"Did it never occur to you to tell me?" Sofia asked Samuele. They had just left the store, and the girl wasted no time in asking a question that had been going around in her head for several minutes now. Fortunately, those minutes served to get that sentence formulated as best as possible and not to shout to the whole world something Samuele himself was hiding.
Being a Gift corresponded to becoming world famous. Only a hundred people had the privilege of being one, and almost all of these were Adventurers of level 90 and above. Being a Gift meant that one was very likely to have a bright future as an Adventurer. That is why Sofia was surprised that Samuele was one. He was one of those few who could truly aspire to greatness.
"There was never a chance. Telling you all of a sudden would have made me sound like I was bragging. Now you know, though. You're in the top five people who know."
"What an honor..." He said in an obvious sarcastic tone. "And what would be wrong with bragging about it, anyway? You're special!"
"Maybe so, but I don't care."
"You are too humble. Unlike you, I would have gone around flaunting it."
"Of course. You care about money. I just want to live my adventure and enjoy it. We are Adventurers after all, aren't we?"
"Yeah, sure. Find yourself alone, with taxes and mortgage to pay, and then we can talk." Muttered Sofia, but loud enough for him to hear her.
"Do you live alone?" Samuele asked in a surprised tone, to which Sofia winced slightly.
"Yes... well, I wanted to take this step. Independence is the dream of young people, isn't it?" Initially he stammered. Then she concluded with an embarrassed half laugh. Samuele looked at her curiously.
"May be..." Seconds of awkward silence followed. Samuele then tried to change the subject.
"The exam will be held in two days, right?"
"Yes."
"How do you feel?"
"I'm nervous, but I'm convinced that everything will be fine. I definitely have to join the Wolves Guild. You, on the other hand, how do you feel?"
"Honestly? I'm relaxed. I don't care about passing the exam as long as you pass it."
"What are you talking about?"
"That's the promise we made to each other, isn't it? You want to join the Guild and I will support you. Whether I enter the Guild or not doesn't matter."
"It does, my dear!" Sofia stood in front of him, her finger pointing to the boy's chest. "You will enter together with me."
"But..."
"In that Guild I don't know anyone and I would be pleased if there was a friendly face in there. So when we take the exam see that you try your best to pass. Understood?" The intense look Sofia gave him almost made him uncomfortable.
"All right. I'll try my best to get in." Samuele replied after a few seconds of silence.
"Great." Sofia made a happy expression and turned to the other side with her back to him. "I'm sure together we'll make it through." And she set off, with Samuele following her.
The day of the exam arrived. It was morning and the two guys arrived at the Rome subway. They boarded the train that would take them to Milan, the city where the Lupi di Castiglione Guild was based.
Samuele thought for a moment about what had happened the day before, when he told his parents that the next day he would take the exam to join the Wolves Guild, and he lifted the corners of his lips slightly. He had never mentioned this subject to them. Not because he did not want to, but because joining the Guild was something he was not interested in. He thought that he would only have to support Sofia during the exam and that was why he saw no reason to tell them about the exam, but apparently he was very wrong. Since he was to join the Wolves Guild, it was incumbent upon him to notify his family.
The reaction was among the finest he had seen: his parents gasped, interrupting what they were doing, never in the world expecting those words to come out of his mouth so suddenly. His sister, on the other hand, after several minutes of anger sulked and did not speak to him for the whole day. He had to explain several times to all of them that he would be back at least once a week and that it was not like he was going off to war.
In the long run it would prove expensive to travel from Rome to Milan and back every day. Therefore, if he passed the exam, he would have to find a place to stay. His parents were not opposed to this; on the contrary. They were happy that Samuele could have his independence. It was only the sudden declaration that puzzled them. If all went well, as early as the next day they would not see him coming home every day.
"What are you thinking about?" Sofia asked, seeing Samuele's eyes get lost in the void.
"About nothing. Do you already know where you will be staying once you pass the exam?"
"I will look for something near the city. Milan is too expensive, I don't think I can afford accommodation there."
"Yeah, me neither. For a short while I think we'll have to go back and forth between the house and the Guild."
The two continued talking for a while longer before shutting up and enjoying the silence, thinking about what their exam would be.
After about three hours of travel, they arrived at the Milan subway. They headed in the vicinity of the city center and spotted a building about ten stories high, with a fairly large coat of arms on it, visible from a distance, depicting a silvery wolf in profile with its jaws open, howling at the sky.
"Here is the Wolves Guild." Said Samuele after admiring the crest for a few seconds. "Are you ready?"
Sofia took a deep breath and released it. Her eyes filled with determination. "Let's do it."
The two approached the Guild doors and, after glancing at each other, Samuele opened them. They both observed the interior of the building before stepping inside. There was a dead silence. One might have thought that the Guild was completely empty, but it was not. Inside they saw other people, about their age. All of them nervous, anxious.
'They too are here for the exam...' Samuele imagined. They were relatively few, come to think of it. For such a Guild, he imagined at least 30 or so candidates. In total, including the two boys, there were nine.
Sofia looked at them one by one and squinted as she saw one person with his back turned toward her. Those shapes and black hair that reached her back were familiar to her. When the girl turned toward them with curiosity, Sofia's eyes lit up.
"Lulù!" She hurriedly ran toward the girl and clung to her koala-style.
"Sofia?" Lucia was surprised to see her, not expecting that she would also take the same Guild exam.
"Hello, Lucia." Samuele waved to her.
"You too...I didn't think you were interested in the Wolves Guild." Said Lucia in an incredulous tone.
"Who isn't?" Said Sofia, pulling away from her. Samuele would have liked to raise his hand and announce his disinterest, but he realized that was not the case. He had a promise to keep, after all.
"Look at that, it looks like we've all gathered." Said a familiar voice to them coming from behind Lucia. Suddetta person then emerged from behind Lucia. "How are you doing?"
"Oh, you're here too..." Said Sofia with a sigh, losing all happiness.
Manuele gasped at that statement. "Why are you upset? Oh, I know! You're afraid I'll blow your place in the Guild, aren't you? Don't worry, I'll put in a good word for you, too."
"Sure, right. The day you beat me unicorns will fly in our world. And unicorns don't even exist here."
As the two bickered, Samuele smiled at Lucia. "I didn't think we would see each other again so soon. If we pass this test, we will do many more quests together, eh?"
Lucia huffed slightly. "Don't make it so easy. Rarely has it happened that two or more Adventurers pass this Guild's exam. There are nine of us in here, but do you know how many have sent in their applications? Hundreds. And only we were chosen to take the exam."
Samuele was not overly surprised. That was the most renowned Guild in Italy. Coveted by everyone, but few could get in. 'Rarely do two or more people pass the exam...' He repeated to himself the sentence Lucia said. She watched Sofia stick her tongue out at Manuele. 'Looks like that promise will be hard to keep.'
"Welcome, aspiring Adventurers of the Lupi di Castiglione Guild." A loud voice rang out and they all turned toward it. Seeing who it was, they unconsciously straightened their backs.
He had short dark hair and a light beard that covered his face. What caught Samuele's attention most was the scar running vertically down his cheek. Even for him it was impossible not to recognize the man.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Michelangelo Rizzo, Level 90 Adventurer and leader of the Lupi di Castiglione Guild." He walked in front of them and scrutinized them one by one. All of them tensed to his gaze.
"You are all here today to take an exam. An exam that will decide whether or not you are suitable to join this prestigious Guild. Throughout its duration, I will evaluate everything, and I mean everything, about you. Our Guild is made up of brave and determined men and women.
The examination that awaits you will be difficult and ruthless, but it is in these moments that we see the true Adventurers from those who are not worthy to bear our emblem. Only those who demonstrate that they embody the right principles can hope to walk through the doors of our Guild as full members."
As he said these words, a blue light appeared beneath their feet, enveloping them and then disappearing after a few seconds. Around them, however, everything changed. The Guild walls disappeared. The buildings of the city as well. In front of them was only a portal.
"This is where you will take the exam." Affirmed the Guild leader. All of them opened their eyes wide. No one had expected to take an exam inside a portal. No one, however, dared to breathe a word. Michelangelo Rizzo's hard stare made them all realize that he was not joking.
"I wish you all success in passing this test. May your will be as firm as steel and may your spirit be immune to the temptations of doubt and fear. The Wolves Guild will welcome only the most worthy among you. Let your examination begin!"
One among them immediately ran into the portal, without waiting any further time.
Samuele clicked his tongue. He certainly did not expect a quiet examination, but this was a bit much. Another boy followed the first. The third to go was Lucia. Sofia looked at Samuele and he nodded, understanding what she was implying with her gaze.
'It's do or die!' Samuele and Sofia ran into the portal.
"Hey, wait for me!" Manuele shouted, chasing after them. All the others, some with determination and some with uncertainty, entered soon after.
Their examination had just begun.
END OF CHAPTER.
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We have finally reached the last chapters of the first part. There are literally five chapters to go. Five more days before this novel goes on official hiatus for an indefinite time. At the time of writing this note, chapter 17 has been published, so I don't know how well or badly this story is going. Should I encounter even the slightest success, I will work to ensure that this novel can continue. If not, well, it has been a very good experience for me.
If you enjoyed this chapter, please comment, review and leave a power stone. You can do all three even if the chapter was not to your liking, especially the third one xD
As usual and only for five more days, see you tomorrow, same time. Bye!