Chapter 88: Entry Test

Chapter 88: Entry Test

The evaluation room was in the basement of the building. When Estezol initially took Dallion there, the boy expected it to be an enormous underground area full of traps and dungeons. Instead, the room he was brought to was only marginally bigger than his room at the inn. Shelves of cubes, spheres, and pyramids covered the walls. In between there was the occasional wooden cabinet with tomes of books, and the occasional scroll. Three people sat in one corner, playing a game that Dallion could only assume to be a mix between dice and poker. Judging by the stack of coins on the table, the old man with somewhat aristocratic clothes was winning.

Hey, sir. Estezol went to the table, holding Dallions application with both hands. Have a new candidate for you.

Cant someone else take care of this? the old man grumbled. Im on a winning streak here.

Even so, he grabbed the piece of paper from the bearded mans hands and started reading. A few seconds in he looked up at Dallion, then back at the piece of paper.

A sixer? After a month? he said in disbelief.

Looking at him, he was one of those people that children imagined a university professor should be, but rarely wasold, wrinkly, cleanly shaven, with white hair and elegant old-fashioned attire. Back on Earth, he could have earned a living as a movie extra.

Have you tested him at all?

Only the basics, sir. I was hoping for you to conduct the test.

Hmm. The man glanced at the sheet of paper again. Boy, why did you decide to join our guild?

Actually, Jiroh brought me here, Dallion hesitated for a moment, Sir.

Hardly proper. Still, I guess she had a good take on such things. Estezol, schedule a session for this afternoon. Ill

Ill do the test, a female voice said from behind.

As he turned around, Dallion saw that the entire entrance was filled with a woman clad in full-plate armor. The first thing that came to mind was to compare her with a nobleDame Vesuvia, to be precise. For one thing, every piece of armor looked incredibly expensive. A mere gauntlet was probably worth more than the whole of Dherma village. But that was not allan air of confidence and power surrounded her, creating the unmistakable impression that she was in control of any situation.

March, the old man said, his voice full of contempt. Havent seen you in the basement for quite some time. I thought you had forgotten the way, or are you too busy with your make-belief quests?

Not busier than you and your gambling. The woman snorted. Wasnt that the reason why you were sent down here in the first place?

That was a one time lapse of judgement. The man jumped to his feet, pointing a finger in the womans direction. Chesteon has always been envious of my skills! Unlike you, I worked my way up the ladder. Just because youve been in a few wars doesnt make you special!

The guild master didnt seem to think so. March made her way to the table, her armor clanking at every step, and took Dallions application sheet. A level six, she read. Spread focus, three skills. Faced any area guardians?

A few, Dallion replied. One of the things he hated the most was becoming an excuse for an argument. It was obvious that the old man, and the woman had issues, and now he had become part of them. No matter who got to perform his test, the other would regard it as a betrayal on Dallions part.

Got any achievements?

Some.

Good enough. Estezol, Ill handle this. She went to one shelf and took a pyramid of dark metal.

A pyramid, milady? The bearded man asked, surprised. But hes only

A stern look quickly made him shut up.

Give me your hand, March said as she held the triangle.

Dallion obeyed.

Item Awakening

Good, youve got a dartbow.

Dartbows are extremely versatile ranged weapons, Nitiello said, observing everything from a safe distance. Not only do they provide a vast range advantage, but they could be used in close combat as well in more ways than one.

Dallion didnt listen, shooting bolt after bolt. According to his attack markers each was supposed to hit the woman dead center, and yet each time she evaded it with such ease as if it were nothing.

Wasteful. March stopped in place. In an actual battle, youd never have this many chances.

Easy for you to say. The only option was to attack and defend at the same time. The moment he thought about it, red and green footprints appeared on the ground. As fast as the woman was, there was no way she could negate the guard bonus. It had worked against the Aspion, so it would work against her as long as Dallion had the element of surprise. The important thing was not to let March interrupt him.

Dallion shot another bolt, then rushed after it, following the marker footprints. Halfway through the first sequence he braced, expecting a counterattack. To his surprise, none followed. Maybe the woman was testing him.

You underestimated me, Dallion grinned.

Time slowed down. Pressing on, he completed a second sequence, then a third. His attack took him less than a few feet from March. Right now, she was wide opena perfect target for attack. Experience had taught Dallion, though, not to rush things. Only after completing the fourth sequence, he leapt to her other side and shot as many bolts as the time slow would let him. Three bolts split the air, hitting their target.

Got you! Dallion shouted triumphantly. However, no rectangle emerged depicting the result of his attack. It was as if nothing had happened.

Not used to echoes, are you? A voice asked behind him. Green markers enveloped him. Moments later, a powerful punch sent him flying once more.

CRITICAL WOUND

Health has been decreased by 20%

You cannot use awakened abilities for 1 minute.

All markers disappeared. Dallion tried to twist around, but found that his action was way slower than it was supposed to.

MODERATE WOUND

Health has been decreased by 10%

A punch tore the dartbow out of his hand, leaving it flying in several dozen feet away. As it did, the holster disappeared from Dallions hip, replaced by a scabbard. It was back to having a short sword.

MODERATE WOUND

Health has been decreased by 10%

A second punch drove him to the ground. Things had gotten really bad, really fast. Without the markers, Dallion had to guess as to the defense sequence. In the past he had performed it several times in the real world, but now doubt reared its ugly head.

Too insecure! March shouted, leaping at him with the goal of performing an air attack.

Ive no choice. Dallion rolled to the side. The action was sloppy and painful, but granted him just enough distance to avoid the painful stomp. Part of his mind sighed in relief. The rest urged him to draw his sword and attempt a counterattacka desperate action, though the only one.

The blade split the air only to be caught midway by Marchs hand.

Youre dead, she said, looking Dallion straight in the eyes. Also, youve passed. She let go of his weapon and helped him up.

Are you sure? Nitiello approached. His technique is sloppy, and he has way too many holes in his training. Hell have to learn everything from scratch. He cant even face echoes properly.

Maybe, but hes got this far in only a month. Also, he has the ability to learn.