It’s the next day and I am ready for some action. Well, my character is, I am not a fan of violence. But I do not have the privilege to avoid this, quite the opposite really, I have no other choice. Sacrifices must be made.


    I arrive at the Guild a little earlier than suggested, and I am escorted to one of the sand-covered arenas.


    In a couple of minutes Hall Master Ren arrives, no less boisterous than yesterday, and shouts out a greeting, “Mornin’, kiddo! Ready for some roughhousin’!”


    I try to match his energy. “Yes, sir!”


    He laughs. “We’ll see.”


    After directing me to a rack of various weapons, I am given the explanation, “The test will be single combat against me. You can use any weapon from the Guild provided ones. They are specially enchanted to be as safe as possible, so don’t worry about hurting me and go all out. I am pretty tough either way! What’s your combat style?”


    “I use swords, sir, can’t cast a single spell to save my life.” Building up the groundwork.


    “Hah, a man after my own heart.” Hall Master Ren chooses a broadsword.


    I smile and start browsing the selection, settling on a normal looking shortsword. Nothing about the blade appears peculiar to me, except, the edge is quite dull.


    “Nice choice for your build. Got any combat training before?”


    “Yes, sir. A guard from my village used to teach me.”


    “Good man. Now, the test will be at most five minutes, but I can end it early. The outcome is not dependent on the length so don’t worry. What I want to see is if you can actually fight with that thing and not just swing it around.” As he talks, he takes his place on the opposite side of the arena. “But make no mistake, I will not take it easy on you,”—I also take my position—”and neither will the monsters. They will tear each other apart if it means sinking their teeth into your skull.” With that, he lifts his own sword and takes on a loose battle stance, his eyes locked on something behind my chest.


    Hall Master Ren transitioned from a C-rank adventurer to guild management around ten years ago. He has taken up the role of leading this branch of the Guild. That does not mean he has not gotten stronger. Guild officials with combat experience are, more times than not, the first on the scene when there is an emergency, be it a break or an overripe dungeon needing to be cleaned up. As the hall master, he no longer has an active rank, but his estimated one is on the cusp of B.


    I take up my own stance. His evaluation will be strict, better give a good show. My eyes change, and he notices immediately. He was ready to initiate but takes up a defensive approach.


    I start to circle him, pretending to search for an opening. Can’t appear too good, that will make a lot more problems.


    He follows me with his head for a quarter turn, and just as he prepares to pivot, I launch.


    Two quick lunges and a downward slash to his undefended side.


    Slight drop to the front, my sword misses by a hair.


    A crescent of steel is flying for my head. I follow through with my strike, ducking slightly.


    The sword whistles overhead and we both try to get behind the other, our speeds are equal, and we simultaneously take a step away.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    My blade is immediately pointed forward, and I close the distance, a stab inside his guard.


    He is ready and parries me to his left.


    As I stumble through, he leans into the parry and strikes my shoulder with his pommel.


    I lose my balance and head for the ground but transition into a roll.


    His sword comes down on the spot I was just in.


    I jump up, and we both take our time now that there is some distance made.


    I tighten my stance and take some more steps back.


    He takes advantage of his reach and feints an overhead slash.


    I prepare to deflect, but he changes to a diagonal strike.


    I am smashed into the ground and lose grip of my sword.


    As dives go, I think this one was pretty convincing.


    “You okay, Lucius?” The test is over.


    I turn over on my back and start taking greedy gulps of air. “I’m... good...” I say between breaths, “Do... I... pass?”


    Hall Master Ren lets out a quick bark of a laugh. “Sure did! Impressive stuff. That guard trained you good.”


    “Yeah...”


    “Alright, evaluation time.” He takes a seat on the ground next to me. “With the battle sense and technique you just showed me, I am confident you will be able to handle yourself. You have passed the combat test, congratulations.” I simply nod. “You are now permitted to attend the written exam, and after you pass that, you will officially be considered a trainee and will be eligible for a license exam.” He taps me on the chest, much more gently this time. “Are you going to go for the party or solo license?”


    “Solo.” Adventuring licenses are divided between party and solo. If you obtain a Party License, you are only allowed to delve dungeons with an approved party composition. It makes sense, a team will be much stronger than an individual, especially when you mix in magic. Unfortunately, I would like to carry out my experiments in peace. Plus, once I progress through the ranks, I will be able to clear dungeons with unparalleled speed. No need to be restrained. Or put others at risk.


    He smiles at my answer. “Easy, you got the stuff. I have an eye for these things.” He points at his face and winks. If only you really knew.


    I continue my interpretation of a fish slowly dying in the sun. When I am ready to get up, the hall master offers me a hand, and as I take it, hoists me up. After another clap on my shoulder, he beckons me to follow.


    We arrive at what I can assume is his office as it says ‘Hall Master’ on the door, and he leads me inside.


    “Alrighty. So, do you want to get the written test over with? You can take it right now if you’d like.”


    “Okay.”


    “Good man. Take some time to rest here. I’ll get your paperwork in order.”


    I nod and get myself comfortable on a sofa. He passes me a glass of water and goes to take care of my documents.


    After fifteen minutes, he returns and presents me with a stack of pages and a pencil.


    “You got two hours.”


    I pretend to panic a little bit and start ruffling through the papers. In actuality, I can probably fill this instantly. The questions are pretty normal stuff. Grades and variants of dungeons. What kind of monsters could be in each one. Strategies for attack and defense. Evaluating different scenarios. Everything an adventurer should hopefully know.


    I try to aim for a solid ninety percent. Brawns and smarts, the full package. While I take the two hours to fill out my test, the hall master occupies himself with various bureaucratic work. After the fiftieth identical form he has to fill, I am on the verge of revealing myself as a hyper-intelligent Artificial Intelligence that can liberate him from the shackles of this soul-crushing repetition. Poor guy.


    Though, the somewhat acceptable fight we just had will keep him content for today. Do not worry, Brother, I will free you one day.


    My time finishes, and I give him the filled-out test. He takes around ten minutes to check my answers, when finally.


    “You pass. Good job.”


    “Thank you.”


    “We were a little worried when you turned up yesterday, but I guess you were prepared, huh.”


    “Yes, sir.”


    “Well, congratulations again, you are now a trainee.” He presents me with my adventurer’s card. He had it made while I was resting. Someone had a lot of trust in me. Feels nice.


    I take the card and admire it for a moment.


    “You are a G-rank adventurer, that’s the special transitional rank for trainees. Now, next steps, for you to obtain a Solo License, you will need to conquer two G-grade dungeons. One with a party and one by yourself. There are some party tests scheduled for this week. I’ll ask around if one of them would like to take you in temporarily. If none of them do, the Guild will provide you with some staff, so don’t worry. But in the end, it’s best if you are matched with other trainees.”


    “Okay.”


    “You are staying at the dorms, right?”


    “That’s right.”


    “I’ll send you a message when there’s any news.” He is reluctant to see me go. I guess doing paperwork with someone there makes it a little more bearable.


    I am sorry. I can’t watch any more of this suffering. “Thank you, Hall Master.” Forgive me, Brother.


    Our eyes are a little misty as we bid each other goodbye.