The seven of them were still discussing what had happened. One of the pieces of information that Commander Orion had received was a large army passing through freely. This proved that the enemy who had disrupted the exam was not just one person. But unfortunately they still don't know about this big army.
"Then what else happened after that?" asked Commander Orion.
"Suddenly Rhodes and I felt that there was a big attack coming towards us. We were able to avoid the lightning fast attack, otherwise we might all have died. This surprise attack is really far from our level, I don't know how many times it came until finally an orc monster appeared and started rampaging," explained Cleon.
"Orcs are mindless monsters. Generally he moves according to his master's orders, so it's certain that someone gave the order and sent it to you guys," Commander Orion explained.
"But I've met almost the same monster in the eastern forest and I almost died from it. It's really annoying," Cleon said when he remembered that he couldn't do much the first time he met an orc.
"Eastern forest?!" asked Commander Orion in a somewhat surprised tone.
All eyes turned to Cleon as if in disbelief when he said about the eastern forest.
"Yeah, is something wrong?" Cleon asked innocently.
"Wait a minute, isn't the eastern forest the most dangerous forest and no one dares to venture into that forest. The news circulated very widely throughout the country," said Cally in a tone of disbelief.
"Yes. I have also been told not to enter the eastern forest area if I still want to live long," said Jace.
"What are you doing there Cleon?" asked Commander Orion.
"I just train there. Grandfather teacher who gave me a mission, "Cleon answered short.
Ava then sighed. "Actually, the incident was accidental. He was on a mission during training but he got lost, he should have headed for the hill at the border of the eastern forest, but he headed for the wrong hill. Until finally he entered the eastern forest area quite deep.
Hearing Ava's explanation made Cleon surprised because he didn't know that he was lost at that time.
"Hah?! So what actually happened was I got lost?" Cleon asked Ava.
Ava just nodded her head. This surprised Cleon because he himself did not know that he was lost at that time.
It seemed that they were all confused by what happened to Cleon who dared to enter the eastern forest. Cleon and his father had indeed fought the demonic beasts that were raging in the eastern forest, but that was only a safe area at the border and Cleon's father already knew about that area.
"The eastern forest holds many mysteries. Many explorers have tried to explore the forest, but no one was able to return safely. So a little information about what is in the eastern forest. Moreover the forest was the main lair of very high level demonic beasts. The forest that you used in yesterday's exam is also still part of the eastern forest, but it is a safe border area and has also been repeatedly used for conducting tests," Commander Orion explained.
"Okay, thank you for the information you provided. Soon the meeting of the Commanders and the council will begin. I will convey everything you have told me. "For now, don't go out of town, you stay here until there is a decision from the meeting," added Commander Orion.
"Then what about the exam results, Commander?" Jace asked.
"I personally guarantee that you will pass the exam and will soon become members of the guild. "But for now you stay here until orders come for all of you," replied Commander Orion with a smile.
"Yes Sir!"
They all seemed to smile happily after hearing Commander Orion's explanation. Of course, that was the result they wanted after going through various hardships in the exam. Commander Orion left the room for a meeting of Commanders and the council.
This big news had spread throughout the country, making the names of the six of them quite well known by many people. But on the other hand, the terrible thing that happened during the guild entrance exam made everyone afraid. Most likely the exam will not be held again until the trauma received has disappeared.
**
In the castle which is Dark Fox's headquarters, three of their top officials are seen gathering. In Hera's hands was one of the stones they had picked up in the snow valley a few days ago. That day was the day when they returned to perform the ritual when they got the stone they were looking for.
On the floor where they sat there was a carving that form a certain pattern. There were three places that connected all the patterns and were the points where the higher-ups sat. They began to concentrate while extending their right hand forward. The floor that was the center of the pattern that connected them all began to slowly open. Quite large chunks of crystal rock emerged from the ground. A chunk of crystal stone that has one flat side with a unique pattern engraved on it.
The pattern forms a special corner which has small holes for a total of 7 holes. One hole at the bottom has been filled with blue stone, which makes the chunk of crystal stone glow slightly at the bottom.
Hera seemed to stand up and walk over to the chunk of crystal stone. He placed the green stone he was holding in place on top of the blue stone that was already in place. He sat back down and started to close his eyes, followed by Gavril and Lucas.
From the bodies of the three of them began to emit mana which enveloped their bodies. Slowly the mana flows through the pattern on the floor towards the chunk of crystal stone in the middle. The room which was previously a little dim now started to brighten, this was the result of the chunk of crystal stone starting to emit bright light after the mana sent by the three of them. Not just light, but the energy that appeared was so strong. For people who have upper magic levels, they may not necessarily be able to withstand the energy that appears. They could have died immediately because they couldn't hold it. Therefore, only the top officials of the organization were in the castle.
The ritual process begins, they try to synchronize the new green stone with the chunk of crystal stone. This process takes quite a long time because the energy is so large. The guard outside the castle was tightened while this process was taking place, for people from emperor to god level could sense the presence of this energy from quite a distance away.
To anticipate this, the guards created a barrier dome that enveloped the castle. This is of course to avoid anyone being able to feel this energy coming to their headquarters.
"Maintain your mana and focus, don't let this dome become unbalanced or the energy inside escape," ordered one of the guard leaders.
The guards had spread out at several points to create a large and strong barrier. This is of course quite risky because when they create a barrier their mana will continue to flow. Previously, many of them had died due to running out of mana, this was of course because they were weak.
**
The ritual went smoothly until completion, they took more than five hours. The green stone has synchronized with the crystal stone, so that all the energy has merged with the crystal stone and returned to the ground. They started to release a flow of mana, they all looked so weak after having their mana drained so much.
"Finally done," said Gavril in a limp tone.
With such a cynical look, Hera looked at Gavril who was complaining after the ritual was over. This time he didn't listen to what Gavril said. Hera herself also looked weak, she did not want to waste her energy on a fight with Gavril. Lucas himself looked as fresh as ever, he didn't look like he had lost much mana after performing the ritual. He walked out of the ritual room followed by Hera behind him.
Gavril just took a deep breath, he also got up from his seat and left the ritual room. As usual after performing the ritual they will immediately recover their mana, this is the point where they are quite weaker than usual. Outside the room there were already several members who were prepared to wait for whatever the three of them ordered. But this time the atmosphere seemed a little different. Not as busy as usual, maybe because Hera didn't listen to Gavril's words.
"You guys are boring as usual," said Gavril a little annoyed.
**
On the other hand, Cleon and his colleagues had left the room. They still hadn't received orders from the Commander so they seemed to relax a bit in a quite complicated situation. They had all recovered as usual, not long after, one of the senior members of the guild came to them all.
He appeared to be carrying the vest that was typical of guild members. A blood red vest with a flame pattern on the left side. It was a special vest used by members of the Burning Flame guild. A guild led by Commander Orion and guarding the central region of the kingdom.
"You six immediately put on these vests and come with me. Today you will be inaugurated to formalize your status as guild members."
Hearing this, they all seemed to smile broadly, it was the moment they had been waiting for. But who would have thought that the six of them would enter the same guild. Moreover, the Blazing Flames guild was the guild that guarded the city center and areas within the kingdom itself. Without further ado, they all took the vests one by one and immediately put them on.
"How?" Cleon asked with a big smile and a proud expression.
"Yeah cool!"
"It's not in vain that I came from far away to take this exam," said Jace while looking at his own body which was wrapped in the vest.
"Now no one will underestimate me," said Cally.
They all immediately went to the Burning Flame guild headquarters to induct new members. The place was not too far from where they had stayed before. They all headed there with horse-drawn carriages that had been prepared.
They stopped at one of the buildings that looked majestic and very striking. On the roof of the building fluttered the emblem of the Burning Flame guild, a circle of bright red flames. In front of the gate, several other members were seen on duty to guard the front. Seeing their carriage approaching, the guard opened the gate and invited them inside.
Once inside they entered the main hall. There, there were lots of guild members lined up neatly. Their arrival seemed to have been anticipated.
"Why does it feel tense like this," Cleon muttered as he walked down the main hall.
"Goosebumps," said Reiga while walking a little stiffly.
All eyes were on them as if they were someone influential and highly respected. Of course, because the big news about the guild exam had spread so they all knew who the six of them were.
They walked to the place provided and lined up neatly. One of the members came forward and took over the leadership, he was Deputy Commander Andrew. Simultaneously all the guild members saluted by placing their fists on their chests, Deputy Commander Andrew returned the salute.
"As you already know, we have a culture of recruiting new members every year. The goal is to strengthen our guild. In front of you are our 6 new members. All of you must have heard the news that happened during the guild entrance exam. We are all sorry for what happened to the fallen participants. But this is not an obstacle for us, those who have fallen will be remembered as heroes."
All the members in the hall seemed silent listening to what the Deputy Commander said.
"The six of them are not ordinary children, they are all highly talented potential successors. They can survive the entrance exam for a guild that has been infiltrated by the enemy and can also defeat orcs who have king level magic. They deserve appreciation from all of us, you definitely know how powerful king level wizards are. For that reason, I hope that all of you can accept them all well and also guide them to be even better."
The Deputy Commander invited the six of them to take the sacred oath required of all guild members. This is of course a binding oath to prevent betrayal.