025 | Mercenaries
I am the manager of the branch in Yanalia.
It's a small kingdom with a few minor towns and villages outside the main city. Most of what's going on occur inside the city either way.
Before I was promoted to manager, I was a typical examiner for new potential adventurers, and before THAT, I was an adventurer myself. I don't like to brag, but I'm a veteran mercenary that's been with the Union for over a decade.
I'm already 35 years old but don't look down on me, I was a Three Star Gold Mercenary! That's right, just casually bragging about my power.
One thing I noticed is that Yanalia is, no offense, quite weak. I was assigned and placed here as manager after the previous one retired. Arriving here, I was ready to get into a few fights but...nothing!
NOTHING HAPPENED!
WHY! IT'S SO BORING HERE!
Compared to the other places I went to as a mercenary, the people here are too weak! Raw Energy is the most primal technique that everyone should be able to use! No excuses! Despite that, even the guards don't have a single idea of how to use it!
Ahem, you probably don't know what I look like. I'm currently inside my office at the Adventurer's Hall. I got up from my fine leather chair and beautifully carved mahogany desk. I walked over to the large mirror.
Woah! What a handsome and dignified fella you are!
I have dark sand-like beige skin. I was actually born in the south so that's why. I take pride in my buff muscular body. I came from a family that had a constant hair loss illness that is always passed down, so I'm beautifully bald. One might even call me a bodybuilder, I can't flex too hard or my workers will keep complaining about the suits they have to ship in again. I don't get why I even HAVE to wear a suit. I'm sure everyone knows who I am already. I don't want to hear the nagging about how a union manager must look like a manager again so I'll just keep the suit on.
I'm just under 180 centimeters tall and sheathed on my back are two large sabers. I love my sabers, they remind me of home and how I used to be a mercenary taking on dangerous beasts.
...
IT'S SO BORING!
WHAT DO I EVEN DO EVERY DAY? SIGN DOCUMENTS WITH MY NAME? WHY DO I NEED TO DO THAT? WE SHIP THINGS OUT AND TAKE THINGS IN EVERY GOD DAMN DAY! JUST GET THE RECEPTIONISTS TO DO IT!!
I inhaled and exhaled.
"Breathe..."
After doing this process a few times, I sighed.
"It's...so...boring!!"
One of my favorite pass times is to watch the examination for new adventurers. Especially the ones becoming mercenaries. The test is fairly simple, the examiners will conduct a practice test which will happen in the basement.
It sounds a little suspicious, I know, but you have to trust me on this. There's a REASON we do examinations in the basement, we don't want any examiners or mercenaries breaking the entire adventurer's hall, do we?
Now don't be too scared, it's a simple spar against the ones who will apply. We will be looking for any errors or flaws in their way of fighting. Examiners have the responsibility of testing new adventurers properly to ensure they won't be running towards their deaths.
Being a mercenary is dangerous after all, but those we accept all those who wish to become one.
Some people decide to register to become a merchant/trader, but they're just boring and lame!
"Hmm, looks like I'm all out of paperwork for today!"
I looked at the huge pile of documents stacked on my desk.
I covered myself in a large amount of Raw Energy, I might have gone a bit too overboard as a few books fell from their shelves and my office started shaking. I don't want to break the floor. Not again. I dialed my Raw Energy down a bit and sat on my desk.
I grabbed my lovely fountain pen and licked my finger to grab a piece of paper.
"Let's get this lame stuff done and head down to bother my examiners!"
I poured blood, sweat, and absolute dedication into these documents. I bet no one has ever signed them as gracefully as I did!
HOW BEAUTIFUL! OH YEAH!! TAKE THAT!!! AND THAT!!! HOW DO YOU LIKE TO BE SIGNED ON!?!?
It was over before I knew it. All documents were completely finished! I noticed a few discrepancies during my work so I wrote a report on everything that was wrong. I'll bring that report with me in my cute yellow folder.
"Now I'm done...truly done..."
TIME TO BOTHER MY EXAMINERS!
I walked out of my office and went into the main lobby of the adventurer's hall. A few mercenaries that I helped the last time saw me and raised their mugs of beer.
"This early in the morning, boys?"
"You know it!"
"HELL YEAH!"
"Down the hatch! This one's for you!"
The other mercenaries started shouting, "Chug! Chug! Chug!"
He finished the entire mug of beer and I applauded him. I went over to the reception and wanted to scare her but she caught on.
"Yes, Manager?"
"Tch, you're no fun."
She chuckled, "Report?"
I grabbed the yellow folder out of my Inventory spell and handed it over to her. She's a nice girl, I took her in and gave her a job when she was looking to apply here. I saw that she has a younger brother and sister to look after, determined ones like her are perfect candidates for this job. They work hard for the job and don't slack off.
"Any new mercenaries, Emily?"
"Ah," Emily flipped through the large book on her desk, "Right...here!"
She pointed at THREE WHOLE NAMES?!
Yes! Entertainment! Three people applied at once! This is a lucky day for me!
"Off I go!"
"They're just kids, Manager, please don't do anything reckless."
"Don't worry, I won't harm my cuties."
I gave Emily a smile and she seemed weirded out by that. Maybe she's a bit exhausted today and can't appreciate my kindness! It's alright, I forgive you, Emily.
"The Examiner for the three kids is John."
I gave her a thumbs-up as I walked behind the receptionist's desk and through a door that will lead downstairs to the basement.
I walked down the stairs and opened the door to a wide and large room. This was the examination grounds for mercenaries. We're deep underground and the walls are fortified with a few meters of strong concrete that's been magically reinforced. The basement was dark and gray colored, it looks gloomy even with a light spell to keep it bright.
I saw three kids listening to what John was saying. He's probably introducing them to what's going to happen if they want to pass the test.
John's a capable individual. He's a jack of all trades kind of guy. He's only a Two Star Silver Mercenary but that's enough to solidify his place. In a team, he won't be at the frontlines, instead, he'll be supporting with whatever he can. His various knowledge of different magic spells and proficiency in a few dagger arts allow him to be a versatile member of any mercenary group.
His shaggy light-blue hair and green eyes make him an odd fella. I hear that it's because of his mixed ancestry between different races. On rare occasions, you inherit characteristics from both your parents.
In John's case, I think he may be a mix between the Merfolk and an Elf?
Seems like John finished his explanation to the three kids and started the test. The first kid had black hair and...
Interesting! That is an oddity.
What's a Half-Beast doing here while under a Transformation Spell?
It's quite a powerful one at that, it won't wear off unless the individual takes it off themselves or the Sorcerer who conjured it removes it.
Or you could beat them up until the magic eventually wears itself out.
I prefer the latter of course.
John commenced the test and rushed towards the Half-Beast, he sent out a flurry of dagger strikes that were mixed in with feints. The Half-Beast wasn't bad himself. He has an excellent body and combined with his mastery of Raw Energy, he's able to dish out attacks without constantly draining his stamina.
Of course, my John will block it but the Half-Beast only covers himself in Raw Energy whenever he actually attacks. He saves stamina to prolong the fight. While covering yourself in Raw Energy is easy, it's difficult when it's being used like how the Half-Beast does it.
The boy sent out a right hook and, right before the impact, he covered his hands in Raw Energy. I can tell he's been well trained.
While the disguised Half-Beast is being taken care of by John, let's take a look at the other two potential adventurers-
Holy f*ck...Well...Son of a b*tch, who is this absolute MONSTER of a child?
The one with the black hoodie and golden blonde hair. His silver eyes seemed to see through every movement that John made. They moved in sync with John's actions.
Although John isn't particularly strong or fast, his dagger techniques are troublesome to deal with because you never know what direction it will strike.
The Half-Beast seemed to have gotten impatient. He covered himself in an enormous amount of Raw Energy and whipped out dozens of kicks. John blocked most of them with his dagger but he was pushed back from taking a few blows.
I'm quite surprised. Looks like the test has already ended, anyone can tell the Half-Beast boy's capable.
With the examination over, John applauded the boy while complimenting him at the same time.
John looked at the kid in the black hoodie, "Asher? I hope I'm pronouncing it right, it's your turn-"
Now, don't steal candy right in front of my eyes, dear John.
"Hold it."
Looks like John didn't recognize me. His green eyes widened as he saw me.
"M-manager! You're done with your paperwork already?"
"Of course! Who do you think I am?"
"Right...I always forget you're pretty smart despite how you look."
"Hah?!"
"I mean-"
"Enough. I get it all the time. Now, why don't you let me PERSONALLY examine these applicants this time?"
"Are you sure? You still remember the checklist, right?"
This fool.
"How do you think I got promoted to a manager if I can't even do the part of an examiner?"
"Right..."
I used a movement technique that lightens my body to almost instantly dash to John's spot. I patted his shoulders.
"Now, now, go take a breather. I'll grant you an extended lunch break. Meanwhile-" I beckoned the boy in the black hoodie to come forwards.
"I'll be testing the rest of you. Glad to meet your acquaintance, Asher."
I smiled. Looks like things will truly get interesting from this point onwards.