Evaluation Exams

Moments after Theo let Kaycee in, he was seated on his bed while the latter remained standing despite receiving the offer to sit. 

"I'm fine… I wish to stand." He had said in response.

Theo observed the stranger for a while, remaining silent as he looked around the room awkwardly. Kaycee was tall, but his tone and overall demeanor didn't belong to a much older fellow. Instead, Theo estimated he was only a year or two older than him.

'He's also an Arcane Vessel and a staff of the Ak'ashi Guild… what is that all about?'

The primary thought on Theo's mind was the kind of work an Arcane Vessel was needed to do, and if Kaycee was here to reveal the 'true' reason Shen Ak'ashi had saved him. After seeing how exceptional he was, perhaps the Supreme Lord of Tyranny wanted him to refill Ne'sh for the Ak'ashi Guild instead of the Sarvos Nation.

'Arcane Vessels are rare… so it makes sense that he would want my talents for himself.'

"Um… well, I came here because I was curious about you." Kaycee finally broke the awkward silence, a forced smile etched on his face as beads of sweat appeared all over it. "I heard the Zenith brought an Arcane Vessel, and they needed someone like him to help ease him into life in the Guild, so I volunteered."

"Really? You're not here on some kind of official business?"

"No. I mean, I am… but official business doesn't start until tomorrow… don't get me wrong, it's not like it can't start today, but I was supposed to visit tomorrow since your tour was supposed to be today, and you would have been tired, but I was walking around the area and thought… why not? I could just drop by to tell you that—"

"Hold up… slow down."

"—I've been placed in charge of looking after you." Kaycee finally released his breath, puffing very loudly after his marathon of words.

"A-ah…?"

Theo was a little confused, but after piecing his thoughts together, he figured out what Kaycee was trying to tell him. "So, you're like a chaperone that will help me settle into the Guild by answering any question I have about things here, right?"

"Yeah, pretty much!"

"I see. Then, can you tell me when I'll get to meet Lord Shen, or tell me where the other members of the Zenith are? I haven't seen them since we parted ways last night."

"Erm… well… it isn't that easy to meet the Zenith… and no one meets the Guildmaster."

"Really?" Kaycee's words correlated with the words of the tour guide, so Theo wasn't too disappointed. Their identical answers simply confirmed how much of a big deal the people he met were, and how fortunate he had been to journey with them.

"You said it isn't easy to meet the Zenith. But, it isn't impossible… right?"

Kaycee heard this and nodded.

A small smile crept up on his face as he twirled strands of the long hair that cascaded down his face. He took in deep breaths, organizing his thoughts before proceeding to answer Theo.

"The Guild operates on hierarchy. In the first place, there are two kinds of people who live here… the Active members and Inactive members. "

"Oh?"

"Being an active member of the Guild means taking up a role. In essence, becoming a Guild Staff, which is divided into two categories: Combat and Non-Combat." Kaycee continued. "Of course, before you can be a staff you have to pass the Evaluation Exams."

"There is an Exam? Will Lord Shen be there to supervise?"

"He doesn't usually get involved in things like that and instead leaves it to members of the Zenith. But I heard he might attend the upcoming one due to how big the scope is." After murmuring for a bit, Kaycee looked up, only to see Theo grinning widely.

"Hehe… so he's going to be there…"

"D-don't get your hopes up! It's only hearsay for now."

"Alright, fine." Theo sighed and shrugged, though his eyes still brimmed with confidence that the rumors were going to end up as true. 

"I-in any case… you need to pass the Evaluation Exams to be an active member of the Guild. There are various sections of the Exam, so you'll have to register as the type of staff you want to be, and proceed to specify the kind of role you are looking for. Every role has limited slots, though… well, except Combat Staff… but the Exams are hard and the acceptance rate is very low."

Theo listened to all of this and nodded quietly.

He already knew about the difference between Combat and Non-Combat Staff thanks to Miller's coherent explanation. Apparently, only ten percent of the total population of the Guild were active members, and less than one percent were Combat Staff.

'The remaining ninety percent of the population consists of family members of active members, or those with some form of affiliation or business relationship with the Guild. Apparently, an Active member can also recommend someone who is not their family member if they have racked up enough merits in the Guild.'

The person recommended would, of course, be an inactive member unless they passed the appropriate Evaluation Exam.

"There are a lot of benefits to becoming an Active Member." Kaycee continued speaking, and Theo bobbed his head, half-listening while also drowning in his own thoughts. He thought it would be rude to interrupt the passionate young man, but Theo already knew of the benefits after asking Miller all sorts of questions and also speaking to the local people.

'Inactive members get taxed at a higher rate compared to Active members. If they are unable to pay for themselves, payment will be deducted from the active member who is affiliated with them. While active members also get taxed, the rate is far less and they gain extra benefits like discounts, access to restricted items or areas, and all kinds of insurance—either for themselves or their family.'

The list went on.

'Of course, the most noticeable advantage is the ability to earn money. Inactive members can trade by barter in the farmers market or smaller trade areas, but they are not allowed to go beyond that. The main commercial activities are conducted by active members, allowing them to trade goods and services for Arcas.' Theo smiled. 'Inactive members can buy things with Arca, but they can't actively sell anything for Arca. This makes them dependent on their active affiliates for an inflow of Arca.'

If they desired more Arca... they would have to be Active Guild members.

"It's also possible to go through the route of the Ak'ashi Academy, as graduates are guaranteed respectable active roles in the Guild, but tuition fees aren't cheap. There is the opportunity of scholarships, but it's very competitive and the bar is high.' 

Ultimately, there was no such thing as 'free lunch', and the Ak'ashi Guild seemed firmly averse to that concept. It operated on the law of give and take—a fair, equivalent exchange of value. Even as Theo sat there, analyzing all of this, he understood that all he enjoyed had to come at a price… and he was certain he knew what it was.

"… Trust and cohesion in the Guild, which makes both combat and non-combat members of the Ak'ashi Guild operate with perfect efficiency and—" Kaycee stopped mid-sentence after Theo stopped him by raising a hand and re-emphasizing the question he asked from the very beginning.

"How exactly can I meet with the Zenith?"

"Well… by climbing up the ranks." Kaycee answered, finally getting to the main point that Theo wanted to hear. "Once you get to a high enough point, you're guaranteed to start working under, or even working with members of the Zenith."

"I see…" Theo smiled. "And which one is easier to advance in? Combat or Non-Combat Role?"

Kaycee closed his eyes and rubbed his chin for a moment, thinking very deeply about the question. After ruminating on it, he opened his eyes and gave his frank response.

"Personally, I think it's the Combat Division… though it's also the riskiest. The Non-combat Roles are desired by almost all active members since they're the safest. Most graduates choose to go for the Non-Combat Roles, and pretty much all high-ranking positions are impossible to reach due to intense competition, politics, nepotism, and all sorts of barriers that exist there." He mumbled, his voice alternating between high and low pitch. "But, it's more straightforward if you're a Combat Staff. As long as you complete your missions and build up merit, you can take the promotional exam and advance. There's no superfluous barrier or competition to stop you… it's purely based on achievements."

"I figured as much." Theo smiled, already recognizing the path he had to take.

No, even if the Non-Combat roles were easier to advance in, he would have still opted for the Combat Roles—not because he loved fighting and craved violence, but because he desired to be strong like the Zenith.

He wanted to earn their respect.

He was also sure that was where Shen Ak'ashi wanted to see him.

"How can I apply?" Theo blurted out, folding his arms as he squarely stared at Kaycee with determined eyes. His sudden rush of passion sent a chill down the tall boy's spine, but he managed to form a coherent answer to the query.

"The next Evaluation Exams take place in a few months. It consists of many segments based on the field you wish to join."

"You're a staff, right? Which segment did you join?"

"The Armament Repair Division, a Non-Combat Role." Kaycee said with pride. "It's where I can put my gift to its best use, and the division is always in demand for Arcane Vessels like us."

Theo narrowed his eyes as soon as he heard those words.

"N-no, don't get me wrong… the Ak'ashi Guild is different from other Nations when it comes to Armament Repair and Ne'sh refilling." Kaycee quickly added. "The treatment is very humane, and we have very good pay. We only work for a few hours a day, and they ensure we eat well and live in good conditions."

"Is that so?" Theo asked dryly.

"I'm serious! We even get breaks during the week, so it's not what you think at all!" He vehemently supported the Guild and its practices.

Arcane Instruments ran on Ne'sh, and only Arcane Vessels could naturally produce it. As such, any individual or organization that utilized Armaments required Vessels to power their tools. This alone made many to consider Arcane Vessels more as valuable commodity than as living, breathing Mortals.

 "I see that the Ak'ashi Guild is different." Theo smiled warmly. "That's a relief."

"Y-yeah! Exactly! Thanks for believing me" 

"You look healthy yourself, so I had no choice but to take you at your word."

"I mean, if you're not doing anything tomorrow, I could show you around the facility… specifically where I work. We have nothing to hide, trust me."

"Really? That would be cool."

"G-great!" Kaycee's cheeks turned bright red with excitement as his eyes sparkled underneath his bangs. "In any case… have you decided on what division you'd like to apply to? If you want, I can talk to my boss and recommend you to him. He'll give you a lot of tips and even insight on what to do in the exams to get a comfortable position in the division."

Theo smiled upon hearing this, but he shook his head slowly as he rose to his feet.

"Isn't it obvious already?" 

"Y-you don't mean…" Kaycee's face paled the moment he took one serious look at the boy's determined facade.

Theo made a fist and bumped it on the tall boy's chest.

"Yeah! I'm joining the Combat Division."