Looking at the blue window screen, Zane selected "BEGIN" to take the trail to obtain the mage class. With another flash of light he disappeared as he was teleported away.
Dumbstruck in amazement, Zane marveled at the sight before him. The location for his current trial was nothing like the previous places he was sent to. He stood on a platform with an elaborate geometric design engraved on an elevated dark metal surface.
The library-like room was surprisingly well lit from the bright lights emitted from symmetrically floating orbs that scaled upwards endlessly. The platform Zane stood on was a minuscule spot in the enormous structure. It was as if he entered the main room of an extravagant palace.
A shimmer from the polished marble floors hypnotically reflected the lights of the glowing orbs. Cascades of bookshelves full with a myriad of books lined the ornate ivory walls, as they continued floor after floor with no ceiling in sight. There were many people dressed in deep-colored robes roaming the library or reading quietly in various corners of the room.
In the hall of the center of the library were oddly other people dressed like him. There were many people sitting behind rich mahogany tables while seriously reading a plain piece of parchment paper. However, there were countless more people in a quickly moving line that looped around the perimeter of the center area of the library.
"Was everyone taking the mage trial placed in the same environment?" Zane thought to himself. "I thought everyone would have their trials in a separate dimension or something? Were the trials for the jobs in the 5th level citizens different?" Lost in thought, the blue pop up screen pulled Zane's thoughts back to his limited time.
***
Test begins! Test: Mage (Basic)
Task required to complete quest: (0/2)
Speak to Landen to be screened
Receive the Ivory Tower's common mana technique and collect one strand of mana
Extra task: (0/1)
Gain Landen's recognition
***
"OK, let's find Landen." Zane went to the closest person dressed in a robe and asked, "Excuse me, could you tell me where Landen is?" The lady gave him a death glare as if he had murdered her family.
Shocked her aggression, Zane put his hands up and slowly backed away. "What was that all about?"
He looked at another robed person nearby wanting to ask for help, but received a similar look. With no leads, he decided to move to the only area with people dressed like him. Making his way to the long line, he asked the closest person if they knew where Landen was.
"Um. Sorry, would you happen to know where I can meet Landen?" A middle-aged man looked surprised at Zane's question. "Did you just start the trial? Now?" Zane gave a confused look as he walked with the man as the line continued moving.
"Um. Yes…Is there something wrong?" The man gave Zane a pitying look as if he was doomed.
"Well, yes and no. Why did you start so late?"
Not wanting to lie, but not wanting to tell the stranger everything either, Zane replied, "I decided to start the trial after 30 minutes passed so I could better see what was going to happen." The man sighed.
"That's unfortunate. You see everyone here in this line. We were all waiting for Landen. It's moving but not fast enough, and that isn't the biggest problem." Pointing, the man explained, "see those sitting on the tables over there. They're on the second task of collecting mana. Many of them have been trying the whole time they've been here. Those of us still in line are at a disadvantage. We haven't even started to understand how to collect mana."
Zane nodded his head in understanding. "You're pretty calm for someone in a bad spot," the man stated. Zane shrugged his shoulders, "well it sucks, but I can't do much right now."
"True. You might as well get in line and hope you pass. Good luck."
"You as well." Zane genuinely said. Moving to the end of the line, he noticed the line was moving like the guy earlier said. With no choice he continued to wait and look around till his turn.
Uncertain of the exact amount of time that passed, as the last person in line, it was finally his turn to be screened. A ding sounded, notifying Zane he had met Landen. A wrinkly old man with a shaved head in a deep purple robe didn't even bother looking at Zane before ushering commands. "Place your hand on the crystal ball and don't you dare do anything to break it!" Zane was speechless, but with no time to waste, he complied and followed the old man's instructions.
The orb dimly glowed. "Barely a pass, what a rotten world. There's no decent talent at all. Though I did see a few with some nice perky knockers. I'll buy some of you later." Tossing a rolled up scroll at Zane he turned around and vanished.
"Why were all these robbed people such assholes?!" Zane complained internally. This was the worst customer experience ever that he endured. Opening his scroll, he began to read the piece of parchment. "Introduction into Mana Basics," read the title. "To feel…"
The blue pop-up screen appeared cutting off Zane mid-reading.
***
YOUR HOUR TIME LIMIT HAS ENDED.
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***
"Shit. I didn't complete the task…" Zane lamented. Not only Zane, but many others were out of luck. Chaos consumed the central area of the library as yells and cries echoed in the large building. Another blue screen window popped up in front of Zane.
***
Test incomplete. Test: Mage (Basic)
Completed tasks: (1/2)
Extra task completed: (0/1)
Results
Mage job rejected
Acquired Ivory Tower's common mana technique
Note: Ivory Tower's common mana technique placed into inventory
Accept partial mage job: Mage Apprentice?
[YES] [NO]
***
Wide-eyed, Zane clicked "yes." "So there was this option as well! They should have said something!" The loss of the jobs like Hero and Sage made Zane full of remorse.