Gah-Hal leaves the forest from the recent event. He sees Hanna and Hogel sitting on the grass a bit away from the forest. He approaches them and stands next to them.
Once he is next to them, Hogel looks at him while caressing Hanna's back and comforting her as she sits with her elbows on her knees looking forward at the town. Gah-Hal looks back at him for a while.
"What did you do to them?" Hanna asks covering her mouth behind her knees.
"I sent them back home. I could see they didn't even care about this meeting. They did it because they were scared of me. Whatever, I hope that helped you a bit, because that's what you wanted." Gah-Hal says.
Hanna sits quiet for a while before speaking again.
"Thank you." Hanna says quietly.
Hogel looks at Hanna while still comforting her.
"We are teammates. Don't be afraid to ask for anything. Nothing is a big deal for me." Gah-Hal says before he gives Hanna a quick and gentle pat to the back.
"I will wait in room." Gah-Hal says with a comforting smile before walking away.
Once Gah-Hal is far enough, Hogel is looking at him being both impressed and intimidated. He suspects of what he is capable of, but everytime everything gets even more impressive. The intimidating part for him is that since he can do that, he feels that he will be in danger the moment that his calm friend will snap in future.
"He is impossible." Hogel says.
"In what way?" Hanna asks.
"I don't even know. I hope positive." Hogel replies.
Hanna then sits back normally and Hogel stops caressing her back.
"So much has happened within few days. It feels unreal, but I guess I'm gonna get used to it." Hanna says.
Hanna then stands up along with Hogel.
"Good to go?" Hogel asks.
"Mhm." Hanna replies.
That way Hanna got rid of the part of the problem that was hurting her consciousness for a long time. She moves on with a sight of better future and leaving some of the past behind.
Hogel and Hanna continue going towards the town to relax in their room together. Slowly.
"Hogel." Hanna says quietly.
"Hm?" Hogel replies.
"Were you always that kind? Since we started our journey you were very kind to me. Always next to me and always asked if I'm alright everytime I stopped walking or running." Hanna asks.
Hogel thinks for a while.
"I dunno. When I was a thug I was always stressed and impulsive. But now, I don't feel like that. Maybe because... I got what I wanted? Because I don't have to kill like I did before anymore? I just feel like I want to be kind out of sudden." Hogel replies.
Hanna gives a small smirk.
"I see. I hope you don't change. I love this kind of company." Hanna says.
"I will try not to if that makes you happy." Hogel replies.
30 Minutes Later
The trio is in their room lying comfortable on their choosen beds. Hanna in the corner, Hogel under the window and Gah-Hal in the middle. They look like nothing has happend 30 minutes ago. They just lie there in the silence. Darkness can be seen coming from the window as the evening is close.
They don't seem like they would want to do anything else for today. They are just staying in their room waiting for the next day.
Gah-Hal stands from his bed and looks into the pouch sitting on the drawer that Hanna and Hogel took to do a little shopping for themselves. He counts the coins and looks at their newly bought clothes they are in at the moment. After a moment he smiles and puts the pouch back on the drawer. Then he lays down on his bed again.
"You don't have plans for tomorrow, right?" Gah-Hal asks.
"I don't." Hogel says.
"I don't." Hanna says.
"I suggest exploring the town tomorrow. You will find something you will enjoy. I guarantee you that." Gah-Hal says.
"Hm." Hogel says.
"Actually. Yea. I would explore the town some more." Hogel says.
"Finee." Hanna says.
"Will you come with us?" Hogel asks.
"I won't. Again. I have things to do. Remember I'm not here on vacation." Gah-Hal says.
"Aw man." Hogel says.
"You can take my pouch again. You don't have to be humble. If you find something nice that you can afford then just get it. That's my request." Gah-Hal says.
"Why are you so generous?" Hanna asks.
"I want you to have fun and not to be worried about anything while I am the one taking care of things that I have to." Gah-Hal replies.
"But..." Hogel says.
Silence for few seconds.
"...you know. We didn't join you just to slack off while you are doing things. We want to help too." Hogel says.
"No worries. There will be a lot of times when I will really appreciate your help. Right now I just want you to enjoy your time before we get into a bit more dangerous times." Gah-Hal says.
Another silence for few seconds.
"Fine. I'm just saying that I'm grateful for all of this, but I don't want to be in that much of a debt for you." Hogel says.
"Good. Now excuse me." Gah-Hal says while positioning himself comfortably on his bed and closing his eyes.
"Right, you did a lot today so have a nice rest." Hogel says.
Hanna goes from lying to sitting on her bed.
"Hogel... Ah no. Nevermind." Hanna says and goes back to lying on bed.
The team of three stays in the room for the rest of the day with Hanna and Hogel eventually whispering something to eachother while Gah-Hal 'sleeps' until Hogel and Hanna get tired and fall asleep.
Next Day, Morning
Gah-Hal stands up from his bed and scratches his head a bit. Hanna and Hogel are still asleep, but he decides not to wake them up. He goes to his wardrobe and wears his white as pearl robe along with his black pants and shirt. He fixes his hair a little and now he looks ready to go out to the town.
He smiles to himself thinking about what he's going to do today and that day is definetely going to be the interesting one.
He walks towards the exit letting Hogel and Hanna sleep well. After he leaves the room and then tavern he turns to the right.
As he walks he goes by the alley that he fought the rich thugs in before. However the alley wasn't empty. There were 3 knights over there who were looking for something in the same place the Gah-Hal's aggressor's disappeared. They were either investigating the traces of burn that Gahes's inferno left or they are trying to hide something.
Whatever that is Gah-Hal just passes by and goes the main road. He doesn't show any emotion to that as he thinks it was a self-defence. He's not looking for problems with laws made by tyranny. Yet.
Gah-Hal keeps walking for few minutes looking towards him with his hands behind his back and small smirk. He walks and then stops until he is right next to... Adventurer's Guild.
Although this guild has it's own policy, Empire of Singard has it in it's grasps so every registered adventurer is also known to Empire almost right away. It can also use it's adventurers to do some dirty work for Emperor of Singard or puppeted King of Glazes so knights don't have to.
But anyways. Gah-Hal enters the guild not worried about anything like that. Once he is inside he sees that there are quite a lot people inside both with and without adventurer necklace.
Adventurers can be identified by the necklace they are wearing. There are 8 different necklace colors and materials that identifies the rank of the adventurer. From the lowest it's Wood, Porcelain, Obsidian, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond. Ranks are given based on adventurer's skills or finished quests. There is also a carved name of the adventurer on such necklace.
This is something that Gah-Hal really likes. Ranking. That's one of the reasons why he is here, but it will very help him in the future once he joins the guild.
As he slowly walks towards the reception he looks around the guild. The highest rank that he can see here at the moment is bronze. Most of the people here are either in their twenties or thirties.
Gah-Hal is confident and continues going to reception. Once he reaches the counter he leans on it waiting until receptionist comes to him. While waiting he looks around the building to see if there is anything eye catching.
Except of nice looking environment and quest board there isn't anything else that could be that interesting.
After 2 minutes the receptionist approaches. It's a young woman somewhere in her twenties.
"Hello. How can I help you?" Receptionist asks.
"Hi. I want to be an adventurer." Gah-Hal replies.
Gah-Hal is the youngest looking person in the building.
"Okay..." Receptionist says before leaning down under the counter.
She stands back up and places a paper on the counter in front of Gah-Hal.
"Please complete this application. Once finished bring it back here and I will guide you further." Receptionist says with smile.
"Thank you." Gah-Hal says with a forced smile.
Gah-Hal takes the application and sits by the table.
"I know a fake smile when I see it. Ah well." Gah-Hal says to himself quietly.
"I will show them what a little boy like me can do except of looking like wealthy victim." Gah-Hal says to himself quietly but a little louder.
After a quick monologue, Gahes takes the coal pencil and fills in the application. One minute later he takes the paper and goes back to the reception. He places the paper on the counter and waits for receptionist to give further steps.
"Okay. Please take this. It's a permit to partake in physical exam. Instructors are on break at the moment so you will need to wait. For now please take a seat, one of the instructors will eventually call you all in." Receptionist says.
"Great. Thank you." Gah-Hal says, takes the permit and goes to one of the free tables to take a seat and wait.
This permit is a wooden stick with someone's signature on it.
Gah-Hal looks around and sees that except of him there are 4 other people with permit. There is 1 woman and 3 guys.
After 3 minutes of waiting Gah-Hal sees 2 people approaching him while looking at him in the eyes. They also have the exam permit.
"Can I sit here?" One of them asks.
Gah-Hal gestures to show him to sit. Both of them take a seat in front of him.
"How old are you?" One of them asks.
"Fifteen." Gah-Hal answers.
"So young. Why you want to be adventurer at such age?" One of them asks.
"Because I thought it could be a cool and fun experience." Gah-Hal replies.
Strangers take a quick look at eachother then back at boy.
"For fun you say." One of them says.
"What's wrong? Aren't you doing it for the same purpose?" Gah-Hal replies.
"Yes. For fun." One of strangers says.
Gah-Hal shows friendly behaviour to the strangers and fellow recruits. Inside however he is unwilling to keep any contact with them as he knows they aren't trying to just get to know him, but instead mock him for their own fun. They decided he would be good to tease because of his appearance.
"That is a pretty nice robe you have on." Stranger says.
"Thanks. It was made on my own request." Gah-Hal says.
"So it probably costed a lot." Stranger says.
"Surprisingly it didn't. Not that much at least. I won't say where and who made it." Gah-Hal says.
"You must have rich parents. You are lucky." Stranger says showing fake excitement.
"Yea... Sorry, but can I have some time alone here? I really need it at the moment." Gah-Hal says.
"If you insist." Stranger says.
Both of the guys stood up and went back to where they came from leaving Gahes sitting alone by the round table.
"These questions were too personal." Gah-Hal thinks to himself.
Gah-Hal sits still leaning his head on his arm. He won't let others look down on him like that or ask him such questions out of nowhere. Well, that could be expected since he is that young.
After 15 minutes of waiting there is finally a voice calling for people interested in joining the guild. Instructor gestures to follow him as he goes towards the door next to the reception.
Gah-Hal stands up and follows the instructor along with other waiting people. They enter the spacious room which is definetely where the exam will take place.
"Show me your permits, before we start." Instructor says.
Everyone show their permits.
"Good. I am Gabriel Beliefu and I will be your examiner today. Adventurer's have to pass the physical exam before they can become official member of the adventurer's guild. Some people who wanted to be adventurers failed the exams and wanted to go on adventure by themselves, but they ended up either lost in forest, killed by a mere wolf or just not able to survive. So I'm warning you right away. If you can't get at least the minimum amount of points to pass then you won't be able to adventure alone." Examiner says.
Gah-Hal smiles.
"To pass you need at least 20 points out of 40. There will be 4 competitions. Speed, strength, durability, reaction time. You can get maximum 10 points from each competition. If you get 0 points from any competition you can still pass as long as you get at least 20 points in total. If there are no questions let's start with the first one." Examiner says.
Recruits go to the race track. There are tracks for 6 people on it and since there are only 5 adventurer candidates, everyone will be able to start at the same time.
After few setups and additional information, competitors are on place ready to start the speed competition.
Basically these tracks are 1km long (0.621 miles). To get 1 point, competitors have to reach the goal in 5 minutes, not more. To get 10 points competitors have to finish the track within 3 minutes and 30 seconds. After that time, the amount of points will lower each additional 10 seconds. In other words 3:30 minutes or less for 10 points, 3:31 - 3:40 minutes for 9 points, 3:41 - 3:50 minutes for 8 points etc.
"Get ready. Wait for command." Examinator says.
"Ready..." Examinator says.
Gah-Hal is in standing position prepared to run. Every other competitor is in sprinter's stances.
"Set..." Examinator says.
Everyone now look focused.
"Go!" Examinator yells.
Competitors started running. Before three of the competitors even took a step, two other runners already passed 50 meters. Gah-Hal is one of those faster people. The other one is the guy that sat beside the stranger who he talked with before.
They are both running the same speed. Head to head against eachother. They both look at eachother while running. Stranger looks serious while Gah-Hal has a mocking smile on his face.
Few seconds have passed and they are now in the middle to the finishing line. Gah-Hal started to increase his speed still showing a mocking smile just a bit to finish the line before his fast opponent.
This way the first competition ended for Gah-Hal who finished the track in 16 seconds which easily gives him 10 points. His faster opponent crossed the finishing line in 20 seconds which also is easily enough for 10 points.
At this moment for Gah-Hal, it's not only about getting max points, but to show his superiority especially to these two people. For fun.
The mean stranger sighed and walked few steps away from the boy to sit on the chair and wait for the last person to finish.
4 Minutes and 20 Seconds Later
The last person crossed the finishing line. This caused the first part of exam to end. Competitors now can take a quick breath before examiner takes them to second part of the exam.
Gah-Hal sits on the floor looking especially at these two strangers talking to eachother. While faster stranger finished in 20 seconds, the second stranger finished in 3 minutes and 22 seconds.
As he looks at them, they also look at him. He doesn't show any mocking face to not provoke them to do anything. For now.
Boy sits on the floor until instructor tells everyone to gather by next competition.
After 2 minutes instructor calls everyone to next competition that is strength test. As everyone are gathered, instructor then starts explaining next test.
"This is the second phase of physical exam. In strength test you have 10 different sized rocks. Each weights differently and each is worth one point. If you want max amount of points you need to lift all of these rocks above your head one by one starting from the lightest one to the heaviest one. First rock weights 10kg, second 20kg... up to the 10th rock which weights 100kg. If there are no questions, let's begin with first person." Examiner explains.
First person to go is the slower mean dude. He starts whenever he's ready. He lifts first rock easily, then second, then third... up to the tenth rock. He looks like he did it with ease.
Gah-Hal stands with his arms crossed as he looks at him with neutral face. The competitor walks away from the rocks and stands behind everyone else as examiner writes his score.
Next person to lift the rocks is the girl that manages to lift 4 rocks. Third person is another stranger who lifts 6 rocks. Fourth person is the fast mean stranger who manages to lift 5 rocks.
The last person is Gah-Hal who smiles as he lifts all 10 rocks one after another with ease. After showcase he gently puts the last stone on the ground not showing any weakness. He also avoids eye contact with everyone but instructor.
Once the rock is on the ground he goes back to his place and awaits another command. He grins confidently putting his hands behind his back.
While instructor writes something on his paper he walks towards the next competition. He finishes writing and then gestures and yells to future adventurers to gather next to another competition which is endurance exam.
"Here you are at the third phase which will check your endurance. You will have three things to do. Push-ups, sit-ups or pull-ups. You may do all three but to pass you will need to do 20 reps each. You can do just two, but you will need to do 30 reps each. You may also do just one, but you will need to do 60 reps. That's 60 reps in total in which 6 total reps are worth 1 point. Typical training for bodybuilders. These have to be done correctly of course. I will only count the exercices that will be done correctly. Oh right, you have 3 minutes to finish all these. That's to keep, let's say 'adventurers' from taking too long breaks between reps. Simple. If there are no questions then may the first person start." Examiner says.
At the moment Gah-Hal has 20 points in total which means he will pass no matter how good or bad he does on next things, but he decided to get the full score. Gah-Hal takes a step forward to attend in the third phase first.
"Timer will start when you start." Examiner says.
Gahes is on his position ready for push-ups. 3 seconds have passed before he started doing push-ups. He does it quite fast with around 2 push-ups per second. Instructor counts loudly seeing Gahes doing exercise correctly.
20 push-ups completed. He stands back up and goes to the bar for a pull-up. Once again he does around 2 pull-ups per second.
20 pull-ups completed. He let's loose of the bar and prepares for sit-ups. Once again he does around 2 sit-ups per second.
20 sit-ups completed. Since instructor counted everything loudly it means that everything was done correctly. 60 reps in total completed. Everything in less than a minute. Instructor writes the score on the paper and invites another person.
Gah-Hal goes back to his position with another grin while dusting his clothes off and putting his hands behind his back again waiting for everyone to finish.
12 Minutes Later
Gah-Hal is sitting on the floor watching as the last person completes the third phase. He stands up and looks at examiner waiting for next command.
Examiner tells everyone to follow him to the last phase which is the reaction time exam.
"The last phase might not be a problem for people who did good at speed test... mostly. You see these fourt punching bag looking bags? You have to avoid getting hit by these for 1 minute if you want 10 point from that. It's fine if you get touched or abraded a little. What will count as hits are actual decent hits that would push the decent person a little. It will activate when I start spinning the lever behind that wall. This will cause the mechanism inside to move these bags in unpredictable directions. That's how constructed they are. I will yell when you get hit so don't lose your guard if you get rubbed and you won't know if it counts. Focus only on dodging. First person, stand in front of the bags." Examiner says while standing next to the lever.
Gah-Hal doesn't want to go first this time. Instead he stands and waits until everyone do it.
As the participants prepare for the reaction time exam, Gah-Hal decides to wait his turn and observe how others fare against the punching bag-like mechanisms. The first person takes their position in front of the bags and the examiner gets ready to activate the test.
The lever is spinned and the punching bags start moving unpredictably. The examinee must dodge the swinging bags for one minute, avoiding any significant hits. If they are hit, the examiner will call it out as a strike.
The first person begins to dodge the bags, his movements quick and nimble as he tries to evade the unpredictable swings. The bags seem to move randomly, sometimes slowly, and at other times with surprising speed.
One by one, each participant takes their turn. Only one of them manages to dodge all the bags effectively. This person is of course the same person who finished the race only few seconds after Gah-Hal. Other mean stranger is occasionally grazed but not hit hard enough for the examiner to call it a strike until the last 8 seconds where he got hit two times ending up with 8 points.
The rest of participants managed to get 4 to 6 points.
Eventually, it's Gah-Hal's turn. He steps up in front of the bags, ready to show his agility and reaction skills. The examiner nods and the lever is spinned, setting the bags in motion.
Gah-Hal dodges the bags with grin eventually keeping his hands in his robe pocket trying to show how easy it is for him. He gracefully dodges the erratic swings, showing remarkable agility and awareness.
The minute feels like it's passing slowly as Gah-Hal continues to evade the unpredictable movements of the bags. His body moves with precision, allowing him to narrowly avoid being hit. The bags swing wildly, but Gah-Hal looks like he's enjoying this.
"Time!" Examiner yells.
Finally the one minute passes and examiner stops spinning the lever. He takes the paper and writes the score.
After all the participants have completed the test, the examiner gathers them together for the final results.
"Congratulations to all of you for completing the physical exam. Now I will hand over the certificates to all of you including those who failed. After that you will go back to the reception and leave it there along with your permits. After that the receptionist will guide you further to psychical part of exam." Examiner announces.
After announcement he calls the participants by name to give them the certficate which they can then leave on the counter in reception.
As Gah-Hal watches the examiner hand out the certificates, he wears a confident smile. He knows he aced every part of the physical exam, not just to secure his place but to assert his superiority over the two strangers who most likely were trying to mock and bully him because of his age. With a calm demeanor, he waits for his turn to receive his certificate.
When his name is called, Gah-Hal steps forward and accepts his certificate with a nod of appreciation. He then turns and heads towards the reception to leave the certificate along with his permit, following the examiner's instructions.
In the reception area, he places the certificate and permit on the counter. He waits a little before receptionist arrives and takes a look at what Gah-Hal placed on the counter.
"Woah. Full score. Great job!" Receptionist takes the permit and certificate and places it somewhere under the counter.
"Now all that is left is psychological examination. It wasn't a thing few months ago, but it was decided that it would be better for adventurers to be examined mentally before allowing them to be official adventurer. There were cases of insane people doing insane things while adventuring. Anyways. I will find a term for second part of recruitment and I will let you know the date in a moment. Meanwhile, I recommend waiting by the table." Receptionist says.
"Erm. This decision is stupid. It's not an army to give it such restrictions, but whatever. Thank you." Gah-Hal says and walks away.
Gah-Hal settles into a chair by the table, patiently waiting for the receptionist to provide details about the upcoming psychological examination. He can't help but feel a bit annoyed by the new requirement, considering it unnecessary for adventurers, but he keeps his frustration in check.
"It's ridiculous, having to go through a psychological exam for something like this. We're adventurers, not scholars, doctors or knights. What's the point?" He muttered under his breath, crossing his arms.
The receptionist, overhearing Gah-Hal's discontent, tried to soothe the situation.
"I understand your frustration. But the guild aims to ensure the safety of all adventurers, and sometimes mental fortitude is as crucial as physical prowess in this line of work." Receptionist says.
Gah-Hal huffed a bit, clearly not convinced.
"Whatever. I've seen a lot of things. I won't get startled no matter what anyone will throw at me. This 'psychology' thing won't be a problem. It just makes me wait longer to be adventurer." Gah-Hal says.
Gahes waits for 6 minutes until receptionist finally calls him. He stands up from the table and approaches the counter.
"I see two possible terms for your psychological examination within 2 weeks. First term is tomorrow at around this time. Another is next week also around this time. Which one would you like?" Receptionist asks with pencil in her hand.
"Tomorrow then." Gah-Hal replies.
"Alright. I'm writing you down for tomorrow along with 3 other potential adventurers." Receptionist says.
"Great. So I can go home now, yes?" Gah-Hal asks.
"Yes. Remember to show up tomorrow around this time here in reception." Receptionist says with small smile.
"I will. Thank you." Gah-Hal says also with a small smile.
As he walks away from the reception he keeps the smile on his face looking happy.
"Now that wasn't a fake smile. Guess I finally impressed someone with my age." Gah-Hal thinks to himself.