My New Life in TBATE

Respect Earned

Entering the exam field we see an examiner currently fighting against a potential adventurer. They are both conjurers, the tester using wind while the test taker seems to be a water mage. The water mage is also a dark orange core which is surprising as she seems to only be about early to mid 20s. The examiner is slightly older at around 40 and is only at the solid orange stage, which is still pretty impressive considering the mass majority only reaches to red stage and never breaks through.

However experience shines through, and the wind mage examiner redirects a blast of water back to the owner while also conjuring wind blades. With too many attacks to focus on the water mage panicked and froze, having to be saved by the examiner as she stopped her magic before it could hit.

"C rank with potential to rise to B rank quickly with some experience, we look forward to your progress Juniper. Next! Oh guild master what are you and all them doing here?" The examiner had his back to us throughout the fight, so he didn't notice our approach. The water mage Juniper merely bowed before heading to the judges sitting down to get her guild card before exiting the room.

"We have a bit of a challenge from Mister Marno against a new guild member of ours. He seems to think I don't give accurate rank assessments." Marno could be seen with sweat dropping rapidly before he recomposed himself and stepped forward.

"We just want proof the little brat can actually handle A rank. We wouldn't want him to cost people their lives during a mission." He said confidently, gaining nods from various other seemingly seasoned adventurers. However at the hearing of 'little brat' I was beginning to lose my patience with this oaf and a bit of fire mana trickled out of my hands.

"Yes, a noble sentiment if it wasn't questioning my capacity as an examiner. Should we have someone else give you another exam Mister Marno as I seem to recall being the one who gave you your rank as well." Once again Marno looked nervous and sweatdropped at this before standing firm.

"Lets just get this over with." Kaspian sighed as he motioned to one of the girls sitting behind the judges desk.

"Yes, guild master?" She asked with hand clutching a clipboard to her chest.

"Bring Mister Marno a waiver to sign in case of an accident. He's gone and made probably the strongest person in this room angry, also bring one for Rez so Marno won't complain." He said quiet enough for Marno not to hear but I caught the exchange. She quickly dashed off and returned just as quickly with 2 pieces of paper.

"Hahaha! Good now I won't owe this kids family anything if I accidentally rough him up too much. I won't even need my full power and I'll still crush him. Sign the paper boy, I won't be responsible for your arrogance." The thought 'oh the irony' was clearly visible on my and Kaspians face, but I signed the paper and handed it to the girl with the clipboard. Marno does the same and we take our positions on the field.

"The duel between B rank adventurer Marno Bellend, Solid Red core Earth Augmenter and Axe user against A rank adventurer Rez, Solid yellow core-..." before he could finish he was cut off by the collective shout of disbelief from the crowd and especially Marno, however I was just laughing loudly at the fact his last name was bellend. Which came out rather creepy due to me changing my voice.

"Guild Master there's no way he's a yellow core, he had to have lied to you! Let me put this guy in his place for you so his family can stop blackmailing you!" Marno said with renewed determination as he stared me down. Kaspian just had a wry grin on his face and I could practically read his thoughts. 'He's definitely lying about his core stage, but not in the way you expect. Idiot.' Before shaking his head.

"If no one is going to interrupt again I was hoping to finish." He said in a serious voice while looking out over the crowd. Everyone wisely shut up and focused towards the 2 fighters on the field.