The carriage came to a halt outside the large townhouse, the horses snorting and shifting restlessly. Valerian stepped out, brushing the dust from his trousers and straightening his shirt. He handed the driver one more copper coin, a tip to avoid any trouble, then watched as the carriage rumbled away down the cobblestone street.

Standing in front of the townhouse, he felt a surge of uncertainty. This place was unlike anything he was used to, with its ivy-covered walls and intricate ironwork. The contrast to the drab, crowded neighborhoods where he lived was striking. It made him feel out of place, but he couldn't afford to let that deter him.

Valerian approached the front door and reached for the brass knocker. It was ornate, shaped like a lion's head, and felt cold to the touch. As he lifted it to knock, he hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. This job could be his way out of poverty, his chance to build a better life for himself and his brother. He couldn't afford to let fear get in the way.

The knock echoed through the quiet street, and Valerian stepped back, waiting for a response. After a few moments, he heard footsteps approaching from inside. The door opened, revealing a tall man with a stern expression. His hair was neatly combed, and he wore a formal black suit. Valerian couldn't tell if the man was a butler, a secretary, or something else entirely.

"Yes?" the man said, his voice even but lacking warmth.

"I'm here about the job," Valerian replied, trying to sound confident. "I saw the ad in the newspaper for a research assistant."

The man raised an eyebrow, as if scrutinizing Valerian's appearance. "You are aware that Lord Castiel's work is... unique, aren't you?" he asked, his tone implying that not everyone was suited for it.

Valerian nodded, even though he had no idea what "unique" meant in this context. "Yes, I understand," he said, hoping he sounded convincing. "I'm willing to do whatever's needed. I just need a chance."

The man seemed to consider this, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Very well," he said after a pause. "Follow me."

Valerian stepped inside, his heart racing with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The entrance hall was grand, with high ceilings and elegant decorations. It was unlike any place he had ever been, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.

As he followed the man through the hall, Valerian knew that this was more than just a job opportunity—it was his chance to prove himself, to find a way to survive in a world that often felt stacked against him. He didn't know what to expect from Lord Castiel's research, but he was ready to face whatever came next.

Valerian followed the stern man through the grand hallway, trying not to be overwhelmed by the opulent surroundings. The high ceilings and ornate decorations suggested wealth and power, far beyond anything he'd experienced in the factory districts of Drakenheim. The man led him into a large study, where books and maps filled the walls, and a heavy wooden table dominated the center.

"Please wait here," the man said, gesturing to a chair near the table. "Lord Castiel will be with you shortly."

Valerian sat down, feeling a mix of anxiety and excitement. This wasn't just a simple interview—it was an opportunity that could change his life. He looked around, noticing that many of the books seemed old and worn, filled with strange symbols and diagrams. The maps on the table had intricate markings, as if charting hidden pathways through unknown territories.

After a few minutes, the door opened, and a tall man with a commanding presence entered the study. Lord Castiel's sharp gaze swept over Valerian, his expression unreadable. He was dressed in a dark suit, tailored to perfection, and his hair was streaked with gray, giving him an air of authority.

"Valerian Crow, correct?" he said, his voice calm yet firm.

"Yes, that's me," Valerian replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

Lord Castiel took a seat behind the table, his eyes never leaving Valerian. "I'm told you're interested in the position of research assistant," he said. "This role requires a certain level of... resilience. You understand that?"

Valerian nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure what was expected of him. "I do," he replied. "I'm ready to learn and do whatever's needed."

"Good," Lord Castiel said. "Let's start with some basic questions. What skills do you bring to the table? What experience do you have with research?"

Valerian hesitated, knowing his experience was limited. "I've worked in factories and done various jobs to get by," he said. "I'm not afraid of hard work, and I can follow instructions. I just need a chance to prove myself."

Lord Castiel seemed to consider this, his gaze intense. "Very well," he said after a pause. "We have some tests to assess your abilities. If you can demonstrate the necessary skills, we'll consider you for the role."

Valerian nodded, determined to make the most of this opportunity. Lord Castiel stood and gestured for him to follow. They left the study and walked down a narrow corridor, leading to a training room filled with equipment—weights, targets, and training dummies. Valerian felt a mix of curiosity and caution; this was no ordinary research setting.

"Let's start with some basic agility tests," Lord Castiel said, pointing to an obstacle course at one end of the room. "Navigate through this course as quickly as you can. We'll be timing you."

Valerian took a deep breath, preparing himself. He wasn't sure what kind of research involved obstacle courses and combat dummies, but he knew he had to prove his worth. This was his chance to show he could handle the job, even if he didn't yet understand all the details.

Valerian stood in the training room, taking in the scene before him. The obstacle course stretched out across the room, and it looked far more intense than he'd expected. There were ropes, hurdles, and wooden beams, creating a daunting array of challenges. He felt his heart race, knowing that his physical strength was limited.

Lord Castiel glanced at him, holding a stopwatch in his hand. "Whenever you're ready," he said, his tone neutral but expectant.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Valerian took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He'd never faced anything like this before. The work in the factories was monotonous, but it didn't require the kind of agility or physicality that this course demanded. Still, he couldn't turn back now. This job was his chance to find stability, and he couldn't let fear or uncertainty stand in his way.

He started with the first hurdle, a low bar that forced him to crouch and crawl beneath it. The rough floor scraped against his knees as he moved slowly, focusing on keeping his balance. It felt awkward and uncomfortable, but he managed to make it through without incident.

Next came the wooden beams. Valerian grabbed the first beam, feeling its rough texture against his palms, and tried to pull himself up. His muscles strained with the effort, and he had to use his legs to push off the ground for extra support. It was clear that he lacked the upper body strength needed to do this easily. He grunted as he swung his legs over the beam, nearly losing his balance as he dropped to the other side.

Lord Castiel watched him intently, his expression giving nothing away. Valerian's landing was less than graceful, but he managed to stay on his feet. He took a moment to catch his breath, feeling the burn in his arms and shoulders. He knew he needed to keep moving, but his confidence was waning.

The final obstacle was a rope suspended above a pit filled with sawdust. Valerian grabbed the rope, feeling the fibers dig into his hands. He swung with all his might, his grip faltering as he reached the other side. He landed in the sawdust, the impact sending a cloud of dust into the air. It wasn't a smooth landing, but he made it across.

As he stood and dusted himself off, he could feel the disappointment in his own performance. He knew he hadn't excelled, but he hoped his effort would count for something. Lord Castiel approached him, his expression as sharp as ever.

"Not the best showing," Lord Castiel said, his voice calm but with a hint of disapproval. "But you didn't give up. That's a start."

Valerian nodded, feeling the weight of his exhaustion. "I'll do better," he said, hoping his determination would be enough to compensate for his lack of physical strength.

"We'll see," Lord Castiel replied, his gaze lingering on Valerian for a moment before he gestured toward the door. "Let's move on to the next test. This one is more about observation and attention to detail."

Valerian felt a mix of relief and apprehension. He knew he wasn't physically strong, but maybe his observational skills would give him a better chance. As he followed Lord Castiel out of the training room, he hoped that he could make a better impression in this next round. The job was his only hope for stability, and he couldn't afford to fail.

Valerian followed Lord Castiel out of the training room, his muscles sore from the earlier tests. As they walked down the narrow corridor, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of curiosity about this place. The intricate decorations and the dark wood paneling gave the impression that there was more to this house than met the eye.

They entered a smaller room with shelves filled with various artifacts. The dim lighting cast shadows across the walls, highlighting the strange objects that lined the shelves—ancient books with tattered covers, odd trinkets, and what looked like old scrolls. In the center of the room, a large table was covered with sheets of parchment displaying detailed designs and patterns.

"Take a seat," Lord Castiel said, pointing to a wooden stool by the table.

Valerian sat down, glancing at the table. The designs were intricate, a mix of overlapping circles, spirals, and geometric shapes. Some reminded him of factory gears, while others looked like complex mandalas. He felt a slight chill as he noticed the more unusual patterns, which seemed to hint at occult themes.

Lord Castiel handed him a pencil and a blank sheet of parchment. "I want you to trace one of these patterns onto the blank parchment," he said, his voice even but firm. "Take your time. Accuracy is crucial."

Valerian nodded, feeling a bit uneasy. He picked a pattern to trace, choosing one with concentric circles and interlocking lines. It seemed like a simple design, but the more he traced, the more complicated it became. His hand trembled slightly, but he did his best to keep the pencil steady.

As he worked, he glanced at the other patterns on the table. Some had symbols that seemed familiar, while others appeared completely alien. He wondered if Lord Castiel was into strange hobbies or if these designs had a deeper meaning. Maybe it was just a fascination with the occult or a preference for unconventional art. Valerian didn't want to jump to conclusions, but it was hard not to think that something unusual was happening in this house.

Lord Castiel watched him carefully, his gaze intense but unreadable. "Precision is vital," he said, breaking the silence. "These patterns need to be replicated accurately. Even the smallest deviation can affect the results."

Valerian nodded, focusing on his tracing. He didn't want to disappoint Lord Castiel, especially since he didn't know what was expected of him in this mysterious place. The atmosphere in the room felt heavy, as if it held secrets that Valerian wasn't ready to uncover.

When he finished tracing the pattern, Valerian put down the pencil and looked up at Lord Castiel, hoping he had done a good job. The lord examined the parchment, his expression neutral as he checked the lines and shapes.

"Not bad," Lord Castiel said after a moment, handing the parchment back. "Precision and attention to detail will be key in this role. We'll move on to the next test."

Valerian followed Lord Castiel through the narrow corridors of the house, taking in the muted sounds and faint voices from other rooms. The environment was subdued, with portraits and tapestries depicting pastoral scenes. He felt a hint of curiosity about the nature of the work here but tried to keep his focus on the task at hand.

Lord Castiel led him into a smaller room with a wooden desk and a few filing cabinets. The lighting was dim, casting shadows across the walls, and the scent of old paper filled the air. It felt like a place where mundane tasks were handled, though the underlying sense of mystery remained.

"Have a seat," Lord Castiel said, pointing to a chair near the desk. Valerian sat down, feeling a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. The previous tests had been challenging, but this seemed like a standard office setup.

"One final test," Lord Castiel said, placing a blank sheet of paper and a pencil in front of him. "I want you to copy this passage from one of our texts," he said, pointing to a specific book on the desk. The book was thick and filled with old scripts, its pages slightly yellowed with age. "Accuracy and neatness are key. We need precise records."

Valerian nodded, his grip tightening on the pencil. He opened the book to the indicated page, noticing the intricate handwriting and the complexity of the text. It wasn't a simple task—some of the words were in different languages, and the script was elaborate. He began copying the passage, focusing on each stroke of the pencil, ensuring that the lines were clean and the spacing accurate.

The room was silent except for the faint scratching of the pencil on paper. Lord Castiel watched him closely, his eyes keen on Valerian's progress. The sense of pressure was palpable, as if this simple task held greater significance than it seemed. Valerian knew he had to perform well; this could be the difference between getting the job and leaving empty-handed.

After what felt like hours, but was only minutes, Valerian completed the passage and handed the paper to Lord Castiel. The lord examined it carefully, scrutinizing each line and word. Valerian could feel his heart pounding in his chest, the anticipation growing with each passing second.

Lord Castiel nodded, a subtle hint of approval in his expression. "Not bad," he said. "You have an eye for detail. That's good. We'll consider your application. You can go home for now, and we'll contact you if you're selected for the position."

Valerian felt a wave of relief mixed with uncertainty. He hadn't secured the job yet, but he knew he'd done his best. As he stood and prepared to leave, Lord Castiel handed him a sealed letter. "Deliver this to Mr. Wainwright at the printing press down the street," he said. "It's on your way out. A small errand to finish the day."

Valerian took the letter, grateful for the opportunity to show his reliability. The simple task seemed straightforward, but he knew that even small things could be significant in a place like this. He left the room, making his way through the corridors, feeling a mix of anticipation and trepidation. He didn't know what the future held, but he hoped that his efforts would lead to a better chance for him and his brother.