Adventurer Test For Two

The south end guild hall was a mirror of the north end hall in construction and design. Aside from that, the halls were very different. Where the north hall mostly catered to merchants and craftsman, the south mostly catered to adventurers, farmers, and hunters. Takao knew this, and he also knew this was why the south hall had a reputation for being rougher and louder than the north hall.

Even before entering the guild hall, Takao and Sumire could hear that the hall's reputation was accurate. They entered to find the hall crowded and loud. Large and rough people filled the tables, eating, drinking, and making a racket.

Takao led Sumire straight to the reception counter. He was hoping to avoid drawing attention, but his hopes failed. They hadn’t even made it to the counter before a large dragon guard called Takao out.

“Hey Takao! I hear you got fired! You come to fail the adventurer test again?”

The hall erupted in laughter and more jeering. Takao ignored them, but he saw Sumire shooting dirty looks at everyone there. He’d expected the taunting, but he still felt his cheeks burning. Every time he lost a job, he tried his luck at passing the adventurer test. Eventually people started to notice and Takao became a running joke at the guild.

“Ignore them.” Takao told Sumire.

“Hello Takao!” The receptionist, Teyumi, greeted merrily. She was shorter than Takao and a year younger, with orange hair she wore braided to the side and a freckled nose. Takao knew her from the orphanage, but they’d had little time together before he’d left. Even so, he was always glad to see her, since she always cheered him on and supported him. “I heard you lost your job with the dragon guard. I’m sorry.”

“Thanks, but it’s fine. I don’t think it was a good fit for me.” Takao said.

Teyumi suddenly leaned over the counter toward Takao, brown eyes twinkling.

“I totally agree! I always thought you were more suited to something greater! Especially since you have the spear master title. Have you come to take the test again? I know you’ll pass this time!” Teyumi declared excitedly.

Sumire, who Teyumi had entirely ignored, cleared her throat loudly.

“I’ll be with you in a moment.” Teyumi said coldly, brushing her off.

Sensing Sumire’s fury, Takao quickly cut in

“This is Sumire. She’s been helping me train. She’s amazingly strong!” Takao said with admiration, hoping to pacify Sumire.

Teyumi’s attitude reversed abruptly.

“Oh! I’m sorry! I thought you were one of those scum that make fun of Takao. It’s a pleasure to meet you!” She said brightly.

“A pleasure.” Sumire nodded. She still looked upset, but didn’t say anything else, to Takao’s relief.

“Right, so can I take the adventurer test?” Takao asked, getting back to why they were there.

“Of course! Here’s the usual form.”

“And one for me.” Sumire added.

Takao and Teyumi both looked at her in surprise.

“Oh— sorry. I just assumed you were already an adventurer. Here you are.” She said, handing a form to Takao and Sumire.

They filled out the forms and passed them back to Teyumi. She checked the papers, then led them to a private room with several small desks. Takao already knew how the test worked, but she explained for Sumire’s sake.

The test had three parts: a written portion to test your knowledge and critical thinking, a skill portion where you demonstrated your prowess with some kind of weapon, and a magic portion where you had to show some magical ability. If you passed the first part, you could move to the second; If you passed the second part, you could move to the third. You had to pass all three parts to pass the test.

Takao had no problems passing the first two parts. The magic portion was the part he always failed, and he had no doubt he would fail again today. Even though he’d trained with Sumire all day, he hadn’t produced any results. He was sure Sumire would have no trouble passing all three parts. He could already hear the adventurers in the hall insulting him. A weight formed in the pit of his stomach. He was starting to regret coming here.

After finishing her explanation, Teyumi left to get the test proctor.

“I didn’t know you had fans.” Sumire said coolly.

“You mean Teyumi? We have a bit of a history, is all.” Takao said simply, but when Sumire didn’t answer, he thought he should explain further. “We were at the same orphanage for a few months. One day, some other kids were bullying her, and taking it too far. I stepped in to defend her.”

“That’s—” Sumire began.

“I lost.” He interrupted. “Badly too. They had magic; I didn’t. The outcome was obvious. Regardless, she’s treated me like that ever since. As if I saved her.”

“Sounds like you did.” Sumire said sympathetically.

“No, I didn’t. Not long after that, I left the orphanage to live on my own. I knew she would keep getting bullied, but I left anyway.”

“Takao—”

The test proctor entered the room, cutting Sumire off. Takao was glad for the distraction. He didn’t feel like talking about this anymore.

The written portion of the test was over in a flash. Takao practically knew all the answers, and he never doubted Sumire would have any trouble. They both passed easily, and were led to the guild hall's outside training area for the skill portion of the test.

Takao demonstrated his spear skills, and Sumire demonstrated magnificent sword skills with a jagged lightning bolt shaped sword she pulled from her magical storage. Next was the magic portion.

Sumire went first, sending purple lightning bolts arcing from herself to the ground. The proctor scribbled furiously on his paper after seeing it. Next was Takao’s turn, but he didn’t know what to do. He still couldn’t use magic. He had no idea why Sumire had brought him here. Just to be humiliated? Again?

“Hold on.” Sumire called, interrupting his spiraling thoughts.

She walked over to him and took his spear. She examined it closely, then handed it back.

“Never mind. Thought I saw something. Go ahead Takao.” She said, walking back to her place by the proctor.

Takao was ready to give up when something happened.

His spear tip began to glow. In an instant, it was red-hot. Ribbons of flame spun from the point, reflecting in his silver awe struck eyes. To his utter astonishment, a ball of fire formed at the end of his spear and grew to half his height, then doubled in size instantly. Heat and light washed over him, then the fireball launched from his spear. It flew across the grounds, striking a training dummy and shaking the ground with a fiery explosion.

Takao stood there, mouth gaping at what he’d just done. Sumire and the proctor were also gaping. He couldn’t believe it. As Sumire and the proctor congratulated him, he still couldn’t believe it. He followed them back to the guild hall, where Teyumi jumped up and down while congratulating him repeatedly, and he still couldn’t believe it.

Takao only came back to his senses when Teyumi put his new adventurer card in his hand. He held it gingerly and stared at it. Pride swelled in his chest. He was finally an adventurer. He’d finally done it.

“Hey!” Sumire called.

Takao reluctantly pulled his eyes from his adventurer card to find Sumire holding up a piece of paper for him to see.

“I got us our first job!” She declared happily.

Sumire’s Exposé!
Lockhorn are domesticated monsters similar to cows, but larger and hairier. All have large horns that twist as they grow till they lock together over the center of their heads, forming into what looks like a single horn. The south guild hall is famous for its lockhorn dishes, especially lockhorn steak.