Practical Assessments

Hulda led us back out to the courtyard where there were still a few people waiting for their practical assessment from the previous group.

"Senior Union representative Adelbart will be conducting the combat portion of the practical exam. If you indicated a specialty such as harvesting, alchemy, artificing, or herbalism, head into the door over there afterward. If not, you will be allowed to head into the main hall that way." Hulda indicated the two doors before leaving towards the visitor chamber.

Left to ourselves a few conversations started that I listened in on.

"I can't believe there are so many people. Do you think it will be hard to get into a guild?"

"Don't worry too much about it. Any other month there is barely anyone trying to join up. This is the first time since winter that people can travel easily so it's natural to have a lot of people."

"Still how do you stand out?"

"It might be harder to stand out but this is the only month you'll see this many guild scouts at an assessment. Trust me, my family has been working for the Union for years."

---

"Did you see that mage when we came through here? I can't even make a fireball a quarter of that size."

"She has to have a gold core, maybe a silver core. But don't count us out just because we have bronze cores. Mages are rare compared to others. As long as you don't mess up, a guild will be willing to put in the effort to train you."

"I guess you're right. We should atleast get D rank. The only ones that will be sought after more than us are those two." He indicated the two priests that were keeping to themselves.

---

"I wonder how much the specialty exam will have on the ranking? I don't think I did well on the knowledge portion and my sword skills are only passable. I just can't get my aura to stabilize."

"It will probably only matter if you're close to the next rank. How important is it to have an alchemist in the middle of the forest when you're hunting monsters?"

"Yeah, but I can make potions for the circumstances. That should count for something."

"A monster isn't going to wait for you to mix some berries before attacking.

---

"Alright, Quiet down you lot." The previous group had finished up and Senior Union representative Adelbart stepped toward our group. "Since Senior Union representative Hulda doesn't feel like waiting between groups, we'll have to go as fast as we can. When it's your time, give a brief demonstration of your combat skill. If you have a support skill like healing or tracking head over to Union representative Ansgar at the far end after I'm done with you. For any speciality skill head through that door when you're done."

We were soon called up one by one to give a brief demonstration of our combat skills. Most used practice dummies to show their melee forms, only a few could use the most basic aura. The few mages there cast spells, though none were as big as Vestas. The two priests didn't have much skill in the way of combat but I could see they both were decent healers. The biggest surprise came from the paladin.

"Sir, if I could have the last person help me out. My Lineage aura is supportive." Adelbart called back the young woman that had just gone. She was able to use the basic Novice aura at about the mid level.

"If you could strike the dummy like you did before." The paladin told her. A faint glow surrounded his body and passed to her as she moved through her attack forms. The difference was slight but enough that any guild would want him in their group. His own skills with a two handed sword were also good when combined with his Intermediate stage of basic aura.

When it was finally my turn I was starting to become nervous. All I wanted was D rank which meant I just needed to show I could use the Novice stage of basic aura. Surrounded by experts it was going to be harder to hide how skilled I was.

I circled my aura through my veins to the peak of the novice stage before moving through my forms. When Adelbart stopped me I was confident that I was seen as the second best melee applicant there behind the paladin. I was also a little relieved, being confident that I didn't show off too much skill.

Afterward I headed through the door for the specialty skill. There were four tables set up with an examiner behind each. The young mage I heard talking before was mixing a potion at one of the tables. Another had a number of herbs set out and one had a young woman connecting runes to form a minor magical item. The last had a set of knives that I figured would be for Harvesters.

"Name and specialty." A union representative with two stars on his collar right inside the door asked.

"Wilmaer and Harvesting."

He directed me towards the table with the knives with a female union representative behind it, she also had two stars on her collar. She gave me a charming smile as I approached.

"Aren't you a looker? I'm Sunngif and I'm the representative for the Burnished Axes guild. Play your cards right and I might be able to get you an invite." She said.

"Sunngif, no recruiting during the exam." The representative from the doorway said.

"Ignore him. I just need you to show you have some basic knowledge of Harvesting, which the Burnished Axes are in need of." She said.

"Last warning, I'll have you replaced if you don't stop." The representative said.

"Alright, alright." She turned to a rune covered chest behind her. A cold mist escaped as she opened the lid and pulled out a small creature. The wolpertinger had the body of a hare with long fangs, small antlers, and wings similar to an eagle.

"Just do your best in harvesting this monster. Don't worry about messing up, we have a number of these for the exam." She said.

"Thank you, I should be fine." I said.

The body was cool to the touch so I started with the wings since they would be the least affected by the temperature. Then I moved to the head, taking out the eyes, pulling out the fangs, followed by removing the antlers. With the body warmed up a little the muscles could be moved easier, allowing me to skin it. Once the fur was removed I started toward the internal organs.

To my surprise the heart had turned into a palm sized crystal. Having been dead for a while it would be harder to remove the monster core. Since Sunngif didn't stop me, they must not be concerned about me breaking it. I had to decide how skilled I wanted to appear. While I was confident that I had displayed D ranked skills with the sword there was no guarantee. My skill in harvesting could push me over the edge.

With some quick cuts I removed the blood veins coming off the core. Sunngif held out a small box for me to place it in.

"Not too bad. The union will allow you to keep the core. You can sell it back to the union or somewhere else if you like." She said.

Setting the box to the side I continued to remove the organ. Most of them wouldn't have much use in crafting but it showed my skill.

"You can head toward the main hall." Sunngif said when I finished. As I started to leave she placed her hand on my arm. " I hope to see you around. The more often the better." She gave me a smile she no doubt thought had a great effect on men. And if I hadn't recently met Floriana or even Vesta, I would have thought it was the most seductive smile I had seen in months.

"Thank you." I said. The representative near the door just scowled at her knowing her intention but since she didn't outright try to recruit me again, he didn't say anything.

As I made my way into the main hall there was another union representative with a single star on his collar. The moment I saw him I felt a warmth on my forehead.

"Can I have your name?" He asked

"Wilmaer." He looked over a piece of paper in his hand.

"Are there any guilds you're looking to join?"

"No, I'm hoping to freelance." He just nodded to that.

"Alright, it looks like you'll be over at the green table." He pointed towards one of the tables that had a green flag sticking out of the middle. Other tables nearby had a few other colored flags.

"A senior union representative will be over with your results. Afterward, if you're F rank you'll have to join a guild or work directly for the Union to go on quests. To be a freelancer, you'll need a D or C ranking. At which point a Union representative will be assigned to you." He said.

"Is that something you'd handle?" He looked a little taken back. This was the third time I had this feeling about someone. I wasn't sure what part any of them would play in my life but if what Floriana had said was true, this young man and I were now spiritually linked.

"Possibly. I do handle a few D rank freelancers, but if you're F rank you'd most likely be handled by the represetvie assigned to your guild. Or if you're C rank you'd get a mid grade representative." He said.

"Here's hoping that we get to work together." I extended my hand. He was taken back at first before taking my hand in a hearty handshake.