The Black Raven

Knock knock.

'Hey, big guy! I saw you get battered up by that applicant.'

Jaron turned around while tying a cloth around Gerald's ankle and said,

'Don't think about it, young lady. He seems to be a maniac, according to Baran.'

'Where is he? I'll actually recommend the guy he's interesting.'

'Young lady, there's a reason we're responsible for the test. Baran saw the guy smile after putting your guard in this state.'

'Stop! You aren't helping much either.'

It seemed like while Jaron was talking, he used more force while tightening the cloth on Gerald.

'Lady, if you want to hire him because he's interesting, you should've hired the girl who could command the squirrel. That was a good deal.'

'Gerald, I know and you know you weren't interested in the squirrel, but the squirrel's owner. However, she was interesting, but what could the squirrel do as a guard? We'll need to organize the convoy soon.'

'Ouch! Dude, you aren't helping at all.'

'That was for your wrong judgment, idiot. And young lady, we should look for a more practical guard. Assuming this guy isn't a lunatic, it might be hard for Gerald and the others who might join you to coordinate with him. I've never seen anyone using Roh magic like that.'

Melissa crossed her arms and said,

'I'll talk to Baran about what he saw and decide by then. But I've talked to him, and he seems to be in urgent need of a job because of his master.'

'Young lady, not to offend you, but isn't that naive? He might be a spy for another group if he's that desperate to join.'

'Who's the idiot now? Have you forgotten that Baran told us who his master is?' Gerald retorted.

'You know who his master is?'

'Yes, Baran told us. But his master isn't as remarkable as his master's master.'

'And who might they be?'

'His master is Rising Blade, and Rising Blade's master is Crescent Gale of the royal court,'

Jaron answered, knowing it wouldn't improve the chances of dropping this guy.

'That's quite the name to just pass by,'

Melissa said while smiling.

'And you want us to let him go out of our hands?'

'Young lady, he has nothing to do with Crescent Gale. His master is probably just a sorcerer with nothing to his name if we search for him.'

'And how many people have applied to this job who just happened to be the grand disciple of Crescent Gale? If my brother knows, I think this whole guard search will be over.'

'I think Master Mervin already knows...'

Gerald said while rubbing his thigh where Jaron had tightened the cloth forcefully.

'Well, Baran wouldn't have known otherwise,'

Jaron indicated.

'Since both of you are fine, the applicant is decent, and has a strong name behind him, what is there to refuse? If you're mad about a smile, just train harder to beat him and smile instead of him.'

Jaron looked down, and Gerald saluted. Both answered,

'Yes!'

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Walking in an open area next to the training fields, Melissa headed toward a white tower behind the estate's main building.

The tower was surrounded by two large pine trees, one on each side, which filled the area with their scent.

Admiring the large trees, Melissa saw an old woman walk out of the tower.

'Shayla! Where are you going?'

'Oh, Melissa. I'm going to the training ground hall. Mervin told me to give a letter to a kid there.'

'He's hiring him already?'

'Mervin seems to be interested in hiring him himself, not as your guard.'

'That's cheating! He applied to be my guard. If he's responsible for hiring my guard, then he should hire him for that and nothing else.'

'I didn't think you'd already chosen him as your guard. How about I wait here for you to talk with Mervin?'

'I didn't choose him, but if he wants to play pity, I'll play pity too! Wait here, Shayla.'

Shayla just went to one of the pine trees and sat under its shadow.

Walking inside the tower with determination to be the pity master in this struggle she didn't know she'd have a few minutes ago...

Bang!

'I want to hire the sorcerer guy as my guard!'

Melissa said as she kicked the door to her brother's office.

The office room was circular, with a small table in the middle, a window behind it, and an ogre head mounted as a trophy on top of it. Other than that, it was an empty room. However, behind that table was a man with short jet-black hair, wearing brown leather armor with a black coat on top of it.

'That was not ladylike of you, dear sister.'

'Keep your flattery for later. I want you to hire the sorcerer as my guard.'

'But his skills will perish under your command.'

'And how are you going to make sure that his skills don't perish?'

'Well, of course, I will use him as my training partner. It is not a daily occurrence to meet people with unique Roh magic like him.'

'Then you're dead set on hiring him for your group?'

'Indeed, I am, dear sister.'

'Fine, give me Jaron, Baran, and Kayla.'

'Isn't that a bit much, dear sister? Kayla is our guard captain. How can I assign her to you when you have not led a single convoy yet?'

'How about I take the sorcerer on my first convoy coming up next? If you find my command lacking, you can take him.'

'That sounds reasonable... but no. I would not want him to have a bad experience with you and then refuse to work with us anymore.'

'Come on, Mervin. You haven't talked to him. He's desperate to work with our group. I'll tell him that my convoy is the last part of the trial to enter our workforce, and he'll eat it up.'

'I will think about it after meeting him, and considering what Baran said as well. Then, ask Shayla to call him here instead of handing him the letter. You will find her by the pine tree.'

Mervin said as he pointed to the tree from the window.