The third meeting. I will officially be recruited tonight. But I made sure that there is no Moonlight Oak in Wender. If I have to take an Oath, it will take two days to get to Gerrinswood. I have time to get away before it’s too late. And I’m not alone. I have friends to help if I get in trouble.

Adion took a deep breath and entered the old chapel that had hosted the previous two meetings. He saw only five other people sitting there when he arrived. But after waiting for only 10 minutes, eight more people showed up.

From 40 people to 18. Not a bad ratio.

It wasn’t long before the meeting started. The man named Frent, who had held the previous meeting, greeted everyone with a smile.

But Adion’s attention wasn’t on him. He was focused on the other person who had come along with him—an old man in simple brown robes. But Adion felt that it was no simple old man.

He’s a Gold mage!

Adion forced himself to calm down. He was confident in his aura control against any mage his age. Even older people that had made it to Silver never caused him to worry. But an old Gold? There was certainly a possibility that he could see through Adion if he was trained in aura sense.

No, it’s possible, but not likely. I’ve been trained by Fellion and should at least be able to hide my space core and strength. Unless he comes from a family clan and has put a lot of focus on his aura training, I shouldn’t have to have any fear.

Besides, he shouldn’t have any reason to believe I’m hiding my element and strength. I’m already a low Bronze at such a young age. There is no need for him to try to feel for anything hidden in my aura.

“I’m glad to see so many of you join us,” Frent said with a smile, “I know I have been less than clear about the specifics of our organization. But I assure you, there is a good reason for that. And by the end of tonight, you will officially join us, and there won’t be any need for secrets after that.”

I doubt they’ll share all their secrets with a couple of Bronze mages, though.

“This man here is Gold Hettim,” The middle-aged man gestured to the old man beside him, “He is here to conduct your interviews. Nothing too private will be asked, don’t worry. We just have to ensure you don’t wish our organization harm. Answer truthfully, and it will be done in a few minutes.”

Well, I suspected as much. I didn’t realize that they’d have a Gold mage personally interview a bunch of new recruits in the Bronze stage, though.

The old man, Hettim, smiled kindly at the gathered youths and spoke, “I’m glad to see so many new faces will be joining us soon. I’ll have a short talk with each of you so we can get to know each other better.”

The old man then headed off and entered a room at the end of the chamber. Frent looked out over the crowd and asked, “So, who wants to go first?”

Everyone looked around nervously. After a couple of long seconds had passed, a girl Adion’s age, at peak Iron strength, raised her hand.

“What’s your name, girl?” Frent asked with a smile.

“I’m Frida, sir,” The girl answered.

“I commend your initiative. I’m sure you’ll have a bright future ahead of you,” Frent said in a confident voice.

Immediately after, triggered by Frent's words, ten more hands were raised. Adion wasn’t among them, though. He took a seat as he watched the girl named Frida enter the same room as the old man. He needed to think about possible questions and how he could answer them.

I shouldn’t lie and try to hide it with my aura control. If that old man is in charge of vetting new recruits, he is sure to be practiced in lie detection. Even if I have some skill, I have only practiced for a few years. That old man will definitely see through me if I try to hide my lies.

One by one, the youths entered the room. The longest anyone stayed was five minutes. So when it was only a few of them left, only a little over an hour had passed. Adion thought he had prepared as well as he could, so when Frent asked for a new person to step inside, Adion volunteered.

Okay. Calm your mind, Adion.

As he stepped into the room, he saw the old Gold mage sitting behind a desk. The desk had a few candles for light, and papers were stacked neatly in a pile. Hettim smiled kindly at Adion when he entered. He then grabbed a blank piece of paper and began writing.

Is writing down a description of my looks or something? That could be bad.

“Welcome, I’m glad to see someone so talented joining us,” Hettim said as he gestured for Adion to take a seat, “What’s your name, young man?”

“I’m Adion, sir,” Adion answered as he sat down.

“You don’t have a last name?” Hettim asked, “I find it strange how someone with your talent could grow up outside a family clan.”

“I do come from a family clan, and I do have a last name, but I’ve decided not to use it at the moment,” Adion said, taking care not to control his aura in any way, “You see, other than my brother, sister, and grandpa, the rest have all been killed. I’ve killed hundreds of beasts since then, but have not managed to quell my desire for revenge at all.”

“I see,” Hettim shook his head with a sympathetic smile, “There are many like you who join us. Many members have lost loved ones to the beasts. You can rest assured that you have come to the best place if you seek to avenge your family.”

Adion nodded with a slight smile, pleased that he had made the Gold mage misunderstand his intentions without needing to lie.

“Now, I’m sorry, but I will have to ask you a few questions that might sound accusatory. It’s something all new members have to answer to make sure we are not infiltrated by spies,” Hettim explained, “Just answer truthfully. I have a good eye for liars, so best not to try anything.”

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“Of course,” Adion nodded. He was now a little nervous. Even though he had thought through many questions that might come up, he couldn’t prepare for everything.

“Are you part of any other organization at the moment?” Hettim asked.

“Only the Outskirts Guild,” Adion answered.

“Mm, that’s no problem,” The man nodded, “Do you wish our organization harm? Do you plan to sabotage us?”

“No,” Adion answered.

“Are you working as a spy for any person or organization?” Hettim asked.

“No,” Adion answered once again.

“What is your purpose for joining this organization?” Hettim asked.

Er, did I think about this question? I had an answer ready for something like this.

Adion got a little nervous but didn’t panic. He closed his eyes and took a moment to think about an answer.

“I want revenge for what happened to my family. When I heard about your organization, I thought that joining you would be a step in the right direction.” Adion finally answered.

Of course, It’s so simple. No need to overthink things. Everything can be twisted.

“Good,” Hettemi nodded with a smile, “It seems like you will have a bright future joining us. I can feel that you are a low Bronze mage already. Very impressive, by the way. What element does your core have?”

You just had to phrase it like that? How can I answer? ‘I control fire very well’? No. That’s way too weirdly put. Okay, Adion, you can’t hesitate on this one.

“My family clan was a clan of fire mages, and I’m proud of what I’ve managed to accomplish with my hard work,” Adion responded. He then took control of the candle flames and pulled it towards him. He slowly increased the size of the flame from the pure mana around him. He didn’t think Hettim would notice if he didn’t think about it. It’s hard to see something you’re not expecting. Even if he did notice, and asked why he didn’t use the fire mana from his core, Adion could just say he wanted to brag.

He then slowly made the fire take the form of a ball. Adion could make it a much more complicated shape without effort using his Authority, but he had learned his lesson. So, Adion put on a show of struggling to shape the flame into a neat round ball. He only held it for about three seconds before letting go. He then leaned back on his chair and pretended to be slightly exhausted.

Something like that should be considered talented but not scary talented, right?

Adion couldn’t figure out a way out of the question without lying. He thought about just saying he was a fire mage, but he could feel that his aura would react to that. He was a space mage. He might say he was also a fire mage, but to say he was a fire mage without first saying he was a space mage was something Adion considered a lie, and his aura would show it.

So he thought to just use his fire magic and let Hettim assume the answers on his own. But it would be weird if he didn’t have anything special to show with his fire manipulation. So he used a small bit of his actual skills so that Hettim would be impressed, but not too impressed.

“Oh, impressive,” Hettim said with a nod, “You must have practiced a lot and seem to have a strong Will.”

“I have,” Adion nodded, relieved.

Even if my response was a little strange, I guess he was convinced by my fire control. And it’s not like this was a question meant to startle me. Who besides me would hide their element?

“A fire mage then,” Hettim muttered as he wrote down Adion’s ‘answer’ on the piece of paper. “Well, everything seems to be in order. I believe you are the most talented young man I have ever interviewed to join us. I’m sure my superior will be interested in seeing you when he returns. He said to look out for youths who could join Cyalis. I’m sure you’re not opposed to that idea?”

“Not at all,” Adion shook his head, “I was planning on heading there when I turn 17.”

“That’s excellent news,” Hettim smiled, “I’ll send someone for you when my superior comes back.”

“Alright,” Adion nodded.

I guess I still stand out even as a low Bronze. But this could be good. I might be able to find-. Wait. ‘Superior.’ Does that mean I might be meeting with a Diamond mage?

“Alright, you can go wait with the rest while I interview the last ones,” Hettim said.

“Of course,” Adion nodded, and then got up to leave.

As he left the room and made his way to his previous seat in the main chamber, Adion’s head was spinning with thought.

I had to be on my toes against a Gold. What about a Diamond? Could he even see through my real strength? That’s a real possibility. He should definitely be aware of the importance of aura to advance to the Soul stages.

He could be another Gold, of course. Diamond mages aren’t exactly common. But I should prepare for the worst case. It’s impossible to be a Soul mage, at least. No way someone like that would meet with me. Well, everything is possible, but it’s more likely that a random Diamond mage will kill me on the way back to the inn. There is no use thinking about those absurd possibilities.

But how would I handle a Diamond mage? I can’t reveal my actual strength. That would make me too valuable. I don’t think he would be able to sense my space core. Not many have practiced to sense that stuff. It’s hard to do even without someone hiding it. But strength is something every mage has experience in sensing. It’s definitely possible he will be able to see through me.

Adion was deeply troubled by this news. He even considered bailing on the whole plan and leaving the city.

No. Let’s take it easy. Most Diamond mages have not practiced their aura sense much. It takes all their time to focus on their mana control and Will-tempering. There are exceptions, of course, but they would have a high chance of advancing to the Soul stages. They wouldn’t bother with me, right?

Adion rubbed his forehead in frustration.

And at the end of the day, that superior would have to use his aura sense to feel if I have hidden my strength, and would he really suspect a 15-year-old low Bronze mage of doing so? I doubt it. And worst case scenario, and it’s discovered that I’m hiding my strength, it’s not like I’m gonna get killed. Things will just get a little more bothersome, as they would be really interested in me.

I’ll go through with it. I can always change my mind later if I regret the decision.

It didn’t take long before everyone had gone through their interviews. Adion saw Hettim walking out of the room together with the last interviewee. The old man had a pleased smile plastered on his face.

“I’m happy to say that every one of you has passed our little interview,” Hettim announced to a round of applause. “I will leave it to Frent here to give you instructions on how to proceed from here on out. Most of you are only Bronze or Iron at the moment. So your mission won’t be as exciting to start out, but very important nonetheless. When you’ve gained some experience and gotten stronger, I’m sure you’ll have no problem flying through the ranks.”

I wonder what they’ll have us do. The most logical would be for us to kill beasts I guess. But we are at the Silver Wall. There are not a lot of safe places for Bronze mages.

“I hope to see you again soon,” Hettim said with a smile, “I have other errands to attend to at the moment, but let me be the first to welcome you to our family. Welcome to the Heavenly Light!”