Damn, I wish I could just go home!"

"What's with the crowd today?"

The audience erupted with a mixture of awe, envy, and exasperation. Some marvelled at the display of skill, while others grumbled in jealousy. Meanwhile, those who had already undergone the exam exchanged excited whispers, recognizing the exceptional prowess displayed by Lucas.

"Next examinee, Note! Please come down!" boomed the voice of the A-rank augmenter, his words echoing throughout the colosseum like structure.

Jasmine's smile of encouragement warmed my heart, bolstering my confidence. "Good luck," she whispered, her voice carrying a hint of anticipation.

With a resolute nod, I descended the steps, my footsteps echoing against the marble floor. The weight of the moment settled upon me, as the gaze of the examiner and the curious eyes of the onlookers focused on my masked presence.

"It seems you're here to be tested under special conditions, seeing as there isn't any information here written about you," the examiner named George remarked, his tone filled with intrigue. He leaned forward, attempting to peer through the narrow slit of my mask, as if trying to unravel the mystery behind my identity.

In perfect synchronisation, the examiner and I drew our swords, the metallic ring resounding in the air. The blades glimmered under the bright lights, anticipation crackling between us.

With a thunderous voice, the examiner bellowed, "Begin!"

The air crackled with electricity as we locked eyes, the tension building with each passing moment. In that instant, the arena transformed into our battlefield, where skill, strategy, and determination would determine the outcome.