Chapter 46 Assessment ( 1 )

Vincent could swear that he heard them gulp after seeing Tara's face.

'These people… Although she's beautiful, they didn't have to act this exaggerated right?' Vincent knitted his brows after noticing the sudden change in the atmosphere.

They were previously just minding their own business and talking about the examination. However, they all quieted down after Tara's arrival.

Well, although she only revealed her face as she's mostly covered, her attractiveness couldn't be hidden at all.

Vincent then looked at her figure and suddenly recalled an important thing!

'Wait… Did they realize that she's a Celestial Being? They are all applying as an Appraiser so they must have keen eyes! Ugh! It's good that her mark is hidden by the cloak.'

As Vincent started to get worried that her identity will get exposed by these people, Tara answered his question.

"I'm not planning to apply for the job. I'm just here to let you know that we have already received the reward from Yvette and I left it in your room."

Vincent nodded as he led Tara to a corner.

"That was quite late. I thought she has already forgotten. Anyway, you've brought a bag with you. Are you leaving?"

"Yes, I'll be doing something for a while to help me recover my full strength. I'll be back in a few days." Tara replied.

"Oh~ No worries then… Is there anything I can help with?"

"Hmm… If you found any item related to Celestial Beings, it would be great if you can give it to me." Tara didn't shy away from his offer as she stated what she wanted.

"That will probably be expensive but I'll try..." Vincent replied and felt that being an Appraiser might help with her request.

As for the payment, they decided not to speak about it at the moment since Vincent knows that befriending this Celestial Being is definitely a good thing even if she's only Ranked 999.

As soon as Tara left, one of the examiners gathered everyone so they can begin the test.

Cedric, who was previously planning to befriend him, decided to keep quiet as the test is about to start.

They were brought to a hall inside the Auction House where three more examiners are waiting.

There are a total of three men and one woman as examiners. They were all carefully observing Vincent and his group who had just arrived at the gathering hall.

From the way they carry themselves, Vincent can tell that these people weren't simple Appraisers as well.

They weren't that old and only in their thirties while the female one was probably just in her twenties. This is quite unexpected since he thought that most Appraisers were rather old.

Anyway, the identical blue and white robes they're wearing are giving off a noble aura. If Vincent will guess the quality of those robes, for sure those items weren't just Rare Quality!

With that in mind, he wouldn't be surprised if these appraisers also possess some combat skills or perhaps, even Magicians themselves.

"I'm Olivier, one of the Senior Appraisers of the Guardian's Auction House. The three behind me are the Resident Appraisers of this City Branch. If you manage to pass on our test, you guys will be working with them."

Olivier, a gentleman who has his blond hair well-combed to the left side, said in a gentle voice. His smiling face may look fake but he definitely appears very professional.

"I will be supervising the test and any form of cheating is not allowed. You will be disqualified in this test and will never be accepted in the Auction House ever again." Oliver finished his announcement with a stern voice as he signaled for the female examiner to continue.

This female Appraiser has long red hair and her face is covered by a veil as if she's mourning. Vincent found it unusual as this is the first time he had seen someone wearing this.

She walked forward and stood at the podium before speaking with her soothing voice.

"I will explain the first test… This is very simple, you just have to appraise the twenty items that we've prepared. If only three of you passed the test, there will be no point to have the second test and you will be accepted already."

She then signaled for the guards outside to bring the items in.

Soon, twenty various items appeared in front of the 15 applicants. They are carefully placed on a wooden tray as they formed a circle on the table. There are also numbers from one to twenty that can be seen engraved on the trays.

"Hmm… This is going to be easy."

"Really? Do you think this is so simple?"

"Hmph… Just shut up and let's see who will pass the test."

Some of the applicants expressed their confidence after seeing the items in front of them. Vincent looked at them closely and realized that most of the items here weren't that old and seemingly new. There are only two items that seemed to have come from an older era.

This is probably why most of them are thinking that this is quite an easy test.

However, would they really make this test easy?

"Everyone…"

The female Appraiser spoke as she took everyone's attention.

"This test will last for two hours so take your time identifying them. You are allowed to touch them but not to lift them. You will also be given a paper to fill out the information you have about them, this is just for your personal notes. If you're confident that you have already properly identified the twenty of them, you can go ahead and enter the conference room so we can cross-examine your answers. Only one applicant can enter at once."

Seeing that everyone is attentively listening, she continued.

"As soon as the four of us entered the conference room, you can go ahead and inspect the items. I repeat, do not take them out of the tray if you don't want to be disqualified."

After saying this, Olivier lead all the examiners inside the conference room connected to this gathering hall.

The guards also left after they handed the papers, ink, and quill pen to everyone.

It may appear that no one is watching them but for sure, the Appraisers inside the conference room had a way to monitor them.

With that in mind, everyone silently stepped forward to appraise each item.