"First, we'll be assessing the novices. So please, adepts, wait until all novices have been tested," Hurman declared as he and Mertin took the lead for their portion of the gathering. "Order is voluntary, so--"
"ME FIRST!!!"
Hurman was grinning from ear to ear before he could even be interrupted. Just as he expected, one young novice was dragging his friend as they climbed the steps. "Alright… Please, announce yourself."
"I'm Pauller Practor, and I'll be a perennial cultivator!" Without a hint of subtlety and self-awareness, Pauller declared his ambition to the world.
"And who's this?" Mertin asked, also smiling.
Swallowing his nerves, the younger novice came forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with the slightly taller Pauller. "M-my name is Milo Practor!"
