The test

"What kind of heaven-defying magical talent is that?"

"But that would explain how youngsters from nowhere can compete so easily with experienced mercenaries." thought Romuald as he watched the rest of his new comrades, who were also watching him.

Indeed, without knowing why the deputy head of the guard had joined their battle. Normally, he was supposed to stop the fight and not join it.

So whether it was Andrew, Piedro or James, they all looked at him with recognition but also with a certain other strange look.

After a few moments Romuald came to his senses.

"They're treating me like an idiot. No doubt about it," Romuald thought, slightly irritated.

"He continued, but kept his insults to himself as he continued to smile to fit in with the group.

This only increased the mercenary gaze of the saber-toothed tigers, which annoyed Romuald even more.

"Why are you here old man?" asked Peter with an innocent face.

"Old man?" On Romuald's face, a resplendent vein sprang up.

"Has an old man ever made you eat the floor?" he continued angrily.

"No, why would he?" replied Peter normally with a hint of curiosity.

"Don't worry, the old man in me has a good reason," Romuald added, clenching his fists in front of him.

"It's okay Romuald, some of them really did have grandfathers your age. Not to mention that you look really old," Maxime interjected.

"Had?" thought Romuald silently as a little condolence appeared in his mind.

Oblivious to custom, Maxime announced directly:

"Oh, in fact Romuald is officially joining our ranks today."

Reactions soon followed:

"Hahaha a new recruit, that's fast!" exclaimed James.

"How did you do it, boss?" asked Terry with a puzzled look.

"Haha call me big brother from now on old man!" laughed Peter to his heart's content.

"No." Romuald curtly replied to Peter with a new vein appearing on his forehead.

While his mercenaries teased each other, attracting many curious glances along the way, Maxime headed for a strange store. It was as big as a mansion, surpassing most of the city's infrastructure.

Seeing their leader heading towards this strange store, the mercenaries asked themselves various questions, but asked nothing.

Romuald seemed surprised for a moment at such discipline.

"I didn't think they were capable of such maturity.

"However this store is..." murmured Romuald with a shiver of fear running through his body.

"Whatever the times, these profiteers will always exist," observed Maxime with cold eyes.

The storefront displayed in large letters:

"Brotherhood House."

There was also a small welcome message below it:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to the largest real estate network in the Iron Dragon Empire."

Without another word, Maxime entered the store, followed by his mercenaries.

Inside, the décor was sumptuous, while various well-dressed people chatted with some of the store's advisors.

Soon they arrived at the offices, behind which were some beautiful receptionists working on various documents.

Maxime made his way to one of them at random.

Noticing the presence of a new customer, the receptionist looked up from her papers and put on her best smile as she calmly announced:

"Dear sir good morning, what can I do to help you?"

"I'm looking for a house in this town to make my headquarters for my mercenary group.

Reflecting for a moment, the receptionist replied:

"We do indeed have several houses in our possession that meet these criteria, but can you be specific about your request, so that I can advise you on what suits you best."

"The house must be able to house at least 50 mercenaries and have a spacious training ground."

"Sir, if I may say so, prices for this kind of house are extremely high. If you have less than thirty mercenaries in your group, then you won't be able to rent for a long time. On the contrary, your group will go bankrupt."

Hearing this, most of the group behind Maxime paled slightly.

"That's just his business, if he goes bankrupt so be it, but I don't think he's stupid enough for that. What's he thinking?" analyzed Andrew calmly, watching Maxime's back.

"Thank you for your concern. Can you still find me a few houses that fit these criteria?" replied Maxime

"Of course."

"Let me take a look at what I have available," affirmed the receptionist with a charming smile before plunging back into her files.

After a few seconds, the receptionist announced:

"I have one house left that meets your criteria. It can comfortably accommodate a total of 80 mercenaries. It's in the center of town, so shops are close by. Security is also excellent. The house has 3 kitchens, 20 bedrooms, several..."

"That's fine with me, how much is the rent?" interrupted Maxime.

"50 gold coins a month, sir."

Maxime frowned, and the mercenaries behind him sighed heavily.

Such a sum of money represented 3 or even 4 years of personal savings, and that was for mercenaries. Most individuals in this world only received between 12 and 15 pieces of silver a month, so such a sum was something he could only imagine.

"Are there discounts for mercenaries with more than one star in terms of potential?" asked Maxime curiously.

"If she says no, I'll have to consider lowering my requirements. But in that case my progress in terms of strength will be slowed down, and even my exam grade will be seriously affected." thought Maxime.

"Yes, there are some. Wait, let me have a look, I can't remember the exact details" replied the receptionist as she turned and rummaged through the books behind her.

A few seconds later, she exclaimed:

"Ah yes that's the one!"

"Um...Let's see...Yes it is!"

When she exclaimed in such a way, it drew the gaze of many customers in the room and other receptionists.

Looking up, she said to Maxime:

"Your mercenary group must include at least 3 mercenaries with 2-star potential and 1 3-star mercenary to qualify for a discount."

"In this case precisely, it will be a 10% discount on all our services," she concluded with a pretty smile.

Most of the customers shook their heads in annoyance. Indeed, such a group of mercenaries could only be found in the capital of a Kingdom.

It was said that there were less than 10 mercenary groups that could fulfill these requirements in the entire Kingdom of the Frost Eagle.

"Great, how's the discount application going?" questioned Maxime curiously.

The receptionist glanced at Maxime again as she looked very surprised and reassessed him very positively.

"Wait for me here, I'll have to contact the manager to take care of you."

However, the other customers disagreed.

"What joke, a bunch of brats like them can compete with the Silver Knights?"

"Not just the Silver Knights, the Snakes of the North, the Ice Eagle Clan, the Barbarian Syndicate!"

"Hahaha young people are really funny these days!"

"Reminds me of the day I made a girl in the neighboring village believe I was one of the Silver Knights!" a rough-skinned man with an imposing build laughed aloud.

"What a worthless playboy." sighed an exaggeratedly well-dressed man next to him.

"Says the guy looking for his famous pure girl in this world. Stay a virgin wisely in your corner." replied the imposing man sarcastically.

"Say that again?"

"Says the guy who's looking for..."

"I'm going to kill you." said the well-dressed man as he blushed with rage while starting to draw his sword.

...

"Mr. Karyo!" exclaimed the young receptionist as she came running into a well-decorated office with neatly arranged books.

The man seated at his desk put down his quill in the ink pot and replied with a smile:

"What is it, Jessica?"

"A group of mercenaries want to take the test!"

Karyo looked confused.

"What test? And please calm down."

Jessica took a deep breath before saying:

"The test for the discount!"

Karyo thought for a few seconds before his eyes opened wide.