Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 69 (Part 2)

“Don’t worry. If I do cause trouble, I won’t get caught.”

“So you’re not saying you won’t cause trouble.”

“Who can predict the future? But I’ll try my best.”

To receive a mercenary badge without an identification badge, one needed a guarantor. In Rodin’s case, Bron’s group acted as his guarantors.

If Rodin caused trouble within the next three years, the guarantors would be held responsible.

Whether the problem was financial or a matter of life and death, the guarantor would have to bear the consequences.

“Let’s go in.”

Bron led the way and opened the door to the Mercenary Guild.

Contrary to its shabby exterior, the interior was quite well-kept. The tables and chairs weren’t overly worn, and there were plenty of mercenaries resting in various spots.

“It’s like a regular tavern.”

Of course, it wasn’t a tavern.

Even though people were entering, there was no “Welcome” greeting. The guild staff seemed more interested in chatting with their neighbors.

Bron walked straight to the counter.

Baker, Marlon, and Ellice moved toward the bulletin board to check the requests.

“I have a younger brother here who wants to become a mercenary.”

“You’re here for a mercenary qualification assessment, I see. Is this the one?”

The staff member, who had been chatting away, straightened up as Bron approached. Fortunately, they knew how to separate work from leisure.

“Yes. I’m here to become a mercenary.”

“If you apply for the assessment, we’ll contact you within three days. Please leave your contact information and…”

“Hold on. This guy’s a mage. He needs to take a magic proficiency test, not the regular assessment.”

Bron interrupted the staff member’s explanation. It seemed the verification process differed for mages and fighters.

When the word “mage” was mentioned, the mercenaries in the hall turned to look. Their faces were like those of people seeing a mythical creature.

“Oh! A mage? What level are you?”

“I’m a 3rd-circle mage.”

“Just a moment. I’ll contact the branch manager immediately. Please have a seat and wait for a moment.”

The staff member disappeared, and less than 10 minutes later, a man in his 40s appeared, his hurried arrival evident from his disheveled appearance.

“Huff, huff. A 3rd-circle mage, you say?”

“Yes. I advanced to the 3rd circle a month ago.”

In the mercenary world, mages were extremely rare. Even if you searched all the mercenaries based in a large city, you’d find only a few mages.

Rodin himself had been surprised to find a 2nd-circle mage like Ellice among Bron’s group.

“That’s remarkable.”

“Thank you. I was lucky.”

Rodin lightly responded as he removed the hood he had been wearing. Finally, his young, handsome face was revealed.

“Oh! Your age…”

“Fourteen.”

“Wow, that’s really impressive. A 14-year-old 3rd-circle mage. You’d be highly regarded even in a magic tower.”

“I just like being with my brothers and sisters.”

The branch manager’s mention of a magic tower implied that he could introduce Rodin to one.

Rodin politely declined the offer by using Bron’s group as an excuse.

“Since you’re applying for mercenary qualification as a mage, we’ll need to verify your skills. Ah! Not that I doubt you, but it’s just the guild’s procedure.”

“No problem. I’m not offended, so please speak freely.”

Many mages were easily offended by even the most reasonable doubt. They considered themselves to be noble beings, making them difficult to please.

“There’s a designated area in the back.”

“Sure. Let’s go.”

Following the branch manager, Rodin was led to an open space behind the Mercenary Guild building.

The prepared area was spacious. Although there were some sparse weeds along the edges, the central ground was well-maintained, smooth, and flat.

Three scarecrows were lined up in the middle, seemingly newly erected.

“Please use three 3rd-circle spells. If the spell is meant to target the scarecrow, use it on the scarecrow. If it’s meant for the ground, use it on the ground. The scarecrows aren’t expensive, but setting them up is a bit of a hassle. Ah! After casting, please explain what the spell is. I’m not familiar with many spells.”

“Understood. Let’s start with this one, shall we?”

Rodin muttered as if he were reciting a runic chant, but it was barely audible, even to those nearby.

“…Fireball!”

The first spell was completed. A fireball the size of an adult’s head formed at Rodin’s fingertips and shot forward.

Boom!

The fireball struck the ground, creating a large crater and scattering debris in all directions.

“This spell is…”

“I know this one! It’s Fireball, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Haha, it’s a signature spell of 3rd-circle mages. I’ve heard it’s the most powerful among 3rd-circle spells. They say that if a 3rd-circle mage can’t cast Fireball, they aren’t even considered a 3rd-circle mage.”

Although that was mostly true, Fireball wasn’t the most powerful 3rd-circle spell.

Of the 3rd-circle spells Rodin knew, the most powerful was Calling Thunder, a spell that summoned lightning, often referred to as “thunderbolt.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Please show us the next spell.”

“Alright.”

Once again, Rodin muttered as if chanting a spell. After a moment, the spell was completed.

“…Wind Sickle!”

A blade of compressed wind sliced through the scarecrow on the left. The scarecrow was cleanly severed at the waist.

“Wow! What is that?”

“Wind Sickle. A sickle made of compressed wind. It’s quite effective in combat, especially because it’s fast.”

“Impressive. Please show us the third and final spell.”

“For the third… Hmm.”

After a brief consideration, Rodin chose the spell.

The spells he had shown so far were all offensive. While mercenaries favored such spells, it felt a bit too one-sided.

So, he decided on a different type of spell. He chanted the runic words and extended his hand toward the ground.

“…Ground Barrier!”

The earth rose up about a meter ahead, forming a wall. It was a small fortification about two meters high and three meters wide.

“This is a defensive spell called Ground Barrier. It’s fairly sturdy and should be able to withstand several strikes from a knight.”

“Oh, magic really is amazing. I’ll just record this quickly.”

The mercenary assessment was completed swiftly. The branch manager recorded the spells and then returned with Rodin to the main hall on the first floor.

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