Chapter 100 - Adventurer Test

They arrived at the designated place without problems. Located on the west side of the capital, they passed by the market and it was lively as it was expected. Joan didn't have a single penny to purchase anything at the moment so he has to at least be an adventurer in the very least to support himself in the future.

He thought that leeching off to Isaias some more will only make the student's accusations come true. He hated the thought of him being accused that much. So much that he wanted to puke while he was seating in the driver's seat.

He wanted to at least support himself while waiting for the Academy entrance exam that was coming. He will be prioritizing still his growth though if he will be asked by Isaias. He has to grow stronger and has to at least defend himself after their main mission right now.

They arrived at a majestically build headquarters. Brick walls were what was seen by their naked eyes. It was like a fortress if Joan was about to say anything.. A castle that has guards on its walls. No one will be fool enough to infiltrate it or attack such a stronghold.

They parked their carriage outside and the guards immediately noticed Joan's company.

"Prophet Isaias! Let him in!" The guard said to him.

They approached them and Joan was not disturbed in the slightest. They already knew him as his company and so they tarried further without problems. Moving on, they approached the hall of the adventurer guild. Flag on the kingdom was what was orchestrated on the front on both sides of the gate. A bustling hall was what greeted them and Isaias was being the centre of attention.

It was then Joan can only smirk and scratch the back of his head.

"Oho! Is this the renowned Prophet for sealing the Demon Lord of Affliction?" Said the adventurer on his heavy armour. Helm was on his armpits and his other hand on his sword on the waist.

"You wanted to be an adventurer now? Hahaha!" He added then blurted out laughing.

Joan was just silent on the side was just whistling. He was getting some attention as he was with Isaias.

"Ah no, I am here as I accompany Joan here to take his adventurer test," Isaias said to him.

"Oh, this kid? He is fresh as a budling. You sure he is the one who will take the test?" He asked again.

"Ah, yeah I am very sure. You may want to reconsider belittling him. He is a nasty enemy when enraged," Isaias said to him while whispering the last lines.

The guy was perplexed at his remarks. His eyes opened wide.

"Hey, what did you said to him?" Joan pouted and narrowed his eyes.

"Nah, it is not important. But on the other hand, let us get you registered now shall we?" Isaias said while his hands were on his back. Pushing him towards the registration desk.

The onlookers were astounded by Isaias' behaviour with Joan. It made them curious as to who and what was this person who will register.

"Don't mind me, return to your businesses. I am nothing but a ghost," Isaias said to the ones looking at them.

It was then, the adventurers gulped their saliva. Returning them from their businesses. Waking them up from a trance or dream.

It was then, Joan was in front of the registration desk. Looking at a clerk in uniform. Eyes with eyeglasses and a small hat on her head accompanied with her green uniform.

"I am graced with a Prophet's presence. What can I do for you?" She asked.

"Ah, I want you to register Joan here. He wants to be an adventurer," Isaias said to her. Arms on Joan's back.

"Ah I see, but you see mister Joan. We operate at the Dark Lands far away from this peaceful kingdom. We tend to cull some monsters on the lands tainted with seeds of evil and in return, we award the adventurers to the measure of their contribution. By that, we give compensation to the efforts of the adventurers while the adventurers are absorbing essences while killing monsters and devils alike. So are your resolve firm before registering?" She asked.

"Yes, that is even good news to me," Joan said to her.

"Why is that?" She asked.

"Because I planned to do that pretty much sooner or later. Becoming or not becoming an adventurer, that is," Joan explained.

"Ah, haha, okay let us test you first. Then we hand you a badge of adventurer. That badge will help you, it was like the honour or title of being a government official. Although being the lowest, it still has its value like military police. You can arrest criminals pretty much like that. You have police powers!" She briefly explained.

Joan was then handed a form and then he filled it up. The name, age, address, and all, except one. And that was the Job class. It troubled Joan as he has different job classes.

"Hey Isaias, what should I pick? About the Job classes that have to be written here," Joan said to him.

"Oh, yeah about that. Your job class will surely affect some of your fate's direction. If you put Rogue, then you will be assigned on Rogue missions on the Dark Lands. But you can put it to hold if you are not sure. Maybe put Jobless, you will have unnecessary attention if they will know you are a job classed kid on your age. Maybe you should hide it as you didn't graduate from the Academy yet." Isaias said to him.

"Ah, I see, okay." Joan then submitted the form with two hands.

She scanned the papers and then saw the filled up form. Saying "Jobless" on the Job class description.

"Hmmm, okay. I will submit it then. And I forgot to say. Your badge will get an update as you raise your rank. As for you, you will first get an iron badge. Get merits to have a higher rank, and such was steel, then copper, bronze and, so forth." She said.

It was then, they went to the next building for testing their stats. Isaias led the way and Joan followed him.

"Are you excited?" Isaias asked him.

"Yeah, pretty much," Joan said to him.

They arrived at the next room which was vast. The walls were sturdy-looking as Joan patted it. The top of the building was also made of a wall. It has walls on each side and a few applicants were being tested. A man in training armour was testing students of their combat capabilities and another man was on the testing of stats. They were the only two test assistants who were inside the confined room. It was built for such tests after all.

From his right side, he can see a battle raging on. Joan thought he will also experience such a test. And also on his left was the testing area for the stats. An applicant was being tested as he approached him. Joan felt excited for a moment, it was such a bliss for him to experience it. He didn't have time for becoming an adventurer in his past life. Making it his first-time experience in his current life.

Joan observed some more as his curiosity has pleaded for its thirst to be quenched. Walking nearer and nearer to the stat testing area that was currently being held. He saw that the person on the front has his stats being measured just by walking into the pillar of light. The person just walked out from it and his stats were now numbered.

"Strength–12, Dexterity–9, Vitality–16, Focus–7. Mana realm–earth realm, second stage." The proctor said to the applicant.

He then was leaping with joy after hearing such stats. The applicant who was a man in his thirties was in tears.

"After all my training, it has come to fruition at last!" He said while his hands gripping. Tears were welling out of his eyes.

"Ah, Isaias. I don't know the meaning of such numbers. Can you estimate such numbers? How strong was his stats?" Joan felt confused. It was new to him. Stats were not measured in his past life. Just a mere estimation after duelling and experiencing it first hand.

"Ah, such numbers were already strong. But it was incomparable to yours," Isaias said in a low voice, just for the two of them to hear.

"Ah, I see. I will have to lower my stats then." Joan said to him.

"How?" Isaias asked as his curiosity arise.

"By a technique called stat manipulation. There is a technique once as ancient as the ancient founders of the almarian world. It was a lost art that I have recovered in my past travels. It was hidden in the ancient buried library. But my point is, it was a technique of putting limiters on your body but increasing your potential or growth. Making yourself weak to become strong," Joan said to him.

"Wow, such a great technique was hidden?" Isaias said to him.

"The main problem was you will become very weak. Making you a live target especially when your enemies will know that you have undergone one. Many died due to becoming weak in the past. It was the best way to become strong but it became forbidden after many deaths have been recorded. It was once the cause of many deaths of Legends, Grandmasters, and, even Mythics," Joan briefly explained.

"Ah, that is a very dangerous technique indeed. Thinking Mythics are even killed after undergoing such a technique. So are you still going to use it?" Isaias asked.

"Of course yes. I have my means and ways too," Joan said to him. Winking his right eye.

"Well, how much is reduced to your strength?" Isaias asked.

"Three fourth," Joan said being sad.

"Three fourth? No wonder Mythics died! Is that even worth it?" Isaias blurted out.

"That is why we have to use it while we are still weak," He said then winked again.

"But it was no use if you can't become strong at all times. Like for example, you get attacked by a weaker foe but you repelled it. Then, the time you use the technique, you will become weaker than him and gets killed," Isaias said to him.

"Yeah, I know," Joan replied.

"But knowing you, you know your thing." Isaias then tapped his shoulders twice.

"Yeah," Joan smiled.

Joan then approached the testing area. A metallic pillar with a red orb floating was seen. It was also the object that measures in the pillar of light located just in its front.

"Are you the next applicant?" He asked.

"Yes sir!" Joan said pretty livelily. He was pretty much excited though in taking the test. The man was in a suit, contrary to the combat test assistant who was in a training suit.

"Good! Now go to the light and we will assess your stats," The man said to him.

Immediately, Joan entered the light. Isaias was just watching at Joan. Observing him from afar.

"I hope your choice was correct Joan. I will observe your growth until then," Isaias said to him. The proctor was astounded by his words.

It was then, Joan used his ancient skill.

[Stat manipulation]

Joan's stats became lower and lower. All the essences inside his body became nourishment to his potential. Speeding up his growth for the future. All the essences that he collected were absorbed by his mana well. It became rapidly increasing as the time he used his skill. Making him feel weaker and weaker soon after the time he used the skill. All his stats became one-fourth of his original state but once he absorbed more essences in the future, he will have a greater rise on his stats. A double-edged sword that will make him weaker temporarily but making his growth increasingly fast permanently.

Joan felt his body became weary and wearier as time goes by. It felt like he battled for days without stop as his body felt weak. He was just standing but he wanted to slam his butt on the floor. It felt like his knee's strength was barely able to sustain his effort to stand.

Steam was evaporating from his body and he breathed hoarsely. But it felt like impurities were slowly getting out of his body. Making him felt lighter and lighter than before. Joan then breathed out steam.

"Ho! That was refreshing, see! Told you it worked!" Joan shouted at Isaias.

The proctor dropped open his jaws. He was in a trance after the numbers showed up in the measuring pillar. He squinted his eyes more and so Joan turned around to see it himself. Joan too was surprised, he didn't know if the number he was seeing was a big deal or not. It was confusing, but he knew it was something. As the proctor's reaction was telling it himself.

"Okay, now the results! Strength–22, Dexterity–25, Vitality–24, Focus–26. Mana realm–Earth realm Seventh stage!" The proctor said to them.

Joan was dismayed by the numbers. It made him look a tad stronger than the other one who passed.

"This is amazing! This is record-breaking! How come you are so strong even with your age!" The proctor said to Joan.

Isaias then laughed while stroking his long beard. Imagining its original number if not for his skill [Stat manipulation]. Imagining its number, Isaias laughed and laughed louder than before.

"Huhahaha! Huhahaha! Uhug! Uhug!" He only stopped after choking a bit.

Soon after, Joan went to Isaias. Smiling while both hands were on his nape.

"I am great ain't I?" Joan said to him.

"Though you are just a tad stronger than that man." He said while pointing towards the person he meant.

It was then, Joan felt ashamed. It would be a harder battle to face the Demon Lords. It will be harder, by a lot. Luckily, they will be waking up the heroes first before they will attack the final bosses. It was a good strategy to collect essence first before fighting them head-on.

But then, the proctor calculated the possible rank he can give to Joan.

"It would be steel rank or higher. Anyways, you have to at least finish first the combat test. I know you can beat the crap out of him." He said then winked at him.

It was then, Joan smiled in glee. He proceeded to the next test which was the combat test. Which was located just beside their testing area.

Just up ahead, there was a man that has wooden weapons placed on the wooden wrack. He was holding his sword and was fighting another man that has tested in the stat test before him. He has a staff on his hands that he twirled left and right.

"This better be good," Joan observed him some more. Looking at his movements.

"Show me the prowess of a Holy Knight's Priest! Show me what you've got!" The proctor said to him. Intimidating him to test his all-out combat instinct.

"Haaaa!!!" He shouted some more and approached him with his staff.

Tak! Tak! Tak! Tak!

He smashed with all his might and every blow was either blocked or deflected. Something that Joan expected. He was a Priest nonetheless. Every move and execution of attacks was like one.

[Staff smash] [Staff smash]

Two skills were made after another. Making Joan thought that Job class skills were allowed in the combat test. Now that he listed jobless on his data means that he can't show any skill on the test, can he? Though that means he can still execute basic attacks on his proctor. Though using all weapons will make him dumb-looking. It was unconventional and was in no way possible.

If he didn't list any job classes, he will have to act like one. Using skills will also blow out their covers, made his staying in low-key wasted its purpose.

Just as Joan pondered, he thought of without choosing anything or just pick one. It will be a headache if he will have to think of a weapon to choose from. As of now, his mastery of all weapons was unrivalled even in his past life. So nonchalantly choosing one will maybe go well without problems.