We proceeded to the lobby as Caiso talked to the clerk. We couldn't hear what they were talking about so we sat down by some soft chairs near the entrance. After a while, Caiso went back to us with good news I presume...
"That took a while..."
"Well since Tarus is a crown user, they had to call in a high ranking crown user instead of the regular mentor."
"Do you mean that Tarus and Celene will take different tests?"
"Celene will take the regular one while Tarus will take a special one."
"Good luck with your test Tarus!"
"You too Celene."
"Your tests will start in thirty minutes, so be ready by then."
"No need to be so nervous, you two will make it for sure!"
"Thanks for the encouragement..."
Considering this "Special test" that I will be taking, it makes me anxious since a high ranking crown user will be the one to test me...I'm a bit envious of Celene...half an hour quickly passed as we said our goodbyes. I went to a separate corridor from the others and in front of me, a flight of stairs leading down to what it seems to be the basement. I went ahead, down the stairs into the basement, a gush of wind blew my hair upright, surprised, in front of me was a huge arena with crowds of people cheering the two fighters battling on the stage. The sheer pressure of the two fightings sent shivers down my spine...suddenly a tall man wearing glasses approached me, he was very skinny and his hair was long and pure red in color.
"Are you Tarus?" he asked with a raspy voice
"Y-yes I'm Tarus..."
"Please follow me then."
I followed him through the dimly lit area near the stage, people were running around getting food and such. I feel like a sore thumb as all the people here were adults and looks like they all have experience since their muscles are well built. Accidentally I bumped into another hooded person...or is this the same person?
"Ah! Sorry about that! Are you alright?"
I reached out and grabbed the person's hand, it felt very fragile...it's so similar to the person I bumped into in the lobby...
"Can you please let go now...?"
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention!"
I let go of the person, he or she stood up and quietly left the scene as the guy in glasses stared at me.
"We need to hurry up, the one who's testing you has a busy schedule so our time is limited."
"Sorry about that..."
I turned backward for the last time as that hooded person was lingering in my mind...
"I brought him here, Salluird."
"You sure took your time!"
Opening the creaky metal door, there was a break room of some sort and the one who spoke with a deep humongous voice was a bulky man around his mid-thirties, his body was covered in scars from what I assume to be blades.
"So your the kid huh..."
"I'm Tarus! I'll be in your care!"
"No need to be so stern around me."
"I'll be taking my leave then..."
Now that we were both left alone in the room, the atmosphere got tense...
"I heard from Caiso that you're a crown user? Are you willing to show me?"
I unveiled my crown ring and I grabbed it, floating above my right palm was the pitch-black crown ring that Nanako got surprised about. Salluird couldn't mutter a word out of his mouth as he stared blankly at my crown.
"A-are you alright?"
"N-not only is it all-natural crown fragments...its also a corrupted crown ring..."
"I know it a bit rare but-"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN RARE?! THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY THAT SUCH A CROWN OF THIS MAGNITUDE HAS EXISTED!"
"You don't have to shout so much..."
"Sorry about that, I lost my cool. Ehem! We'll be having mock battles later and you'll be having a battle with some crown user's that I have chosen."
"Will I have to battle you?"
"We'll fight in the last round."
"How many other crown users do I have to defeat?"
"I picked two particular crown user's who are pretty decent if I have to say."
"I can't wait to defeat them!"
"You sure are pumped up."
"I'm just excited to join the association."
"That's the spirit! Your test will start in five minutes, so go to the restroom or drink some water, be sure to get back here in time."
"Will do!"
I exited the break room and to my surprise, just beside the door, the hooded person was waiting...
"So it is you..."
"Me?"
"Your the one who I was assigned to fight."
"I see...I'm Tarus by the way."
I went in for a handshake but the person didn't bother to handshake back...this person could be very snobby at times but I couldn't care less...
"There's no reason for me to tell you my name and don't you dare get chummy with me."
"How about at least get a drink with me?"
"That'll be fine I guess..."
"Do you know the way?"
"Fine, I'll guide you...acting like that sure is unbefitting for a man..."
"Did you say something?"
"No, hurry up let's go!"
The person ran upstairs and I followed behind, he or she was nimble as he or she made easy work of running upstairs while I couldn't catch up.
"C'mon slowpoke."
"Give me a breather please!"
"Remember, we have to hurry up."
"I'm too exhausted to keep on!" I said as I gasped for air
"Sheesh."
The person went ahead and grabbed my left arm, I caught a glimpse of his or her face...long creamy whiteish green hair...she has dazzling ruby-red eyes...as she realized that her face has been seen, she immediately let go of me.
"Ouch what was that for?"
"Get up-"
It was just a hunch but I sensed something that made me uncomfortable. In the nick of time, I was able to summon the shield of prejudice and blocked any flying debris that came at us. The whole of the lobby suddenly exploded and thankfully the shield of prejudice withstood the impact.
"Enemies...?"
"Crap, they could've tailed us!"
"What do you mean?"
"I'll explain later! Get to somewhere safe!"
"I won't!"
"There's no choice but to fight then!"