The silent rivalry between Gah-Hal and Kira, underscored by their exchanged looks, adds a layer of tension to the atmosphere. It's a dance of egos within the guild, a subtle power play in the making.
Veronica, sensing the undercurrents, shifts the conversation.
"So, you really prefer doing things alone? Why don't you rather anyone at least supporting you?" Veronica asks, attempting to steer the discussion away from the unspoken competition.
"It's not about avoiding support or help. I just want to experience things firsthand without risking anyone else. Learn from my possible mistakes and understand things that I could see on my way. It's how I always lived." Gah-Hal responds.
"As adventurer things aren't as simple. I don't know what you were doing before, but it's probably not what you think it is." Veronica says.
"I know exactly what it is. I'm sure that I can handle these things myself. You won't change my mind, Veronica." Gah-Hal says with stern voice.
Veronica observes Gah-Hal's conviction, realizing that his determination to go solo is deeply rooted. The exchange carries an air of finality, a clear statement that Gah-Hal has made his choice.
"What was your score on physical exam?" Veronica asks.
"You finally asked this." Gah-Hal says and turns his body to her.
"I got 40 out of 40. This score should calm you down by a lot. Especially if this can't go any higher." Gah-Hal says sternly.
Veronica looks momentarily surprised, perhaps not expecting such a perfect score. Gah-Hal's stern expression softens.
"40 out of 40? Really?" Veronica asks, her surprise evident.
"Really. The physical aspect is something I've been accustomed to. It's not my first time dealing with such evaluations. I've seen worse things than that." Gah-Hal responds as his mind quickly is filled with memories of confrontation with Hogel and vampires.
Veronica, while still inquisitive, seems to accept the information. She leans back in her chair, sizing up Gah-Hal with a newfound respect.
"Well, that's impressive. But you do know that being an adventurer involves more than just-" Veronica says as she is interrupted in the middle of her sentence.
"Keep saying whatever you want. You don't know me and you don't want to accept what I'm saying." Gah-Hal says trying to make her stop trying to convice him.
Veronica, hearing the firmness in Gah-Hal's tone, refrains from further pressing the topic.
"Alright. Fine. Let's not talk about that now." Veronica says.
"Besides. I see you often looking at that man over there with tense look." Veronica says as she looks at the person that Gah-Hal stares at sometimes.
"Yea. It's Kira. His brother Arik is being currently examined. Let's say we are trying toying with eachother. I recently gave them an advice they didn't really like so now they are probably now more likely hostile to me than just someone to bully. I don't mind it. I want them to try something." Gah-Hal says and leans on the table.
"I want them to lose their pride." Gah-Hal says with smile while looking at Kira.
As Gah-Hal says this, Veronica looks at him with a little anxious seeing how confidently he is saying all this. Meanwhile Arik leaves the examination room and heads back towards the table where Kira sits.
"Speaking of pride. Can't wait to brag with my positive results to them." Gah-Hal says looking at Veronica with a sign of malice.
"Gahes Haled, please come to the room." Psychologist yells.
Gah-Hal stands up and looks at Veronica for a little longer.
"I am the pride." Gah-Hal says before going to the examination room.
As he goes he gives one last confident glaze towards Kira and Arik as they look at him going. He gets inside the room and closes the door behind him.
Meanwhile
Hogel is seen sitting next to Hanna's bed while inspecting his sabre and bow. He looks all around these and cleans whenever he sees stain.
Hanna lies on the bed facing the ceiling with her blanket covering only her legs. She has her hands crossed on her chest with her fingers tapping eachother lightly.
"I think I'm alright now." Hanna says.
"Finally? Try standing up." Hogle says placing his sabre on his laps.
Hanna sits on the bed and then stands up from it. She is standing normally with no signs of nausea or any other negative effects.
"How do you feel?" Hogel asks once again just in case.
"I'm feeling alright... Yes." Hanna says while she takes a few steps left and right.
"It was just food poisoning and we treat it as rehabilitation after broken leg. Never the careful though. You could always black out for standing too long." Hogel says as he places his weapons back under his bed.
Hanna makes the bed and places the chair that Hogel was sitting on to it's place.
"So now do you have any plans for today?" Hogel asks leaning on the wardrobe.
"Nope. I wanted to spend this day in room and tavern only. I don't feel like walking too much today." Hanna says.
"Same to be honest." Hogel says.
Hanna goes to the drawer and takes out her clothes.
"Can I?" Hanna asks.
"Oh yea. Sure. If you are ready meet me in bar below." Hogel says as he is heading towards the door.
"Okay. Keep one seat free for me please." Hanna says.
Hogel smiles and nods before closin the door to the bedroom.
Hanna prepares her clothes thinking about what to wear today. She has no other clothes than the older white dress and her new cyan clothes.
"I need more things to wear." Hanna says to herself.
Eventually she decided to wear the cyan clothes she recently bought again as it looks as the best fit. Besides the white dress is just a little destroyed.
As Hanna gets ready, feeling more comfortable and refreshed, she heads downstairs to the tavern. The warmth of the familiar space envelops her as she enters. The wooden furnishings, the soft hum of conversation and the inviting scent of food greet her.
Hogel, already seated by the bar, waves to her as she enters. Hanna spots the seat left vacant for her and heads over.
As she settles into her chair, a barkeep approaches to take her order.
"Can I get you something?" Barkeep asks.
"Yes. Something light maybe, please." Hanna replies.
"And to drink?" Barkeep asks.
"Just water." Hanna replies.
"Actually. Give her a wine please." Hogel says before barkeep walks away.
Hanna looks at Hogel confused.
"Huh?" Hanna asks.
"I think that would be nice thing to try already, no?" Hogel suggests as he puts the coins on the table to pay for her order.
Hanna raises an eyebrow at Hogel's suggestion, considering the idea of having wine. She hasn't really been much of a drinker before, but the atmosphere and the casual setting seem to encourage trying new things.
"Alright, why not? Let's go with the wine then." Hanna agrees, a little smile playing on her lips.
Hogel smiles, clearly pleased with the choice. The barkeep nods and heads off to prepare the orders.
"Since we will stay in the room for the entire day today, then I can drink some." Hanna says.
As they wait, Hanna and Hogel sit in silence for a moment listening to the conversation of other people. The tavern around them buzzes with activity of wealthy people who could afford the permits here.
The barkeep returns with a bowl of oatmeal and glass of wine for Hanna and places it on the table in front of her.
"Here you go." The barkeep says and goes to the other side of bar.
"Thank you." Hanna replies, looking at the wine glass in front of her. It's a new experience for her, and she takes a moment to savor it.
Hanna waits like that for a while until Hogel speaks to her.
"Drink up. Don't worry, people who said that alcohol is unhealthy are right, but in case of wine it's only partially right. Red wine is healthy in little amounts like in your glass." Hogel says while looking at her.
Hanna looks at Hogel.
"I know. Color is just very nice." Hanna replies.
"Actually. Wait. Don't drink yet." Hogel says touching her right wrist.
Hogel raises his hand waiting for barkeep to listen to his order. As barkeep approaches and stands in front of him behind the bar he leans on the counter with his hands and doing the upward head nod to him.
"I also want to order a wine." Hogel says, stops raising his hand and places a coin on the counter.
Barkeep nods while taking the coin and walking towards the alcohol shelf.
"Let's drink it together. To make it a little more formal." Hogel suggests leaning his head on his arm while looking at Hanna with a little smile.
"That's lovely." Hanna says smiling back at Hogel.
The wine arrives and both glasses are halfway filled. Hanna lifts her glass, the deep red liquid inside catching the light in a mesmerizing way. Hogel raises his glass as well, a genuine smile on his face.
"For new experiences and good company. For better life and good luck." Hogel proposes, clinking his glass gently against Hanna's.
"For new experiences and good company! For better life and good luck!" Hanna says, her smile growing.
They both take a sip, letting the taste linger on their palates. The wine is rich and the flavor dances on their taste buds.
After drinking all the wine from the glass, Hanna's eyes shine with excitement.
"Mmm. Strong, but great." Hanna says.
"If that's strong for you then you are obviously a novice." Hogel says.
"Then I think that I want one more glass." Hanna says looking at Hogel with the challening gaze.
Hogel looks at her a little firmly, but then grins.
"If you say so. One more for us then." Hogel says and raises his hand again.
When barkeep approaches, Hogel requests additional portion of wine for two while also placing few coins on the counter. Man takes the bottle of wine and pours it into the glasses. As the barkeep refills their glasses, Hanna and Hogel share another toast.
"For new experiences and good company. For better life and good luck." Hogel proposes again raising the glass a little into the air.
"For new experiences and good company. For better life and good luck..." Hanna repeats after him.
They both take a sip, once again letting the taste linger on their palates. The wine is again rich and the flavor dances on their taste buds.
This time they finished their wine quicker than last time. Hanna sighs, her face looks like she just licked a lemon. After drink, she started eating her oatmeal quite fast.
"Slow down. I don't know what to do if someone chokes." Hogel says looking at her eating her oatmeal.
After around a minute, the bowl with oatmeal is empty. She cleans her mouth with her left wrist and looks at Hogel.
"Another?" Hanna suggests again.
"Woah there." Hogel looks at her a little worried.
"Like a hour ago you couldn't even sit straight. I think two glasses are enough for you." Hogel says trying to stop her from drinking too much.
"Let's risk it. I might never have this chance again." Hanna says confidently looking like she's inviting him for the next round.
Hogel thinks for a moment, before forcing a smile.
"I will be mad if you make me sit next to you for another hours." Hogel says raising his hand for barkeep to approach again.
As the barkeep brings another round of wine, Hanna and Hogel drink another round.
Then another round...
And another...
As the barkeep brings 6th round of wine, Hanna and Hogel engage in conversation, their words becoming slightly more animated and their laughter a bit louder. They're now on their sixth glass of wine, feeling the effects of the alcohol gradually creeping in.
Hanna chuckles, finding everything Hogel says incredibly amusing, even if it's a simple statement about the people's outfits.
After finishing their 6th glass, they move away from the counter and walk towards the benches in the back of the tavern. By the way they are walking, sometimes they are bumping into chairs and another people.
Their behavior draws the attention of other patrons in the tavern, some casting curious glances in their direction. A couple of adventurers at a nearby table start placing bets on which of these two 'kids' will end up on the floor first.
Hanna, with a wide grin, sat on a bench with a thud. She burst into giggles, when Hogel sits next to her making the bench swing a little to the back almost making them both fall on their backs and possibly hitting the wall behind them with their heads.
Fortunately it just wobbled a little and got back to it's position. Hanna seated but still chuckling uncontrollably, pointed a playful accusatory finger at the bench.
"Watch how you sit... I almost fell..." Hanna says.
"Apologies, my lady..." Hogel says.
They both sit like that for a while before they decide to go to the bar again. Hogel stands from the bench and pulls Hanna by the hand.
"Maybe water this time..?" Hogel suggests.
"...Sure..." Hanna replies.
Hanna stands from the bench and gets pulled by Hogel leading her back to the bar. As they go, they once again eventually bump into some chairs and people.
Once they are seated back by the bar, Hanna almost missing the seat, they both lean their heads on the counter.
"I think that we are forgetting something." Hanna says.
"Yea? What?" Hogel replies.
Hanna rubs her face and looks down at the counter.
"I forgot." Hanna says.
"Then it probably wasn't important." Hogel replies as he raises his hand informing barkeep about being ready to order something.
As barkeep approaches him, he is a little enjoyed by Hogel and Hanna's current state.
"Can I suggest water or juice with almonds this time?" Barkeep suggests looking at them.
"Water and almonds for me." Hanna says.
"Juice and almonds for me." Hogel says.
Barkeep nods and puts bowl of almonds on the counter right away almost like he predicted they would want that as well as glass of juice and water.
Hogel reaches for his pouch, but he can't feel it anywhere so he pulls out few coins from his pocket instead. Barkeep takes the coins, takes one step away from the counter and watches the 'kids' next moves.
"Hey. I wanted a juice." Hanna says.
"No. You wanted water." Hogel says.
"Give me juice and I will give you water." Hanna says.
"I will give you sip instead." Hogel says.
"Fine..." Hanna says.
Hogel takes a sip of his juice and puts it next to Hanna's glass of water.
"Cheers." Hanna says as she takes a sip of the juice and puts it back in front of Hogel.
"Eww. Grapefruit..." Hanna says.
"Really?" Hogel says and also takes a sip.
"It's orange. Not grapefruit." Hogel exclaims.
"Tastes like grapefruit." Hanna says and drinks her water.
"Definetely not." Hogel says and drinks his juice.
Hogel tries to feel the pouch around him, but to no avail. He eventually realizes he doesn't have it on him.
"Do you have my pouch?" Hogel asks.
"I don't..." Hanna replies.
Hogel shows worry on his face for a while before turning around and going back to the bench thinking it fell off there. On his way he also looks around on the floor, chairs and tables. He couldn't see it anywhere until he reached the bench. The pouch was lying under it.
"There it is." Hogel says with relief as he kneels and picks it up pinning it to his belt again.
When Hogel takes two steps back towards the bar, the pouch falls off again. It seems like the pin broke so instead of trying to pin it again he puts it into his right pocket and continues going towards the bar.
As he walks between the tables, one of the guys stands up with his mug of beer standing on drunk's Hogel way which ends with Hogel bumping into the man. This caused the man to drop his mug and spill the beer.
"Oh come on!" Man yells looking at Hogel.
"Oh oh. You saw me passing through. It's your fault." Hogel says looking at the man's torso.
"You saw me standing up!" Man yells again looking into Hogel's eyes.
"Alright. It was accident. I understand you. Apologies accepted." Hogel says looking at man's eyes this time.
"The hell are you saying? Pay for my beer!" Man yells more aggressively which looks like he's trying to get attention of everyone.
"Why did you even stand up with it. Uncomfortable chair?" Hogel says looking like he knows what's going to happen.
Man who dropped his beer because of the boy takes a very quick look around the bar checking if anyone's looking. He then raised his hand and turned it into a fist and punched Hogel in the face. It's almost like he wanted an excuse to hit him.
Meanwhile, Adventurer's Guild
Gah-Hal sits on the chair looking at psychologists who are taking a look at some papers.
"To confirm information about you. Your name is Gahes Haled. You are fifteen years old. Your father's name is Reden. You came here from the house that isn't part of any village, but belongs to Juvenit county." Female psychologist says.
"That's correct." Gah-Hal replies.
Woman nods and looks at the boy.
"Why do you want to be an adventurer?" Woman asks.
"I'm looking for entertainment that no other profession can offer me while also not having any responsibilities. It's not about money, I don't care about them. It's not about fame, but I wouldn't mind being known. What I really like from adventurer's is ranking. I love how people are seen based on their ranks." Gah-Hal says confidently without a single pause.
Psychologists write something down on the paper and look at Gahes again.
"You could also join the army. It also has ranks. If you like it so much then you could even give orders if you were ranked high enough." Woman says.
"Yes, however as I said before, I don't want to have responsibilities. I want to have enough freedom while also having something fun to do with something I really like. I could as well be someone who isn't part of adventurer guild, but adventures anyway and somehow does it better than official adventurers. I could without a doubt even dare to say that I have more experience and I'm more competent than most of these people. What I've seen just within 3 days of me getting into Glazes is something that current 'adventurers' wouldn't see for years if not decades." Gah-Hal says still confidently without a single pause for a thought.
"I know that sounds egoistic and prideful from me, but that's my honest comparison of myself to the others. I'm staying with what I said and I'm not gonna backup from it." Gah-Hal finishes.
Psychologists write something down on paper and look at the small bell on their table.
"Also let me tell you something that I've figured out just now. This bell is supposed to ring whenever someone lies, yes? It's true, however it doesn't seem to work whenever someone speaks fluently and actually knows the truth. This way it thinks that everything that is being said is true." Gah-Hal says fluently while pointing at the bell.
Psychologists look at Gahes with a little interest.
"Let me prove it to you. I will say the obvious lie with the confident tone and obvious truth with worry." Gah-Hal keeps sitting on the chair, keeping his elbows on his laps.
Psychologists are sitting still waiting for boy's move.
"I have a black hair." Gah-Hal says smoothly.
Nothing happens.
"I have a... white hair and... white robe on me." Gah-Hal says with unsure tone.
Bell rings.
Psychologists look at eachother with confusion.
"I was right. Now to think how many people honest people could've actually lost the examination because of this defective tool. How many sadists with good speech could actually avoid the lie detector like that." Gah-Hal says confidently.
The psychologists exchange glances, clearly intrigued by Gah-Hal's observations and the unexpected revelation about the lie detector. They make a note of it on their papers. As they stop writing a male psychologist smiles.
"You are very observant." Man says.
As he was about to add something else he decides to not say it.
"I know what you were about to say. The whole thing about checking if someone's lying or not isn't the whole point of examination, but it's purpose is to make people lose their minds until they become a bit more submissive and to learn a bit more about them." Gah-Hal once again says confidently.
The psychologists, now aware that Gah-Hal is not only perceptive, but also quite insightful about the intentions behind the examination, nod in acknowledgment.
Gah-Hal's astute understanding of the examination's underlying purpose draws an intrigued yet cautious response from the psychologists. They exchange looks, realizing that Gah-Hal seems to have a clear grasp not only of the flaws in their tools, but also the psychological impact these examinations might have on individuals.
"Indeed, while this bell serves its original purpose, it's only a fragment of our evaluation process." Woman says.
"We aim to understand more about potential adventurers, their attitudes, reactions, and their ways of thinking. It's not merely about catching someone in a lie." Man adds, affirming Gah-Hal's observations.
Gah-Hal nods knowingly, his confidence undiminished.
"I think there is no reason to keep you any longer in here since... Let's say, you went out of the box with your thinking which is a very good, but rare thing to see here." Man says.
Gah-Hal nods his head to what the psychologist said.
"Unless you want to add something else about yourself." Man says.
"Not really." Gah-Hal says.
Psychologists then write few more words on their papers before they fold it and lay it on the desk.
"Thank you then. You are free to go. We will call you whenever the decision will be ready." Man says with smile as well as woman.
Gah-Hal smiles back, stands from his chair and walks towards the door without saying anything. When he left the room, he looked at Kira and Arik the same way they looked at him when they finished their examination.
After a short gaze, he headed back to his seat where Veronica was still waiting for him. As Gah-Hal returns to the table, he finds Veronica sitting patiently. She shows excitement as she sees him approach.
"So, how did it go?" Veronica asks, her curiosity evident.
"I don't like the way they are examinating. This whole psychological examination isn't necessary at all. In my honest opinion, joining military would be easier than this." Gah-Hal says showing dissatisfaction.
"Was it that bad?" Veronica asks.
"The way how they do it yes. In my case it wasn't bad. If they somehow deny me then I know what's going on." Gah-Hal says sternly.
He looks at the brothers this time with stern face. As they look back at him they say something to eachother while looking at Gahes. According to his expression they think it went very wrong for him which makes them smile a little.
Veronica leans forward, intrigued by Gah-Hal's comments.
"Why do you think it's unnecessary? What's your take on it?" Veronica asks.
Gah-Hal looks back at Veronica.
"I don't want to talk about it. Everything is just so fake. This is just to get as much information about us as possible so The Empire can use it against us in future. All this is just a powerplay by Singard's dogs." Gah-Hal says with a little raised voice while looking at the table.
Veronica covers his mouth and leans him a little backwards.
"Shut it! Shut up! Don't say it out loud. You want to die?" Veronica says panicked.
Gah-Hal grabs her hand and pulls it away from his face.
"I'm not afraid of them. They are ruling by fear, by applying a pressure to occupied and owned provinces. Make them distracted for at least 30 seconds and resistance will already cause as much destruction as Empire would in 3 minutes. I know how motivated resistance is especially in Glazes." Gah-Hal says this without any fear and regrets as he really knows about this.
Veronica again covers his mouth with her hand.
"Shut up! You are babbling. Even if you aren't scared... then you are risking with my life too!" Veronica says with fear in her voice keeping her hand on boy's face.
Gah-Hal sits still letting her cover his mouth showing no regrets. Veronica keeps him like that for around fifteen seconds before she looks around and calms down a little.
"Look. I know it's probably hard losing your home, nation and family members because of war, but insulting them in public wouldn't change anything. Instead it would bring a risk to your and your's family life. Except of that, Empire has a lot of mercenaries who are paid very well for just a single order of clearing the hideout. Don't risk it." Veronica says with a little worry.
Gah-Hal looks at her with doubting expression.
"You probably forgot what I said a moment ago. I'm. Not. Scared." Gah-Hal says.
As Gah-Hal finishes his sentence his eyes shine with red light for a second then turns back to his normal blue colored eyes. Veronica seeing it gets spooked to the point where she leans away from Gahes.
Veronica stood from her chair and walked away from Gahes as she doesn't feel safe around him after this. She left the guild without saying anything.
"She wanted to be my team member. Guess not anymore." Gah-Hal says to himself.
Gah-Hal leans on his chair and relaxes this time. He looks at the chair that Veronica was sitting on and rests his legs on it.
After few minutes the door to psychological room opens.
"Kira Huter. Please come to the room." Woman psychologist calls.
After the message, both Kira and Arik go towards the door, but only Kira goes inside while Arik waits outside. He stands close to the door with hope to hear something, because he can't wait for the decision about his and his brother's examination.
It seems like there's a lot happening in Gah-Hal's mind at the moment. His concerns about the Guild's examination process seem to be tied to larger political concerns and his beliefs about resistance against the Empire. The revelation of his sudden eye color change definitely alarmed Veronica, leading her to distance herself from him. This might have complicated their potential partnership within the Guild which doesn't matter for Gahes.
Meanwhile, Arik's anticipation outside the psychological room indicates that both brothers are anxious about the examination results. His reactions and expressions are tied to his expectations and fears about their guild candidacy.
As Gah-Hal reclines in his chair, he observes Arik's restless demeanor by the door. It seems the atmosphere within the Guild hall is tense, with everyone awaiting the decisions that could significantly impact their paths as adventurers.
After 2 minutes, Kira finally leaves the room and tells Arik that it's his turn now. Kira's expression looks disappointed and without emotions. He holds a paper in his hand which is folded to inside.
Gah-Hal knows what that means and smirks at him almost like he's trying to say 'I told you so.' He puts his hands behind his head slightly swinging on a chair.
Kira takes a quick unsure look at Gah-Hal and looks away from him clearly trying to hide fury. He waits next to the door until Arik is also finished.
2 minutes later Arik finally emerges from the room, holding a paper close to his chest. His expression is also disappointed and emotionless. Both brother's look at eachother and show their papers to eachother.
It's clear that they both didn't make it. For Gahes it's not shocking at all as he already predicted their results much sooner.
Gah-Hal then stands up from the chairs and heads to the room for his results. Both brothers wait nearby, probably hoping to see Gah-Hal also failing. Gah-Hal gives them a smirk and goes inside the room.
After 4 minutes Gah-Hal comes out of the room also with paper in his hand. Kira and Arik are sitting back on their place this time without much joy in them.
Gah-Hal shows excitement as his paper says that the results are positive and he can now officially become an adventurer whenever he wishes. All he has to do is just report back to the reception for the rest of formalities.
At this moment, a new era started for Gah-Hal... And for everyone else.