BXBX NOVEL Chapter 173
As Gevan opened the door, the sounds of blades clashing into one another breezed out of the guild test hall. It was as if the test hall had soundproof walls and doors. It made Vincent think someone is taking a test.
“Sorry for the long wait. The new receptionist made a blunder and didn’t know of the appointment.” Gevan said while entering.
Vincent followed behind. His eyes looked everywhere from surprise. The test hall was so large that it could easily fit three hundred people or more at a second glance.
A massive skylight illuminated the interior, be it a table with freshly brewed tea or the wooden floor. The hall looked warm and lit with the warmth of the sun.
The hall had one of its sides with windows allowing for more daylight to enter, and behind the windows, a small garden with a few trees, flowers, and butterflies entered Vincent’s sight. It gave a relaxing yet pleasant feeling to train and rest one’s mind.
The hall and the garden weren’t empty. Ollie seemed to be sparing with Bartholomew. Beatrix was playing with a butterfly in the garden while Abigail was smiling at her.
.....
A man with pointy ears sat on a table next to the window. He was reading a book and drinking from a cup with steam rising. If it was the BABBO team, then he might be Ollie and Beatrix’s brother Belowin.
The five of them took notice and stopped what they were doing. A little later, the five of them approached Gevan and the test applicants.
“These are the members of the BABBO Rank C team. They have used their name initials to create their team name. Quite ingenious if you think about it.” Gevan started with the introductions when Ollie interrupted.
“Ah, Vincent and... and his women. Good to see you again.” Ollie said with a bright smile. As if he met with a friend he didn’t see in weeks.
“Please, brother. Stop forgetting the names of women. That’s why you haven’t dated yet.” Belowin said with a sarcastic end.
“At least I don’t date books. Women like men covered with manly juices. They are too shy to approach me, that’s all.” Ollie retorted.
“Brother... that’s called sweat. You know sweat stinks don’t you?” Belowin counter retorted.
“Ahem! We have applicants wanting to take the guild test. You could talk later.” Gevan interrupted as the two brothers started bickering.
“This Heroine apologizes for the shameful display this Heroine’s siblings have exhibited. One is like fire, burning with the passion of swords, while the other calm like a soothing lake. But I, the Heroine Beatrix, is like the ray of light exorcising the void with mine divine basilisk on mine shoulders.” Beatrix proudly and somehow apologized while boasting.
“Umm... sorry about our cousins. I’m glad we met again.” Abigail said. She appeared to be the most normal one out of the team.
Bartholomew nodded and didn’t speak a single word. He looked like a man with few words, but maybe he is still heartbroken that he currently has no chances with Tula.
Gevan turned around, facing Vincent, Ester, and Lupa. Then he explained, “Normally, we contract Rank D teams to work in the guild as staff members to give tests and retests. However, doing quests as a high-ranked adventurer pays more, so that is why higher-ranked teams never take this job.”
Gevan then looked at the BABBO team and continued, “The BABBO team is looking for stability instead of danger and money. Their job includes protecting the Adventurers Guild building, stop nearby fights or crimes, and test adventurers.”
“Now that the introductions are finished, we have two test applicants needed to be tested. Ollie, I require a custom test from your team. ” Gevan asked.
“What would you like, Guild Leader?” Ollie replied. It seemed he had experiences with doing a custom test.
“I require a thick log for Lupa’s test. Her stats show she has some experience in fighting, so I want to check her power as an E 8 Star Ranker. We will also do the dessert.” Gevan ordered the custom test for Lupa.
Gevan read the report about Lupa’s interrogation and also noticed how she is constantly assertive to the presence of danger. He could feel Lupa didn’t need to fight to prove her worth.
*Thud*
The muscular Ollie brought a heavy thick short log by himself and placed it at the center of the testing hall. He then patted the flat surface of the log with force and said, “The second test is prepared. Adventurer applicant Lupa, please come here to receive your first test.”
“Vincent, you can go too and take the first test together. ” Gevan told Vincent with a smile.
[Hmm, I wonder if they have something planned. I’m an expert when it comes to expression memorization. I believe Gevan just made a sly smirk. Be ready for a trick test.]
-Really? But I thought we are going to do an arm-wrestling match to test our strength. Like a test of wills or something.-
[I don’t know, but it won’t be a test against a C Ranker if that’s the case. On the other hand, Gevan said it was dessert, so I guess it is a standard procedure test.]
Vincent and Lupa both approached Ollie with a puzzled expression. They didn’t know what to expect.
Ollie closed his eyes and relaxed his muscles. He took a long deep breath, and then, suddenly, out of nowhere, Ollie opened his mouth wide and...
*DIEEE!!!*
Ollie opened his eyes with his brows slanted, forming a menacing glare, and shouted as if he was about to attack with the intention to kill.
His fists clenched, and arm muscles hardened like steel, displaying his might. The veins on his neck bulged, and a sudden sense of dread permeated the testing hall instantly.
Lupa felt threatened. She hastily shapeshifted her arms. Shortly, she felt her arm getting grabbed. Lupa looked to her side and saw Vincent with a frown shaking his head to stop what she was about to do.
Ollie stopped shouting, and the suppressing aura of dread dissipated. Ollie smiled as he looked assertively at Lupa and Vincent.
*Clap, clap, clap*
“You passed with flying colors, haha. Well done.” Gevan applauded, satisfied by their resistance for powerful murderous intent.
“Lupa prepared to fight without breaking a sweat or showing any signs of hesitation. Lupa appears to be the impatient type. The fearless type, even if outclassed, your conviction will barely wane. You passed, but learn to second doubt your impulses, and you should improve considerably.” Gevan determined Lupa’s personality simply by how she reacted to danger.
“Vincent guessed the intent or the reason behind the intent. Vincent has greater resistance to malicious intent as well. It allows you to think even if outclassed. You have also shown leadership by not only assessing the threat level of the malicious intent but also led your companion to the correct choice.” Gevan saw qualities in Vincent that Vincent himself doesn’t think he has.
“Being a leader isn’t the end, but the beginning. You can’t be everywhere. You can’t lead everyone. You are limited, so a leader has the hardest job in a team. An injury. A death. A loss. A profit. All are the responsibility of the leader. ” Gevan patted Vincent’s shoulder while telling him the responsibility he has to one day... no, currently have to deal with. Vincent already has Ester, Lupa, and Kazumi’s lives in his hands. They follow him and his choices.
Gevan then turned around and continued, “Ester would have passed, but not with flying colors. Ester has tried her best and mostly resisted the murderous intent Ollie produced. You have a slight cold sweat, and your hands trembled for a few seconds until Ollie stopped. You have resistance, but you need more training. ” Gevan said to Ester.
Then he smiled and warmly continued, “I saw your eyes look at Vincent first, then Lupa, then Vincent, and lastly at Ollie. I guess you are still undecided on what role you want to have. But worry not. That means you haven’t stepped on a path. Give it time, and I’m sure fate will show you one. A fated encounter or a fated enemy might be the trigger to your choice.”
[This guild leader dude is resourceful. He figured out your personalities with a simple yet effective test of reaction. ]
-True for Ester and Lupa. But how Am I a leader? I mostly depend on you to lead us.-
[You were like that at first, but now you are starting to take the reins by yourself. Recently, we are mostly talking about mundane things instead of planning from my suggestions and guesses.]
-I... I need more time. I’m not too fond of the responsibility of a leader, but I want to give my girls a good life.-
[And that’s what a leader does.]
Vincent held mixed feelings, but he also felt Kazumi and Gevan might be right about him. He wanted to try trusting and accepting himself for once.
“Now that sums up foundation test we like to call the dessert. The three of you have overcome many fears since you can resist a half-powered murderous intent of a C Ranker.” Gevan then extended his hand and pointed at the thick log.
“Use your best attack on the log once. ” Gevan said.
Lupa looked at Ester and taunted her with a smirk. She was allowed to impress everyone and not Ester. Lupa felt like a winner already.
Lupa raised her hand. The five claws were trembling with excitement to cut and prove their sharpness. “Here I go!” Lupa exclaimed before bringing down her claws with all her might.
*Thud!*
The log tumbled from the force of the swing. Unfortunately, Lupa didn’t cut the log into pieces. It was too thick.
“Not bad.” Ollie praised.
“Hmm. Five deep cuts going down about half the log. Furthermore, you lack in the Strength stat the most. Your shapeshift might have boosted your strength, but remember, base stats are also important.”
“You will not live shapeshifted your entire life, will you? That is the reason why we only count boosted stats from passives and not active skills.” Gevan decided to assess Lupa and give pointers after noticing her saddened expression. The once-proud wolf girl was sulking with the thoughts of failure.
“Not bad? Brother, you only cut about a quarter deep with your sword in this test. The beastman Lupa is stronger than when we all took the test.” Belowin praised Lupa and teased his brother.
“At least I didn’t summon a rock and drop it on my feet. Oh, I’m so proud of my Earth Apprentice brother.” Ollie countered.
“Stop it, guys. Why are the two of you so cranky today? What you guys said is all in the past as E Rankers.” Bartholomew tried to diffuse the situation. He revealed they climbed two ranks in their time as adventurers.