I guided the man to the interview room and let him enter. Then I went to put up the notices about the job positions applicants could apply for. It was still early and I reckoned that more applicants wouldn't arrive for another hour.
I walked back to the foyer and positioned myself before the open double doors.
Then, I closed my eyes and used my senses to see how the interview was going. The man had taken a seat across from Aurelia at the table prepared for the interview. Two steaming cups of tea were placed on the table and apparently, the man had just finished his introduction.
"So, have you given any thought as to what position in our guild you would like to apply for?"
"I'm not sure if I'm capable but I would like to be a clerk. If that isn't possible I can also become a manual laborer."
"I see. May I ask what your current or previous occupation was?"
"I work as a lumberjack."
"Ah, a physically oriented profession. That definitely makes you qualified to do manual labor like carrying stuff around. But as a clerk, you will have to frequently deal with people and be able to handle some fast calculations. Do you believe yourself capable of that?"
"I don't have a problem talking to people and I'm confident in my counting skills!"
"It's good that you are confident. Would you mind if I gave you a quick test to judge if you are capable of becoming a clerk?"
"Not at all. I'll try my best."
Aurelia proceeded to ask him a dozen questions that involved calculating prices for various combinations of items. His answers were alright even if he needed a while for some of the harder ones. The test indicated that he could do calculations of this level and the speed would increase as he got to practice while starting the job.
I was tempted to ask Aurelia to give him a "real" math question involving John and his 97 watermelons but held back. She'd surely yell at me just for suggesting such a thing.
After answering those math-related questions the interview was over and it was time for Aurelia to give her VERDICT. Was I being overdramatic? Yes. Did I Enjoy it? Definitely yes!
"Well, after careful consideration I have decided that you are hired."
The man looked baffled by the frank answer he received. From what I heard the usual practice here is to send people back home after the interview and then only contact them if they were accepted. An arrogant coward's practice but it seemed rather common throughout most worlds.
"Are you sure it's alright to just accept me already? What if someone better comes along?"
"Better in what way? You are capable of doing the job we want you to do and you were the first to come. I don't see what anyone could do better?"
"But what if someone stronger comes later on? All I did is to come earlier."
"Exactly. While another may be unwilling to come this early you made the effort. We won't stop anyone else from coming as early as you so it's their loss if they don't take the opportunity. Now, you said you worked as a lumberjack. When can you quit your job at the earliest?"
"I can quit at any time. We are paid for the amount of wood we cut so there's no obligation for me to go to work."
"That's certainly good to hear. If it's fine with you, you can begin your work tomorrow. Just come here when you are ready to begin your work."
The man stood up and bowed deeply to express his thanks.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity!"
He left the interview room and I waited for him in the foyer. He approached with a smile on his face and a slight spring in his step. The hesitation from this being a former noble's mansion had completely disappeared and he seemed much more relaxed.
"From the happy expression on your face, I see you've done well during the interview. Did you get the job you applied for?"
"I did! Thank you very much for telling me about the various positions I can apply for. I got a job as both a manual laborer and as a clerk. I can start tomorrow and this is great!"
"I'm glad you are happy with how the interview went. If you have any questions feel free to ask me now. No other applicants have arrived yet so I have the time."
"I do have a question if you don't mind."
"Go ahead and ask."
"How do you keep track of how much you sell? I can't write so I'm afraid I'd be unable to write anything down."
"I don't know how other merchant guilds keep track of their stocks and sales but we have a very unconventional method that works rather well and takes the pressure of the sales clerks. We have a special type of golem that can keep count of all transactions. It observes all items and even prevents theft."
This wasn't entirely true but the closest I could go without harming the poor man's sense of normalcy. In reality, the entity that would keep track of all happenings in the store was a combination of the eastern idea of a formation genie, the intelligence of an AI, and magic to make the whole thing work.
However, after hearing my simplified explanation the man looked relieved and the last bit of worry escaped from his mind.
"That's a relief. Then I'll see you tomorrow."
"I hate to disappoint you but I won't be here for the further proceedings. I was only sent here to help out with the interviews and will have to return to my own duties after this."
Seeing his disappointed face I couldn't help but add a little consolation.
"Do not worry. There are many other nice people here who you can turn to if you have any questions. Especially lord Abel and lady Aurelia are very kind and dependable."