Chapter 9: Hunter Exam (2).

Atkinson sat at his desk, eyes set on the paper as he glanced through the questions. He was soon done looking through all the questions.

"(Not surprise. I know every single thing on this piece of paper)." he thought.

He began to circle all the correct answers to the questions.

Next to him, was a girl biting her lip, her chark wrapped in ropes tapping nervously against the desk. She had a warm olive complexion that complemented her dark brown hair, which fell in soft waves just past her shoulders. Her expressive hazel eyes darted around the room, reflecting her nervous energy.

She wore a simple, earth-toned dress made of coarse linen that reached her ankles, cinched at the waist with a leather belt. The sleeves were slightly puffed, and the neckline was modest. She paired her dress with sturdy leather boots.

(Why did I think I could handle this?)" she wondered, glancing all around.

The time to her felt like it was slipping away faster than she could write. She could see the other examinees scribbling all over there paper. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

"Focus, Maya. You know this stuff."

She looked back on the paper. Suddenly, he focus faded and all the words look like a blurred line.

Maya muttered to herself as she grimaced and laid her head on the table. "I have found myself in dire straits, once again. Why am I so ill-fated?"

On the other hand, the male beside her was calm and collected, yet his brow furrowed in concentration. He had a slightly tanned complexion and sleek black hair that was neatly styled. His almond-shaped brown eyes were sharp and observant, scanning the paper with intensity.

His outfit consisted of a loose-fitting tunic made from rough wool, dyed in a muted green color. The tunic fell to just above his knees, and he wore baggy trousers underneath, held up by a rope belt. His feet were clad in simple sandals.

"(This is just like practice.)" he reminded himself, glancing at in to his own mind for a second. He began to wrote confidently, feeling the rhythm of his thoughts flow onto the paper.

"(Should I most grievously falter, I'll have no where else to turn. I must pass this exam and become a Hunter!)

However, the girl behind him was struggling. She had a porcelain complexion, her long, straight chestnut hair cascading down her back. Her green eyes were wide with anxiety.

She donned a plain, long-sleeved dress in a bright beige color. The dress was made from a decent material but wasn't as noble.

"(Why did I halt just now?)" she thought, staring blankly at the second question. The pressure was mounting, and she could feel her heart racing. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself.

She sighed, "(I am capable, I just have to ponder it well. But.. do I want to be a Hunter? Isn't that dangerous occupation?)"

She looked back into her past. "(If only my foolish father didn't insist.)"

The other male was scribbling furiously, his mind racing with ideas and concepts. His skin was a warm caramel tone, and he sported curly maroon hair that framed his face. His deep yet bright maroon eyes held a spark of enthusiasm, and he wore a faded brown tunic. His trousers were also made of a sturdy material, slightly tattered at the edges, and he had a pair of worn leather shoes that showed signs of heavy use.

"Haha! This is so easy," he yelled a loud, feeling the weight of stress being lifted off his shoulders.

Everyone in the room looked at him. The invigilator then trekked to his seat.

The black hair old man said, "Should you unleash another cry, I shall seize that parchment."

"Uhh, yes sir," said the boy.

"Hmph," the invigilator scoffed as he walked away.

He pushed himself to keep going, determined to answer every question, even if it meant racing against the clock.

The girl that was infront of him payed no mind as she was in her zone, her chark gliding smoothly across the paper.

In contrast to everyone else, she wore a luxurious gown made of rich velvet in deep burgundy, adorned with intricate gold embroidery along the sleeves and hem. The gown had a fitted dark pants, giving her an air of nobility. She accessorized with a delicate gold necklace.

"..." She was confidently, her mind sharp and focused. She could hear the faint scratching of pencils around her but chose to block it out, immersing herself in her own world of answers and solutions.

As the minutes ticked by, the mood in the room shifted. Each of the 37 candidates were absorbed in their own monologue, battling their doubts while striving to perform their best in the face of pressure.

Soon the time was over.

The invigilator spoke. "The hour has run its course. I shall procure all the scrolls, whether one has completed or not."

He waved his hand and suddenly all the papers and chark vanished.

"No, I wasn't done yet," said one of the examinees.

"You are free to depart," said the old man. "Chambers, garments and sustenance shall be bestowed upon you during your sojourn here. The laborers shall guide you."

Atkinson stood up as well as a few others. "(Him with his fancy words. I can barely understand him.)"

The invigilator continued, "The examinations shall be scored, and the results proclaimed on the morrow. Then, shall we discern who shall advance forth."

The door at the back of the room then opened. Three women who seemed to be maids stood behind it. There was a table with pile of rectangular wooden on top.

"Sometimes I can't understand these nobles tongue. And I don't think I wish to," said one of the examinees. It was the one that exclaimed earlier.

The maids began to hand out wooden cards with numbers and engraved into them.

When Atkinson reached the door, one of the ladies said, "Greetings! What is your name?"

"My name?" Atkinson inquired with a hint of confusion. "How would you know even if I tell?"

The maid answered by saying, "All of you are Unofficial Hunters who have visited a Licensing Guild. The Licensing Guild gives us your information when sending you here."

"(Sends my information. That's not safe.)" Atkinson thought to himself.

He said, "Atkinson Edwards."

The woman began to look through the pile until she then dragged out a card, which also had a key attached to it. She handed it to him.

"Chamber 19, good sir," said the maid. "You'll be sharing it with Jin Anthony."

Atkinson walked pass the lady after receiving the card.

"(Unmannerly.)" the lady thought.

As Atkinson strolled through the grand hallway, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The opulent hallway, now a temporary residence for the Hunter Exam candidates, was a far cry from the bleak room they were in during the exam.

The hallway's high ceiling, adorned with intricate moldings and sparkling chandeliers. Soft, plush carpeting beneath his feet muffled his footsteps, while the walls were painted in a warm, creamy color.

"(This place looks wonderful.)" Atkinson admitted.

As he walked, Atkinson soon had to walk up a flight of stairs. He walked up the curved staircase that flowed upward like a gentle wave. It was smooth and polished.

On the second floor was no different. However, the air was filled with the sweet scent of fresh flowers, and now soft hum of conversation could be heard.

"(19.. 19..)" Atkinson repeated in his mind.

As he walked, Atkinson passed by the beautiful crafted wooden doors. They also held banners on them with numbers.

Atkinson then said, "(Found it.)"

Before Atkinson could place the keys inside the lock of the door, someone else had already inserted their's.

"Huh? Who are you?" asked a guy black hair and brown eyes. "Are you my roommate?"

Atkinson stood there silently. "..."

The other guy opened the door and he strided in, but before he went far, he kicked off his sandals. He had seemingly losing interest in Atkinson.

"Tch.. why am I stuck with strange roommate like him," said the guy out loud.

Atkinson entered the room and closed the door behind him. He was struck by the warmth and elegance of the room. The spacious chamber, designed for two occupants, was a luxurious comfort.

Soft, golden light spilled in through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the rich, dark wood furnishings. The walls, painted a soothing cream color, while the carpet beneath his feet was red.

"You should take your shoes off before entering," said the guy.

Atkinson responded with, "Don't tell me what to do."

"You're a real smartass, aren't you? Think you're being all cool right now?" inquired the male.

The male then jumped in one of the nearby four-poster bed, its sturdy posts adorned with intricate carvings.

He began to stretch as he sing, "This is so comfortable."

"I didn't know I was dealing with someone so sensitive," Atkinson added.

The bed itself was a haven of comfort, piled high with plush pillows and soft, inviting blankets. To one side of the bed, a beautifully crafted wooden desk stood, equipped with a comfortable leather chair and a elegant bronze lamp.

On the far opposite side there was a spacious closet beckoned.

The male then looked at Atkinson with annoyance.

"What are you talking about, idiot? I just want to finish these exams and get on with me life," the male responded.

"(So this is Jin Anthony.)" Atkinson said inwardly.

Atkinson sighed, "Whatever. I don't need to argue with some kid that needs a book with pictures to read."

To Be Continued...

Next Chapter: Hunter Exam (3).